Welcome to the Spring 2015 Bloggiesta!
Not familiar with Bloggiesta? Check out their website. In short, it is an event that happens four times a year and allows bloggers to clean up and improve their blogs. Who doesn't need that?!?
Today, it has been requested that bloggers share the best advice that they have received about blogging. Here at Book Bloggers International, we (the minds behind BBI) thought we would all take a few moments and share our advice with you here. Without further ado, we present to you our advice . . .
The best blogging advice I ever received was to not be afraid to be original, to be creative. I am this person already but I grew up thinking I needed to fit in and not rock the boat and keep the status quo. I decided to take this blogging advice and run with it, and it has proven to be invaluable. I do what I want, I create my own ideas of what my blog and blogging should look like, and I don't let anyone tell me I am doing it wrong. There is no right or wrong, there is only the same and different. I would much rather be myself on my blog - putting a piece of myself into my reviews, creating my own features, showing other bloggers love instead of viewing them as some sort of competition. Luckily for me, these things work for my blog and it makes me happy because I am myself.
The Best Blogging Advice I've ever received is: don't do it for the clicks. In other words, if you are going to be blogging, reviewing, etc, do it because you enjoy it and you have things to say. Don't become a slave of the clicks and the page views. Don't freak out because the first month (heck, the first year) your blog doesn't have a ton of followers; it takes time to find your own voice and your own style. Don't be discouraged by a low traffic week, or month, keep doing it for yourself.
When I was first blogging on Xanga, years before I started a book blog, I ran across some great advice from a fellow Xanga blogger who was insanely popular on the network. In a post about how she got so popular, she added a paragraph at the very end titled, “What to do when you get hundreds of comments.” It thought it would be about how she managed to maintain that level of popularity, but it wasn’t. Her advice? Turn off your computer. Leave your phone. Go outside. Ignore your email for at least 24 hours. Play with your kids, go out to dinner with your significant other, hang out with your friends.
Even though I’ve never received even close to a hundred comments on a post, that piece of advice has stayed with me. Basically it’s saying that whenever things in the blogging world seem overwhelming, take a step back. Gain some perspective on what your blog really is and why you started blogging in the first place. Being a successful blogger isn’t about spending all your time on social media or email, or stressing about popularity, it’s about supplementing your life with something you enjoy doing.
The best blogging advice I ever received is twofold. One, be yourself. Find your own voice and use your imagination. Don't try to be like all the other bloggers out there. Do something different. Stand out. And, your readers will come to you. Second, be realistic. If you have a busy home life, don't burn yourself out by trying to post every single day or multiple times a day. If blogging is your hobby, make sure to keep it fun and enjoyable. Try to be consistent, but don't push your limits and ruin the desire.
Now that you have heard our advice, it is your turn to share your's! What else would you add?
Great advice, guys. I totally agree. You need to have fun with it and blog about what you like. I think this is the cardinal rule of blogging.
ReplyDeleteKristen ... If it isn't, it definitely should be the cardinal rule!
DeleteYes! Fun, that is for sure rule #1!
DeleteInteresting post! I think the best advice I ever received is that there are no rules, so do what you think is best for you and your blog. Love the advice to step away from your computer and take a break every now and again! Thanks Tif!
ReplyDeleteAlexia561 ... You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful!
DeleteAll great advice! I think the best advice I ever received is to comment on blog posts when I can. Establishing those connections has really increased the pleasure I get from blogging.
ReplyDeleteLaurie C ... GREAT advice too!! Afterall, it is a community!
DeleteLoved these advises!! I love blogging, and never was scared of it until I began blogging in English (which isn't my first language). I was scared of misspelling a word...I'm sure I still do it sometimes but people has been very nice about it! :D Also, it's a hobby! I'm sure for some it's work and that's great, but for me it's a hobby and I really want to enjoy it :)
ReplyDeleteGABY ... Yes, enjoy it!! Why do it if you don't?!?
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