Friday, February 14, 2014

Behind the Scenes: Blogging Lessons Learned


Lessons Learned

It may be very soon in my writing/blogging journey to talk about the lessons I've learned, but I always seem to jump in with both feet - the wrong way. So, that would be me jumping in sideways? With arms and legs wide like a skydiver? You get the idea. I do it wrong. That means my lessons come early. I may jump in like a flying squirrel on crack, but I'm quick to understand when I'm running into problems. I'm self-aware, and 'doing it wrong' is a pretty common occurrence.

Learn some lessons from the flying squirrel on crack.

Be Genuine
What a struggle to find myself within the confines of this blogging square. As you've seen, my *voice* is strange, sometimes funny, mostly off-kilter. I was a little afraid to let my personality shine through. I read all those blog posts that recommend you become an authority. There are a bazillion. Yes, literally a bazillion, telling you to be THE authority on something, anything. Then readers will flock to your blog like flying squirrels needing a crack fix because they trust your knowledge. (See what I did there?)

That little nugget of advice doesn't fit me. I have no authority. That might not be entirely true. I have a little bit of writing knowledge I'll happily share, but it's not enough to fill up blog space week after week. Over the month-long blogging challenge, I quickly figured out that my *voice* and personality are strengths, and it's better to be genuine than to try to squeeze your square peg into a round hole. (Boy, I'm full of these today.)

Find Ways to Stay Inspired
It can be tough to write on topic week after week. Themes help, so it seems like I'm organized, and I have a plan. There's no plan here, people. No plan at all. I search the Internet a lot to find topics, prompts and ideas. Strangely, I find myself on blogs about business with great titles and topics that I can translate into a blog here. I haven't figured out how to incorporate them into a week long theme yet, but the topics are there waiting.

I love to learn. I become highly obsessed with a topic until I have to learn how to do it. It was photomanipulation for a while then animation software. Lately, it's been photography. I don't even own a camera! I believe it fits into how a writer sees the world, too. We look at it through a lens, seeing things a bit differently than other people. Even when I'm not writing or consciously thinking about the blog, staying in a creative head space is incredibly important. I've learned that it's okay to have multiple interests. It'll bring me around to writing eventually.

Have a Point
I read this somewhere. It basically said, don't vomit words on your blog visitors. My first instinct was to cringe. I might do that! I thought back to my posts and realized that while my posts may be somewhat random, they have a point. There's a basic point in there somewhere. You might have to rummage around for it, but it's there.

I believe that when you put a ton of effort into something, you'll quickly realize whether the *experts* are right. I need to narrow the focus on my blog theme, but the bazillion blog owners might not always be the authority.

The basic lesson I've learned so far is to trust myself a little more. Don't assume experts are the authority they claim to be. They are doing what they were told, too!

It's okay to trust your instincts.

What do you think about the experts' advice that you've read about building authority? Does it work for your niche?

16 comments:

  1. I am struggling with this myself. For some reason, I am finding it hard to find subjects to talk about! I am revamping things and trying to find my place again..LOL it seems like every month I loose myself again..LOL These are some very valid statements and you have my wheels churning again! :) Back to the drawing board!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm feeling confident right now, but who knows what will happen next month when I feel like I've done everything a thousand times.

      Churning wheels are good as long as they don't run anyone over! I love what you've been doing lately with your blog. Keep up the great work!

      Delete
  2. I've read that same advice over and over. Problem is that I don't want to write about one thing all the time. That is just not me. Probably means I don't get as many visitors. I'll have to live with that I guess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've seen many bloggers write about various topics with huge success. I think it depends on how interesting it is. If I'm entertained, I could read a ton of subjects on one blog and keep coming back for more.

      Delete
  3. I love your blog!! I love your voice and I can't wait to see what your are sharing and learning with us. I think many of us are all in the same place maybe after getting out of the infant/toddler stage we will be wiser but this is part of the growing process. This process can be painful and exciting all together but I am thankful for the supporters because it is a pretty cool way to learn about the world and ourselves. Those experts are not you but one thing to learn from is that they put the time into their efforts and that is exactly what you are doing also!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! It helps to have encouraging people like you while doing this blogging thing.

      The growing stage is exciting, yet oh so confusing. There are dozens of choices every step of the way. It hurts my little squirrel-cracked brain!

      Delete
  4. There is a quote that goes something like, "Be yourself, everyone else is taken." I like authentic, not manufactured. Your place in cyberworld is eclectic and interesting! I love that!! Don't change, at least with a prompt given by someone else. You know who YOU are!

    Now, I grew up on a farm and did like green eggs (from Americauna chickens), but not ham. But, Dr. Suess says it and I quote it frequently, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

    Happy V-day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those are both great quotes. I've heard them both before, but thanks for the timely reminder. I didn't know that last was a quote from Dr. Suess. I love it.

      Thanks for the encouragement!

      Delete
  5. It's good that you can look at your past "mistakes" and learn from them! If you didn't do that, you'd stay in the same ruts but now you can make changes and move forward with more confidence knowing what and what not to do. You're a great blogger!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the compliment!

      I make so many mistakes, but luckily, I do try to learn from them. I feel like there's no growth without some risk or challenge.

      Delete
  6. I was amusingly distracted by the flying squirrel on crack remark LOL But great post! Lots of things to think about!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I pictured it in my head. Have you ever seen those things? A little freaky. Now imagine it on crack! Pretty hysterical image.

      Delete
  7. Oh yes, I also got a little distracted by the squirrel on crack visual! Poor squirrel.. that's how my mind works.. always wanting to fix and heal, which can be a pretty boring niche! However, being genuine ALWAYS shows through on a blog, especially with people you want to keep as followers. I'm no photog either.. frustrates me to no end that I have no gift for taking pics.. I so enjoy seeing how others 'see' things through their eyes. My daughter has that gift, now to get her to 'see' things my way!! Great share 'again' :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think that's a boring niche. Think of all the things/people/animals that need to be fixed! Overwhelming but probably not boring!

      If only desire could translate into ability/talent, we'd all be able to do the most amazing things!

      Delete
  8. This post couldn't have come at a better time for me. I've often found myself struggling with finding inspiration. It seems I can go through a period where I'm "ON", and then others where my mind draws a blank. I'm still working on determining what really works for me. Thank you for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely know what you mean by being "on" because my inspiration flickers between on and off with regular frequency. I've tried to gather posts and ideas into one place when that inspiration is white-hot. It is sometimes helpful when I'm "off" so to speak.

      I'm glad you found this at a time when you needed it, and hopefully, it helped you a tiny bit. At the very least, know you're not alone!

      Delete