Sometimes blogging is fun, and other times it’s a lot of hard work! Here are tips on how to enjoy your blogging journey and set yourself up for success
Can you believe I have been blogging for 3-1/2 years so far, it will be 4 in October? Crazy! It doesn’t really seem that long to me, but looking back over the years I have seen my blog grow (slowly) and transform into what it is today. And my blog will continue to change as I get older. That’s pretty cool!
My goals with blogging have been twofold: first, to help people, and second, to enjoy my blogging and stick with it for the long haul. When I started my blog I had hoped to eventually earn money to help out my family, but my first purpose was always to help people. Whenever I get frazzled by blog work, it’s usually because I have forgotten why I started blogging in the first place.
My blog was not and has never been an instant success. But I am perfectly okay with that! And admittedly it has taken me a while to be okay with that, too. I work hard on it and want to improve but, I am okay knowing I am not the absolute best. I am MY best. I want to truly enjoy my work as a blogger.
Whitney @ He and She Eat Clean
Here are some of my blogging tips from 3+ years of imperfect but enjoyable blogging 😉 I’ve also included some great tips throughout the post from fellow bloggers about how they keep blogging fresh and fun. There are some great quotes here!
Enjoy the journey 🙂
Take a numbers break
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers of blogging, but getting sucked into seeing only numbers sucks the enjoyment out of blogging. Big time. Unless you are hard driven for fast success and lots of money, it’s okay to take a break from looking at your numbers all the time. One less thing to stress about!
Shannon @ Girls Got Sole
Get help
I am a big DIY-er when it comes to my blog. I like doing things myself and that has helped me learn how things work. But I have limitations on my time, resources, and talents, so I have hired help when I couldn’t do something myself. DIY is super awesome and all, but save yourself time and headaches by investing a little cash if you can’t figure out something on your own.
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs
Simplify
Sometimes when your blog gets bigger, you will start to feel pulled in so many directions. Pare down your blogging life a bit:
- Unsubscribe from emails and newsletters you don’t need so your inbox is lighter
- Be very purposeful with social media and put a time limit on it
- Be choosy about campaigns you work on: select only the ones that fit you and your blog and don’t worry about the rest
- Keep your workspace organized and junk free, too. It makes a difference!
Quote from Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me
Beat Burn-Out
Develop your other skills and hobbies, and MAKE TIME for them! This is non-negotiable: schedule time to enjoy those activities you love. Whether it’s running or painting, those little things give your brain a break and get you away from the computer/tablet/techie-thing. You need to unplug each day.
Wendy @ Wholistic Woman
Commit to posting by your schedule
Quality content creation takes time, so don’t feel like you have to keep up with other blogger’s posting schedules. My goal is to post 3 times a week, but some weeks it’s only 1 or 2 posts, and other weeks I can manage 4-5 depending on what I’m doing outside of blogging. If you’re pulling your hair out trying to keep up with posting quality content on your blog, ease up a little and find a schedule that fits YOU then be consistent with it.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
Here are some great tips from other bloggers about how to enjoy your blogging!
“Write about what interests you. When you start to only blog on the latest trends or what you think your readers want, you lose that feeling of why you started blogging in the first place. Blog first for yourself and what you put out there will be received that much better.” Kayla @ Healthy Helper Blog
“Be you! Do you! I think a blog should first and foremost be an outlet of information that you want to share. Passion is what will get you through the times of frustration or if you want to throw in the towel as well!” Natalie @ A Fit Philosophy
“Just do you and don’t worry if you’re a bad blogger or not eating the trendy superfood of the week etc. If you aren’t having fun there is no point. There’s also a ton of blogs doing the same thing so you’ll stand out!” Lauren @ Breathe Deeply and Smile
“Be real and share what you are most passionate about. Things that you could talk about for hours.” Michelle @ Purely Twins
Sarah Jane Parker is the founder, recipe creator, and photographer behind The Fit Cookie. She’s a food allergy mom and allergy friendly food blogger of 12 years based in Wyoming. Sarah is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Revolution Running certified running coach, and an ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist
This was one of the most inspirational and motivating articles I read in a long time. Thanks a lot, I can’t wait to put some of these tips into practice!
Thanks for this! I’m a new blogger, I’ve been at it for 7 months now. I feel like i’m spining my wheels trying to keep up with other blogs and trying to get people to read what I’m writing. But like you said i need to remind myself of why I started. I need to put on blinders and do my thing.
Committing to a schedule is my challenge because I don’t always feel like writing because I work full time. I try to bang out a lot of posts when I’m inspired.
Thanks again!
Nicky
My biggest hurdle is comparison – in life, fitness, and blogging. It’s so easy to start counting our “don’t haves” when we still have a lot of great things in our life and business. I still struggle with committing to a schedule, and have just decided after a while to do what I can when I can and make it work for me 🙂
Exactly! Thanks!
I’m coming up on one year next month. At first I tried to fit in, but now I feel like I’m finding my own voice and ready to keep on building and changing 🙂
Yay for finding your own voice! I’m still working on that, and letting my personality shine through in my writing. It takes a while for me 😉
Hey, I’ve just stated working as an Independent SEO contractor, and I think this is really helpful,
And Hostgator also seems helpful for WordPress.
This is really helpful and kind of a pep talk for me! I need to be reminded of why I started the blog, and it was to share and inspire. Anything else that happens is icing on the cake!
Getting back to our blogging roots is always a great reminder. I need it too! I really should have my mission statement written on my wall above my desk. I guess that will be my next project!
YES!!!
and I always tell friends just starting:
patience.
it’s all about the patience.
Yes! Patience is such a huge piece of the blogging puzzle 🙂
Hey this is really a helpful post, I am a fitness trainer and have just started blogging about Yoga and fitness.
I will definitely follow these tips.
That’s great to hear!
I’ve been reading about the WordPress Optimized package. I’ve been with HostGator since I first went self hosted, so I’m curious to learn more.
I’m pretty much a DIY blogger too (and yes, it’s gotten me into trouble a few times). I did get help when I rebranded though.
Thanks for sharing my quote! I love reading all the words of other bloggers too.
You’re welcome! I had a lot of fun writing this one and getting everyone’s quotes together. I like the idea of automatic backups and malware scans with the Optimized WordPress!
Very interesting post!I am new in blogging and every little tip is meaningful for me!
That’s awesome Kalliopi! Good luck with your blogging journey, keep it fun! 😉
<3 <3 <3 <3
Great tips! I’m in the process of growing my blog and love reading little tidbits like this – thanks!
Thanks for stopping by Liz! 🙂