Previously, here, I asked some questions to answer before you start a blog. I’ve got a few more things to think about if you want to start a blog. Let’s continue where we left off.
6. Do you like helping people? You need to be here to help others. I’ve seen some blogs that were started simply to promote a business, and those blogs seem to fail, because the blogger sees blogging as marketing and her heart isn’t in it. Okay there are plenty of celebrities that self-promote and they are successful, but that works only for rock stars.
7. Why will someone want to come to your blog? If you are just writing a laundry list of what you did that day, and what you ate, you probably won’t see many readers. You need to tell a story, one that people want to hear, and you need to post helpful information. Readers want content that is fun or interesting or better yet both. In my opinion, the best blogs are the ones that inform us, inspire and entertain us. And if I feel like I know the writer… even better. I don’t want to feel like I am reading a corporate report. Let us know who you are.
8. Do you just want a place to write your thoughts or do you want grow your audience? If you don’t care how many readers you have, then you can write about anything, post as little as you want, have no photos, misspell every other wood word, and it won’t matter. Your mom will probably still read your blog, although mine doesn’t.
9. Are you comfortable with computers and software? You don’t need to know much, but it definitely comes in helpful at times. If your blog is a blogspot blog, you can get by knowing very little. If you are using WordPress, you’ll need to know much more. Computer knowledge required for blogging is minimal, but helpful.
10. Are you prepared to write several posts a week? If you don’t have new content often (at least once a week and hopefully more) people will forget about you. I know bloggers who have stepped away from their blogs, and readers move on quickly.
Anita,
Great points!!!
I agree that voice is important in writing your blog! Also, frequency is another key!
I began visiting blogs(yes…confession…I was a lurker for 6 months prior to beginning my blog)simply because several of my favorite magazines had either cease to exsist or had changed editors…not for the betterment of the publication!!! I was hoping to fill that void in home decor, recipes, new trends, etc. What I didn’t realize, at the time, was the AMAZING friendships that would blossom and grow!
Like other endeavors…with blogging…you get out of it, what you put into it! For me, the experience has been “hundred~fold”!!!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Have a blessed weekend!!!
Fondly,
Pat
This is a great post with useful information,AND a perfect explanation why yours is successful…fun and interesting and most of all inspiring
Excellent posts! I am a “newbie” and all your points hit spot on! Thanks for the advice!!
Angela
Excellent information-and so true. I think the best part about blogging to me is the relationships that have formed. I feel like I really KNOW most of my readers and that is the icing on the cake for me- xo Diana
One thing I didn’t see in the series is “Can you take really good pictures?” There are a lot of blogs I stumble across with beautiful subject matter but horrible pictures. Let’s face it, most home decorating/DIY blogs are very image heavy. I can think of one blogger with a breath-taking home who consistently posts blurry photos and lots of them. If a blogger wants to be successful in this category, she (or she) really needs to understand photography and photo editing.
Oops, I meant to say she (or he). No bias around here!
Anita, Cedar HIll Ranch is all of this and more. You are a terrific role model. Thanks for all the help and inspiration you offer. ~ Sarah
PS
Yes, I’ll be at Round Top. Not certain on my schedule just yet, but will likely go several different days. ‘-)
Will be in touch before. Perhaps this year we can actually meet up.
Thanks for the blogging tips. I don’t advertise and probably never will because I am too selfish and blog for myself. I love to be creative, but after teaching all day I am too tired to get to my art space so writing and photography became my outlet.
What I didn’t realize would happen was:
meeting so many sweet people who encourage and advise me
my house would always be in a state of “redo” and it would be fun
I would get so many ideas from so many other people
Anita, I have enjoyed the way you approached this subject. It’s been very informative and enlightening. But, I have a question…do I have to confess that I’m just reading your blog and don’t have a blog of my own? I’m not real sure here if I’m “lurking” or reading. Also, some have link parties are those only for fellow bloggers?
Hi June G.,
I try to personally respond to anyone who has a question with an email, but since you don’t have an email associated with your profile, I’ll answer it here. Anyone (bloggers and non-bloggers alike) is welcome to my blog, and to almost all blogs I’m aware of. You don’t have to be a blogger to read it or come join the link party. You are welcome to read the link party or to link up a project. The one caveat is that the link has to go somewhere so if you link up you need to have a webpage to link to. If you don’t have a blog, but have a hometalk page with photos, you are welcome to link up. The only requirement is that you link back to our party. (Most parties are the same.) Does that make sense? If you have any questions, let me know with an email address and I’ll get back to you. Thanks for stopping by.
These are all great tips. Blogging requires quite a bit of time, but I think each of us have to strike the right amount of balance…it’s different for everyone.
And since I’m writing this at 1:27 am, you can tell I miiiight need a little more of that. LOL! {With toddlers, this is the only time I can really get alone.}
P.S. I love your blog. I don’t personally know you, but you seem to have a calm, approachable spirit about you. This translates through your posts – and we all keep coming back for more.
XOXO,
Meredith
Such great information Anita. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. I’ve learned so much from blogging and have met the most amazing friends…so rewarding.
Blessings,
Cindy
Anita, This is such great info for anyone thinking about starting a blog… and a very good refresher for all of us who currently have one.
It is a real labor of love, as we have spoken about, and something that keeps feeding the creative part in us! Thanks for the sweet shout-out. YOu are so so kind!
xo