“Great things are not accomplished by those who yield to trends and fads and popular opinion.” Jack Kerouac.
The most common email I get from you guys is advice on how to get your blog up and running and your site traffic increased and I say the same thing everytime: be yourself.
The amazing thing about a blog is that it's your uncensored view of the world- so share the things that are important to you, the things that inspire you and the things you love- you never know who you might inspire in the process!
Of course there are more things you can do as well to help increase your traffic and readership, but I think in the long run, being yourself and not just blogging about the same things everyone else does, will be the thing that not only gains you new readers, but keeps them with you for the long haul.
This isn't to say I know it all, I have a lot to learn about blogging still myself. I just seem to have been asked this question a lot lately so it's been on my mind and I thought the Jack Kerouac quote fit perfectly.
(pictures by Rebecca Williams)
I agree! Inspiration, thoughts, opinions...just be you!
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeletewww.rachaeldiab.blogspot.com
seeing the same thing every blog i visit can be mundane. it's nice to celebrate individuality
ReplyDeleteBright Green Laces
i agree with this, however, i do think it is quite daunting starting your own blog and inspiration from other blogs can completely influence you to try and emulate that success. this sentence is all wrong because i am tired, but i hope you get what i mean!
ReplyDeleteDef good advice! Because I'm not good at being anyone else :P
ReplyDeleteWhen I started my blog I wrote down a few things that the blogs I like had in common though, like ease of navigation, simple text, big pics, detail shots etc to sort of find a direction so that it was a little easier to start :)
Thank you for the advice!
ReplyDeleteI have tagged your blog for the blog with substance award. Please come check it out!
http://coffee-reverie.blogspot.com
@Lois Mae I get what you're saying and I definitely agree to some extent. You can help but be influenced by others when you're in the same market as them. I think what I'm meaning is- if everyone is blogging about black and white photography but you don't really like it- then don't post about it! Don't just write posts that you think others will like, write posts that you genuinely like yourself and you might be surprised the feedback you get!
ReplyDeleteI just have to say, I love that you quoted Kerouac! He is one of my absolute favorite authors. As for the advice you wrote, I couldn't agree more with how great the importance of maintaining one's individuality is. I don't blog myself, but maybe someday I'll start, and I'll be sure to keep that in mind. :)
ReplyDeletei love that! what a cute quote and what a fun suggestion!!
ReplyDeleteallisterbee.blogspot.com
so true..couldn't agree more. It's nice to see bloggers who celebrate individuality!
ReplyDeleteThe House of Isla Blog
I feel like this post was very encouraging (myself having a somewhat new blog)! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice. I never enjoyed blogging so much as when I started being true to myself, and since that moment my blog has become a fulfilling and delightful adventure for me. If a person is blogging for popularity, I truly think they've got it all wrong.
ReplyDelete@Tia
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm trying to say- I think you worded it so much better and more succinctly than I did! "blogging for popularity"- there's no point, there can only be one you, so embrace it and show the world!
i started my blog recently and i'd definitely have to agree - there are so many blogs out there and so many amazing things they share its too easy to forget yourself in the process of discovering so many wonderful things - great advice!
ReplyDeletewonderful advice!
ReplyDeletemy favorite blogs are the ones that are unique and positive.
there is nothing better than a positive outlook on life with good inspiration to go along with it!
like your blog :)
i totally agree.I,m not about the followers more expressing myself and post what i like.
ReplyDeleteSo True! It is very important thought.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
♥
Pearl