Seven Must-Know Tools For Every Blogger

woman drinking coffee at desk

Are you still on track with your goals and new year’s resolutions?

It may sound like I am berating you, but trust me I am not! In fact, I come with help – especially if blogging was one of the things you said you’d start or do more of this year.

 

Tools for blogging

Being a blogger is fun and fulfilling – it’s one reason why many of us spend so much of our free time doing it! But it can also be challenging, especially when you don’t have all the tools to work with.

In my ten twelve-year on/off journey as a blogger, I have certainly learned a few lessons, the main one being, if there is a way to make blogging life easier, take it. I am about to show you seven blogging tools to help you do just that.

Seven Must-Know Tools for Every Blogger

1. Canva – an online graphic design tool for beginners. You can create anything from social media pictures to e-book covers, posters, invitations and more! My Instagram wouldn’t be the same without it!

 

2. CreateHER stock photos – How do you think I get those beautiful photos for the blog? I got tired of taking photos of myself or asking hubby to take them for me. Just sign up to their mailing list and you’ll receive good photos each month, which you are at liberty to use as you wish. The best thing is that they are free! I am sure a quick Google search will give you other sources of stock photos.

 

3. Selfie stick/ phone tripod – now that we have mentioned the above, what about when you do want to take photos of yourself, and have no fancy camera and no help? The answer is you make do with your phone and make it easier by investing in a few props – easily purchased from Amazon!

 

“Being a blogger is fun and fulfilling – it’s one reason why many of us spend so much of our free time doing it!”

 

4. Design Bundles – for all your design solutions, from logos to photos and illustrations, Design Bundles is absolutely it. They have an expansive collection of graphics, and templates in different file formats such as their gnome svg and dragon svg files to add fire to your visuals.

 

5. Grammarly – Lord knows I am a stickler for punctuation and grammar, but even I make mistakes sometimes! Grammarly is a great app which checks typos and mistakes on everything you write online (I may be wrong, but maybe your word processor too!). From Facebook to your emails to your blog, Grammarly will ensure you don’t look the fool in front of the world wide web. And, oh…it’s free to download!

 

6. Colour Note – Use this or any note taking application to make notes on future blog posts. I use it to schedule my posts, and to start future blog posts when I can’t get to my laptop, like say…when I’m on the tube (London’s underground transport system – in case you are not a Londoner!)

 

7. Buffer – I always wondered how content creators had time to tweet, update statuses, post photos and upload videos all at once. They seemed to be everywhere at the same time! Then I came across the concept of scheduling. An online tool like Buffer allows you to schedule your tweets, Instagram posts, and Facebook statuses in advance, so you are not stressing about it in the day.

 

Don’t tame your writing

I would like to throw in one last bonus blogging tool, and that is your creativity. Write without apologies. Taming your writing and overthinking will stifle your creativity!

I hope these seven must-know tools for every blogger have hopefully encouraged you to begin your blogging journey. Please, please, please do! The Blogger’s Companion has tons more advice on what you need to blog successfully.

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have about blogging below or even add some of your own hacks. And if you do start your blog, post the link below. I would love to have a read!

 

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Disclaimer – this post has affiliate links

28 Comments

  1. Courtney Hardy
    January 2, 2018 / 6:43 pm

    These sound very useful. Canva has helped me create awesome graphics that look really pretty. I love using it. https://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 3, 2018 / 8:07 am

      Isn't Canva just great? I am beginning to think that it's the not so secret secret. Ha! Off to read your blog 🙂

  2. Simply Avalon
    January 2, 2018 / 9:08 pm

    These all sound very useful!!I actually use picmonkey for my graphics I will definitely look into canva. Thanks for sharing!- Avalon from http://www.simplyavalon.blogspot.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 3, 2018 / 8:08 am

      Thank you for your suggestion! Will have a look at Picmonkey now. 🙂

  3. Gabrielle
    January 6, 2018 / 2:00 pm

    I think I may well look into Buffer, because at some point this year I'm definitely going to need to start scheduling my social media posts! Hope 2018 is going really well for you so far Madeline :)aglassofice.comx

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 6, 2018 / 6:10 pm

      Hi Gabrielle, thanks for passing through 🙂 Buffer is the best, especially if you have so many other responsibilities to juggle! 2018 is so far so good. I also hope you are having a great year so far!

  4. es
    January 6, 2018 / 7:51 pm

    Absolutely needed this! I was trying to find a much more effective way of balancing my blog I started in November and my job, I'm going to including this on my strategy plan – thank you so much! You have a new follower!

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 7, 2018 / 4:02 pm

      Hi es, I am glad that this had helped you so much! Thanks for the follow. What is the name of your blog?

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 8, 2018 / 4:55 pm

      great!

  5. Maz #DoBetterEveryday
    January 6, 2018 / 7:52 pm

    This was very very useful for me (as a new blogger). Glad to have stumbled across your site – will take a look at your other posts. Canva definitely seems like something I need (pictures are sometimes the hardest thing to decide lol) Thank you again x dobettereverydayblog.wordpress.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 7, 2018 / 4:01 pm

      I am so glad you found this useful! Canva is a must if you'd like to create eye catching graphics simply. Good luck on your blogging journey, I am headed over to yours now.

  6. Missy May
    January 6, 2018 / 10:51 pm

    Hahahaa…all that blogs? Wow sis!! Well halleluyah for the commitment now. I haven't of buffer before. Will definitely be checking that out. Thanks for the useful tips.https://www.missymayification.co.uk

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 7, 2018 / 3:58 pm

      Haha! It's amazing isn't it? Buffer is great. It will definitely help you in balancing all those activities.

  7. Bubu Green
    January 17, 2018 / 2:33 pm

    I knew there was an app for scheduling tweets and other posts but couldn't put a name on it. Thanks for this info. Twas indeed helpful.www.bubusboulevard.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 17, 2018 / 4:50 pm

      You are most welcome dear. x

  8. Sheena Sreekeessoon
    January 23, 2018 / 7:59 pm

    This is so handy! I've bookmarked them xhttp://afashionstudentsdiary.blogspot.co.uk/Sheena

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 23, 2018 / 10:26 pm

      Hi Sheena. I am glad you found these so useful! Thanks for reading

  9. Sarah
    January 25, 2018 / 9:19 pm

    Canva is my favourite photo editing site ever! I'll check out buffer because I always find it hard keeping up with all my social media! Thanks for this post ����

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      January 25, 2018 / 11:42 pm

      Hi Sarah, I am happy you took something away from this. Do you have a blog? Please leave it below.

    • Sarah
      February 10, 2018 / 9:06 am

      Sorry for the late reply, my blog is apieceofsarah.com!

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 12, 2018 / 4:17 pm

      Great! Thanks!

  10. Olaa Bobade
    April 3, 2018 / 10:52 pm

    Taming your writing and overthinking will stifle your creativity!Wow, I needed to see this.

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      April 4, 2018 / 11:53 am

      Again, thanks for reading! Yes, just write recklessly! Edit later.

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    I am definitely enjoying your website. You definitely have some great insight and great stories.infinite logo designlogo design app

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