5/07/2014
Advice To My 19 Year Old Self: Blogging Edition
Dear Sophie,
You've just returned from the holiday of a lifetime and you're about to embark on one of many life changing experiences. You've spent the year contributing pieces to the student magazine on topics from fashion to politics, and also penned reviews for your Tumblr blog, but you feel like you want something more. You feel your voice isn't really reaching anybody. You want to be in control of what you're writing and, on one December's day, you will hit publish on a blog post and never look back.
You choose to name your blog Nana Wintour, a play on words of Anna Wintour's name and in tribute to your love of fashion. It'll take you a while to work out what you want Nana Wintour to look like and to get a sense of who the Nana Wintour reader is. That's okay, it's all a learning curve. Speaking of learning curves Sophie, one day three years from now you'll look back and think "damn, I wish I'd known about that when I started out blogging. Why did I not think about that?"* Blogging is a crazy, unpredictable beast and it can be quite overwhelming when you don't know what you're doing. Aside from Britney, you don't really know anyone else well who blogs (that will change!). In the meantime, here are some pieces of advice that may help you. Take them and keep them in mind. Perhaps you could share them further down the track as well, because sharing is caring.
*Don't hide your blog from people. You might not want to share your blog with friends or family for a while. Maybe you're obsessed with making it 'perfect' design or post-wise. Perhaps you're just worried what people will think**. Let's be real though, nobody will know about your blog if you don't share it somewhere! You'll realise and appreciate the powers of Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram-even word of mouth. People are bound to find your blog eventually. Be proud of what you're doing, own it.
*Do size your photos properly. This may not seem like a big deal, but that tiny photo nobody can see is a rookie mistake. If it's a photo you've taken yourself you want to show it off! Resize and get acquainted with editing software and your future self+readers will thank you.
*Step outside your comfort zone. Upload that post you're a bit unsure about, take photos in public (if you're shy about it). You'll hang out with Britney and always being in awe of her confidence when it came to taking photos in public, whether it be in restaurants or shops. You'll also tell yourself that everyone will stare and it'll be awkward. The reality is of course that most people don't notice or care. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
*Do engage with people, whether it's bloggers or other brands. You'll find it a bit crazy at first, and it is surreal+kinda awesome when a blogger/someone in the industry you admire acknowledges your tweets and comments. Utilise Twitter and comment on people's blogs. Spam is annoying so don't just throw your links around-say something thoughtful as well.
*Don't take everything too seriously. Have fun with it. Readers and page views won't magically appear overnight, but when they do it is so rewarding and well worth the wait!
*I'd like to pretend my inner voice is much more eloquent and poetic but to be entirely honest, it really is not...
**I had it in my head for ages that people would find my blog and the fact that I was blogging really weird. I'm not sure why to be honest.
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Love this! I'm still stuck on the first one myself, I haven't shown my blog to any friends yet. It's great to hear that you became more confident in your blogging!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. It's definitely something that takes time, I don't think I showed my blog to anybody bar 1/2 of my friends for several months and then I set up my Facebook page & started tweeting out links when I felt ready to. It definitely helps with confidence :). Good luck with your blog! x
DeleteMeeep! The part about me made my stomach churn a little. You are so nice! And you're blog is going so well. I am always in awe of you with how much Nana Wintour has grown, how you've carved out this audience that engages with you and how you know what you are in the blogging world. I'm still figuring that part out haha. Was literally just writing a post about it :) You're blog is great! Thats all you need to know.
ReplyDeleteBritney-This is the nicest comment ever! You are too lovely. I don't really know how to respond to this because I'm just like #allthefeels but thank you so so much. This means a lot to me. Thank you for starting your blog too! It really inspired me, and still does.
DeleteSx
I luv this! Very inspiring and I have to say I have hide my blog away from my friends and family too! The name creation is a juggle of my name as well. A lot of similar struggles....thanks for your inner voice! Check out mine when free www.isutave.com xoxo isutave!
ReplyDeleteThanks Isu! Your blog looks great-I loved the Sephora haul. You'll have to do a review of the Amazonian Clay foundation x
DeleteLovely post, Sophie! Can't wait until I'm three years down the line, and can write a post like this :) Your blog is fab, and you've done an amazing job with it (and will continue to do so, I imagine) x
ReplyDeleteCaitlin | Thistle & Tea
Thanks Caitlin! Keep up the good work with your blog too-you're doing an amazing job! xx
DeleteFabulous advice :) Your pointer about feeling the fear and doing it anyway is *so* true! Even after six years of blogging, I still have to remind myself ''uh huh, people will stare… BUT WHO CARES?!'' when taking photos! :p
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yeah I think with a photography thing it's something you learn to get on with and eventually get over.
DeleteI loved reading this. You write really well! "Step outside your comfort zone" is the best advice - I've got a post coming p where I was a little uncertain about the pictures (let's be honest, my blog is just selfies) but I hit "schedule" anyway. Feel the fear etc etc. Great advice and a wonderful read xx
ReplyDeleteAww thank you Elese! I'm sure your pictures are fine x
DeleteI really loved reading this! It's crazy finding out that people actually have and/or had the same blogging insecurities as you (that's a thing right?) I related with pretty much everything in this post, especially the part apart being obsessed with the design or posts being perfect before wanting to share your blog with friends or family. Thank you so much for the lovely helpful read :)
ReplyDeleteAvyon www.paravyon.wordpress.com
Thanks for commenting Avyon! Absolutely-I think we all have to remember that everyone does start somewhere. The readers and numbers don't just happen overnight. x
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