How to Get 1000 Followers in One Year

Now before I dive into this post I have to preface it. I am not a blogging expert, nor do I believe there is a sure formula to follow for how to get 1000 followers in a  year. However, if you read this post I recently had my one year blog anniversary and hit the 1000 followers bench mark. Whooo! I've had some people ask for my "secrets" so I figured I'd share what I have learned here.


1. Get a good blog design
When I started my blog, I had NO idea of how it would be received. I did know, however, that I had a lot of confidence in myself to be able to work hard at it and knew it was something I really wanted to put effort into. Thus, before I even launched my blog I payed to get a custom blog design done. Before I posted one tutorial - before I had one follower!! I forget the exact amount but think it was between 60-75 dollars. Now, I know us crafters are all about DIY and doing things cheaply.  But especially when I started out, I had NO CLUE how to design a blog. And even now after I've learned a lot more about HTML and such, I still have no regrets paying someone that much. Here's the thing about your blog design- before anyone ever reads a WORD you write or even sees a picture of your awesome project, they are going to see you blog header at the top of your page and automatically form an opinion about your blog.  My biggest suggestion for growing your blog is to get a design that reflects you and the idea behind your blog (and that isn't too over-the-top - I actually do not follow some blogs because I think their blog design is too garish. Oy vay my eyes!)

2. Link up to a lot of parties
If you see on the bottom of any of my tutorials I post, I link up to a LOT of parties. This is the easiest way to get your projects out there in bloggy world, where they can be seen by the party host to potentially feature and by all those visiting the blog who might like the picture and click through to your blog. 

3. Comment it up!
I've gotten bad at this recently....but I was really good at it when I started out. Don't link and run when you go to link parties, scroll through, find a project you like, and take the time to leave a nice comment! Chances are the blog owner will want to see who left the comment and click over to your blog. If they like your blog they just might start following you or at least comment back!

4. Start your own link party
This may not be for everyone, but I have LOVED hosting my weekly Your Whims Wednesday party. It takes time and money, but I have loved being able to see the projects my readers have been working on and being able to feature them on my blog. It is also an easy way to get followers - IF you go about it the right way.  When I started up my link party I spent a lot of time going through other big link parties, looking for projects I liked, and then clicking over to the blog and leaving a MEANINGFUL comment and inviting the blogger to come link up to my party.  Here's the key though: I only invite projects I actually do really like, and I always leave a meaningful comment before the party invite.  I HATE when people comment on my projects and say "This is cute come link to my party at XYZ blog." Spamming much?? Take the time to leave a meaningful comment and you may be rewarded with a link up and even a new follower.

5. Submit your projects.
Submit your projects to blogs and websites that feature blog projects. If you get featured on them you will see  a huge influx in traffic and also followers! Here are some to get started with: UCreate, Totally Tutorials, Tip Junkie, All Free Sewing, All Free Beaded Jewelry

6. Be real
I know the main reason we follow other blogs is to get inspiration, but I personally LOVE when bloggers post about other stuff besides just crafts. Post about your life too! Make the reading experience a little more personal for your readers. I love finding out more about the blogger behind the computer screen. We are all more than crafters, give me a peak at who that is!

7. Be nice and enjoy the experience. 
Follow the guidelines to link parties. Don't leave mean comments. Make blog friends. Respond to comments and questions. Help promote other bloggers. Understand other bloggers have lives outside of the blog world and you do too. Don't let blogging consume you, don't feel the need to post "I'M STILL HERE!!" after you haven't posted for two days. Let your blog show your passion for your craft. Don't create a super strict posting schedule and get upset when you can't keep it up. Blog when YOU want, and blog because YOU want to. And most of all, have fun :)

Phew, ok, that is all the wisdom I have at the moment. Comment or email me if you have any questions. Once again I'm not an "expert" - but then again who really is?? 

Happy blogging :)

45 comments

  1. Thank you so much for all the ideas and inspiration! I know that I recently started posting links at various link parties and some have become followers. I just think it's fun to see what everyone else is doing out in blog land!

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  2. Thank you for the great post - I recently met the 100 follower mark and I am SO excited - now, onto 1000!

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  3. Great advice! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  4. great suggestions...you are too sweet!

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  5. What a great post! Ask Anna shared it on fb and I immediately clicked over...I am really glad I did...sometimes we just need a little reminder of what blogging is all about!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

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  6. Excellent suggestions! Thanks for the list submission sites. This is one thing I haven't done much of.

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  7. Thanks so much for sharing, great post. As a matter of fact I posted today on my blog if I should start a linky party!!

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  8. Great post! I love your blog design, I love the things you write about, and I totally consider you one of my blogging buds! You are awesome!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your insights. Yes I agree with all your pointers. I paid someone too to get a design done although I knew I was not blogging full time. Aand I linked up to parites like CRAZZZYYYY with my eyes closed. Sometimes I linked a furniture project to a craft category. Felt so bad that the host had to delete it.

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  10. Great tips Rebecca!
    I'm about to hit my year mark too, and I'm totally thrilled at my 350+ followers...never thought that would happen!

    I haven't done all the things on your list (like I don't have a linky party of my own or pay for a blog design) But I have linked up constantly to other parties and I comment all the time. And I'd like to think I'm 'real' :) It's all definitely good advice!

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  11. Great post! I am going to take some of your advice :) I don't post enough about my life but I'm writing one today!

    Christine @ Projectsaroundthehouse.blogspot.com

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  12. Thanks for the advice! I started my cake blog 3 months ago and I'm doing well with several of your tips, but need to leave more comments. But look, I'm leaving you one now! :0)

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  13. Love the advice. Where did you start trying to find the right place to get a custom blog design? It's something I have thought about but never did because, well my blog is not a 'high traffic' one. But after reading your tips I feel that might be a good place to start :)

    thanks for sharing your experiences!

    Whitney

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  14. Fantastic tips girl! I'm still trying to master some it!! Thanks for being a great, fun blog to follow!

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  15. I've done all of these things except host my own link up, which I'm about to do. I have around 240 followers and I've been blogging for almost 2 years. I think buying ad space on other big blogs helps, which is something I have not done i awhile. I just hope I can reach 500 soon. :) Thanks for the tips, and I'm also a new reader. :)

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  16. This is a great post! We're working on a link-up party that will (hopefully) get more people involved in The Young, Married Life!

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  17. 1000 followers would scare me, but it is nice to see people be successful. Congratulations!

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  18. Thank you so much for this post. It's nice to know that I'm on the right track and it is doable. I'm also your newest follower. www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com Thanks again!

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  19. Put a link to this post on my newest blog post

    http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2012/02/blogging-tips-2.html

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  20. Thanks for posting these tips. I'm going to have to read through them again. I've only recently been involved in multiple blog parties. I've been hosting my own link party on Tuesdays. I know it has drawn more pageviews. But I would like more subscribers as well.

    I have not done the first - pay someone to design my blog? I keep changing it around myself. I'm not 100% in love with it either.

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  21. This is a great post, thanks for sharing it. I've been blogging just about seven months and I've finally hired someone to design my blog for me. By the end of the month it should be done and I think that will give me more confidence about how my blog looks! I'm a new follower!

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  22. These are great tips! The biggest thing for me has been joining every link party I could and visiting and commenting on other people's blogs. I started in Aug 2011 and have 1400 followers so I guess it worked! :-)I am following you now by the way! Vicky from Mess For Less

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  23. What a great list! I especially agree with the last point. Be nice and don't stress out about blogging. It's supposed to be fun. I had a schedule when I first started and it was good at getting my post numbers up; but, honestly, some of the quality of my content suffered because I was just trying to get a post up. {And my weekend link party is actually more for me, but shhh, don't tell anyone. It makes me feel like I can take the weekends off.}

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  24. Thank you for your fantastic TIPS!!!!

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  25. Great ideas. I am getting ready to hit 500 followers and can't wait for 1000. I found you through Frugal Friday.
    Laura

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  26. Great post! Right now I can't even imagine 1000 followers, but someday... Thanks for sharing your insights!

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  27. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your one year anniversary!

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  28. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the great tips!

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  29. Thanks for all the great tips. Just yesterday I launched my new blog. www.CreatingAmazing.com and I hope I can reach the 1000 follower mark in one year. That is quite the accomplishment! Congratulations!!

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  30. I am VERY real in my blog. You know that dude hahah. I think that is my downfall though.

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  31. Thanks for the awesome tips! :) Congrats on your one year!!

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  32. These are all great tips! I agree with #1. I know I tend to click out of a blog quickly if the design is hard to follow or too garish.

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  33. awesome, thanks girl. I was just thinking how do you get more followers! Thanks for the information.

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  34. Thanks for the great tips! I just started my blog a couple weeks ago, so I am doing all I can right now to get traffic to the blog. I got so excited when I got my first follower that wasn't someone I knew. I am trying to find the right theme for my blog. I can't really afford to invest money right now, so I have been searching free themes, and haven't been finding much that is super great. I do love your blog design, maybe it would be worth it to invest in at least that. Did the money you spent on the theme also include them making the button for others to grab? Right now I want to get a really great button, but I have been having trouble making one look really good. Thanks again for the advice.

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  35. This is wonderful! Thank you so much! I have been blogging since Thanksgiving and I am at the point where this subject has been on my mind a LOT. I am going to follow your advice, have made a wishlist for what my blog needs, and I am sure I will get there. Thanks again, you rock!!!

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  36. I have been thinking of doing my own party, I was wondering how many followers you already had when you started your party? I have just over 200 but am worried I wont be able to get enough people to join in just yet did you start advertising your party way in advance for your first week? I have not looked into it to much yet is it expensive to host? Thank you for doing this post I really enjoyed it!

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  37. thanks so much for this post (and for linking to SkiptoMyLou where I found it!) - there's some great advice in there!

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  38. I loved reading this. Thanks for the post. :) I'm also excited to find out about your link parties b/c I am looking for a few more to joint. BTW your blog is awesome, and I had to add you to my Reader. Lol.

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  39. Great article! I'm not very good about leaving comments unless I really mean them...I found this article through Debbie @ Debbie Does Creations Pinterest board :)
    I'll definitely check out the places to submit my projects.

    Thanks again!

    Stephanie @ Allartful.com

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  40. Thanks so much for sharing these great tips!! I really appreciate you sharing with the rest of us!!

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  41. Thank you for the advice!
    http://lesimplyclassy.blogspot.com.au/

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  42. thanks for all suggestions. I've just started my adventure with blogging and I definitely needed such help. I hope it will help me :)

    www.shadesofvoguish.blogspot.com

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  43. thanks for the tips, I'm definitely going to be using some of them.

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