Today I am sharing something a little different from my usual DIY décor for two very important reasons. First I hope that it will help and inspire all of you whether you are a blogger now or to encourage you to start. And second I want to personally thank and give a shout out to several fellow bloggers that I must give credit to for what I have learned since starting this blog journey.

What is it exactly that I am sharing? Well even though the ends and outs of blogging can’t be narrowed down to just one blog post, I hope these tips of what I have learned and resources I have found will also benefit you as well.

I would also like to think that this is an extension of another post that I shared recently about why my blog isn’t perfect and what I have learned through all of it. I hope that several lessons I have learned will in some way help and encourage you as well whether you have a blog or just in everyday life.

We tend to forget sometimes that we would never be where we are today or have accomplished all that we have without the help of those that are in our lives. So this post today is dedicated to them. Thank you wonderful ladies and gentleman! (Keep reading through the end to see who that special gentleman just might be.)

We all know that in order to succeed in life whether that be with a blog or any other type of career, we can’t do it alone. Having friends and others we can talk to and depend on is what makes our success grow and teaches us so much more than what we can learn on our own.

I have done guest posts and also been a blog contributor for several blogs. In doing so, I meet many new readers, other bloggers, and gain inspiration from them while hopefully giving back with my own creativity at the same time.

I am currently a contributor for By Dawn Nicole where I just recently shared a post last week for an adorable cupcake stand made with supplies from the thrift store that cost me less than $3.

Even though I write a post for Dawn once monthly, I feel that I am getting back so much more in return. I like to think of Dawn as a blog mentor that I can turn to with questions, thoughts, and just needing a friend.

She also just recently launched her first eBook, Color Me Inspired: Vol. 1 A Hand-Lettered and Illustrated Inspirational Adult Coloring eBook. You can print your own coloring pages as many times as you like for such an affordable price. I will leave a link to her book HERE as well so you can check it out.

The first book I ever read about blogging came from the talented and oh so knowledgeable Abby Lawson from Just a Girl and Her Blog. I was blown away by the wealth of her knowledge that she shares in her personal eBook Building a Framework: The Ultimate Blogging Handbook. She shares how she turned her hobby blog into a six-figure income in just two years.

I know if someone is willing to share that kind of information with everyone else, then we would be crazy to not take advantage of it and try to learn all that we can.

The good news too is that today Abby is relaunching her eBook with 3 new packages including options with updates to the eBook, new blog binder printables, access to an exclusive Facebook group to learn from others as well, and over 15 step-by-step video guides. If that isn’t enough, there will also be access to 15 video interviews with other expert bloggers. So not only are you getting Abby’s knowledge but other bloggers as well.

I would encourage anyone who wants to start a blog to start by reading Building a Framework. It gives you a foundation to start from and then build upon so you aren’t just shooting in the dark with where to start and making mistakes you may regret later.

If you have already started a blog, then it is never too late to learn something new and improve yourself and your blog. I guarantee you won’t walk away saying, “I already knew all of that.”

I am so appreciate that I found Abby’s book and was given the opportunity to learn from an expert like herself.

Here is the link to check out the beautiful new relaunch for yourself and the 3 different packages in greater detail I discussed above.

It didn’t take me long after blogging to figure out that I needed to learn everything possible about Pinterest if I wanted my blog to be successful. The majority of my traffic comes from Pinterest as I have also heard many other bloggers say the same thing.

For that reason, I had to focus more of my attention there and just jump into the nitty gritty whether I liked it or not.

I discovered Board Booster, which is a program with several different functions but one in particular to schedule pins to be repined to different boards using campaigns or loop pinning. If you are new to blogging, then it probably sounds like I am speaking a foreign language.

I promise it will make more sense to you later which is why I must introduce you to Corey from Tiny Sidekick blog. She actually has videos to walk you through how to use Board Booster which can be a huge time saver saving you much frustration.

Instagram can be such a fun outlet and way to express yourself and share your blog at the same time. I love scrolling through my Instagram feed to find the most gorgeous pictures. I have already mentioned the beauty and artistry of Instagram twice which is what I want you to take away. People are looking for “pretty” feeds and pictures.

Hilary from Dean Street Society actually offers an Instagram class called Instagram with Intention where she shares everything she has learned with Instagram and how you can take your Instagram followers and actually turn them into paying customers.

I have to admit that I haven’t actually taken the course yet, but I did watch a live webinar she offered where she shared some of her secrets and pointers. The class is only open at certain times, but head to this LINK to sign up for an email reminder when the course reopens.

Thanks to Hilary, I am now trying to find my own style recipe. So much to look forward to.

A couple of months ago, I enrolled in Ruth’s from Living Well Spending Less Elite Blog Academy. I am about half way through the course now, and as Ruth says I am truly drinking from a fountain. I have learned more about blogging and becoming serious about growing my business than I ever thought possible. Yes, it can be overwhelming at times, but the wealth of knowledge I am learning is so worth it.

Enrollment is only offered at certain times, but I encourage you to visit the website often for updates and be sure to stay tuned for the next enrollment because you will not want to miss it next time. I will definitely be sharing an update once I complete the course for how it has helped my blog personally. The list of testimonials I have read thus far is truly remarkable.

For me personally, this blog would not be possible without my Savior Jesus Christ and the help of my husband Mark.

My faith means everything to me which means I can’t do anything daily without knowing that I place Christ first and ask for His help. Without Him, I wouldn’t have this blog or anything good in my life. I am eternally grateful to Him.

God has also blessed me with an incredibly supportive and loving husband who is actually the reason I started this blog to begin with. I have always enjoyed DIY and craft projects, but he encouraged me to start a blog and share it with others.

Because he is so knowledgeable with the tech side of the blog and web design, The Southern Couture has been possible. Without him, there simply just wouldn’t be a blog. I encourage you to find that faith and emotional support for your own blog or any endeavor in your life in general.

Wow, I feel so chatty, but I hope I have helped you in some way. I am so thankful for everyone I have learned from and only want to pass that along to hopefully help someone else in the process.

Please let me know if you have any questions and keep the conversation going in the comments below.

Enjoy your week and the little things in life that it entails.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.

P.S. Please share this post with others if you enjoyed it and found it helpful. We love when you pass on goodness to others.

Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. 

Do you ever seem to get in a rut and can’t find any inspiration for your next blog article or project? You may not be a blogger but a journalist or author and hit writers block too. We all have had problems with it.

Another problem that will come up is that I have this awesome idea but then I log into my computer and see that it has already been done by another talented blogger.

There are several ways that I find helpful for finding inspiration for my blog that I want to share with you to help you too.

#1: Go shopping.

                               Photo by Mikey Jones / CC BY-ND2.0

What woman doesn’t love to go shopping and now we have a real excuse to “need” to go. I love DIY and craft projects so shopping is even more fun for me. I will walk the aisles looking for great items but then I notice the price tag and just can’t bring myself to pay what they want. Many times I find that I can make the very same piece of decor or whatever it may be myself for much cheaper.

Always check out the clearance aisles too. I have found several items marked down on clearance that with just a little work are new again and can be upcycled into something great. I found this chalkboard on clearance for almost nothing and was able to turn it in to something even better that would have normally cost me much more.

Check out websites for stores as well. You don’t even have to leave your house if you don’t really enjoy shopping (which I don’t know why you wouldn’t). Most stores have websites and others are online only. Search for things you love and draw inspiration to create your own for much cheaper.

#2 Look to other bloggers with your same interest.

                               Photo by Kristina B / CC BY -ND 2.0

Now first of all I want to say that I am not saying to copy anyone’s ideas as your own. If you do find something you just can’t resist and want to share with others too, then be sure to give credit to other bloggers where it is due.

There is such a community among bloggers that even joining up with them for some ideas and a contest is fun. A group of bloggers could all use the same materials and then come up with their own creation and then link to and share the others’ ideas too.

I also love finding things online that appeal to me but then changing it up to my own style and taste.

#3 Ask your blog followers.

                       Photo by mkhmarketing / CC BY -ND 2.0

Reach out to social media and your followers for anything that they are wanting to see you do or learn more about. Post the question and see what response you get. You will be amazed at what others would like to read about that you may consider not important or boring.

#4 Don’t be afraid to try something new.

                               Photo by Live Life Happy / CC BY -ND 2.0

I wouldn’t constantly change what your content is revolved around but occasionally don’t be afraid to reach out to something new. Writing about new topics or projects keeps things interesting for your readers. Plus your readers also like to know more about you, what’s going on in your life, your favorite things, etc.

#5 Look around your own house.

                                                              Photo by Abbey Hendrickson / CC BY -ND 2.0

Many times there are projects or rooms that I need to do something with but have been putting it off for quite some time for whatever reason.  When I am needing something new to write about and create, it is a great opportunity for me to get those things done and stop procrastinating. Plus it’s a great feeling to mark another thing off your checklist.

Don’t ever feel like you are all out of options and don’t know where to begin. There is always some brilliant idea out there just waiting for you. I hope these pointers will help you and keep you from getting in that rut.

Plus share your ideas with all of us in the comments. I would love to know where you get your inspiration as well.

Hope you also will enjoy the little things in life including your own blog and inspiration.

Also if you have not already, please join me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. I would love to hear from you with any comments, suggestions, or ideas you may have.