So excited to be co-hosting Thoughts on Thursday today with Natalie and Annie! Make sure to link your posts up below!
I've been blogging about 10 months now and I can say that I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of things, feeling more comfortable, and have found my "blogging voice", which is the same as my "normal" voice - just typed. I have met so many wonderful blogging buddies and am loving every moment of writing this blog. It has been a creative outlet, a cook book, a place to seek advice, my fashion magazine, my wine journal and a place to go to for fun DIY's (other than Pinterest of course). I'm so happy I started this little space!
I'm not proclaiming myself to be an expert, my blog is small - but these are the things that I have learned in my 10 months...
I've been blogging about 10 months now and I can say that I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of things, feeling more comfortable, and have found my "blogging voice", which is the same as my "normal" voice - just typed. I have met so many wonderful blogging buddies and am loving every moment of writing this blog. It has been a creative outlet, a cook book, a place to seek advice, my fashion magazine, my wine journal and a place to go to for fun DIY's (other than Pinterest of course). I'm so happy I started this little space!
Lets pretend this is where I blog from, shall we? (side note: I usually blog at the dining room table or couch)
I'm not proclaiming myself to be an expert, my blog is small - but these are the things that I have learned in my 10 months...
- Write often to give your readers enough material to read
- Read and comment on other blogs
- Ask for help from the bigger blogs when needed. I can't tell you how many times I wrote bigger bloggers asking questions on how to do things or if they could give me any tips on blogging. I was a little apprehensive to ask them, but everyone was so nice. After all, they all were beginners once too!
- Join link parties! This has been such a fun way to discover new blogs and meet other ladies that blog about similar things. My favorite linkup is Five on Friday. There are so many awesome blogs that participate and it's so fun to read everyone's "five".
- Write as you speak. When I read blogs I relate to those that I feel are speaking natural and sound like they're having fun writing.
- Reply to comments. If someone takes the time to read what you have written and to comment - you should reply. It bothers me when I comment on someone's blog and don't get a simple "thank you" from them. Blogging etiquette people!
Blogging, although fun and exciting is also something that can take up a lot of time, it's so easy to get swept away reading and commenting on everyone's blogs (at least it is for me). I guess any hobby can take up a lot of time if you allow it. I'm still learning on how to balance it all. I don't want blogging consume my life and have my kids and grow up always remembering me on the computer. Not to mention, my husband who needs attention and my house that unfortunately doesn't clean itself.
I'm trying to set limits where I give myself an hour in the morning to read and comment and then later in the evening answer emails and start on my post for the next day. So far it has been working and I have been more productive throughout the day. I also don't feel the need to have to post everyday like I used to. Some weeks I will, and other's I'll only post three times or so.
I'm sure I still have a lot to learn and figure out. I'm excited to see where this blogging journey takes me and to continue interacting with you all!
What are some things that have worked for you and your blog? How do you manage your time?
I'm happy you started blogging and that I was able to get hooked up with you! The logging community is so fun! I've backed off on posting this summer and I'm really loving the freedom I'm finding again.
I only recently found the 5 on Friday link ups and I love it! I find so many great new blogs each week :)
The blogging community really is amazing and we are so lucky to meet so many wonderful faces. It's a tough balance between a fun hobby and taking time away from our precious family, but as long as you are having fun; I think you are doing an amazing job!!
I still feel like I'm getting the hang of this whole blogging thing. Sometimes I'll write something then start completely over because I feel like people will think I'm crazy! Good to know it should eventually get easier! :)
<3, Pamela
sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com
I think you got the biggest things. Content is everything!!
I would die for that little slice of heaven writing space -- that picture is perfection :) Let's pretend I write from there, too, okay? I agree with all your tips -- and I do think one of the most important things is to learn to be flexible with yourself and your posting schedule. Some people have the time to post every day (or the crazy awesome organizational skills). I am not one of those people. But I'm okay with it -- and that's why I don't think I'll ever burn myself out, yanno?
I love this and oddly enough, we're posting about some of the same stuff today, lol. I've really enjoyed your blog! Keep up the great work!
All awesome points!! I want that desk too!
These are great tips! It's so easy to get caught up in all there is "to do" when it comes to blogging - I could easily spend the entire day in front of the computer. But like you said, I do have other priorities so I love your idea of giving yourself a certain amount of time. I may have to start doing that!
I can't believe you have only been blogging for 10 months; you are doing an awesome job! I love having this little creative space too, but it definitely takes a back seat to all the other priorities in my life. Sometimes I wonder if I will even be able to keep it up once we have baby #2...whenever that is.
Has it really only been 10 months? I enjoy your content!!
So glad you decided to start blogging- I feel like it's been so much longer than 10 months! You make a lot of great points!
Love this! We must have been thinking alike as I posted something similar. :) Love that you stay true to yourself. It took me a little while to maintain a fluent "voice" and stay true to my purpose/intent. I have been blogging about 9 months.
Love this! We must have been thinking alike as I posted something similar. :) Love that you stay true to yourself. It took me a little while to maintain a fluent "voice" and stay true to my purpose/intent. I have been blogging about 9 months.
Very true that you have to give yourself a "limit" or it can take over your life hah. So glad you are part of this community! XO
Very good tips girl :) Limiting myself recently has made such a huge difference in my balance! I am so glad you started your blog!
What an awesome post. I started blogging last year as well and this is a very handy post as I am now trying to build up my base. Thanks for posting all these handy tips!
www.itsagirlgirlworld.blogspot.com
I'm with the other girls - I'm so glad you started blogging and I can't believe it was only 10 short months ago!!
I'm with the other girls - I'm so glad you started blogging and I can't believe it was only 10 short months ago!!
What a great list! I agree about setting aside certain times - it can be an overwhelming process otherwise! xo
Good tips! Agreed! It sure can take up a lot of time though. I usually can do a minimum of post reading daily (10-20) and try to do about two days where I read as many posts as I can from my feed. When I was trying to read all the posts each day I never had time for anything else, I find this works better for me. And, I just figured out how to work on posts ahead of time...before I was too lazy, now try not to right posts the day before but instead edit what I wrote over the weekend.
yahhh so happy to have met you through blogging! you are so sincere and sweet!xo jillian - cornflake dreams
this is such a great post, and love the tips. great post for a newbie to read - i knew none of these things when i started. glad you started blogging!
Great advice! And I so agree... its so hard to get caught up in the reading and commenting on blogs. It's especially hard for me being a working mom and away from the computer (or at least my computer) all day. I recently wrote about finding time to blog on my blog and like you said, I don't want my son to remember me on the computer all the time so I try to do all blogging things at night after he goes to bed...but that only leaves like an hour or two. It's a hard balance! There's never enough hours in the day...
Great post! I've only been blogging for 4 months, but I am loving it. I also enjoy your blog, it's one of the first I found in the beginning stages of my blogging! :)
Laura
Great post! Glad to have found you in the blogging world!
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