What I’ve Learned About Blogging
June 11, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
photo credit: Joanna Young
I’ve been blogging on Writing Forward for almost ten months now. Most days, I still feel like a rookie. But ten months is a long time in the blogosphere and in that time I have learned a lot, both about blogging and who I am as a writer.
Write what you know, blog what you love
Some say write what you know. Other say write what you want to know. When it comes to blogging, I say write what you love. A blog is a never ending project. It’s not an article you whip up and send off. It’s not a manuscript that you push through and (hopefully) finish one day. It’s a long term commitment. A marriage. Most bloggers don’t make it past the first three months. Many others don’t pass the one year mark. You’d better have more than a crush on your blog. You have to be madly, hopelessly in love with it. Otherwise you’ll wake up one day and find yourself totally divorced from it.
There is no right or wrong way to blog
Okay, that’s not true. There are many wrong ways to blog but the good news is that means there are also a lot of right ways. Plenty of blog “experts” will tell you that you should blog on a set schedule, that you should blog at least five times a week, or that you need to find a niche that is underpopulated so you can rake in the big bucks. I’ve learned this is all hogwash. Ultimately, you have to find what works for you and your readers. Five times a week might be too much (people have other blogs to read, you know), and the underpopulated niches might bore you (which is why they’re underpopulated). Unless you’re running a strictly business blog, relax and have fun with it. Experiment. Eventually you will find your pace.
You may not get it right the first time
Before Writing Forward, I had a couple of other blogs. In fact, I had a “weblog” back in the mid-nineties but it had no focal topic and I rarely updated it. That was before blog software, so it was manually coded and maintained. What you see here is my third attempt at a blog. If you are really interested in blogging and the first one doesn’t work out, then try again. Maybe you didn’t pick a niche that you could commit to, or maybe you were pushing yourself too hard (or not hard enough) to post regularly. Allow yourself a few failures and know that if you keep trying, you’ll eventually find your way.
Community is everything
This is the juicy cherry on top of the sundae that is blogging. Community. It’s the cheese on the pizza, the wasubi on the sushi. Forget networking. Focus on building a community. In the past ten months I have connected with many talented writers and knowledgeable bloggers. I’ve connected with people who have become clients, friends, and co-writers. This part of the journey is what makes my heart go pitter patter and makes my insides tingle with warm fuzzies. It’s why commenting is critical. Let’s say that again, commenting is critical. Seriously, the comments section of my blog and the blogs I visit is where friendships are born. Incredible.
The technical stuff belongs in another post. Or another blog.
I could, at this point, probably write a manual on both the design and technical aspect of blogging. Plugins, widgets, and ads, oh my! This stuff matters a whole lot because it makes your blog a nice, friendly place to visit. Open your home to the world and they will come in bearing many wondrous gifts. In short: make it pretty so it doesn’t hurt people’s eyes. Offer RSS and email subscriptions in a clear, visible spot near the top of your blog. Open comments and remove hoops like verification forms so commenting is quick and easy for your readers. Respond to comments and pay it forward by commenting on blogs other than your own. Use plugins. Plugins are your friend: Akisment, CommentLuv, ShareThis.
Now it’s your turn
What have you learned as a blog reader or as a blogger? What do you want to learn? Is there any part of this post you’d like me to explore at greater length in a future post? I tried to cover the basics, but I could delve deeper into specifics if you wish. I am at your command.
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Wow Melissa, I would have thought you had been blogging for years, you seem like a blogging pro!
I am working on all the things I need to do now to get off of free wordpress and make the switch.Making my list of what I want. This is helpful. But the big key is free. Building community.
So true.
Wendi Kellys last blog post..A Spring Rain
I agree–community is key! Punctuality Rules is technically my third blog, and while it still has the smallest readership (it’s also the newest), the only thing all three blogs have in common is that it’s the READERS that make the blogging part worthwhile. Otherwise, it’s just shouting in the dark, and where’s the fun in that?
–Debs last blog post..MM: It’s a Date
This is a great post, Melissa! The warmth of the blogging/writing community is just amazing, isn’t it? I love that.
Writing the Cyber Highway is my first blog. When I started it, I really wasn’t even too sure what a blog was! Ha! I should have studied a little first, eh? Sometimes we just have to dive in and make a splash, though, I guess.
The thing I’ve found is that by being warm, friendly, and genuinely caring - like I am in real life - my community is growing and that is the icing on the cake! I have a place where I can share my heart– my very own playground to daydream, scribble, and even learn and grow myself. I’m nearing my one year anniversary and I don’t sense a divorce anytime soon!
*smiles*
Michele
Micheles last blog post..Freelance Writing: Sharing Our Hearts
Melissa
I really like your relaxing approach about blogging.
Like you said, unless it’s a business blog, we dont have to necessarily force ourselves to stick to a schedule or meet any time committments.
Too many people seem to be doing this, and they’re just giving themselves needless pressure. I feel sorry for them.
Blogging should be FUN..not stressful.
Write when you want..IF you want.
If you allow yourself this freedom, you’ll end up writing more than if you “force yourself” to stick to a schedule.
Hey, I might write 5 posts in one week.
Or I might slack off and not write anything for the next few weeks.
Friars last blog post..Travels with the Bear: Yellowstone National Park
I have been blogging for about 18 months. Some days I am amazed that I’m still pounding it out and some days I wonder what in the world possessed me to jump in.
My posting tend to be when I can and when I have something to say. Last December was a high posting month even though it was busy with the holidays because I had no time during NaNo and all this stuff had accumulated. Generally though I find my writing brain kicks in better if I try to post on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at least; and since I tend to post photos on Wednesdays I only have two posts that need brainstorming, research, and proofing.
If you are considering covering some of the variables/technicalities, some guidance on reliable sources for buying registered domain names and how to choose a hosting service would be helpful because I recently read that one service was selling domains but not authorized to do so; and there has also been a rash of hosting services going left-of-center in the reliability and service areas. Thanks.
Melissa,
Ha! WordPress for Dummies - I have that book! I found it to be very confusing so my first post on my new blog was a WordPress set up tutorial.
Thick Face, Black Heart? What’s that about? Intriguing.
Some days I love my blog, and some days I hate it. True, it is like a marriage, it’s a major committment. And there is no way I could post everyday and post on other blogs and get all my writing projects done!
I write about what I want. Maybe it’s not the most practical approach, but if I don’t like it, probably no one else will either. I’m not much of a business person, but I’m learning. No one told us as writers or photographers that this is a crucial part of marketing ourselves.
Your site is very nice. I like the way it’s set up.
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Pouring Yourself into Purity
@Wendi, I did do a LOT of research before I ever launched this blog but there are so many things that you can’t truly grasp until you actually start blogging. I think it takes about a year to fully understand it all - how to blog, who you are as a blogger/writer, how to build and maintain. It’s a lot of fun!
@Deb (Punctuality), Yes, community is the best part. As much as love writing and blog development, it’s interacting and meeting new people that really sets my heart on fire
@Michele, Your love for writing and blogging definitely comes out in your posts and comments. You’ve got the passion, girl!
@Friar, I do think a schedule helps some people but it’s not for everyone. Originally, I had it in my head that this blog was part of my business but it didn’t take long to realize that customers who pay for writing services do not want to read a blog about writing. Imagine that! I did stick to a rigid schedule at first, and I’ve changed it over time. I haven’t settled on what’s best for me personally (still experimenting) but it’s important to try different ways. At least I think so.
@Deb (gscottage), Take a look at a hosting company called InMotion. I haven’t used them but both IttyBiz and Men with Pens recommends them and I will probably give them a try in the near future. You would be able to register your domain directly through them.
@Ellen, That’s not my photo and actually I don’t own any of those books although the King book is on my wish list ;)There is a lot of talk about niche and topic blogs but I actually enjoy blogs like yours quite a bit because I never know what to expect in terms of topic. That keeps it fresh!
Thanks for the compliment, Melissa! I feel the same about you!
*smiles*
Michele
Micheles last blog post..Freelance Writing: Sharing Our Hearts
Hi Melissa, I just love this post and the comments everyone left. One of the reasons I decided to blog is that helps me write and get it out regularly. I am guilty of trying to perfect things so much that I just sit on them forever and that doesn’t do me any good :). It’s a relief to finish a post and then if it isn’t exactly how wanted it, it isn’t the end of the world- it’s a learning experience.
I also totally agree with you about community, it’s the most amazing thing. I didn’t have anyone to discuss poetry with before and now I do :). It’s so exciting.
Thank you for this wonderful post.
Greers last blog post..Contrast Podcast- Mysteries and Conspiracies
Melissa,
I just said some of the very things you’ve mentioned in my post on the second birthday of my blog. I was surprised to discover that blogging is so much about community.
@Greer, Blogging is an excellent way to improve your writing. It has been for me, anyway. It’s also helped me write on a regular basis. In fact, I think I have written more in the past ten months that ever before. Community is the magic of blogging
@Lillie, Happy second birthday to your blog
I don’t like “niche” blogs either. Boring! I like a little variety, a taste of humanness.
Read the King book. It’s very good. You’ll like it. Get it used from Amazon!
Ellen Wilsons last blog post..Great Photo Tips From E
Melissa,
Sometimes I think its too early to design my *perfect* Blog site since I’ve only been doing this for three months. Every time I think I am SURE of what I want, there is more that I learn about.I know that I need to get off but I don’t want to redesign every six months either! How often do successful bloggers outgrow their sites and revamp them?
Wendi Kellys last blog post..CAN and WILL…and BELIEVE
Melissa,
I’ve been locked into niche blogging (fly fishing), both reading and writing (started my blog about 4 months ago). It is nice to build community–I generally comment on only a handful of blogs about fly fishing and those bloggers in turn comment on my stuff. But sometimes I feel a bit too exclusive, like it’s just us fly fishers hanging out. It would be nice to have others who aren’t interested in the fly fishing aspect, but they are interested in the stories and writing found on our blogs.
So to do my part I am trying to expand my blog reading and commenting as well. I’m glad I came across your site.
Scott Cs last blog post..West Fork of the Bear River
@Ellen, The King book has been on my wish list for awhile. That list is just so darn long! Heheh.
@Wendi, I think it’s probably different for everyone. After about six months I realized that with what I had learned (and was still learning) I would need to do a relaunch/redesign/restructure at some point. I decided to do it at the one year mark so we’ll see how that goes.
@Scott C, A lot of bloggers read across different niches. I know I do. Now, I’m not a fisher by any means but if a fishing site has great stories I’ll read it. I also subscribe to art/photography blogs, a sushi blog (hey Allison!), and a host of others. I like to think I’m well-rounded
Wow, Thank you!
Though it is impossible at a moment, but I hope we will meet one day eye to eye and have a dream over a cup of coffee.The hugest distance and language barrier seperate us at a moment, but That wouldn’t be hard, because your path is so clearly marked : the depth of the steps we leave in life depends on our love one to other, and, as I am used to say, the greatest joy is to recognise oneself in the eyes of other. We are in building our community - that’s becoming what we had to be already.
Tomass last blog post..the health and the fine arts
@Tomas, Well, what can I say? You flatter me!
I just happened to run across your blog 2 days ago from a link from an art community website I joined last week, and it’s already had a strong impact on me as a writer, a blogger and an overall artist. The fact that I must be in LOVE with my blog is what really struck me, and I know I have divorced a couple already. But I’m currently re-romancing with the one I already have (which the main topic is generally about working in an office and on passions in life). Now I just need to work on the community building part, which I also thank you for such advice.
t. sterlings last blog post..if only time were a person i could just push… or maybe even trip…
HI there,
Everyone has told me to start a blog and that I should search the net for those i like. I really like yours, but am still not convinced that i should start one… I am a well-published writer, and would rather spend my time writing books and/or articles. I don’t need to make friends, I have more than i can handle, plus writers like and need their time alone…
Please tell me why you find this seemingly timely task so helpful…
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you!
@Diana, A blog can be an excellent tool for broadening your audience and promoting your work. It is a great networking tool and can be used to sell your books or share articles you’ve written.
However, if you really don’t want to start a blog, then I don’t see why you should feel pressured into it. Blogging isn’t for everyone.
I would suggest subscribing to a few blogs in your niche. Follow them for awhile (a few weeks to a couple of months), then make your decision. You might find drawn to this medium or you might feel like it’s simply not for you.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck.