There are quite a few trends I have noticed in the past year that we can use in 2012. Special touches that make a blog extra special no matter what kind of blog you have. We all want our unique qualities to shine through. That’s the point right? You want people to pay you a visit for your excellent content…no matter what your specialty is.
I cite some examples here, please note that I read tons of blogs and can only fit a smidgeon of my favorites in this post. These blogs fall into many & quite possibly all of these categories.
Voice.
Bloggers who share their fab personalities through unique writing have gobs of success. We each enjoy different writing styles. I love short, quick snippets of prose with sharp wit, colorful-descriptive words and a touch of sarcasm. Basically I want to giggle out loud when I read. There are many folks who write longer content, that works great too.
Short + sweet just happens to be my favorite writing style for my teeny-tiny attention span. A few blogs that shine for me…
- Bakerella – A genius when it comes to baking, art + design & everything.
- Bev Cooks – I MUST meet Bev this year. She never fails to make me laugh.
- Blooming on Bainbridge – The *happiest* blogger you will ever meet
- Confessions of a Cookbook Queen – Beyond hilarious!
- Cookies and Cups – Also beyond hilarious.
- Georgia Pellegrini – A gal with wisdom, wit, true grit and dazzling charm.
- Love Veggies and Yoga – A great friend who speaks with truth and dignity. Always.
- The Pioneer Woman – Snippets of life, passion, inspiration with lots of giggles peppered in.
Diverse Content.
A great blog goes way beyond the food and recipes for me. I love to learn more about the bloggers lifestyle, travels, wanderings, craft ideas and more. These folks hit on all of that. They always keep my entertained…
- At Home With Kim Vallé
- Camille Styles
- Cupcakes and Cashmer
- forty-sixth at grac
- Heather Cristo
- Ingredients Inc
- Jennie Steffen
- Little Brown Pe
- Oh Joy
- Sweet Paul
- Wears Many Hat
- Wenderly
Creativity.
A blog without unique style and creativity is not going to keep me running back for more. These bloggers create creative recipes and serve them up with loads of style and charm. They have distinct personalities that are exemplified in their blogs. They are masters of piping bags, icing techniques, photography, recipe development and more…
Photography and Food Styling.
I am a visually minded person. When I knock on the door of a blog I want to squirm with delights that thrill the senses. Amazing photography and food styling are essentials to keep me coming back for more…
- canelle et vanille
- Gourmande in the Kitchen
- Griottes
- kiss my spatula
- La Tartine Gourmande
- Matt Bites
- roost a simple life
- Tartelette
- Verses From My Kitchen
- White on Rice Couple
Recipes.
Mostly I read food blogs. Obviously.
We all need to hone in on the ingredients that thrill us. These folks are so creative in the kitchen and their passion shows in each and every recipe they create. These are diverse offerings, with very dedicated readers…
- An Edible Mosaic
- Anja’s Food 4 Thought
- Cookin’ CanuckÂ
- Eats Well With Others
- Oh She Glows
- Recipe Girl
- The Comfort of Cooking
- Three Many Cooks
- Whats Gaby Cooking
Tutorials
Lots of folks share great advice on all of the things we want to learn about. Here are a few of my favorites. There are also awesome YouTube offerings.
- Oh So Posh – photography
- Kevin and Amanda – photography, crafts, free fonts + lots more
- TidyMom – diy crafts & more
- Dapper Toad –Â art + design + crafts + sewing + more
- i am baker – baking + cakes + loads of fun!
- Sweet Sugar Belle cookie decorating
- Zoe Bakes – cakes + more
DIY.
These days bloggers tend to share way beyond their chosen niche. Food bloggers have become go-to travel experts, lifestyle activists, crafters and talented graphic designers. Many blogs not only share recipes, but amazing travel portfolios and DIY craft projects. Free downloadable printables are all the rage. (Yours truly even had some Holiday Tag printables for you this year!)
You can get some of the most spectacular DIY designs out there by your favorite bloggers. A few to check out…
- Camille Styles
- Eat. Drink. Chic
- {frolic!}
- Hostess with the Mostess
- Oh Happy Day
- Paper Sparrow
- Posh Pixels Design Studio
- Thompson Family
Workshops.
Workshops have become an essential way to get better at your craft no matter what it is. Attend workshops when you can on what you love and want to get better at.
It is fun to learn from leaders in the community and to meet fellow bloggers for reals. Lots of them travel the globe teaching skills in all sorts of things. These workshops are worth the investment and are a lot heck of a lot cheaper than a 4 year college degree.
Conferences.
It is great to sit behind the computer. Even better when you can meet other bloggers for real!
I always love seeing what people are like in person. Usually they are quite like you would picture. Other times not. Depending on what your blog focus is there are gobs of conferences around the world in all blog topics. I often learn about new ones by watching my pals on Twitter.
Guest Posts.
This is a great way to build community. Share your blog space or perhaps guest post on someone else’s. As a general rule of thumb, here is a quick tip: Don’t send mass emails promoting the content you would like to share. Create friendships, bonds and relationships.
Let the guest posts happen organically.
Diverse Social Media.
Grab it. Bloggers are spread out around the internet and well beyond. If you don’t all ready, be sure to have a Facebook Fan Page, Twitter account,  Pinterest boards and a Stumble page. Honestly, I don’t know how I ever lived without Instagram in my life!
Each person has there own unique favorites when it comes to social media. I know a lot of folks like Google +. I have not had much experience with that one. Once you have those social media platforms set up, then create communities over there. You will get lots of new fans + friends when you periodically interact on those platforms too. They are sort of like mini blogs.
Online Events
Host a one time online event one or one that becomes a series. This year Lisa from With Style and Grace and I hosted Two Peas and Their Pod virtual baby shower. That was a huge amount of fun for all the bloggers involved and a great surprise for Maria and Josh!
My Project Lunch Box series is a great example of an ongoing blog event.
My goal with this post was to inspire you to reach out, share and be your best! XOXO
This is so great, Marla! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Happy New Year!
Some great ideas in this post Marla.
LOVE this post. Great reflections on some great things, and nice reminders of some very talented bloggers and the variety of fab content that they contribute to the blog world! XO & thanks for loving my blog too. Love ya back!!
Excellent tips and guides, Maria! And thanks for sharing some of your wonderful reads around the food blogging world 🙂
Thank you for such an encouraging and comprehensive post! My blog was finally born on Nov. 16th and I’m quickly learning that the best advice is right here online. I love all the examples and references you have included. I’m bookmarking this post for reference!
Hi Mimi! Congrats on launching your blog. It is a great community of people out there. You are right…so much talent and great ideas for inspiration. Glad you like the post.
Excellent post. Inspiring, informative and absolutely true. Thanks Marla!
Great post! There are so many fabulous blogs out there! I am very excited for 2012!
Maria, I am soooo excited for 2012 as well! Lots of fun on the horizon for all of us. Hope to see you bunches & meet that little pea! xo
Couldn’t agree more, Marla. It’s amazing how things change. Just in the last few months my traffic has more than doubled just from Pinterest and StumbleUpon alone. Can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2012. Happy New Year to you and your beautiful family!
Marla, I love this round up. Some of my favorite sites, and thank you for the introduction to ones new to me. Here’s to a 2012 that’s full of wonderful discoveries!
Love this post sweetheart! Full of great advice, bring on 2012, I’m so excited 😀
Great tips and love all these blogs! So great planning Maria’s baby shower with you and excited to see what opens up for us in 2012. Hope you had a wonderful holiday and happy new year my dear!
Great, great post Marla! Love all the ideas and the blogs you’ve highlighted. Best wishes to you in 2012.
A lovely post! Thanks for sharing all those links with us.
Best wishes for 2012! I’m looking forward to reading you next year.
Cheers,
Rosa
A fabulous round up of blogs and some great advice, Marla. Happy New Year!
This is an excellent resource Marla. You’ve really nailed it with your blog links. I’m constantly inspired by their talent and content they {and you!} produce. My blog is still a baby but I’m looking forward to growing in 2012!
omg fabulous post!! I appreciate you so much for including me! You are awesome and your blog is one of my favorites by far
Great timing with this post, as I am new to blogging, and can greatly benefit from the tips!
Yay! I found some new-to-me blogs in there! Thank you! xoxo and Happy New Year!
Katrina, glad I could help you find some new fun blogs to read 🙂
What a wonderful post! I have to check out all the different blogs!! What I love most about blogs, is that you learn so much from others. My main goal right now is to learn how to take decent photos. I am most definitely going to check those blogs out that you like. Thanks for posting this.
Jennifer, glad I could point you in the right direction! The best we can all do is help each other & keep practicing the things we love to do best. It will be fun to watch you learn new photo skills!
Great post Marla. I’m working on improving my blog for 2012 and you had some great tips and ideas! Thank you!!!
Great post, Marla! Also a great round up of so many talented bloggers.
GREAT roundup of talented bloggers – Some I had never even seen/heard of before. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for all the great tips! We look forward to 2012 – hoping to attend some conferences and meeting you in person.
Hi Yvette! I would looooove to meet you in person too 🙂
Loved the post before I even read it. You’re right, so many ways to a great blog but it’s finding your own style and voice that will keep people coming back (at least your family). Thanks for the mention. And love coming back here often, but you already know that.
Happy new year to you and your darling family.
Glad you like the post Mike. Everything about your blog reflects love, great taste, dedication and a wonderful passion for life! I am so happy to have you as a close online friend…and one day I am sure we will hang out for reals!
Wonderful post, Marla…and I love reading the blogs you linked up and listed and what floats your boat.
Many of them I read, actually 95% of them I read, too I’d say….some in stealth just to stare at their beautiful pics. As you are, I am visually driven , too.
And to be inspired by other people’s food, recipes, creativity, photography…that’s why I read blogs…and to connect. I am honored you linked me up in your list, thank you! Trust me, your blog inspires me, you inspire me..your photography, dedication, creativity…I love ya!
I cannot wait to connect in 2012. Now go enjoy paradise for me 🙂
Averie, thanks for giving me a nudge to enjoy paradise. These legs need a beach walk and some sun right about now!! xo
Thank you for these tips Marla! And for introducing me to a whack of new and great blogs to check out! Happy New Year!
Amanda….love it a “whack of new blogs!”
Your posts are always so encouraging and inspiring! thank you for sharing your thoughts, wisdom, wit and incredibly beautiful pictures!
This is such a great post. Thank you so much! 🙂
Great list, Marla. 🙂
Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous post. Your photography is just stunning! I can NOT wait to see what the future holds for you friend. Love you! xoxo
Marla – great roundup. Miss ya!
What a fun & fantabulous post! Love all the blogs you highlighted! Always thrilled to discover new ones! And thank you so much for including mine!! I love your blog! I’m always entertained and enthralled with the beautiful photos!
Thanks so much for your insight! Great tips from one of my blog inspirations! 🙂
I love that you listed so many new-to-me blogs. I think 2012 will be a great year of blogging.
So many great blogs out there! Yours always is my favorite!
Great tips, Marla! Thank you for introducing me to some blogs I have not yet visited. Happy 2012!
P.s. I got to meet Bev a couple of weeks ago. She is even more fun in person than she is on the blog!
Great advice for both newbie and seasoned bloggers! There are so many wonderful bloggers out there sharing their passion with the world. I can’t wait to see what 2012 will have in store. Wishing you and your family a wonderful start to the New Year.
Great roundup of some great blogs and great advice! Hope you have a wonderfully Happy New Year! 🙂
Great post, Marla. I’ve discovered some new blogs from reading this; thank you! I still have so much to learn about blogging and photography, and your post had some excellent tips that I’m going to make sure I put into practice and/or continue developing. Thank you!
Great post and great reminders on what really matters for taking a blog to the proverbial next level. I think voice and photos are probably the two biggest things — along with being able to inform and educate in some way.
I loved this post, Marla. Thank you so much for sharing such great ideas, along with some wonderful blogs. Happy New Year!
This is so perfect Marla! Absolutely love it!
Great post with some wonderful tips!! It’s also wonderful to see some of my favourite bloggers listed there, but also to discover some new ones too.
Happy New Year! I hope 2012 holds fabulous things for you.
You absolutley made my day. I am excited to find new blogs too! I just know this year is going to be good. I haven’t been this hopeful about a new year in quite a while. Cannot wait to see what is in store for all of us. Happy New Year!!!!!
super new year’s inspiration… man i need to post more!!
What a great post! Love all the sites you listed and can’t wait to check out a few of the “new to me” blogs!
Hope your New Year is insanely great! Many kisses and hugs and I hope to get to see you soon 🙂
Marla, this so awesome! I’m so excited that I’m a PART OF YOUR LIST. This year = we MEET.
Happy 2012! xxxoo.
I cannot wait to check out some of the blogs you’ve listed – many I’ve never heard of, which is hard to believe after two years of food blogging!
Marla- that was an epic post! I am so honored that you would include me. Thank You 🙂 Family Fresh Cooking embodies every topic you discussed above- I am in constant wonderment at your beautiful creation.
Heather, “epic?!” Why thank you my friend! I had a blast putting this together. Glad some more folks will find you fab blog through the link here! It is well deserved that more people find you girl. xo
Couldn’t agree more with you that growth comes organically, and if you say it from the heart it will resonate.
Great round-up of some of the best of the web, and so many others out there to discover! Thanks for including FoodieCrush, so flattered to be in such esteemed company!
Happy New Years Marla, just love what you do for the blogging community.
XOXO H
Heidi, I think we all need to remind ourselves from time to time to be more organic with our blogs. It is hard not to get into the rat race of numbers, Alexa scores, Google rankings etc.
FoodieCrush is one of my all time favorites. You are a rock star and a gem in the biz.
I hope to meet you for reals in 2012 🙂 xo
Awesome roundup of useful advice and lovely blog recommendations. Funny you mention short and sweet writing – I’ve always wished I were capable of that!
Cara, your blog is amazing & your recipes are top notch. Keep doing what you do best & never be ashamed to use your own voice. (not sure “ashamed” is the word I am looking for – distracted!) I hope you have the opportunity to check out some of the other blogs. I am so proud of you & the Clean Eating gig as well! xo
thanks for sharing some of your favorite reads. Some are new to me. Going to check them out!
Happy New Year Marla!
thanks for the advices, you made such a good selection of blogs I just had to see them all, your blog is amazing!
Thanks Betty! Glad you had a chance to check out some new to you blogs as well!
You are the BEST Marla! I’m so glad we FINALLY got to meet this year and I hope for more hang-out time in 2012! <3<3 Lots of love.
Joanne, meeting you at Foodbuzz was certainly a highlight of my trip to San Francisco & my year. I might be in NYC this March, if I am then we MUST hang out 🙂
What a great post – thank you very much for sharing some insight!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
great insight, Marla! Happy New Year to your and your family! xx
Wonderful roundup, Marla! Thank you – and have a wonderful, happy and healthy New Year!
[K]
Thanks Kim! Back at ya 🙂 Hopefully we will see each other in 2012!
Marla, This is such a helpful post!! Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Such a great group of blogs featured!
What an incredible post, Marla, from beginning to end. I was completely immersed in the post and then saw my blog included, which made me smile like crazy–thank you so much for that! I’m really touched that you would include me in such a list of talent. That aside, this post is so informative, and you have such a gift for writing, sharing and so much more–your name should be on every one of those lists as well. 😉 Wishing you and your gorgeous family a year filled with love, health and continued success! xo
Great read, Marla!
🙂
valerie
Great post Marla–I already checked out a few of your favorites!
This is such a great idea for a post, Marla. You listed so many of my favorites and I am honored to be included amongst them.
Dara, I could never forget about you! Love you & your blog 🙂
Love this post Marla!! Happy new year girl!
You hit on so many great points – fab post, Marla! Happy New Year to you & your family!!
Great post Marla. I love everything about it. Thank you so much for popping over and saying HI at FG. It always makes me smile when I see your name in the comments. Happy New Year. I hope our paths cross in 2012.
~Heather
Wow! What a great post. Thank you so much for sharing all these great pointers — really helps someone new like me. I love that you listed your favorite blogs as well.
xoxo
Bridgette
Hi Bridgette! Hope you enjoy perusing those new blogs. They are super fun!!
Even though I am not a food/diy blogger anymore, I loved this post! I always enjoy seeing others give tips and tricks about blogging, as that is what my blog is all about. Thanks for being generous and sharing this article. 🙂
Sadie, people sure do cruise the blogosphere looking for tips….sounds like your blog is well needed. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
This blog is like going on an adventure with all the great pictures of scenery
and food. Healthy family recipes are a great part of what your blog is about.
So needed in raising a family today. Also ways to stretch the family budget are
evident. In this economy, everyone is looking for deals that save money and how
to feed their family the best way nutritionally at the same time. Thanks
Dusty, such a sweet comment. Thanks so much for stopping over & joining in the adventures! I love to mix it up for you guys. Tying together recipes, travel, healthy lifestyle and occasional crafts keep things interesting for all of us. Hopefully I will be able to share some more fun destinations with you all soon.
What a great list – i totally agree with you – for me it is hard to expand beyond recipes but i try sometimes 🙂
Such a great post!! Luv it =>
Dana
I am a new blogger and found this very helpful. Thanks!
Fantastic share! Love it how you broke it all out. Thanks for including me – I’m honored to be mentioned by you and alongside all these talented folks. 🙂
All these pointers great, really help full for new.