What I have Learned About Blogging So Far
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Although I have had this blog for over a year, it is only in the last few months that I have got really serious about it. It has changed from something I thought about now and then, to something that is never really off my mind.
I love writing it, and I have learned so much over the last couple of months. In this post, I thought I would share what I have learned and things I want to work on in the future.
Blogging is hard work
As I am sure a few of us did, I thought blogging would be really easy. Write a post, publish and Bob’s your uncle- success. How wrong was I?!
It is not just about writing a post, it is about making that post great and a good reflection of who you are, so that people want to read it. Bloggers spend hours researching and writing posts, editing photos, planning social media posts and more.
I go to bed most nights thinking (obsessing) about what I am going to write next and what pictures I am going to use. I even start writing posts in my head. Before starting, I had no idea how much this would take over my life.
However, yes it is hard- but I love it.
My photography skills need improving – A LOT!
Before I started blogging, I thought I was alright at taking pictures. However, then I saw the amazing photo’s on other blogs and wanted to cry!
Whilst I think about my photos more now, I know there is a lot of improvement to be made.
I need to think about backgrounds, lighting and the actual layout of the pictures, as well as my editing.
Social media is your best friend (and also your enemy)
Social media is brilliant for getting your posts read and shared online, and there are so many options available.
Sharing my posts on all platforms is something I have done from the start. Even as a newbie(ish) to blogging I know that you have to put your work out there for it to be read.
My views are still very low compared to many bloggers, but thanks to sharing my posts, I am getting at least a few views every day. This is more than before. Hopefully, it will keep creeping upwards.
On the other hand, social media can be a pain. It takes up a lot of time, which I would rather spend writing. However, the worst thing is the negative comments and hate you can get for no reason.
One comment on a YouTube video I posted told me to “go kill myself”. I have no idea what I did to make that person hate me, but I try not to let it bother me. Instead, I removed it and moved on.
I need to become more tech savvy
Knowing enough to buy myself goodies online or to browse Facebook is not enough when it comes to blogging.
Sorting my layout and adding bits took me a lot longer than it should have. This made me realise I seriously need to up my game if I want my blog to look the best it can.
I have been reading a few blog posts on this subject and I am becoming more aware of what I need to do.
Self-hosting seems to be the way a lot of blogs go and I really have no idea where to start with that. My first port of call is going to be reading posts on Pinterest, for example, and finding out what I need to do.
This is something I am very interested in doing at some point in the future.
Be friendly
Being friendly to people in life is always a good way to go, but it really can help you in the blogging world too. For too long I shied away from commenting on other people blog posts. I thought they would think I was silly or that my opinions were pointless (thanks to my lack of confidence).
I saw a post about blog link ups and thought this was a good idea, so I added my blog post and started commenting and guess what? Nothing bad happened.
I wish that I had started doing this sooner, as I have found some brilliant blogs to read and people have been commenting more on my posts. Win win! The badges for the linkys that I take part in are in the side bar of this blog.
So, that is what I have learned about blogging so far. There are probably a lot more that I will remember later.
My main advice for anyone who is starting a blog is to research your choice of platform first and never, ever give up. You can do this!
Take care everyone.
15 Comments
Julie S
Great lessons to learn. I feel like blogging is a journey because you keep learning new things and other things keep changing. It took me a long time to figure out the whole images thing on my blog and why they were important and how to take good photos.
Ali Duke
It certainly is a journey, a very fulfilling one. Pictures are very important, it's my priority at the moment.
Ali Duke
It certainly is a journey, a very fulfilling one. Pictures are very important, it's my priority at the moment.
toarizonaandbeyond
Great post, sums blogging up perfectly, a lot of fun but can become an obsession! I too would like to go self hosted but need a lot of time that I don't have now to figure it out! #fortheloveofBLOG
justsayingmum.com
Aww I love your self reflection here! I've been going 6 months and just can not believe how much there is to learn – yes social media has to be your friend and images are so important too. The tech stuff goes over my head most of the time so I just try to enjoy hat I'm doing and hope the tech stuff becomes clearer the longer I'm in the game! #fortheloveogBLOG
A Mum Track Mind
There is so much to take in when you first start out isn't there! I like to focus on one or two areas of my blog a week and not get bogged down by all the things I'm not doing! Being friendly and getting to grips with social media are for me the best ways to get your blog out there. Thanks for sharing with us on #fortheloveofBLOG X
Ali Duke
I think it will take me a while too, good job I am not in too much of a rush to do it 🙂
Ali Duke
The tech stuff is the bits that really gets me, picking up bits all the time though.
Ali Duke
Thank you for having me. I try to focus on one thing at a time as my brain can't cope with any more lol. I am enjoying reading more blogs and slowly getting to know people, a lovely way of connecting.
Sara HandyHerbs
It certainly is a kind of journey, with lots of learning to be done along the way! I agree with your points – being friendly is key 🙂 #KCACOLS
Jessica Powell
I always thought my internet skills were really good, but blogging was still such a steep learning curve for me! I was the same about joining in with linkies too, but I'm really glad I started. Everyone is so friendly 🙂 #KCACOLS
yummyblogger.com
I've had my blog for over two years now and still feel very much the same as you… Always thinking about posts, photos etc but never the time to do much about it! Xx #KCACOLS
Savannah Baker
Blogging is definitely a journey, and like you said, one that takes up a LOT of time. Next month my blog will be a year old and I still feel like I could improve it sooooo much!! But regardless of how hard the work is, I never realized I would love it so much!!
A Moment With Franca
Yes blogging is not easy at all. In fact it is really hard. I can’t believe all the involvement around publishing a post. I was so confused and lost a year ago when I started but time is everything. You learn quickly from your mistakes and also you learn a lot from others too. It is indeed a journey but one that I love so much. Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. You area always amazing with the commenting and I appreciate a lot. I can see that you have gone self hosted which is brilliant! Well done. 🙂 xx
aliduke79@hotmail.com
Thank you. It has not been easy as I have done it myself, which has meant I have not had a lot of time for anything else.
I love #KCACOLS there are so many blogs with information that is useful and that have great things to read 🙂