Welcome to the final installment of Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging! In the first week, I gave tips on how to start a blog and narrow your blog’s focus to fit into a niche that’s perfect for you. The second week was full of specific post ideas, and how to keep going when the going gets tough. Then, in week three, I shared my favorite social media strategies and tips for cultivating an audience who will keep coming back to your blog.

For my final post, I’ll be tackling a somewhat touchy subject: making money off blogging. Can you earn a living off your blog? When, if ever, should you start trying? How can you ask for money without seeming tacky? I’ll be covering everything from affiliates, Patreon, ad revenue, and selling your own products. Plus, I’ve teamed up with Lauren Orsini from Otaku Journalist to give away a copy of her Affiliate Linking for $$$ Guide! Read on for details!

Read More

If you’ve been following my Ultimate Guide to Blogging series, by now you may have set up your blog, published a couple of posts, or thought of ways to spice up your existing blog. You might even be breathing a sigh of relief, thinking your hard work is done… But no! The hard work is only just beginning! No matter how great your blog is, it won’t be much fun (or make you any money, etc., depending on what your blogging goals are) if no one reads it, right?

That’s why, in Part 3 of Chic Pixel’s Ultimate Guide to Blogging, I’ll be sharing my tips on how to gain new readers, navigating the thorny underbrush that is social media, and cultivate an audience for your particular niche. This part is likely the most intimidating because it means really putting yourself out there, but don’t worry! I’ve included actionable steps for you to take to get the word out about your awesome blog, whether you’re just starting or have been writing for years.

Read More

So, you’ve got your brand new nerdy blog all ready to go, but there’s just one problem… Where’s all the content?! When I asked Twitter what kinds of blogging tips they’d like to hear most, how to stay motivated and think of things to write about was by far the most common suggestion. That’s why, for part 2 of my Ultimate Guide to Blogging series, I’ll be sharing some of my top writing tips, as well as the nuts and bolts of how to make what you’ve written appealing to readers through images and catchy titles.

Read More

Recently I had a discussion on Twitter about how important niche blogging is, and it dawned on me that I’ve never really written anything about blogging! When I asked everyone if a post on blogging tips was something they’d like to see, the response was overwhelmingly positive, so I knew what I had to do. It turns out I have a lot of things I want to say, though, so instead of limiting myself to one post, I’ve decided to do four! Check back every Tuesday (Monday for folks in North America) throughout the month of February for a new roundup of my top blogging tips, from how to start a blog to handling social media and maintaining a schedule.

I’ve been running Chic Pixel for 6 years now, and while it sometimes (okay, often) feels like little more than a fun way to pass the time and share my nerdy interests with others, I strongly believe that blogging can be a great way to establish your credentials and build connections with others, both professional and personal. Especially blogging in a niche like anime or video games, sometimes you can be one of the only people writing about a certain topic, it’s not only a rewarding feeling but a helpful resource for others.

Now, more than ever, I feel we need more diverse voices in nerdy fields, so I hope this series will help inspire you to start your own blog, or help you take your existing blog to the next level! See you in a couple of days!

Part 1: Getting Started
Part 2: Nuts and Bolts
Part 3: Growing Your Audience
Part 4: Money Matters