Posts
Do you have one of those days when you feel kind of "blah", "blurred" or "blue" with blogging?
Yessss, I do..I do!!
As much as I have had a blast blogging for the past 1 year 3 months 20 days and counting, there are times when I feel so discouraged with blogging. There are days when I don't even feel like visiting my blog or do any blog related activities. There days when I feel like all my efforts go to waste. There are days when I ask myself "what do I blog for?", "why don't I get comments?", "why only a handful of people read it?", "is it that bad?", "Do I look like a bitch who runs people away ?", "what can I do to make it better?" and so on.
When you blog for awhile, some of these questions start popping in your head like popcorn in a microwave. When I first started out with this tiny blog in the blogsphere, I could care less about who would read it. I began my journey as a confused mother who lost balances in her life hoping to find her ways to adapt to a new lifestyle and discover her long lost passions. As I continue my writing journey and pour every single ounce of my heart out to craft each and every post, I am hoping to share, to interact and I want my voice to get heard by more audiences. I am hoping to meet people who struggle with similar situations I went through, mommies who like fashion/makeup, people who love animals, people who are bold on the outside but sensitive on the inside, people who care about other people's feelings, people who love photography and so on.
Blogging shares some similarities to hobby and work. I know I enjoy blogging very much because it is a channel of my expression and thought. I could write about anything I want..anything I love and I don't have to do it under anybody's supervision. Just like hobby, you do it in your free time and you find a great joy in what you do. It can be like work if you want to grow more readership and connect with more people.
We blog for many different reasons but most of us share one common goal. You want your stories to be heard...be read..and be noticed. You want to be found. When no one find us, it can be very discouraging. You look around at this blog..that blog and that blog. You honestly don't mean to compete with anyone but just can't help compare. Fewer and fewer people come back. Followers no longer follow you. Eventually, the excitement of blogging die down and you quit.
But I don't want to quit.....
Blogging has become a part of my life that I want to carry with me for as long as I can do this..as long as I have ideas to talk about...stories to share.
I think it is important to revisit some of these questions "why do I blog?", "what am I hoping to get out of blogging?", "what are my goals?"
Having something to focus on helps tremendously, you know why you do what you do and you know where you want to be. If you strictly want to blog for fun regardless of how many people read it, then stick to your goal. If you want to blog and connect with more audiences, you have to go out and find your audiences. I think I am one of those who blog and dream that people will find my blog. In reality, it is not easy when there are thousands of blogs out there.
Below are some of the topics I came across online that you may find helpful and increase your blog traffic. One thing to remember, do not spam other people's blogs by leaving thoughtless messages like "follow me, I'll follow you", "love you blog, check mine". I personally do not appreciate that, do it with respect.
I have never been to any blogging conferences but reading some of these ideas online really help bring some new and refreshing perspective in blogging.
How to increase your blog traffic: Two simple Ways >> shared by my dear bloggy friend Collette of StatementsinFashion
{Below tips come from Problogger.net: this is an AWESOME source for people who just want to blog for fun and for money}
7 Reasons No One Reads Your Blog (Except Maybe Your Mom)
Are You Blogging Just Like Everyone Else?
Space … Silence … Solitude … [What I Need More of as a Blogger]
65 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Blog
How to Make Any Good Blog Great
Last but not least, there are two most important elements in blogging: be who you are & blog about what you are truly passionate about because it really shows. If you do not have fun with it, you can't do it for long and readers can see that. Some of these tips are a bit too much for me like advertise your blog by setting up a yard sign, at a community center or grocery store. Pick methods that you are comfortable with, adopt and adapt to suit your liking. Stay true to yourself and be you. Good luck in your blogging journey.
Yessss, I do..I do!!
As much as I have had a blast blogging for the past 1 year 3 months 20 days and counting, there are times when I feel so discouraged with blogging. There are days when I don't even feel like visiting my blog or do any blog related activities. There days when I feel like all my efforts go to waste. There are days when I ask myself "what do I blog for?", "why don't I get comments?", "why only a handful of people read it?", "is it that bad?", "Do I look like a bitch who runs people away ?", "what can I do to make it better?" and so on.
When you blog for awhile, some of these questions start popping in your head like popcorn in a microwave. When I first started out with this tiny blog in the blogsphere, I could care less about who would read it. I began my journey as a confused mother who lost balances in her life hoping to find her ways to adapt to a new lifestyle and discover her long lost passions. As I continue my writing journey and pour every single ounce of my heart out to craft each and every post, I am hoping to share, to interact and I want my voice to get heard by more audiences. I am hoping to meet people who struggle with similar situations I went through, mommies who like fashion/makeup, people who love animals, people who are bold on the outside but sensitive on the inside, people who care about other people's feelings, people who love photography and so on.
Blogging shares some similarities to hobby and work. I know I enjoy blogging very much because it is a channel of my expression and thought. I could write about anything I want..anything I love and I don't have to do it under anybody's supervision. Just like hobby, you do it in your free time and you find a great joy in what you do. It can be like work if you want to grow more readership and connect with more people.
We blog for many different reasons but most of us share one common goal. You want your stories to be heard...be read..and be noticed. You want to be found. When no one find us, it can be very discouraging. You look around at this blog..that blog and that blog. You honestly don't mean to compete with anyone but just can't help compare. Fewer and fewer people come back. Followers no longer follow you. Eventually, the excitement of blogging die down and you quit.
But I don't want to quit.....
Blogging has become a part of my life that I want to carry with me for as long as I can do this..as long as I have ideas to talk about...stories to share.
I think it is important to revisit some of these questions "why do I blog?", "what am I hoping to get out of blogging?", "what are my goals?"
Having something to focus on helps tremendously, you know why you do what you do and you know where you want to be. If you strictly want to blog for fun regardless of how many people read it, then stick to your goal. If you want to blog and connect with more audiences, you have to go out and find your audiences. I think I am one of those who blog and dream that people will find my blog. In reality, it is not easy when there are thousands of blogs out there.
Below are some of the topics I came across online that you may find helpful and increase your blog traffic. One thing to remember, do not spam other people's blogs by leaving thoughtless messages like "follow me, I'll follow you", "love you blog, check mine". I personally do not appreciate that, do it with respect.
I have never been to any blogging conferences but reading some of these ideas online really help bring some new and refreshing perspective in blogging.
How to increase your blog traffic: Two simple Ways >> shared by my dear bloggy friend Collette of StatementsinFashion
{Below tips come from Problogger.net: this is an AWESOME source for people who just want to blog for fun and for money}
7 Reasons No One Reads Your Blog (Except Maybe Your Mom)
Are You Blogging Just Like Everyone Else?
Space … Silence … Solitude … [What I Need More of as a Blogger]
65 Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Blog
How to Make Any Good Blog Great
Last but not least, there are two most important elements in blogging: be who you are & blog about what you are truly passionate about because it really shows. If you do not have fun with it, you can't do it for long and readers can see that. Some of these tips are a bit too much for me like advertise your blog by setting up a yard sign, at a community center or grocery store. Pick methods that you are comfortable with, adopt and adapt to suit your liking. Stay true to yourself and be you. Good luck in your blogging journey.
thanks for the articles nelah. i get discouraged too, between school and applying to med school and work and community service, where is my me time? my blog intentions started out so pure and now it's a little enterprise of its own. we just have to remember WE DO THIS FOR US. this is our little haven on the internet to just let go and get it all out. good luck!
ReplyDeletepandaphilia style
Great post Nelah! I know a lot of bloggers go through more or less the same thing but it's still comforting to know it's not just me who feels like this. I started my blog trying to keep in mind that blog traffic isn't all that important but I can't deny feeling a little discouraged when I feel like what I'm sharing is not reaching anyone. Thanks for providing those helpful article links!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nelah! Great post! I have blogger blues ALL the time!
ReplyDeleteMy main reason for not having sponsorships on my blog is because I dont want to feel like i HAVE to blog or I need this many posts on out in a week. I blog whenever I want to but there are times when I dont even know what to blog about. I think all bloggers get the blogging blues at times.
ReplyDeleteIm definitely checking out those links you posted! thanks for sharing and have a great weekend with the lil one =)
Nelah, the reason that I love your blog (and i'm confident that I am not the only one who thinks this) is because you are always coming up with topics that engage us readers and spark conversation. It's like you somehow pick up how we are feeling and do a post on it. I have blogger blues all the time, I constantly second guess why I am doing my blog and that does take away from the joy of it all. I have slowly learned that it's not about the number of followers, but moreso the connection that I make with the blogging community. To be honest I'd rather have 10 people that I connect really well with then a thousand followers who don't give a crap about my blog. But that's just me. Thanks so much for this post Nelah!
ReplyDeleteNelah, I can't believe I quit my Farmville and Cafeworld addiction for blogging, because I thought it would be less stressful! LMFAOOOOOOOO Boyyyy was I wrong! HAHAHA I'm really enjoying it! Because I keep the posts on what I LIKE to talk about. I'm not cookie cutter! When I didn't know any better back in August I was posting Fall Collections and HELL people had already seen all of that. They were talking about SPRING! So I stopped showing collections. I do like the fact that I showcased different designers and told their story, because many look at these fashions every single day and don't know a damn thing about the designer. EVERYONE has a story! So despite my quirky posts and fashion sense, I enjoy my posts for me. Each day that I'm on here, I look for people to connect with. Sometimes that ZERO! I want people that I can have conversations with. I am super busy during the day, so I usually post late at night after responding to comments. But despite being a day late I'm proud of each one of my posts. Nothing is just thrown together. I give them thought and I'm very picky. I was discouraged that my new comment system didn't work, so I didn't respond to reader comments for a couple of days. Well today I finally got to that and I'm back on track. Certain people are like my little family. Sharon above (Make Mommy Chic) I love her! She sent me a private email this morning and I'm about to respond to her. I truly connect with her vision. The links you posted are very helpful and I thank you. BE YOU! TALK ABOUT THINGS YOU WANT! Will it just fall in your lap? Sometimes, but most of the time you have to go out their and search for it. I've met some, where we don't connect at all. So I leave it alone and just like a bus another wonderful reader will come along. Love you Nelah and you know I love your blog. We all get blues! I'm trying to spread the word about HUNGER in the world and that post got the least comments! I don't know why? And I can't worry about those things. Maybe people are busy! Maybe it's Friday! Maybe they're sick! Maybe they think I'm a hypocrite! Maybe they have the blogging blues! Don't beat yourself up. I know what's in my heart. I truly care about the topic and dammit if I just reach ONE person, then I've done my job! (((HUG)) Thank you for all the lovely comments you leave on my blog and being the best bloggie friend! Oh and you REALLY need to write a book!!! You have a gift! Blogging may have been the preparation for that achievement.
ReplyDeletehttp://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/
Hi Nelah! This is a fantastic post because I too have wondered what makes certain blogs more appealing than others? And I am tired of getting the love your blog follow me and i'll follow back. I'll definitely check out the links. I do wonder if my blog is doing well, and I keep wondering what is next? I don't have a sponsor to continuously provide me clothes, I don't have a professional photographer or videographer. So I just take it one post at a time...and I think you are right. Just write about what makes you happy because once you aren't readers can sense it.
ReplyDeleteI get blogging blues quite often, glad to hear I'm not the only one! Great post!! xxx
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I was thinking about quitting recently.
ReplyDeleteI hope you would always find the inspiration to blog coz yours is one of my favourite blogs and an almost everyday read for me. Be true to yourself and blog what you like. This way, you woudl attract readers who would truly connect with you. I'm sure you've already known of this. =)
ReplyDeleteBlogger Blues. We've all had them. I am new to this and I'm still trying to find my niche. somedays it feels like a chore other days... I get excited to share inspiring things. Thanks, For posting this. I got some great advice and it's good to know that I'm not alone. :)
ReplyDeleteI am following. Please check me out
Tarahandthecity.blogspot.com
Thanks Nela! I've had the blogger blues lately. I didn't even do a post on Tuesday! It's hard to stay motivated (even if the blog is for fun) sometimes. And I think that you said it right - stay true to yourself because it shows though! xo
ReplyDeleteHi Nelah, I just wanted to say thank you so much for writing such an inspirational piece. It really struck a cord with how I'm feeling at the moment. Beautiful blog by the way :) xxx
ReplyDelete