I'm a little late for the Question of Month, hosted by Michael D'Agostino. But, better late than never. The question is, "What three pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger, to help them on their blogging journey? "
1. Blog about something that interests you. You'll have a lot of blogging to do, so you might as well like what you're writing about.
2. Blog at least three times a week, especially when you're getting started. (I used to blog 7 days a week, but now I just can't. It's a challenge just getting on here a couple of times a week. Sorry!)
3. Reach out to other bloggers and comment regularly on their blogs. That's what makes blogging fun. You develop relationships. You comment on their blogs, they comment on yours.
And just because I'm the Mama, and I like to give advice, I'll give one more.
4. Participate in the A-Z challenge in April. If you're having trouble connecting with other bloggers, this is a great place to meet them and get the relationship process going.
Do you have any advice for new bloggers?
Now for the story:
The other day, I watched my daughter as she tapped on her phone. The sounds she produced on it were strangely familiar.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"De-boring myself," she answered.
I wasn't sure "de-boring" was a word, but I went with the flow. "And how exactly are you doing that?"
She showed me her screen. Numbers were on it - just like how it would look if she was making a phone call. (I know, it's kind of odd to see a phone being used as a phone these days.) As she tapped the numbers, they made tones. And the tones made music. "It's a One Direction song," she said.
I listened again. It was indeed a One Direction song. She played quite a variety of tunes that way. I was impressed. (It's just too bad she wasn't interested in playing something called a piano. That would be a real boredom buster!)
Well, it keeps her out of trouble!
ReplyDeleteAll good tips for new bloggers.
Yes, it does keep her out of trouble!
DeleteIt's pretty amazing that she can play songs with the numbers... xox
ReplyDeleteAs for the tips for blogging, I used to blog daily but with all the blogs I keep up with, getting out a blog once a week is about all I can handle and you are so right, write what you love or you'll get bored xox
When you have so many other things pulling you in different directions, it's hard to find an hour or two for blogging.
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteIf your daughter is taking requests, I'd like to hear "Stairway To Heaven." :) Are you sure modern phones can actually be used to make calls? I think we need to look that up to be sure. :)
I agree to a certain extent with your advice to a blogger who is just starting out. I would advise the new blogger to reach out to other bloggers. Show genuine interest in what they are doing and leave quality on-topic comments on their posts. People who really matter will come to recognize you as a conscientious blogger and will reciprocate by following your blog.
This next piece of advice is also very important. Clearly identify your blogging goals. For example, my blogging goals are very different from most. I don't want a high number of followers, just a few good friends. If that sounds like a reasonable and responsible approach to blogging then I would go on to give the following advice to the new blogger. Do not join circles, groups, hops and challenges just because everybody else is doing it. Currently I am participating in ZERO groups, hops and challenges and I have more than enough friends to keep me busy and satisfied. I believe if you are patient and put out a good product you will eventually find your audience as an independent blogger - no need to join every group that comes along.
I would also offer this advice. Be yourself. Dare to be different. Practice the "art" of blogging. Don't heed the advice of the so-called blogging experts and don't follow the crowd. Don't blog every day or even every other day. Try blogging once a week and when you do, make your post special - an event. By giving your posts a full 6 or 7 day run, you allow them to "breathe" and give busy friends ample time to visit you and comment. A week long run allows time for people to make repeat visits to your post, develop and expand discussion threads, or just say a friendly hello, email style. Genuine friendships are forged in this manner. Real friendships are what it is all about for me. Real friends won't forget about you in the week that elapses between posts.
Thank you, dear friend Sherry!
Most excellent advice, Shady! And you certainly are one of the most thoughtful and kind bloggers I have met. Just look at the answer you provide. That's some serious thought! I agree that fewer posts in a week do allow people to come and read them at their own time. I have many more comments on each of my posts now that I am on only a couple times a week. You're right - if you just want to build quality friendships, it's not necessary to post every day. But if you are just starting out and want to get noticed, it's probably a good idea to post more frequently.
DeleteThank you for your wonderful answer, and have a terrific week!
Didn't we used to do that, back in the olden days on land lines? But everything old is new again. I caught kids making prank phone calls! And using "is your refrigerator running?" It's just a matter of time before she discovers that.
ReplyDeleteI've already caught my daughter making prank calls to their friends. So silly!
DeleteGreat tips for new bloggers (and a good reminder for those of us already blogging). Maybe your daughter enjoys playing her phone because she can move around with it. While it would be great for her to play the piano, I don't think it would be easy to move from place to place as much as I think a teenage girl would be moving during the day. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, a piano is a little harder to transport.
DeleteDe-boring should be a word--maybe your daughter can start a trend. Good advice, at one time I did blog 3-4 times a week, but now I am on the 1-2 times a week and it seems more sustainable
ReplyDeleteOne to two times is definitely more sustainable. I feel like I'm actually accomplishing things outside of the blog world.
DeleteGood tips indeed. Hey, de-boring gives her something to do.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it does!
DeleteLoved the4 story Sherry hope she dosen't get bored again.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
If she does, at least she'll know what to do to de-bore.
DeleteI like that word. De-boring. Easily understood, too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt should be added to the dictionary.
DeleteYou know, it's when I started blogging 3 days a week that I found my following, but it's not something most of us can keep up. I applaud those who can. That's some serious dedication.
ReplyDeleteGosh. I wish I could be bored enough to need de-boring. ;)
Yes. I don't understand the concept of being bored. It doesn't happen to me!
DeleteGreat bloggy advice. I also used to blog seven days a week but now find myself doing less.
ReplyDeleteChallenges are indeed a great way to connect though I admit it did take me a long while to take the plunge and join in.
It gets crazy trying to keep up with everyone every day.
DeleteI remember a phone company commercial where they made music with the number keys.
ReplyDeleteI remember that, too.
DeleteGreat tips! And neat about the phone music. I can barely get phone numbers right!
ReplyDeleteI have that problem, too. I'd probably do better with making music.
DeleteSmart tips. When I first started out, I blogged once a week. That was a big mistake. I didn't get readers until my second year of blogging! Next year I'll be dropping back down to twice a week...for my sanity. ;)
ReplyDeleteI blogged every day my first year, but I really didn't get a substantial amount of followers until I did the A-Z challenge.
DeleteMy kid did something really strange to beat boredom the other day--she cleaned her room. My husband and I are still in shock.
ReplyDeleteWow. That is strange. I wish my daughter had thought of that!
DeleteI've blogged each day last seven years, stopped only when I had surgeries :) but even then I had scheduled posts ;)
ReplyDeleteHahaha technology has certainly changed things. Thanks for joining in the hop in the end :)
ReplyDeleteThe idea of a phone as a musical instrument, cool!
ReplyDeleteI agree that a big part of blogging is about reaching out to other bloggers.
All awesome tips on blogging. And now I'm trying to make music on my phone!
ReplyDeleteI did all of this when I started my blog. Great tips.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you could make music like that.
Great tips on starting the blog. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI don't like to brag, but I can still play the happy birthday song on a regular telephone. Was always a fan favorite with annoying telemarketers.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with all of your advice except #2. The thought of drawing as much as we do 3 times a week makes me want to projectile vomit.
I used to do that with my phone!! I used to key in the numbers to make songs when I was younger, ha ha! Tips for new bloggers are definitely promote yourself well, especially on social media! People need to know you exist.
ReplyDeleteRaindrops of Sapphire