10 Things that I have learned while blogging10 Things that I have learned while blogging

Write For Yourself –#1

I’ve learned that blogging needs to be for you and not someone else.  As much as I like that everyone is reading my blog,I like that I can let go and just talk on my blog.  This weekend I’ve realized that I have been changing my blog.  My blog has become something that isn’t what I was focusing on earlier.  I have reviews and giveaways coming up but I haven’t stayed true to myself.  I haven’t been writing the stuff that really matters to me lately.  I haven’t been writing about my family..my life.  That changes now. 

How can I expect you all to be engaged if I’m not?  I have several blogs.  I am going to incorporate them all into this one blog.  I’ve learned that I can’t do that many.  Its confusing and something always falls to the wayside.  So my jokes blog is coming over.  Expect the new one column..Jokes to make you laugh on Hump Day.  I’m also bringing over my 101 tasks in 1001 Days blog.  Lots of changing coming up.

Help your fellow readers- #2

Occasionally,I do tips to help everyone such as the ones about plumbing,how to make post-its,or word verification (yuk).  I find that people respond to those.  Providing assistance to help your fellow blogger is a huge thing.  It helps so much.

Blog Regularly –#3

Sit down and write every day no matter what.  I’ve realized that when I write faithfully that I have more followers reading.  If you write every day and keep it current,people will read. 

Be interactive –#4

Over time,you will have gotten a comment or an email saying thank you for this comment or I agree with this.  If you are interactive with people,they are more likely to come back. 

I’ve been really slack on that lately.  I’ve noticed that it definitely shows in my numbers.  I don’t look at them often because it bugs me.  I had a huge drop off when I switched over to WordPress.  One of the reasons was that I was not able to publish any content.  People could not interactive with me and I lost a lot of readers.

Your readers are here to contribute.  They want to share as much as to read what is going on in your life.

Be personal –#5

While blogging,I’ve made some of the best friends in the world.  I do mean world we don’t live next to each other.  I can’t walk out the door and shake their hand or hug them but we are friends none the less.  Making these friends was because I was willing to be personal with them.  I was willing to share things about my life with them as well as to listen and be an active participant in conversations together.

People want to not only read your blog but understand who the person is that is writing it.  They want to see the inside you.

Interactive in other places –#6

When I’m not writing,I’m on Twitter and Facebook.  I’m in other networks talking to them.  I go and read other blogs.  I don’t spend as much time as I should though.  But interacting with your readers make you seem more like a person that they want to talk to.  When you are out there talking to others,you make more friends and you put your blog out into the web.  So don’t just sit around your blog,get out there and socialize.

Always look for ways to improve –#7

This is huge for me.  One of my biggest pet peeves is a stale monkey.  You need to keep improving your blog.  Whether it is content or layout or etc.  You need to keep your blog fresh for your viewers to keep coming back.

Talk about the mistakes you make along the way.  Help another reader not to make that same mistake.  When you share,you grow.

Don’t take things to personal –#8

Over time,I’ve had comments that I didn’t like for one reason or another.  It’s my blog how dare someone not like something!!  Come on we live in the real world.  Things are going to happen that someone is not going to like.  Just roll with the punches and don’t take it personal.

Pictures are golden –#9

Readers love to see pictures that you personally took. 

Giving credit –#10

This is a huge topic for me.  Don’t steal someone’s work.  It hurts them.  It hurts you as well.  Always!! Always give credit for someone else’s work. 

Now,I had this happen but I did not do it deliberately.  I literally copied and pasted some information onto my blog.  This happened when I was just starting out.  I meant to say it as a draft so that I could adjust it later.  I was planning on giving credit but things happen.  It got published.  I can’t begin to say how bad I felt about it.  I felt awful.  I apologized and the person accepted my apology.  I can not tell you how badly it felt to know that I did it.  It was an accident on my part but it happened nonetheless be careful before you hit that publish button.