Stay true // In the beginning... I put a lot of pressure on myself. Pressure to keep up with outfit posts, shopping for new outfits and sometimes even missing out on time with friends because I was so swept up with the blog. I now know that was wrong and I've developed a much more laid back attitude over the years. Creating content and staying true, will never come from putting pressure on ourselves. Instead, I've learned to "check in" and then work on the blog from there. Some weeks, I'm all about outfits posts, other weeks I love creating content like this... or I'm more inspired to vlog. So remember, above all else - stay true!
Be flexible // Our lives are always changing... jobs become more demanding, or simply our available time becomes limited because of other life commitments. That's totally okay! Firstly, I've learned to blog about my life exactly how it's happening. Cat photos and a few words on my week? If that's all I have time for... then yes! And secondly, I've created a moveable editorial calender. I typically run 4-5 recurring posts and schedule them all at the beginning of the month. Then each Monday I check in, and if need be, I move them around to suite my mood. The only exception, being sponsored posts, of course!
Hone in on your passions // As you know, I've been helping companies & independent business owners develop their blogs and I'm always amazed at the fact that people aren't sure what to blog about! Simple I say - start with your passions! What do you love? Perhaps you love restoring vintage furniture, cooking, sewing, photography, painting or love making your own clothes! Start there, define what you love, and build blog content from your place of passion. Remember it's your blog, and you get to decide on what you want to blog about. Skies the limit! Plus, the upside is you'll find opportunities in the niche you're most interested in!
Define your theme // As much as I hate putting myself in a box. I believe there is merit in finding a niche for yourself. Yes, at the end of the day you can blog about anything... but, you'll want your blog to have an overall vibe. Maybe you're budget focused, vintage, high fashion or just super crafty. It's important to pick your theme and then build from there. Take a moment and think about the kind of blogs you like to read and what kind of readers you're hoping to attract? When I started my first blog "Girl & Closet" I sat down and wrote out my mission statement and defined the overall purpose of my blog. It honestly helped a lot and I believe it grew quickly because of that!
Create 3-4 recurring posts // There is liberation in knowing what you're going to be blogging about and I think routine is well received by readers too. I typically aim for 4-5 recurring posts and then 1-2 wild cards each month. I focus on daily style, adventures, helpful posts like this one, weekly wrap ups, wishlists and home decor! I think the great thing about recurring posts is they allow you to maintain your vision and keep you accountable. Plus, I never get stuck in the "I don't have anything to blog about" rut. So, yes, bonus! ;)
Brainstorm // Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just starting out. Taking a "time out" as I like to call it and brainstorming is key! Whenever I'm feeling burn out... I always go back to brainstorming! Firstly, I recommend you unplug. I typically love going out in nature, listening to my favourite music, talking it out with a friend or fellow blogger (hi, Cee), creating a mood board, or grabbing a stack of magazines... the last one is great. Magazines are a wealth of fabulous editorial ideas. Try it sometime - you'll be amazed at the results!
Quality over quantity // Personally, I think it's much more effective to invest in one amazing post per week, than create several sub par ones. Think of your blog as your portfolio! I know for myself, I definitley want it to be a collection of my best work! When I look at my favourite bloggers, I would say that is one thing they all have in common. I'm lookin' at you Tieka! ;) They invest their time into building quality over quantity!
Well, that's a wrap, thank you so much for reading the first installment of "Blog Workshop" guys. Next time, I'll be discussing branding - very excited for that one! And, if you have any tips of your own please share - I'm hoping to run a post featuring your fab ideas!! And lastly, if you have any questions about your own blog? Feel free to ask in the comments section. I'm more than happy to lend an ear & offer any advice I can! xo
Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeletewww.eatlovemerry.com
those are great tips. I've only really just started, but having a blog is also helping me to find my passion, and I'm sure it'll slowly show it there too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post! So helpful!
This is a great post, thanks soo much for sharing with us! I have no theme but I write about the things I'm passionate about, which happens to be a lot of things- but in the end they usually all go together. I need to start planning and brainstorming!
ReplyDeletewww.passionandparanoia.com
I usually skip posts like these because I feel like they always say the same thing, but not with you, Veronika! When I started my blog I struggled with its theme. There was always something to blog about but I started it to document a big family trip to Australia and once I posted everything from that I felt like I lacked direction. I'd have loved to have had a travel blog - but I travel once or twice a year because of my budget. I loved fashion so I went into outfit posts, even though I'm not the most stylish girl in town, but I loved it! I think that's how readers can relate - I'm just a normal person with a normal life and a normal not so multi thousand dollar wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteI think my tip for any blogger, old or new, is HONESTY. I have to write it in capitals, because a lot of the blogging girls share their best faces, best hair days, best clothes, etc, etc. Recently, I read a post where a blogger says she gets emails from other girls admiring her and saying she's got the perfect life, perfect house, you name it. The blogger then proceeded to say that some of her outfits she only wears for the purpose of the blog. They're not real. And I thought, what's the point of that? I did appreciate her honesty but I never thought of blogging as this tool to create a fairytale illusion about your life.
So my tip is be HONEST and be REAL. I want to see how you {not you individually, generally speaking :-) } tried to make a cake and burnt it or how you put on an outfit that looked ridiculous. It happens to the best of us, so why share only the perfect parts? That's why I like reading your blog so much, there's no pretentious crap about how amazing everything in life is.
Anyway, longest comment ever, looking forward to reading about branding!! xo Kat
Amen, sister! Totally agree with all your tips. For me, I find that finding your blog style and niche is the hardest part of blogging because you want your blog to stand out! For beginning bloggers I think it's important to stay true to your style and don't let that fade over time. :)
ReplyDeletexx Alyson
The Beauty Vanity
So well said!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips!
ReplyDeleteThose were some genuinely useful tips. thanks (:
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post, V - although the thing that stuck out most is that we've been blogging for four years. Good grief, where has the time gone?! I think we all put so much pressure on ourselves when we were first starting out. That shopping spiral can be crazy. I've relaxed a lot over the years - and my shopping was decreased exponentially as my focus has changed - but I have to admit that I still always keep certain goals in mind that I'm sorry if I don't meet. But we all have our process. And, well, I don't have an adorable cat who I can post pictures of if I don't have any other content! Maybe I just need to fix that ;)
ReplyDeletexox,
Cee
Such great advise Veronika! As a blogger who's been doing it for just about 3 years, I'm still learning these tips. Haha, great read!
ReplyDeleteThe Dragonfruit Diaries
I'm so excited for these series! It's important to learn from bloggers with experience, especially in the beginning! :)
ReplyDeleteDiana P. | Cups & Roses
Thanks for starting this series -- it's already a huge help. I need to work on defining my theme, but I'm slowly getting there.
ReplyDeleteThis is such great advice Veronika! I really like the idea of taking a break to brainstorm. Sometimes life gets so busy I don't allow myself time to just sit and think. Also, define yourself...seems so straight forward, but such a challenge in reality. Love these posts!
ReplyDeleteBetween blogging and my full-time job (and shopping, too, of course!) I really don't have time to sit down and read a book right now, dearest Veronika...but I'll NEVER give up my fashion magazines!! :) And my fave posts for the various blogs I follow are ALWAYS the outfit posts...so it feels so natural and "right" to focus on those for my own blog. My passion for sure!! XOXO
ReplyDeletewww.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com
Marlen, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the first installment of my "blog workshop" series... I can't wait to publish the next one. Personal branding is so very near and dear to my heart! And... I'm so thrilled to hear that getting a sense of "direction" has helped with your own blog. You do an amazing job with your space and your talent & passion is so evident! Wishing you a great start to your week, sweets!! xo
ReplyDeleteMeg, thank you!! So glad you're enjoying the series. I'm having so much fun putting it together and I'm already excitedly working on the next one. Happiest week to you sweets! xo
ReplyDeleteYes, me too, still feel like I'm learning all the time. I recently did the ABM "blog life" course and it was awesome! Hoping to do another in the spring... I find learning really keeps blogging fun & fresh for me! Happiest week to you, love!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteAlyson, thank you, so glad you enjoyed the "blog workshop" post!! <3 As for finding your niche? I think once you nail down what you love, you'll always be original & stand out, we are all unique! :) But yes, I hear ya, it takes a while to nail it down, or certainly did for me! Happiest week to you, loves!! xo
ReplyDeleteKat, firstly thank you for your amazing comment and for sharing your thoughts!! :) Really enjoyed reading & learning about your point of view!! And I'm gonna have to go ahead and second that... honesty & being real - is where it's at!!! I love when a blogger posts an outfit and says... so I don't really like this outfit! I immediately feel like the person is totally relatable, plus it takes guts to post something you’re not crazy about. I genuinely respect that! Happiest week to you, loves!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteGreat tips V.
ReplyDeleteBack atcha!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this! As a first time blogger ( just posted my first one! ) I'm obsessed with the insite of bloggers that I look up to and ones that have much to share! I appreciate you sharing this! xo Lola
ReplyDeleteI've read this a couple of times I can practically recite it by heart, because I need to keep it as a reminder whenever we do have trouble with blog content. I was scheduled to post a blog last night and by 5 pm, I had nothing written down. I remembered to write what I know and have fun, and came out with a pretty good playlist post with all my favorite music for the month! It was nice to be motivated-thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really helpful post and I found myself nodding along. I agree that a niche and knowing the key topics you want to cover in your blog is key, as is having regular features. I also think great photography is worth a mention as this is as important as words as we humans are visual creatures. Full-width, clear and well-lit photos really help to set a blog apart and boost the words in the post.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post - this is VERY helpful to me! I have a couple of regular posts and try to do one off-the-cuff post a week, but sometimes I feel like that's forced. Need to let my mind be free and write a mission statement!!
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