I've been running this blog for quite some time now and in that time I have picked up a few things that I want share with you up coming bloggers and for those with a curiosity to start. I know there are an awful lot of these posts around so I have tried to accumulate the ones that I think are the most important, especially for me personally.
Do It For Yourself, Not The Audience
When considering starting a blog, it is important to ensure that you have an interest in blogging and not because of the possible attention or fame that can come from it. Those who have become known for their online work would have started with an interest in the world of blogging because it is likely at the time that becoming famous was unheard of. Your enjoyment of blogging is always a first, not the pressure of trying to please your audience which follows onto my next point...
Write Content You Would Read
As well as having an interest in blogging, it is important to write content that you would enjoy reading yourself or that you have a particular interest in - there are many other types of blogs instead of the well known fashion and beauty ones. Saying that, you don't have to only write posts around a certain topics - if you normally write fashion posts but want to write about music, just do it! Also, if you are half-heartedly writing posts that may show through to your audience and therefore result in them also not enjoying the post.
Never Put Up A Post You're Not 100% Happy With
Never EVER put up a post you are not 100% happy with especially for the sake of maintaining a schedule - quality over quantity. You have to like the post before anyone else because you are your harshest critic and in the future and may look back at that particular post and think what was I doing? This links with my previous point of you have to put up content you would enjoy reading and sloppy writing will show through.
If You're Serious, Do The Work
If you decide that you want to become a blogger full time you have to be prepared to put the work in and to have patience when trying to build your audience. Coming up with content ideas can often be difficult when your creativity is running low and it is important to be aware of these situations what you can do when times like these arise. The design of your blog is also something that you have to think of, it has to be easy for your audience to use and navigate as well as being easy to read. When moving away from the default blogger templates, you can code your own (if you know how) or get someone else to design one for you. Saying that, blogging doesn't have to be a career path but also as something fun, maybe a little documentation series for yourself to look back on in the future.
Stats Aren't Everything
It might seem like it sometimes but stats aren't everything! Seeing a high number of views is great I know but interacting is so much better - every time I have received a comment I have been so happy afterwards to see the response that I left. Saying this, stats can help you understand your blogs growth so don't rule them out completely!
I hope this was helpful to those of you who are new bloggers or considering starting a blog. The ultimate end goal is for you to enjoy what you are doing and if you get a great audience from that, it's even better!
