Happy 6 months to Ellie K! 🎉
Since starting my blog 6 months ago, I have really learnt a lot about blogging and quite a lot about myself too! It's been a roller coaster, but one that I don't want to get off just yet.
#1 Inspiration comes from anywhere...
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... and it can strike at anytime!
I can't count the amount of times I'll be drifting off into sleep, but then a blog post idea comes out of the blue and I need to rush to write it down before it's gone forever! Finding something you're so passionate about means you get inspired to write or take photographs at any time, and I love that so much.
With that being said, there are moments where I don't feel inspired to do anything blog related, but I can quickly go to onto Pinterest to get myself back in my groove. Pinterest is an amazing tool for getting inspired, and I'm so glad I utilise it even more now! If you want to see what I'm pinning, then you can check out my profile right here!
#2 A niche isn't the be all and end all
When I first started my blog, I wanted to have such a distinct and specific niche. I wanted to blog about productivity and mindfulness, but since starting my blog I have posted about food, skincare, wellness and general lifestyle-y posts!
Having a niche is great in the beginning - you know what type of posts to brainstorm and type up and you can get a few posts up for people to read. However, limiting myself to a very specific niche didn't turn out to be what I wanted. I love talking about a lot of different topics and not being restricted to just one or two.
#3 Organisation is key
Being organised from the get-go will save you a lot of time down the line!
I use a host of tools to keep myself organised when it comes to my blog. Knowing when to write, what to write, when to take photos, and when to promote can take up a lot of time if you don't know how to organise yourself.
If you want to know what my favourite tools are for blogging, you can check that post out right here, and if you want to know what my favourite productivity apps are, then that post is right here!
#4 You don't need to fret over a schedule
Generally speaking, a rough schedule is great for knowing when to post. However, stressing yourself out over a strict schedule won't help you in any way.
I went from posting whenever I wanted, to posting three times a week, to twice a week, and for this month, I'm on once a week.
I don't feel any type of way about it! The fact that I am being consistent is enough for me. There are bloggers who will tell you to post a certain amount of times a week - be it three times or even everyday - but just do what is right for you. If you have time to post 3 or 4 times a week, then go right ahead, but if you keep your schedule flexible and open to changes, it will make the whole thing much more enjoyable.
#5 Sharing the love is important
After going through everything it takes to get a blog post up and published, I have serious respect for all bloggers out there! It can take a lot to get a blog post finished and when you have someone not only read through, but take the time to comment and share, it makes the whole thing worthwhile.
I love leaving comments on a blog post knowing that I am making someone's day. Leaving a comment - and not just a "great post x" with your blog link slapped on the end - a meaningful comment can seriously lift someone's spirits.
On a similar vein, responding to comments is just as important I think. When you take the time to respond to comments, it shows you care about the people who read your blog. I definitely want to get faster at responding to my comments, but I love reading the feedback I get from all of you!
#6 It's great to be open
As I said above, I wanted to post about very specific topics when I started my blog. So naturally, I would follow specific people and read specific blogs too.
However, expanding upon what I posted about also made me expand what I read and who I followed too. Fashion blogs, mum blogs, food blogs, travel blogs - I read so many types of blogs now, and I'm so glad I do!
Exposing yourself to different types of content is amazing for broadening your mindset. You can learn a lot about a person (and yourself!) if you aren't rigid in the content you choose to consume.
Try following new bloggers on social media and you'll be pleasantly surprised!
#7 Not self hosted? No biggie!
I started my blog with the intention of being self-hosted one day. However, right now I can honestly say that I don't even think about that! I haven't encountered any problems not being self-hosted.
Having the .blogspot.co.uk at the end of my URL doesn't bother me (except when typing it out because it's really long!), and still using Blogger instead of paying for a hosting service doesn't bother me either!
If you want to start a blog, then not being self-hosted is absolutely fine! Until you know that your blog is something you want to stick with long-term and invest some money in, there's no shame in not being self-hosted.
I know that there is that fear of Google one day shutting down your blog without warning, but this is so rare (I have only found one case online of this actually happening!) I wouldn't fear. Don't let other bloggers tell you that you have to go self-hosted right from the beginning, because the truth is you really don't!
If you have a passion for writing and you want to get your content out there, then just start your blog!
Those are the things I have learnt about blogging within 6 months of having my blog! I know more about so much compared to when I first started and I really love the work I have created along the way!
Do you have a blog? What have you learnt since starting?
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