I started blogging over four years ago now. That’s a long time for some and not quite so long in others eyes. But it has been a long time for me and during those 4 years I have seen plenty of change. I’ve learned plenty of things along the way too and today I wanted to share with you what I’ve learned in 4 years of blogging with some input from some of my greatest blogging friends.
Stats Aren’t Everything
We all like to talk about how stats aren’t everything and how we’re not bothered by them..but who are we kidding? Especially when our blogs supply some form of an income to many of us. Although I do keep track of my stats to some extent, I don’t check them obsessively like I used to in the early days. Sure, they are important for certain things but it is far too easy to keep checking them and start feeling down about them if they aren’t quite what we expected.
Not Everyone Will Agree With You
This is pretty obvious as it ties in with everyday life. Not everyone will have the same opinion as you and that’s okay – don’t compare yourself say Tina and Rebecca. Don’t get down about it – move on. The ‘outside world’ often doesn’t get bloggers and even bloggers can disagree with other bloggers. The world isn’t all sunshine and roses and neither is your blog. Try not to care what people think. Blog for you and what you care about and have a passion for – some sound advice from my friend Mel. That being said…
Networking Is Important
As my friend Lucy says, manners cost nothing and networking is super important for both your blog and your mindset. I know that if I hadn’t had supportive friends such as Sarah and Lisa who I’ve been friends with pretty much from the start then I would have given up by now. Networking is great because you get to meet people with similar interests and sometimes even make friends for life – I can’t imagine life without some of these girls now!
Basic HTML/SEO
I by no means know much about either (I knew some basic HTML back in the Myspace days and then subsequently lost that knowledge) but I now know at least the basics of HTML and SEO which is handy. Ask me to do much more though and I would be useless.
Planning & Scheduling? Vital.
I certainly know when I haven’t been scheduling for a while – I realise I have no content scheduled, no social media scheduled and I start to panic – try to get content out but then it won’t be my best. I spent the first half of 2013 scheduling ahead of myself and then somewhere between June 2013 and November 2014 I seemed to lose my way. I sat down the other day and planned out content for the next month on both blogs (with obvious spaces for time sensitive content) and also scheduled in a day for planning in the next couple of weeks. I am now currently scheduled for 1/2 days in advance on both blogs but want to try and increase that from this weekend, scheduling whenever I have the time.
Social media scheduling is my downfall but I am making much more of an effort to do it now that I have a content plan and posts scheduled – it certainly makes it a lot easier!
What You Put In Is What You Will Get Out
This is a quote from my good friend Hannah and it is so true! If you put in a lazy effort, you will get a lazy response. If I slack from posting and social media interaction, I sure know about it – stats and interaction in general go right down. Also if you put in the effort consistently, you may start to see some interest from companies who are intrigued by your content and your outreach. Remember your blog is yours – if you want to make it work, you can – just put in the time and the effort. As Sarah from Life In A Breakdown says – it is bloody hard work!
I’ve had plenty of blogs over the years but never kept to them. I did with this one. Do I know why? No. But it has seen me through pregnancy, childbirth, a proposal, a redundancy and so much more. It helped me finally kickstart my dream career and I am still here today, four years on.
If you blog, what is the one big thing you have learned on your blogging journey?
Some good points! I think it is always a good idea to evaluate a new project after a certain amount of time and list what you have learned. It helps you to plan for the future ie what has worked and what hasn't. I think your blog is great as you give your honest opinions and don't just say what you think your readers want to hear. Thank you and happy blogiversary!
Thanks Tracy, really appreciate it!
This is a brilliant read. I wish I had had this to read this when I first started blogging! I will especially be heeding your advice about scheduling as I think this is something I need to get to grips with! xx
Scheduling takes some getting used to but it is so handy!
Totally agree with scheduling – I'd be all over the place with out scheduling my posts #thelist
I don't know how people manage!
Great tips, having just celebrating one year of blogging I am still learning all the time! I try to schedule, I've got a long way to go to keep organised though! #BrilliantBlogPosts
Thank you!
Nodding along to all of these. In the early days I used to check my stats a few times a day! Madness! Networking is really important too – not only to share ideas but I too have made some fantastic friends this way. I only just discovered scheduling at the start of this year and there's no going back for me!
Networking has found me some amazing friends, don't know where I would be without them 🙂
Be honest.
Not everyone will like it but your readers will respect you for it.
I am sick of reading sugar coated reviews just to make PR happy… and sadly there is a lot of them around 🙁
Agreed. Then you see one review that is ever so slightlt different to the rest and it makes you think..hmm!
I never get my stats as some of my busiest days (stat wise) have been when I haven't posted for a while. Shouldn't be like that really. I also used to check them loads but I've stopped checking so often now – and when I do look I'm pleasantly surprised 🙂 Actually, might have to go and check them now! #thelist
Checking stats can get so frustrating especially when things like that happen – just when you think you know what they are doing it all changes.
Although I've only been blogging for a year I can agree with all of these. I guess for me a big thing I need to improve on is scheduling, I get a head and then think I can chill out until I realise I have nothing to post the next day! I'm definitely trying to improve that this year as it is so important
I used to do that all the time. You sit there and think..hang on…oh no I haven't written that up!
I really enjoyed reading this post. Like Christine @afamilyday I was really surprised when my stats stayed high throughout August last year when I took a short break although not surprised when they were down at Christmas. I don't judge by stats but more by the number of comments on a post as they lead me to knowing which of the posts have been the more popular ones and which I should do more of.
#weekendbloghop
Thanks Catherine! I agree – the more interaction on a post tells me what content I should be putting out there 🙂
I'm pretty new (only been blogging since Dec) so this was really interesting. Thanks for the tips x
No problem Lorna!
Great post, lots of fab tips for a newly like me thank you xx
Thank you Sarah 🙂
Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I've only been blogging for six months so it's always good to get advice from experienced bloggers. I am totally guilty of constantly checking stats and definitely need to learn more HTML and SEO. I'm sure it'll come in time #thelist
It definitely will x
I have my blogging L plates on so it's good to see helpful tips – thanks
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No problem!
Lovely to read this, I hit 4 years last November, time sure flies and it's such an incredible medium to work in and enjoy. Happy blogiversary. Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x
Thanks Vicki!
I have just started blogging so a really great read for me.
Aww good luck on your blogging journey!
I would take this as a pretty experienced perspective!!
Scheduling is absolutely my 2015 goal. xx
Insightful, I have to say I realised just how much I have learned too, I could probably give lessons now…ha ha
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Great post huni, thanks for linking up to #TheList xx
Amazing post!! I'm book marking to come back – loving your blogging posts at the mo! #TheList xx