So many of us have occasional regrets. If we had done things a little differently - if we knew then what we know now - blogging is no exception.
The 2012 WordCount Blogathon, which I am proudly participating in, had a theme day yesterday: if we bloggers knew, when we started blogging, what we know today, what would we do differently?
Oh gee, time to be a cautionary lesson to others. I must admit, though, it was interesting to read what my fellow Blogathoners had to say. Turns out a lot of us were thinking along similar lines.
Here's my list, only a day late (I didn't want to disturb my Wednesday theme day):
1. Different platform (maybe). Blogger suited my needs and it isn't bad - but I look at Wordpress blogs sometimes with a little envy. I'm still on the fence - I think moving now would be too much of an undertaking. And, free is good. But still....
2) Different blog name. "Ramblin' with AM" does describe my rambling style, not quite focused on anything, But more and more, my inner voice is telling me that it is time to focus. Right now, I have three theme days - Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I want people to be able to come to my blog and have an idea of what they will find. I found out that I really did care that people read, learned from, and enjoyed my blog.
3) Join a challenge right away. The Blogathon taught me more about blogging in one month of 2011 than I learned in the previous two years.
4 ) The Daily Posting Thing. I would have started out posting daily for, oh, 2 months and then tapered down to 3 or 4 times a week. What I did do was post irregularly for two years. Then I went on a 13 month binge of daily postings which is still in progress. After the challenge I signed up for in June, I don't think I am going to maintain the daily blogging. I need to stay fresh and practice my writing in other ways.
5) Fewer labels. I have so many labels I'm surprised my blog hasn't collapsed under their weight. I must do a massive cleanup, as soon as I clean my house. In other words, don't hold your breath.
So....there you have it. I've also learned to ask questions at the end of many of my posts, to start a conversation with my readers. So here's my question for today:
What is the one piece of advice you would give to a blogger just starting out?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
4 comments:
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I so agree with you about the labels, mine need cleaning up in the worst way. But, like you, it is way down my very overflowing list of things I need to do. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't do ANY research before starting a blog and just jumped in. My biggest advice would be to take some time to think it through (style, theme, Blogger vs. Wordpress, free vs. paid, advertising, etc.).
Great post!
I agree with your advice about categories and tags. I feel like my blog could use a good clean-up too! I also second joining a blogging challenge. This is my third Blogathon challenge and I still learn new things every year. It's a great way to build camaraderie too!
ReplyDeleteI think the advice I'd give is to understand your expectations. If you're blogging for creativity and your own satisfaction do exactly what feels right. If you're doing it for future revenue you probably need to be very focused and know who to go after.
ReplyDeleteAs for changing your name, well that seems like it would risk your following. Not sure. So I guess think long term, if you can, as to what to name your blog.
I think you are so right about the cleaning up of the tags. I have a million of them. I still haven't gotten my "things differently" post done because I was so busy this weekend, but everyone else said everything I would want. And by the way, I came here after you visited my blog (thanks) and after seeing your interests, I think you might like this post of mine
ReplyDeletehttp://www.traveling-through.com/2012/03/how-to-join-revolution-one-asparagus.html