Friday 22 August 2014

7 things I've learned in 7 years of blogging

Seven years is a long time in the blogging world. Seven years is a long time in life. I love my blog, and the opportunities it has brought me, and the memories it has captured, and the people I've met. I started learning the ropes of blogging (rather than just making it up as I went along) way back in 2009, with Shimelle Laine's Blogging for Scrapbookers class. And I haven't stopped learning since. {or pinning, you can follow my pinterest board about blogging here} Here are my top 7 tips
  1. write in your voice. It sounds cliche, because everyone says it, but they say it because it is the truth. Once I started writing as I spoke, without the LOLs, my words flowed, I wasn't trying to be something on paper that I wasn't. That doesn't mean that if you use the occassional LOL that I'll stop reading, or swithc off if you use emoticons, but if it doesn't come naturally from you, don't try to force it, people will notice.
  2. make your photos big. I read on my iPad a lot, and regularly use the multi-gesture to make images bigger. My eyes are getting old, and I want to see your beautiful photos, don't make them so small that I have to enlarge them just to see the detail.
  3. don't explain absences. People read blogs via email or facebook or RSS reader. Unless they're a long-time reader that you've become friends with, they won't really notice if it's been five minutes or five months since your last post.
  4. it's ok to change paths. Just because you started blogging about your babies, doesn't mean you have to keep blogging about your babies. They grow up, after all, and eventually tell you to stop sharing their photos on facebook/instagram/blog. And passions change, too.
  5. never stop learning. The internet and social media are ever-changing beasts. You don't need to keep up with everyone else, but keep learning from them, and apply that knowledge when you feel you can.
  6. photos + words matter. Even when the days feel long, and babies are grown up, and you think you're talking to yourself, your stories matter.
  7. I know more than I thought I did. I've mentioned this before, and I'm sure I'll mention it again. I'm often so surprised when someone asks a question about blogging, and I know the answer. Being able to share my knowledge with others makes me so happy.
What has blogging taught you? How long have you been blogging for?
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8 comments

  1. These are great tips, Cate, I found myself nodding in agreement with each one! I've been blogging for close to six years now. Happy blog anniversary to you, and here's to the next seven years! xo

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  2. I've been blogging 4 1/2 years now & just posted my thoughts about blogging and scrapbooking the other day (it's here if you want to check it out: http://melissagross.blogspot.com/2014/08/blogging-and-scrapbooking.html). These are great tips, especially about writing in your own voice & never stop learning! Happy blogiversary to you!

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  3. Funnily enough I just read a post apologising for a blogging break and I hadn't even noticed that she hadn't blogged recently. I say its definitely so important to blog the way you speak. When I read blogs I love it when it feels like I'm having a conversation with the blogger.

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  4. All great tips! #3 drives me bonkers...I occasionally fall into that trap and then scold myself. I especially love tip #4 too! I am primarily a craft blogger but love to blog about other things that matter to me as well.

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  5. These are fantastic tips Cate. You've made me feel a little better about my blogging journey. Thanks x

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  6. The don't apologise and it's ok to change direction are my most important mantras.
    I have also learnt that not everyone is going to like you and that's ok. But treasure the community that does.
    Congrats on the blogiversary.

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  7. I absolutely agree with each of these. I love the last one because I too have realised that I know so much more than I ever realised.

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  8. I've been writing online in one way or another for about 10 years. A lot of it was on LiveJournal (probably 2003ish I started that). My biggest tip is that just like real life, you'll love and hate parts of it :)

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