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Summer Blog Social

Today I am joining Liz of A Belle, a Bean & a Chicago Dog and Jessica of Four Plus An Angel for their Summer Blog Social!

The prompt I’ve chosen is under the category Advice For Others: Finish the phrase, “Before I began blogging, I wish I had known…”

 *Disclaimer: Clearly it’s crazy that I, of all people, am giving advice. Just humor me, okay?*

  • I wish I’d known about “reciprocity.” Because for a loooooong time I was blogging without a readership. I didn’t know how to reply to comments or engage, didn’t understand how Blogger worked, and was a newbie in every which way. I wish I’d learned sooner that if I reached out to other bloggers that they’d be more likely to visit my blog too. What I really needed was a Fairy Blogmother!
  • I wish I’d known that no one cares to read a novel, complete with photos, about how cute my children are. One of these every so often is okay; however, if you do it frequently? People will run away screaming and scratching their eyeballs out. Try varying your content. Be inconsistent. Do something different. Don’t be predictable! Take risks.
  • I wish I’d trusted the blogging community more with my deepest, darkest secrets. I wish I’d known that just because you only know someone virtually doesn’t mean she can’t be one of your closest friends. Because of people I’ve met via BlogLand, I’ve had the guts to post things like this, this, and this. I’ve made myself vulnerable.
  • I wish I’d known that posting every day doesn’t guarantee more followers, fame & fortune. Yes, posting regularly can be helpful, but daily posts often just result in more work for you! Take the pressure off of yourself–only hit “publish” when you have something important to say. Refrain from posting just for the sake of posting.
  • I wish more people realized that the simplest things, like proper grammar, spell check, and paragraph breaks also contribute to the quality of a post. If I get dizzy reading or it’s clear you haven’t bothered to check your spelling? I’m a gone pecan. And run-on sentences give me panic attacks.
  • I wish I’d known that the longer my post is, the more likely I am to lose you. Period. It really is that simple, people. Brevity is better. Shit or get off the pot. Say what you need to say. Short & sweet. Same applies to vlogs.
  • I wish I’d learned sooner to kick Blogger to the curb, get my own domain name, and get a professional design for my blog.
  • I still need to learn not to compare myself so much to other bloggers I admire, and not to be so hard on myself when I’m in a blogging slump. It happens to everyone. Right?!?

Are there any others you’d like to add? By no means is this a comprehensive list, but in the interest of being brief, I’m stopping here.

Comments

  1. All great tips! I appreciate the one about trusting the blogging community. I’m getting ready to shift gears and start a personal blog (I’ve been blogging professionally for a few years). So, I’m getting used to the taking risks and writing more personally. Thanks!

    • Jeena,

      Thanks so much for stopping by! I’m excited to hear you’re embarking on a new bloggy journey—please keep me posted and let me know your URL when you start? Would love to visit! 😉

  2. You know what I love about your list?
    “Try varying your content. Be inconsistent. Do something different. Don’t be predictable! Take risks.”
    So many “blogging authorities” say the opposite, but it makes for boring, cookie-cutter blogs that make me want to run away. Doing something new, taking risks, shaking it up…..that makes me want to come back over and over again (well, that and your awesome writing!). 

    I’m still working on that whole brevity thing….even in the comment section. lol 

    • Tracie,

      I realized after I published this that I am kinda hypocritical. I definitely violate some of my own “rules” here, but I’ve also hit a blogging slump lately. Not sure if it’s the pregnancy or what, but….I need to work on shifting gears again and changing things up. I think I’ve been too hard on myself and comparing myself doesn’t help. Feel like I have nothing interesting to say/contribute….ugh!

  3. I LOVE “be inconsistent”!  I am working on evolving my blog and figuring out what I want to do/where I want to go with this whole thing.  I feel pressure sometimes to stay in “mommy mode” (from myself, not from anyone else), and then I get frustrated.  I like reading blogs where there’s a variety of topics but I can really relate to the “voice” of the blogger.

    • Angela,

      I think as bloggers? We’re all constantly evolving. And if we don’t? It’s not good. I think part of blogging (at least long-term) is being willing to change/grow/stretch yourself. Thanks so much for stopping by! 😉

  4. YOURS are spot on too – love them – especially the grammar bullet!  Seriously. 

    And talk about an intriguing title/banner.  EXACTLY what I was talking about in my post.  Glad to have found you via #summerblogsocial.  I just subscribed to your RSS. 

    • Thanks so much, Missy!

      You like my banner? It was my idea, but I can’t/ don’t do blog design or code/html stuff….so I explained my concept and several people helped bring my dreams to fruition! I just started this new space in January, and I love it. Feels so much more like home than my old Blogger place.

      😉

  5. I, too, like your take on being inconsistent.  It’s nice to try out new ideas and vary the content … sometimes the mood just strikes and you’ve got to go with it!  I know there is a lot of “expert” advice on staying on topic within a niche, but we’ve found that sometimes our readership grows as soon as we step outside the expectations.  All of your tips are great, by the way! 

    • Angie,

      Yep! Need to step outside the box—be willing to change it up a bit every so often. Otherwise it gets too boring, I think. Which is probably why writing this post makes me think I’m overdue for some changes of my own. Just call me a hypocrite!

  6. Trust and vulnerability are my weaknesses in general let alone with blogging. I’m working on it. I think I need to expand more on my posts, sometimes I feel as though I’m just scratching the surface and summarizing without the depth and connections.

    I admire how much you’ve grown since stumbling upon your space on blogger.

    • Veronica,

      Thank you so much! That means a lot to me, coming from you. I’ve been in a blogging slump lately and need to work on getting back to my vulnerable self/stuff.

      🙂
      xoxo

  7. I think it takes a while for a blogger to feel comfortable with only posting if there’s really something of interest *to* post. But once that concept settles in, it’s like a page is turned in your bloggy life, isn’t it (said the girl who posted nearly daily for 9 months). 🙂

    • Liz—
      Me too! I was obsessed with posting all the time. I wish someone would’ve clued me in! Of course, there were probably plenty of posts like this, but I wasn’t reading them. And I definitely wasn’t on Twitter! 😉
      Thanks to you and Jessica for hosting this—it’s so much fun! xoxo

  8. Good thing I didn’t write a novel about how cute K is today.  But I did say she was cute AND post lots of pictures.  I mean dude, she is cute! ;-P 

    But as you know, that is not all I do! And, I think your list is awesome. I wish I’d known a lot of these things too… especially the first one (at first). 

    Great post, especially for newbies! 

    • Elaine,

      K is totally cute! And yes, you write about lots of stuff, plus your photography is AMAZEBALLS. p.s. are you ready for BlogHer? I’m just wilting with jealousy. And am sad someone else gets to be your roomie! (sad face)

  9. I could never, ever post every day. I just didn’t have it in me and felt like I was a failure! But then I realized I was writing stupid crap just to put it up. I decided to do MWF every week and that helped me SO MUCH. Great ideas and thoughts..maybe you can be someone’s fairy blogmother!

    • I prefer when people don’t post every day (shhhhh….my dirty blog secret, perhaps?) I never feel caught up and sometimes end up thinking “AGAIN? Another post? Haven’t I just read 4 pf hers today?” I know posting once a week is probably too infrequent to build a huge readership, but I feel like that is all I can manage successfully. So that’s what I do! Thanks for this, Amanda and Erin. LOVED both your lists…

      • Julie,

        Amen, sister! As for posting once a week? THat’s about all I’ve been managing myself lately. Used to be MWF, but I’ve hit a slump. Or maybe it’s pregnancy? LOL I love your blog, Julie. Don’t change a thing! xoxoxox

    • Amanda,

      Yes, I was on a MWF schedule for a while, but not since this slump hit me…when I first started blogging? I think I was posting most weekdays. It was ridiculous! I had no clue what I was doing, and was definitely posting just to post. So grateful for all I’ve learned from the bloggy community!

  10. I breathed a sigh of relief when you wrote be inconsistent. Because I ‘m finding it hard to stick to a niche, one subject, one focus, and just write that. I would have burnt out and quit 2 months ago if I had to do that. I think that writing what comes to mind/ when I have something to say (resulting in being ‘inconsistent’) is exactly what I’m like in real life. I’m not one dimensional and I’m happy for that.

    So thanks for the validation 🙂

    • MamaWantsThis,

      Yay! So happy you agree with me! I don’t like to label myself—beyond being a writer, anyway! You’re spot on about the one-dimensional thing, too. Love it!

  11. All very good points!  I can’t stand when someone leaves an awesome comment and when I return the visit, every post is one really long paragraph about 5 different thing.

    I understand when “experts’ say you should find your niche, but it gets boring writing about the same thing day in and day out.

    ps. I always compare myself to others

    • Evonne,

      I think someone needs to make a pill for us—so we can stop comparing ourselves, It’s not healthy, but I can’t seem to  stop.

      And I’m not sure I have a niche? But I still think it’s important to spread your wings and explore writing about whatever else…I need to do more of that b/c I’m a hypocrite.
      😉
      xoxo

  12. “Refrain from posting just for the sake of posting.” – YES!

    I really need to work on the comparing myself to other bloggers, and so many of these posts keep telling me to purchase my domain name. I really should, huh? FINE! It’s on my to-do list okay? 🙂

    • Roxanne,

      YES to the domain name! You  must! Also? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to stop comparing myself to other bloggers. It’s a sickness. And I can’t shake it. Ugh.
      Thanks so much for stopping by!
      😉

    • Lori,

      Thanks so much! Please tell your mom we are kindred spirits. I say it all the time!

  14. Hehehe! Fairy Blogmother. Love that.

    Also, I wish I’d thought of suggesting more paragraph breaks myself. It sure does make reading easier! I find white space very, very comforting.

    • Emily,

      YES! And there wasn’t enough white space in this post—but I couldn’t figure out how to do bullets AND let there be spaces between them. So really? I’m a huge hypocrite!

  15. I so love this!!
    I too wish that I’d started at WP, bought my own domain and never had to go through the crappy beginner bloggy days.
    I love this statement “only hit “publish” when you have something important to say. Refrain from posting just for the sake of posting.”
    AWESOME!

    • Leighann,

      I wish I’d started w/ WP sooner—-I was just too scared/nervous. And in the beginning? had no idea about choosing my domain name, etc…took lots of time to learn and people helping me along the way.

      😉

    • Peanut’s Mommy,
       

      Thank you! I need to vary my topics more, too. I probably sound like the biggest hypocrite in this post! I’m definitely nowhere near perfect and probably need to reevaluate where my blog is going. This pregnancy just has me in a funk. ;-(

  17. Perfection.  All of them.  Be inconsistent.  Be honest.  Be brief.  Speak when you need to…..  I love every single one… well done, my friend!

    • Thanks so much, Danielle! So happy you stopped by. Hope your doggie is all better and that you are surviving this heat—-is it as hot there as it is here today? 107 right now in KC! UGH!

  18. My personal fave?  Be inconsistent. Nothing more boring than visiting a blog where the author talks about the same thing, every day, over and over.  There are exceptions, of course, such as blogs specifically written for the purpose of informing and educating in one subject area.  I still don’t visit those as often as I would an interesting and versatile blog.
    Would I add anything to your list?  Perhaps:  Write for yourself, not your readers.  If it’s good, they will come.  If they don’t come, time to do some editing and rewriting. 
    I’m all about changing up in my blog, from fiction, to poetry, to humor, to serious non-fiction, and finally to reflection.  I have a good reader base, but am always visiting new blogs and commenting in order to 1) expand my blog-horizons, and 2) drag readers over to my place.

    I do have a slight problem with brevity, however.  Can you tell? 

    Terri
    🙂

    • Terri,

      I am a hypocrite because I have a problem with brevity too sometimes! And by no means was I implying that I’m the perfect blogger or whatever! I have a lot to learn for sure. I love that you are inconsistent and always writing about different things. And know that even though I don’t always comment? Doesn’t mean I’m not reading! 😉 xoxoxoxo

  19. I have loved your blog since it’s beginning and I will continue to love it as you grow and stretch and be inconsistant. 🙂 I’d follow you anywhere you know.

    these were great ideas and a a wonderful example of what blogging really has become for so much of us. xo

    • Thanks so much, Kirsten! I feel like the only stretching going on around here lately is with my belly—not on the blog! I need to get back to it. I’m tired of this slump I’m in. Grrrr!
      xoxox

  20. “Refrain from posting just for the sake of posting”—This exactly! I am definitely still in the process of learning! Not posting at all is better than posting a half-thought-out rambling crap post. I’m also working hard on not comparing. My blog is what it is & I love it. I can’t expect a chronic illness blog to be the next Dooce so why kill myself trying to be something I’m not?

    Excellent tips!!! Thanks for sharing!

    • Jamee,

      Thanks so much for coming by! I can relate totally. I’ve been blogging for a few years now and I still compare myself, and I’m quite sure I still write a lot of crappy-assed posts. Which is funny and kinda makes me sound like a hypocrite in this post. And? I think a lot of us secretly dream of being the next Dooce. Sigh. It’s a pipe dream for me for sure!

    • KLZ,

      Of course I noticed I don’t have any in this post, but I did do bullets? But the bullets didn’t work when I tried to put spaces between them. #fail #hypocrite

  22. I can totally relate on not comparing myself to other bloggers and letting it dictate my blogging practices. I do that all the time.
    Love this list!

    • MamaInsomnia,

      Glad to hear I’m not the only one who does this. It’s definitely a road block for me. Especially lately. HELP!

  23. Great list, I have learned these things along the way too. I never make it through the really long posts and have found taking risks to be the most beneficial part of blogging for me.
    I’m terrible at comparing myself too. Why do we do this to ourselves?
    So glad you linked up, great tips!

    • Jessica,

      I think part of why I’m in a blogging rut lately is pregnancy related, but also b/c I have been comparing myself too much—which then leaves me feeling stupid and like I have nothing good/worthwhile/interesting to say/write about. I shut down. Time to start taking more risks, I suppose?! Thanks for hosting such a fun linkup!

  24. You smart girl.  Great points here.  I’ve never heard “I’m a gone pecan” and shall have to use it now.  It’s true you can trust most people, the regulars, with the dark secrets.  You do make good friends by being vulnerable and real.  And daily posts are also more work for the readers!  

    • Jennie,

      Yep. Daily posts end up being much more work for EVERYONE! lol. I used to post so much more…but lately? have been in such a slump. I don’t know if it’s mostly pregnancy related or not, but….I guess you could say my readers are very lucky since I’m not very prolific. hahahahha!

    • Thanks, Kimberly! Of course I’ve thought of a few more since I published, but oh well. Maybe I ca do a follow-up post?! 😉

    • My Inner Chick.

      Why, thank you, my dear! Appreciate your stopping by to read—have a wonderful weekend! 😉

  28. I must thank Galit for bringing me here 🙂 You have a wonderful blog and I am a Twitter follower. You have such a great list of things that I also wish I had known when I first started. I am so with you on the Fairy Blogmother! HA! And couldn’t agree more in terms of only posting when I feel I have something important to say. Great list!

    • Thanks, Pixie!

      I appreciate your kind comments more than you know. It’s taken me YEARS to learn this stuff, though—and if you read along you’ll see I’m kind of a hypocrite? I am certainly guilty of long posts, I sometimes post the same kind of crap over and over, and my grammar isn’t always perfect, either. Oh well. 😉 thanks so much for coming by!

    • Galit,

      OMG, am so flattered you said that, but you (of all people) don’t need a freakin’ Fairy Blogmother because you’ve got it all down already, dearie! Hope you are enjoying San Diego. I’m so green with jealousy I look like the Wicked Witch from Wizard of Oz! xoxox

    • Jennifer,

      I know, it’s been great! I have soooo many more I want/need to read, though. I guess I have all weekend, right? p.s. I almost pulled out a sweater today—can’t believe the difference in temperature after Tuesday’s insanity!

    • Shell,

      I was soooo nervous when I initially made the switch over, but am really glad I did. WordPress is infinitely better. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still learning as I go, but definitely not as frustrating!

  32. These are great insights! I still have to remember not to compare myself to other as well. I am where I am, and I can continue to try and improve! And I also get very turned off by improper grammar or even something like too many commas. 

    • LATorres,

      I am a grammar nerd myself and sometimes find myself using too many commas. I’m also addicted to ellipses, but I try to curb my use of them on the blog. But in email? Forget it, it’s ridiculous! 😉

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