Ah blogging – there is this whole network of fun, community and content. There is SO much variety out there and love getting a chance to share my opinions.
There are unspoken “rules” that, as a blogger, you feel pressured to keep up with on a regular basis. If you aren’t sticking to these “rules” you might feel like a failing blogger.
Well, I’m here to tell you that I’m proud to break these rules. Not even sorry.
1. You must be active on every social media platform // I’m looking at you, Twitter. I figured out in 2016 that I just don’t have the bandwith to even try to be active on all the various platforms. It just wasn’t realistic. So I chose to focus my time on my favorites (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube) and just casually cruise/use the others.
Biggest example is Pinterest! I love Pinterest for personal use! So I just continue to use it that way. I like to pin fellow blogger friends’ content, and occasionally pin my own. But for the most part, it’s personal. And I’m ok with that!
2. Successful bloggers make money // True, making money would be just fine! I wouldn’t turn down a chance to receive something for free or make a little extra cash! BUT don’t let that desire to make money sacrifice your value as a blogger. If you become known as the person that always talks about sponsored products, no one will listen if you truly love something! Stick to talking about brands and products you truly love and would spend your own money on. And it’s a bonus if you get some cash for it! And if you’re not making a dime from blogging (like me) that’s totally fine!! You can still be a successful blogger without making money.
3. Blogging daily is essential // I do believe that consistently posting is crucial to have consistent readers and followers. People will stop visiting your blog if you aren’t posting (*cough cough* me in 2016 *cough cough*). BUT you shouldn’t feel pressured to post daily or even every week day. You may experience burn out and then swing the other direction (like me). This year I was ok with posting a few times a week, and keeping up on Facebook and Instagram. I was content with not daily posting. And you should be too!
4. Content about your personal life is kind of boring // I see bloggers apologizing for doing a post about life lately, or just a “chatty blog” or video… but who cares! It’s your blog – blog about what you want to talk about. I love sharing what we’re up to around here. True, you don’t get a lot of new visitors clicking through to posts on “what we did this weekend”, but your regular readers who like you for you want to hear about it!
5. Track those numbers and compare yourself to other bloggers // Like #4, I care more about keeping up with regular, return readers than trying to hit a viral post and sky rocket my numbers. If I only have 10 people who regularly read and comment on my blog, that works for me! Don’t get stuck looking at someone else’s blog or social media account and being frustrated that you seem “small”. What’s important is the community you’re building in your slice of the internet. You want people to stick around because of you and your voice!
What do you think? Agree or disagree?
There is ONE blogging rule I broke a lot in 2016 that I’m not ok with. And if you’re a new blogger, learn from my mistake.
I fell behind on visiting and commenting on other blogs.
This is a TOP PRIORITY blog rule you must always follow. The best thing about blogging and the blogging community is just that – community. If you don’t visit fellow bloggers, see what they’re up to, comment and share, then what’s the point? Friendships and collaborations get built on community with fellow bloggers. I shouldn’t have neglected this. And I need to get better in 2017.
What “rules” have you broken? Anything you want to improve on?
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