I've been blogging a little over two years now, so I'm by no means an expert, but there are definitely things I know now that I wish I knew then, or at least some tips I would give myself as a new blogger.
Don't obsess over your stats.
This is still something I struggle with, obsessing over my stats and checking them a million times a day, but I would tell myself to TRY not to worry about them so much. Sometimes they aren't the best reflection of how the blog is doing anyway, or rather, they're not the only way to measure success. Look instead at how much interaction is going on within the posts and how people are responding. This may take awhile, too, but it's okay.
Don't compare yourself to other bloggers.
As a new blogger, the easiest thing (and one of the worst things) to do is to compare yourself to other bloggers, especially ones that have been around for years. Don't do it! It'll just get you feeling down. You'll wonder why you don't have as many followers and why they're getting all the ARCs. Remember that it takes time to grow a following, to find your voice, to create a visually interesting blog. Everyone has to start somewhere, so just try to focus on what you're doing.
Be yourself.
It's tempting to try to model yourself after successful bloggers - if it works for them, it should work for me, right? But it's one thing to be inspired and another entirely to be something you're not. There are so many book blogs out there, and the best way to distinguish your blog is to be yourself. Read the books you want to read, talk about the stuff you want to talk about - you'll find an audience that's drawn to your authentic, honest voice.
And don't be afraid.
As a shy and introverted person, it may seem difficult at first to put yourself, your words and thoughts, out there on the internet (although I've explored why blogging is actually good for shy people). But I've learned over the past two years that the book blogging community is amazing - thoughtful, kind, supportive. Don't be afraid when people start finding your blog - it's actually going to feel really great to have people comment and respond to your posts! And don't be afraid to put yourself out there - visit other blogs, comment A LOT, and participate in challenges and memes. You're going to "meet" some awesome people!
It's okay to take breaks.
Sometimes you're going to get busy or even feel a little uninspired, and at those points, it's okay to take a break for a little while. Readers, especially other bloggers, will totally understand, and they'll be there when you come back!
What advice would you give yourself as a new blogger?
Great advice! I agree with everything you said, especially about just being yourself and not obsessing over stats. If I had looked at my stats as much as I was tempted to, I probably would have quit blogging within my first six months. Just keep posting content and get involved in the blogging community and over time, those stats will climb.
ReplyDeleteExactly! You can't expect to get thousands of hits right out the gate. People have to find you, and you have to find people.
DeleteThese are great! I would also tell myself not to worry about sticking to a schedule! Sure, a schedule can be helpful for many bloggers, but for me, it was just a point of stress!
ReplyDeleteRight! Blogging is different for everyone. For me, it's helpful to make a schedule, but that's not for everyone. If it's not working for you, don't force it.
DeleteI agree with all of these!!! Stats can still be something I am tempted to look at too much but honestly whatever. And big yes to breaks. I think that helps me to consistently blog without burnout. Your followers will stick with your through breaks so it isn't really an issue.
ReplyDeleteExactly, a week or two once in awhile isn't going to do any harm.
DeleteI’m still trying to learn these things . . . . Great advice! Not comparing myself to other bloggers has been challenging. I see someone who gets more interaction and more followers, and I wonder why they’re so much better at this than me.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Unfortunately, that's me way too often, as well. It's something I struggle with, comparing myself to others.
DeleteI totally agree with all of your points! I'm not even going to check my stats-- after taking a three week break they aren't going to look good ;) And it is so tempting to try and be like other blogs-- I love gif-heavy posts other people write but goodness gracious I can not for the life of me find gifs like they do.
ReplyDeleteI know, other bloggers have such fun/interactive posts - I just know that's not necessarily me to do a gif-filled post, so I don't even attempt it.
Deleteyou've listed all the good pointers. I don't obsess with stats but sometimes it's hard not to notice if your readers are less or more. it's why so many bloggers celebrate whenever they get a large number of followers.
ReplyDeleteI would add that don't stress about having your own url/domain until you have full blogged at least a few years. I think I have wasted a lot of time looking and buying domains and ended up not using any of them for long. if you really want a unique url, you'll find it eventually. now I stick to blogger because I seem to still don't know where to be.
have a lovely day.
That's a good point! I knew this blog was just going to be a hobby for me, so I try to spend as little money as possible, if at all.
DeleteWonderful advice! I've made huge improvement on not caring about stats and there are even days when I forget to check at all--which is great. I might not always be getting the views or whatnot that I'd like, but that's not really why I blog, either, so it's nice to get used to not caring about that. Not being afraid is also such a good idea--as a quiet/introverted person myself, blogging has helped me in so many ways. Honestly, this is all fantastic advice-great post! This is a really great reminder post for me. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jordan! I still need to do better about not checking my stats - I check way more often than I'd care to admit!
DeleteGreat advice! Especially about not just trying to be like other blogs. The best blogs are the unique ones!
ReplyDelete--Sam @ Sharing Inspired Kreations
I agree!
DeleteThis is a great resource for anyone who blogs. Honestly, the whole taking breaks thing is so important. I find that I am able to add better content when I have stepped back for a bit. :)
ReplyDeleteExactly! I try to take breaks so I'm not overwhelmed with other things, like if I know we're going to be super-busy or away, and I just won't have the time to devote to the blog.
DeleteIgnoring stats is hard. It's frustrating when there is zero growth, but hey, I love my core squad, who visit me on the regular.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, I'm so glad I've got this supportive group.
DeleteGreat idea for a post, Angela, and your advice is spot on. I was really hung up on the stats in the beginning, but now only check them a few times a week. I've learned that it's all pretty cyclical. The numbers go up and down, nd I don't think it had much to do with what I'm doing. I'd add "Don't Get Too Invested in Any One Post." I've had some that I was so proud of and that I thought would soar and then when they didn't I was so disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI haven't taken a serious break yet, but next spring I have a two week vacation coming up and I'm planning on taking a break during that time. Now that's going to stress me out!
Haha, the break will be fine! Trust me!
DeleteI definitely agree with your advice. Sometimes it seems the more off-the-cuff a post is, the better it does - often better than ones I've agonized over!
Great tips! I think it's always hard not to worry about stats or to compare yourself to other bloggers, at least for me. But it helps to focus on the positives :-) And I would tell myself as a new blogger to take it easy, that you don't need to post so many times a week. I would also tell myself to be friendly and comment on other blogs! I feel like so many of us take a while to figure that out.
ReplyDeleteRight! At the beginning, it can be a little overwhelming because in addition to promoting your own blog, you kind of have to find tons of other blogs and really get into the community, so people know you're around!
DeleteI agree with all the points you made here. The stats... In the beginning it bothered me so much that I only had a few followers or that not many people clicked on my blog each day. I learned not to care about it. I'm blogging because I like it not because hundreds of people read my blog (I still wish it was so, but it doesn't hurt my feelings as much anymore, haha).
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, Angela!
Ronnie @ Paradise Found
I know, sometimes I wish I had more followers or views, but I feel like I get a lot of interaction, and that's important!
DeleteSo, so true <3 I think the hardest thing for me when I first started blogging was the stats, but now it's honestly the last thing on my mind. I've gotten comfortable not thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Angela :)
Thanks, Amy! I'm still trying to get to that point.
DeleteSo, so true, I'd probably tell myself the same things when I started blogging (though honestly I could tell myself as a reminder now once in a while as well, becasue those stats can always be so tempting to look at...). Breaks are so very important too! Love this post!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lindsey! Stats are too tempting!
DeleteSo many good tips, Angela! I feel like blogging has been GOOD for me in SO many ways. I've learned so much, and yes, this community is amazing. I know there has been drama in some circles, but fortunately, I haven't experienced any of this, and it makes me all the more grateful for the friends I have made in this journey. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rissi! I feel like a lot of people have had a really experience, myself included!
DeleteThis is so great - and I totally agree with everything you have said. Great advice.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to not think about stats, but you know what? We need to remember why we're here in the first place - not just to have our voices heard, but to interact and it's the quality of those interactions that means so much to me. I take forever to go through blogs and blog hop because I'm actually reading posts and I'm making (hopefully) meaningful comments. But if that means that I'm a bit behind and/or that I can't get around to a million blogs and then have those same blogs 'comment back' well that's okay... Because that's not what it's about to me. It's been said a lot, but it's so true - the numbers don't matter.
I so agree, Di - for me, it's hard not to look at the stats, but in the end they don't really matter all that much. Quality interaction is so much more important!
DeleteWhat great points even if you are an older blogger. Everyone's style is different. I agree that you just need to take breaks as it helps to be a better blogger. Also, you need to have your own unique voice. This is a great post!
ReplyDeleteMary
Thank you so much, Mary! Glad you agree!
DeleteThis is a fantastic post and you are making amazing points here. Even as an old book blogger, I sometimes find it hard not to focus on stats and not to compare myself to other bloggers, but it's a work in progress and these are really important reminders :) It's good to take breaks sometimes too when it feels a bit too overwhelming - taking care of ourselves matter the most, obviously :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, Marie! I still struggle all the time with checking my stats and not letting it get to me.
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