I will admit, I'm VERY new at the whole blogging thing. I started it as a way to share our travels and adventures with family and friends. And to also share my personal interests- crafting and cooking. Everyone always wants to know tutorials and recipes, so I thought I'd share with everyone using one post. I know, maybe a little lazy but to email a recipe 50 times is a little tedious to me.
Now that I've been blogging regularly for about 4 months, I see how this little creative outlet could turn into a huge time sucking monster! When researching for blogging tips, I kept seeing the "Don't let it take over your life" and I now understand what they were warning me for!
Don't get me wrong, I love using this as a platform to share my stories and ideas. It's fun! But, I made a promise that if it ever became too much of a "job" then I'd stop it. I don't want to be tied down with the whole political side of blogging. I know, you may not think blogging is anything but politics, but to me it seems like it.
From researching ways to make your blog popular, these are some of the items that have rubbed me the wrong way-
- You have to comment on other's posts, which I do because I truly think the posts are awesome, not because I'm fishing for you to comment on my blog.
- You should do a giveaway to lure other readers in by subscribing to every single social media outlet you have, and some ladies have about 20.
- You should pay to sponsor someone else's blog, (meaning they put your button on their blog for a fee.)But you sponsor someone else's blog only so they can take that money and sponsor another person. I don't understand this, it's just the same money being passed around? Why can't we just sponsor for free? Or like HopeEngaged does and donate all money to a charity. THAT makes more sense to me.
- You should cover topics that "get you noticed". No thank you! I'll cover what I like and if you like it too then great! If you don't, then I'm sorry.
- You must make blog friends with the ladies that have thousands of readers in order to get more recognition. I don't go for this either. I connect with someone who is like me, an average girl just wanting to share stories or ideas. If you are in blogging for the "fame" then I probably won't connect with you. Just who I am.
Does blogging take over your life?
Isn't it hard sometimes. I find that I choose to blog/read blogs over reading scripture that I've been wanting to read or books I've put aside which frustrates me but...I still do it. So trying to find a happy medium at the moment where I don't have that "bloggy" feeling of getting behind.
ReplyDeleteBut it has been a great 4 months for me too :D especially meeting people who are continents away that is never otherwise have the chance to meet. Pretty darn cool :D
Isn't it hard sometimes. I find that I choose to blog/read blogs over reading scripture that I've been wanting to read or books I've put aside which frustrates me but...I still do it. So trying to find a happy medium at the moment where I don't have that "bloggy" feeling of getting behind.
ReplyDeleteBut it has been a great 4 months for me too :D especially meeting people who are continents away that is never otherwise have the chance to meet. Pretty darn cool :D
I've just started blogging too, and have read all the same tips. I agree, the 'must do' list makes blogging seem fairly exhausting! I'm hoping to magically wake up one morning and have a million more followers, without having to do all of the slightly slimy clawing for 'likes'! I haven't got into bog sponsorship yet either, but I think I'll have to if I want to get anywhere. I agree, it's funny that the money just goes round and round in a sponsorship circle! Good luck finding a blogging balance :)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the Dwelling Tree Hop. Now following via Twitter and Facebook.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Meg
Happy Kids, Inc
Great post! I've been thinking about these same things. Especially the giveaway thing is so right. It's quite annoying if there's never new "real" posts. Just giveaways. But thanks for this thoughtful post! And thanks for sharing it (Let's Be Friends Blog Hop)
ReplyDelete