Faithful readers of my blog know that when it comes to time management, I LOVE to use A.W.E. Whether I am working towards a goal, creating change, or problem solving throughout the day – it’s important to create AWARENESS, WORK with laser focus, and EVALUATE the results.
I’m thrilled to introduce Delia Rusu from Blog Formatting this week as a guest blogger. Her tips on Spring Cleaning Your Blog fall right into the three steps of A.W.E. Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? (Plus, who can’t get behind a 12-step checklist???!!!)
Thanks, Delia, for sharing your wisdom!!!
I simply love spring-cleaning.
No, I don’t, I really don’t. But I like to spring clean my blog.
Getting rid of ads you don’t need anymore, simplifying menus, removing items that are past their date…
However, I hear that not many bloggers are crazy about doing it, just like I’m not crazy about the “regular” spring-cleaning.
So I thought I’d share this easy 12-step list with you so you get some ideas.
Even if you do one from each category or focus on a single section at a time (like you’d do with a room in your house), you’ll be oh, so glad you did!
Ah, the fresh air of a clean blog! Shall we start?
Menus and layout
- Dusting: Take out any boxes about events or offers that have passed.
- Washing: Check out your menus and options under them: are they still applicable? Should you change the menu names?
- Sweeping: Do you really have to have so many ads on the blog? Maybe you can leave a few on the main page but move the rest to a separate section.
About page
- Cleaning your mat: Add some recent images to your About page.
- Vacuum under the bed: Read the About page one more time and take out any unnecessary details.
- Neat your closets: Check if the contact information and social media links are correct.
Formatting and links
- Wax your posts. Add spacing, format better, headings and subheadings so it’s easier to read.
- Open the windows to the world. Add links to existing topics on your blog or to external sources.
- Discard expired information. Read existing posts and update if needed.
Images
- Defrost old images. Yes, those ones that you added in a hurry, I’m sure you can find something better now, please replace them.
- Do you have really bad or no images at all? Shine them by adding text and your blog URL, they are going to be great for Pinterest sharing!
- Organize the pantry. Add titles and descriptions to images for a SEO boost.
These are easy tips you can apply today to clean your blog and have it in awesome shape for spring!
And if you want to be kept accountable to do the work, join the Boost your blog in 6 weeks course – a new series starts May 5!
Check out more details and join, I’d love to help you clean your blog and more!
Delia Rusu is a blogging coach and consultant. She can help you conquer both your mindset (that tells you your writing is not good enough) and also your fear of the techie stuff.
She knows you’re passionate and want to get your message out there through blogging, but you just haven’t found out what works yet or you gave it up too soon.
Delia can help you blog confidently and consistently, get readers and comments, and get more visibility online!
Visit her website, Blog Formatting to download one of the cool freebies available. Connect with Delia on Facebook and Twitter.
image: scottchan/freedigitalphotos.net
WOW, didn’t I tell you Delia is AWESOME!!? Show her some virtual love by posting a comment below (what is your favorite blog tip?), following her on Facebook and Twitter, and checking out the Boost Your Blog in 6 Weeks Course.
Another great post from Delia! I never thought about going back and changing an image, just thought about adding one. Great stuff!
Emily
I know – Delia has sooooooooooooo much knowledge! How fortunate that she shared it with us today! I also hadn’t thought about the image . . . and boy do I have a lot I can change!
Lisa
This is perfect! I love a step by step and now I can print this out and keep it for the future “spring cleanings.” I definitely can add some links to other posts now that I have more! I could add SEO terms to old posts, BEFORE I even knew about SEO!
Hi-ho, hi-ho, off to print this I go!
Thanks Delia and LIsa!
xo
Dawn
Yep – Delia has a ton of knowledge. Aren’t we lucky she is willing to share?! thanks for stopping by!
lisa
You can never stop improving your content, not just in Spring. But if you strive for better content at the start, you’ll have less ‘cleaning’ to do later.
Scott –
You remind me of my favorite quote, “If you don’t have time to do it correctly now, when will you have time to fix it?” I agree – when you do it correctly the first time, you don’t have to make time to fix it. However, in my case with my blog, there was so much I didn’t know when I started, that I have LOTS of room to “spring clean” now!
I appreciate the comment!
Lisa
Great tips from Delia – Saved this article in my trusty Evernote for spring cleaning time. Now just have to find time to do it! (That means the house, the garden AND the blog – oh dear!)
Ana
We had a nice day a few weeks ago, so at least I was able to spring clean the garden! The rest . . . well . . . still a work in progress! Thanks for your comment.
Lisa
I will be doing some spring cleaning over the next few months. When I first start blogging, I knew nothing and now that I have gotten a wealth of information, its time to apply it. Thanks again Delia!
Chantea
Exactly how I was. I just jumped in – I now know sooooo much more! Expecially about images. Plus, my earlier posts I didn’t include many (if any) links because I didn’t have anything to link to! Now I do!!! thanks for your comment!
Lisa
I usually take good care of my cyber home. :) Loved the spring cleaning analogy for each step. Smiled through the whole post.
Paula
Thanks for stopping by! Isn’t Delia fabulous!!!
Lisa
She is absolutely fabulous! :)
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa thanks so much for the opportunity and all of you ladies are just awesome for everything that you just said in your comments. You made me blush, OMG!
I so appreciate you all, thanks for being here :)
Delia –
I love having you! I always pick up something new when I read your posts!
Lisa
Awesome, Delia! I keep things spring-cleaned on a regular basis, but I love the idea of adding text and my URL to images for Pinterest sharing. I haven’t done that . . . and I might just have to :).
Leanne
Thanks for your comment! Delia has so many awesome, fabulous, wonderful tips!
Lisa
Great idea! I never thought about taking a look at the blog once a year and doing a little spring cleaning. It’s so overwhelming when you start looking back at things, but this makes it a step by step process. Totally doable!
Lia
Agreed!!! Breaking down BIG projects into small steps makes it so doable!
Lisa
It’s funny, I am doing some spring cleaning of my blog as we speak. There are a couple of tips here that are good reminders, like “defrosting” images. Moving, changing directions, adding, subtracting all take its toll on a website. It’s good to give it a good scrubbing every now and then. At the rate I’m going though, my spring cleaning will last well into summer. :-) Thanks Delia for the information!
Kim
I actually printed out her list . . . as I’m pretty sure my “spring cleaning” will go through summer also! Appreciate the comment!
Lisa
Great suggestions! Even though it’s autumn where I live, a bit of a spruce up is in order! New header for me, I think. The old one needs to go like the falling leaves… (getting right into your seasonal analogy here!)
Tamara –
Great analogy!!!! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
lisa
I love these tips! Great analogies too. I can use some of these suggestions on my personal blog especially!
thanks for stopping by and commenting. Thrilled Delia tips were useful for you!