Here at the IBA, we’ve shared loads of practical blogging advice over the past year. As we close out 2016, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit some of our most popular posts this year. I’m sure these will help you discover new ways to make your blog awesome in 2017. Maybe even inspire some new blogging goals for the year ahead. Better yet, help you achieve them!

Go Ahead and ‘PIN’ me for later!
As bloggers, we’re always looking for new ways to make our blogs awesome. Right?
The new year is no exception! Most of us are already busy setting new goals and envisioning how these will make our blogs awesome in 2017. And it’s no wonder, since the new year offers us a clean slate — an opportunity to try something new!
Today I’ll share with you 5 Ways to Make Your Blog Awesome in 2017. This list is inspired by our most popular posts of 2016. I hope it inspires you!
[clickToTweet tweet=”You can make your #blog awesome in 2017 with these 5 tips for #bloggers! #IBABloggers #BloggingTips” quote=”As bloggers, we’re always looking for new ways to make our blogs awesome. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with these 5 tips! “]
Are you ready?
5 Ways to Make Your Blog Awesome in 2017
1) Promote Your Blog
Your blog is awesome and you want it to grow! You want others to read it and share it. Right? Otherwise, what’s the point of working so hard?
Sure SEO can do wonders for your blog but there so much more to it! You also have to promote your blog!
One great way to promote your blog is by joining like-minded online communities. In this case, blogging communities. Take it a step further by finding communities within your own blogging niche.
Facebook Groups are a great place to start! And you’re in luck since our #1 top 2016 IBA post is all about Facebook Groups. With this list of 20 Best Facebook Groups for Bloggers you’re bound to find at least one new group to join in 2017.
Go ahead, promote your blog in 2017! And check out these other top 2016 posts for even more great tips on how to do it. Click below!
20 Google Plus Communities to Help Your Blog Grow
7 Plus Unique Ways to Promote Blog Posts After You Publish
2) Captivate Them With Stock Photos
Do your images match your killer content?
Maybe you’re still using your iPhone (I’m guilty), or maybe you have little time to dedicate to capturing that perfect shot yourself? Like many others out there, chances are your pictures aren’t that good and your blog is suffering because of it! Here’s where stock photos come in.
I know you may be wondering, but where or how do I find that “just right” stock photo to match the killer blog post I just wrote? I think many bloggers out there are asking themselves this same exact question!
How do I know? Because the IBA article I’m about to share with you came in as our 2nd most popular post for 2016 — and it wasn’t even written in 2016!
Back in 2014, we featured the Ultimate Blogger’s Guide to Stock Photos. It was jam packed with everything you needed to know about where to find the best stock photos and how to use them to make your blog awesome — an amazing list of 50+ websites where you can find free stock photos for blogs, as well as where you can get cheap stock photos for as low as $1.
Two years later and this guide to stock photos is still one of our most widely read IBA posts! You must check it out by clicking here!
3) Make Blogging Your Business
Some of us may have started blogging as a hobby, not even realizing it’s money-making potential. Often times, as our blogs grow and our social media accounts begin forming a loyal fanbase we realize that our blogs can indeed become a good source of income. But with so many bloggers out there, you may be wondering, how can I get a piece of the pie?
The following three IBA posts were also some of our most popular of 2016. Turns out you may not be the only one trying to bite into that pie. But don’t worry there’s enough pie to go around! I’m sure our IBA experts will agree. Read what they had to say about making money with your blog.
Complete Guide to Getting Paid for Blogging
How to Pitch Sponsored Posts with More Success
How Bloggers Can Work with Brands Directly
4) Find the Right Tools
By now you’ve probably discovered that blogging isn’t easy. There’s so much to do! However, with the right tools you can avoid the stress that comes with it. You can work smarter, easier, quicker, and even on the go!
Rounding off our top IBA posts for 2016 are these two posts — both are busting at the seams with useful blogging tools that every blogger needs. Of course, you might not need them ALL. However, I’m sure that amongst these lists you’ll find at least a few that are just the ones you need to make your blog awesome in 2017!
Invest in Your Blog: 5 Paid Blogging Tools That Are Worth Every Cent
5) Join the IBA
This one may not be so obvious, or maybe it is!
The IBA is rapidly growing and you don’t want to miss out! Here are even more ways to make your blog awesome in 2017. Join us!
Learn More About Us — What is the International Bloggers’ Association and Why Does it Matter?
Get Syndicated — IBA Syndicated Blog Posts: What You Need to Know
Get Your own IBA Excellence Badge
How will you make your blog awesome in 2017? Tell us in the comments section below.