Whether it’s finding the latest trends or being filled with inspiration, we’re all about bloggers that promote a happy and fabulous lifestyle. So when Nuance and Bubbles waltzed into our lives, we were so excited to discover a lifestyle blog that was committed to helping women live better lives. From delicious dessert recipes to travel tips, blogger Valerie’s Nuance and Bubbles is the perfect way to add a splash of positivity to your everyday life.
Chatting with blogger Valerie made us even more inspired! Check out the exclusive interview filled with tons of tips and tricks to help you grow your blog and connect with other bloggers!
- What made you start Nuance and Bubbles?
This blog started out of conversations with friends about love, relationships, mending broken hearts and empowerment. I thought about it and got inspired to start writing inspirational blurbs on my personal Facebook account. It started getting a lot of attention and ran into trouble when people wanted to share because of my security settings, so I decided to start a blog and start filing away stories and posts that help add intention to people’s lives. I stopped for a while and picked it up again a year ago and haven’t stopped ever since. Though my blog has evolved into a faith and lifestyle blog, as oppose to only providing an inspirational voice.
- What’s been your biggest challenge running a blog?
I would say it’s managing my time. I work from home so I’ve had to intentionally build a routine (still trying) to be able to get my work done during my most productive hours of the day, while also managing the rest of my life. I am guilty of being a bit of a procrastinator and so I’ve had to find little tricks to correct that.
- How have you personally promoted your blog?
I love this question because I love talking about this. When I first started my blog I discovered a great community of such talented and creative bloggers and I was immediately drawn to some that I felt fell in line with what I was doing or that just seemed nice and I wanted to get to know better, you know like friends! Well it turned out that, while many actually became friends a few actually looked the other way because my blog was very very small and was just starting. I felt a little hurt but it did not discourage me, it just helped me make the decision to be nice and grow out of kindness and collaboration.
I truly believe there is a space for everyone to showcase their words, art or love for beauty and fashion. Unhealthy competition has never been my cup of tea and so I decided that I would take the opposite road. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the things I’ve done to promote my blog.
-Got very active on social media and participated in chats. During these online interactions, I checked other people’s blogs and gave them genuine feedback. I even followed some in at least one of my social media platforms. I even offered to host a chat so I could interact with other bloggers but to also promote my blog. It is really a win-win situation. For a full list of chats, click here.
Note: Social media can become overwhelming so I suggest that you pick your favorite platform and that you rock it there. For me it has been Instagram. I love photography and so for me it’s a perfect fit. My advise is choose what works naturally four you and put something beautiful out there for people to come back for more. Discover my best tips for Instagram photography here.
-I offered a few bloggers to guest post on my blog. This is actually something I love and have done quite a few times and have seen the results and wonderful relationships that have come out of it. By inviting someone to write in your blog, you gain a post with a fresh voice (that you don’t have to write), the author usually posts a teaser in their own blog for their readers to come and look at your blog and by planning a post with this other blogger you end up gaining a blogger friend. In some cases, a blogger will be as generous as to include you in their blogroll or even donate something from their shop (if they own one).
– I collaborate with brands, magazines or other bloggers outside of my niche. The blogging pool is a deep one so it is important to find your own niche that distinguishes you from the crowd. That being said you will often be put into categories so it’s helpful to find other people that are willing to hear your voice or share your content outside of the category you are in. Look for online magazines, other bloggers, authors, blog workshop that may be looking for contributors and pitch ideas to them so that they can put you in front of a different audience and gain new readers that way.
- Where do you get your inspiration from?
I mainly get my inspiration from the outdoors that means traveling, a walk or just looking out the window especially on a rainy day. I also get inspiration from books and magazines and lastly from the internet (like Pinterest, obviously). However, i try to limit my internet intake because I feel like it can be overwhelming and it may drown your creativity. How is that? Well let’s say in the morning you wake up with the firm desire to create something (a post, a DIY or anything really) and after you browse perfectly staged pictures all over the internet, all of a sudden your project seems small, insignificant and amateur. I have found that I perform better when I keep my eyes on my own paper. What about you?
- What’s the best thing new bloggers can do to help their blog grow?
I would say that the path is different for everyone, however here are some basics that can only enhance the wonderful endeavors each new blogger is beginning.
-Functional, pretty blog look: When you first start people don’t really know you and so they will immediately visit your blog to know a little more about you and your style. Try to update it and keep it nice and simple for people to navigate and fall in love with you. Keep in mind that most people check blog’s through the mobile devices so take advantage of that to showcase the best version of your blog there.
Note concerning pictures: Be careful not to post pictures that do not reflect you or your best work fully even if you are pressed for time to post something. Many blog readers love great content but some (if not most according to my experience) are visual as well. Try to put your best foot forward every time.
-Be social on social media: Look at blogs that you love and that inspire you and find the combination of things that reflects you and look on how to make it happen by connecting with people through social media. It helps to follow people that write help bloggers like blogspectacular, Bonjour Blogger, Blog Branch, etc. When you meet people online, try to genuinely connect at least with some, be friendly and interact.
– Be patient and gutsy: Every blogger will have a bad day, a day when they will not really remember why they are spending so many hours building something that is not really bringing them any real big results. Be patient and consistent. Post as much as you can every week and don’t give up. Also, when an opportunity comes your way, take the leap and put yourself out there. Some things will work and others won’t but it will never be a reflection of your worth or the validity of your dreams. Just keep posting, keep learning and don’t give up.
Obviously, Miss Valerie knows her stuff when it comes to starting, growing and promoting your blog! Whether you’re looking for fabulous fashion ideas or needing some much-needed inspiration, Nuance and Bubbles has something for you!
Want to learn more about Nuance and Bubbles? Connect with her here!:
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Shoot her an email at nuanceandbubbles@gmail.com
Want to be a featured blogger in our Bloggers Know Best column? Shoot Rebecca an email at rebecca@allynlewis.com to find out more info!