Blogging

How To Build Quality Backlinks For Your Blog

Growing your DA score can be difficult, especially for new bloggers. Building up a range of quality backlinks can help you grow your blog quickly. Building backlinks are great things for your blog. It helps your DA score, gets your name out there and allows you to add to your portfolio. It can be a struggle to build your links, so here are some of the best places to find them and grow! Personally, these are ways I've found best to grown my backlinks.

What Are Backlinks?

Backlinks are weblinks to your blog. Another blog or website links back to your content from their own site. For example, one blogger may recommend your review in their post, adding a link to your collection. It's better to have 100 backlinks from different websites than 50 from the same one. There are different types of links, and some are more valuable than others.

Internal Links

Internal links are between your blog only. Linking across your blog is good for SEO but doesn't count as a backlink. For example, throughout blog posts, you may find a blogger promoting another post on their site. This is internal linking and can be beneficial for traffic.

External Links

External links are when you link out to another blog. You may have been inspired by a blog post so link to the original idea. Equally, an external link could be another blogger linking to your site. For backlinks, you want people to link to your blog.

Dofollow Vs Nofollow

When you're linking to another page, you have to option to select nofollow. This means that Google will skim past the backlink, and it doesn't benefit your blog as much. Nofollow links are usually found in comment boxes and paid advertisement. You can get penalised for using a dofollow link for paid ads. When linking, your blog will probably automatically select dofollow, so check this before hitting publish. When you're building backlinks, you want as many dofollow links as possible. It shows Google that you're trusted, so it can rank you higher on a web search.

Why You Should Build Backlinks

For new or hobby bloggers, building backlinks may not be a priority. It can be time-consuming and difficult. I started building links as soon as I started my blog. There are so many reasons why you should aim to increase your number of backlinks:

You can increase your DA score, increasing your opportunities

You get recognition for your work

Traffic can be directed to your blog through established sites

You can get a new audience bought to your work

Your blog can get discovered easier and quicker

You can rank higher on Google

You can build meaningful relationships with other bloggers

Participate In Round-Ups

A round-up blog post shares lots of different ideas or opinions. I have created recipe round-up posts where I give a dofollow link to those who I include. Round-up posts are a great way to get your content noticed while also building valuable backlinks. I find some of the best opportunities on Facebook in round-up groups. You'll find people looking for travel guides, recipes and DIYs the most, so perfect for bloggers in those niches! I like participating in these types of posts because they don't require a lot of work to do. Your blog post will already be written, so all you need to do is provide a link and give permission for the blogger to use any images. If you're hosting, make sure you ask permission to use content first. It's considered a copyright violation if you don't ask before using other people's images or blog posts. You also shouldn't copy work, only recommend visiting their site.

Guest Write For Bloggers

Most bloggers will accept guest posts, which is where you write a blog post for another blogger. It saves them time and gives them something different to publish. Guest blogging allows you to write something that may or may not fit in with your niche. It gives you a space to promote your blog posts, share your social media and get your name out there. I have a page for guest blogging, but some bloggers may not advertise accepting blog posts. You can always send them a message or ask Twitter. When deciding who do a guest blog for, there are a few things you should consider:

How much time you have to write - you shouldn't take on too many posts and never get round to finishing them all. It can build bad relationships, and you can lose backlinks.

If the blogger is allowing you to add in your own links and social media

Their requirements for words count - Consider how much you have been asked to write. Some bloggers may ask you for more words than you write for your own blog.

Their deadline and how it impacts you - Be realistic. Can you write a post in 48 hours while managing your own schedule?

If it fits in with your niche or style of writing - You don't want to write a high-quality post for a blogger in a different niche. It won't be as beneficial for increasing your traffic.

If they have a higher DA score - Backlinks are better quality and more valuable if you write for someone who has a higher score than you.

Use Facebook Groups

There are lots of Facebook groups for bloggers to join. Most of them will allow you to find backlinks. There are lots of different opportunities to be found on these pages. I've been included in recipe roundups, adding tips to blog posts and even have guest blogged for businesses. I’ve received backlinks from both bloggers and brands. Both have helped me to increase my DA score in the process. Some of my favourite groups for opportunities are:

Blogger Opportunities

Bloggertunities

RoundupPalooza

Boss Girl Bloggers

Blogger Round Up Requests

Blogger Roundups

Replace Broken Links

If you’ve found a website or blog with a similar niche to you, make sure you check if their links are broken. If you send them an email with the broken links, you could ask if they could be replaced with one of your blog posts. For example, if a link to a festive recipe was broken, you could ask for it to be replaced with a Christmas recipe of your own. It doesn't always work, but the blogger or brand will be grateful for your help never the less. I like to send email to other bloggers or to websites I genuinely like.

One of the easiest ways to find broken links on a website is to put the URL into a link checker. It will bring up a whole list of links that no longer work, and you can choose which ones suit your blog the best. Don’t try to replace all of the links. I’ve had the most success when I list a few broken links and only submit one or two of my own. That way you’re not overwhelming the other blogger/website owner. You’re also helping them out more as you’re giving them multiple broken links that they haven't noticed, so the owner is more inclined to insert your links.

Find Callouts on Twitter

Bloggers are always looking for help with blog posts. There are always bloggers asking their Twitter followers to contribute in a blog post where they offer a backlink in return. You can find opportunities by following different bloggers. Make sure you follow a range of bloggers, so you’re more likely to find opportunities. You can also find guest writing spots and backlink opportunities in the hashtags # bloggerswanted, bloggersrequired and PRrequest.

Unfortunately, you will have to weed through other bloggers using the hashtags for self-promotion rather than sharing an opportunity. I’ve found lots of backlink opportunities looking through Twitter, and there are also sponsored post opportunities in these hashtags! Twitter is an amazing place to network and find backlink spots. It can take some time for a good one to pop up, but they’re worth it!

You should look to build up your backlinks, especially if you’re planning on working with brands.

Backlinks can help you increase your DA score. I managed to jump from 0 to 16 with a 4-month-old blog by writing guest posts! If you want to guest write for me, I am always accepting bloggers! Backlinks are also a gateway to future collaboration – something that is key in the blogging world. Where do you like to look for your backlinks? Let me know if I have missed off any great places!

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, by Love, Em

Productivity & Organisation

The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Guide

Spring is on the horizon! With lockdown ending soon, now is the perfect time to spring clean and sort out your lifestyle before things go back to normal. Many things have changed in the last year, and I know I've let a few things slip. Spring cleaning is a great way to give your life a fresh start. Our homes have kept us safe for the last year, so let's give them a bit of a redo. If you want to sort out your home and mind, here are some ways you can spring clean your life!

What Is Spring Cleaning?

Spring cleaning is where you simply clean your house in the spring! It's typically a domestic cleaning practice where you clean from top to bottom, but I include mental health aspects. I believe it is the perfect chance to get everything in order before you enjoy the summer. It also allows you to clean places you don't normally touch when cleaning. I like to clean in January, so when it's warmer, I don't need to worry about cleaning! Spring cleaning can mean different things to different people. Some will spend a weekend on it. Others will take part in National Spring Cleaning Week in March. There is also a Spring Cleaning Day where locals gather together and clean up public areas like parks or beaches!

Why Should You Consider Cleaning Your Home

Spring cleaning isn't for everyone, and it can be a long process. However, when you clean your home, you feel a sense of freedom. I like spring cleaning as my home feels cared for and clean. I've sorted through my Christmas gifts, found them homes and removed anything I don't use anymore. It's the perfect chance to freshen up your home for the summer. The remainder of the lockdown is the perfect chance to start cleaning before guests can come to your house again!

My Top Tips For Spring Cleaning

Before you start cleaning, there are some top tips which I have learnt over time. Cleaning can be very tiring, so these tips will improve your productivity and help you to clean in no time!

Clean one room at a time - I like to start top to bottom, but you should only focus on one room at a time. If you've had enough, you can finish the room and be done.

Lay everything out in front of you - Laying each drawer out allows you to see what you actually own. It can help you to sort things out and see things you didn't even realise you had!

Put things away as you go - Use small boxes to hold items, fold clothing and put items in the right place. Organising your draws rather than removing the junk and throwing everything back in can make your cleaning faster in the future.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products - This tip helps the environment and your family. When you're cleaning the whole house, there can be a lot of chemicals. I found the eco-friendly products don't irritate my nose or skin!

Adopt new habits going forward - If you didn't enjoy cleaning, learn from it. If you deep clean regularly and throw things away when you see them, it makes things a lot easier.

Wash All The Fabrics

On New Year's Eve, I like to wash everything in the house. It means I am not carrying over dirty laundry into the next year. To signify a new start, I thought it would be beneficial to wash everything. Strip all of the beds and sofa covers for washing. Clean your dirty clothes and sort through any other garments that may need washing too. Sometimes I like to wash my whole wardrobe. That way, it's fresh, crease-free and ready for spontaneous days out!

When you're washing your fabrics, consider what you're cleaning them with. Swapping to an eco-friendly option like Smol or Ecover can help to make your clothing last longer. It's also better for the planet and your skin! You should also think about how often you clean your garments and other ways to care for things. I know that I should iron my pieces more and store them better!

Declutter Your Devices

Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad. Delete old images and files that you no longer need or like. Uninstall the apps you don't use anymore. We use our devices almost every day, and it's time to give them a clean. Our phones contain so much data that needs to be sorted through every now and again. It's also worth going through your recorded TV movies and deleting the things you won't watch or have already seen. I love going through my old pictures and watching the storage space free up. I also find there are lots of apps and games I don't need to keep, so it's worth getting rid of those too. You could also change up the phone case and wipe down the screen.

When you're sorting through your device, think about how much we use our devices. Think about how much certain apps or photos bring joy to you and remove anything that doesn't make you happy. Something that you spend so much time on should only be showing you happy, positive things.

Sort Through Your Wardrobe & Shoes

Did you know that at least 30% of clothing in our wardrobes haven't been worn in over a year? That's around 1.7 billion pieces of clothing in the UK alone. Donate or sell any clothing that doesn't fit you, you don't wear or is damaged. If you're feeling crafty, you could do some DIYs and upcycle your clothing! You will save space in your closet and make some cash on the side! You can donate your shoes and fashion pieces to banks, which will distribute them to people in need. If you want to know more about fast fashion or making money, here are some helpful guides!

How to make a profit selling your old clothes

Sustainable ways to get rid of your old clothing

Change Up Your Playlists

How many times do you listen to a playlist and skip 50 songs before landing on the perfect one? If you change certain tracks frequently, it's time to get rid of them. Go through all of your playlists and decide on the songs you listen to. I listen to the playlist while doing something else as it makes the job easier. If I go for the skip button, that is one of the songs I remove. After you've sorted through your songs, you can try to find new ones that fit your style. Refreshing your playlist is easy to do, but it can make a world of difference when you only have songs you like. If you aren't ready to let go, you can always make a new playlist. I find that if music isn't in my playlists, I'll forget them and one day be humming it. It drives me crazy when I want to listen to a song but can't remember what it is!

Go Through The Kitchen Cupboards

There is a lot to do when cleaning and organising the kitchen. The first step is to sort all of the cupboards, and I mean all of them! Go through the food cupboards first and get rid of anything out of date. If there are in date items that you won't use but are sealed, you could donate them to a food bank. Before putting the food back, clean the cupboards thoroughly. We find sticky syrup rings, loose almonds and other spills in ours...

Once you have cleaned, you can put the items back. I recommend using glass container jars for things like flour as it looks nicer. You don't have to do this step, but it removes the need for bulky boxes. In our kitchen, we also have a junk drawer, cleaning and Tupperware cupboards. These all need to be sorted through too. You can purchase an organiser which can be moulded around any pipes you may have under the skin. I get rid of any plastic boxes without lids and sort through old recipe books. I feel so much better when the kitchen is clean, as this is somewhere where happy memories are made. It's amazing how quickly the cupboards can fill with junk!

Deep Clean The House

I love cleaning, but I never really deep clean the whole house. There is so much dirt that accumulates in places we don't realise. Deep cleaning is something I don't like doing as it makes me realise how much grime there is in my house. It's important to clean these areas as they often get forgotten. If you're listing your house, they may also be areas that people scrutinise the most. Here is a little checklist of all the places you should deep clean at least once a month.

Wash all of the rugs and carpets, including the bath mat

Sprinkle carpet cleaner as you hoover for a deeper carpet clean

Scrub your oven clean from any dirt and debris

Wash your shower curtain & regular curtains

Use a microfibre cloth to clean in between blinds

Unclog your skins and drains from hair

Scrub your tiles clean in the bathroom and kitchen

In between the keys of your keyboard. You may also want to clean your mouse

Door handles, cupboard handles and other touchpoints

Sort Out Your Finances

Finances are something you should be looking at and organising monthly. At the end of every month, I look at my financials and budget for the next month. I like to look at how much money I bring in every month. Some go to savings, some for monthly payments and the rest I divide across things I'd like. As I make money on the side, I try to use that money for whatever I want. It motivates me to hustle more as those funds go towards my wants.
It's important to assess where you are financially and set goals. Every month, you should save money and look to repay any debts. You could set yourself money goals. For example, to earn a certain amount on the side or save money in an ISA. Your biggest goals should be to become debt-free. Organise your finances, set a budget and know where your money is going every month. This is also the opportunity to cancel unused subscriptions too! Here are some ways you can save money and increase your monthly income:

Easy ways to make money online fast

The most profitable side hustles to start this year

How to run a successful side hustle

Other Easy Ways You Can Spring Clean

Sort through your old books & DVDs - Music Magpie is a fast way to get rid of them for some extra cash.

Clean out your fridge and freezer - You should also defrost the freezer during this time.

Tidy up the bathroom, fill up the toiletries and clean the utilities.

Dust all of the lights, railings, tops of cupboards and other up high places.

Flip & rotate your mattress - This should be done regularly to help your mattress breathe and last longer!

Wash your windows both inside and out - They always have lots of fingerprints!

Go through your mugs, crockery and cutlery drawers - Get rid of things you don't use or that are broken/chipped.

Wash the walls - I recently did this, and my walls looked revived afterwards!

Sort through the dreaded garage and get rid of old things - Take trips to the dump or your donation drop-off points to get rid of things.

Wash the floors in the kitchen and hallway

Sterilise your appliances - Washing machines, laptops, and other gadgets you use should be cleaned, sterilised and free from debris!

Don't forget the garden - Clean garden furniture, sort the shed and plant some flowers or vegetables! The garden shouldn't be forgotten this spring!

Spring is the perfect time to clean up the house and improve your mindset. It's not a time to pressure yourself to have a perfect home. I love spring cleaning as it gives me a chance to change things and freshen my life up before the summer. I love trying out eco-friendly cleaning products. I have found that it stops me from sneezing as much! What do you love most about spring cleaning? I'd love to hear how spring cleaning makes you feel and what your favourite place to clean is!

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