I’ve lost count of the number of times that someone has said to me:
“I think I want to start blogging. What’s your advice for aspiring bloggers?”
I, by no means, consider myself to be an expert on blogging, but my 2+ years of experience does give me a bit of background and has helped me to build up some personal opinions on the do’s and don’t of blogging. Since it’s been requested quite a bit, and I’ve gotten multiple emails recently, I’ve decided to put together a list of a few of my tips and advice that I would give to anyone who is considering starting their own blog.
“I think I want to start blogging. What’s your advice for aspiring bloggers?”
I, by no means, consider myself to be an expert on blogging, but my 2+ years of experience does give me a bit of background and has helped me to build up some personal opinions on the do’s and don’t of blogging. Since it’s been requested quite a bit, and I’ve gotten multiple emails recently, I’ve decided to put together a list of a few of my tips and advice that I would give to anyone who is considering starting their own blog.
1. Shhhh
I would suggest that you don’t tell people about your blog at first. Give yourself some time to build up a few posts and a style, layout, and design that you’re happy with. You want something you’re proud of before you share it with your friends, family, and on social media. This gives you the chance to figure out what you want to get out of the experience and how you want to present yourself.
I would suggest that you don’t tell people about your blog at first. Give yourself some time to build up a few posts and a style, layout, and design that you’re happy with. You want something you’re proud of before you share it with your friends, family, and on social media. This gives you the chance to figure out what you want to get out of the experience and how you want to present yourself.
2. Write for Yourself
Make sure that you are writing for yourself, not just for your audience. I’ve known and been aware of bloggers who stopped writing for themselves and their posts became solely based on the audience their blog was attracting. Because of this, blogging wasn’t fun for them anymore. It became a chore and some of them chose to stop blogging altogether.
Disclaimer: I certainly do not mean that you shouldn’t take your audience’s interests into consideration. It is very important to know your audience. However, don’t let that be the only deciding factor in what you choose to blog about.
Disclaimer: I certainly do not mean that you shouldn’t take your audience’s interests into consideration. It is very important to know your audience. However, don’t let that be the only deciding factor in what you choose to blog about.
3. Stay True to You
In a similar fashion, stay true to you and what your purpose/intention is with blogging. Be yourself! The readers that you gain over time will keep reading if they find you to be genuine, relatable, and real. The best way to do that is by being yourself. 🙂
4. Have Fun With It!
Blogging is something that I enjoy doing because it’s fun! Make sure that you’re taking the time to enjoy your blogging experience and that you’re having fun.
5. Be Proud & Ready Stand by Your Work
Somewhere along the road, someone is going to question, insult, and/or criticize you and your blogging. You have to be ready to face any negative or positive feedback with an open mind, but also while being proud of what you’ve created and ready to stand by your work.
6. Go Social Media Crazy
Once you’re ready to share your blog with others, get ready to promote your posts on a broad spectrum of social media platforms. Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, Bloglovin’, Facebook, etc. are going to be some of your best friends as a blogger. Pick your social media sites of choice and start sharing!
Once you’re ready to share your blog with others, get ready to promote your posts on a broad spectrum of social media platforms. Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, Tumblr, Bloglovin’, Facebook, etc. are going to be some of your best friends as a blogger. Pick your social media sites of choice and start sharing!
7. Be Inspired
Find other blogs which you admire for design, style of writing, color scheme, photography, etc. Take these various qualities and mix them together to create your own unique blogging aesthetic.
Find other blogs which you admire for design, style of writing, color scheme, photography, etc. Take these various qualities and mix them together to create your own unique blogging aesthetic.
Have any other blogging or non-blogging questions you want me to answer? Feel free to shoot an email to Megan@BowtifulLife.com or send me a message through Tumblr.
Best of luck & happy blogging!
