We all start out not knowing very much, but we power through. It’s only when we’ve made some mistakes, and then sometime after that, that we notice them. But are they mistakes?
I do think there is a right way to blog. There is! But it doesn’t mean it always works, and that’s what frustrates us. We could be doing everything ‘right’, ‘by the book’, and still feel utterly disappointed in ourselves. Because at the end of the day, what really matters, is if it’s the right way for you.
I’m going to tell you about a few things that maybe are the right way to go, but I’m doing differently. Instead of feeling bad about it, I’m going to acknowledge them and own it, maybe try to change improve it, but only if I’m able to.
I’m not really active in book twitter anymore
I don’t even remember exactly how it happened. One day I was checking twitter every five minutes to stay on top of everything going on in the community, and next thing I know, I don’t have time to do that because I’m reading up everything I can get my hands on about Instagram. Now I’ve swiped obsessively checking one social network for another. It’s not a good thing, but you know what, I think in my case, it was just for the best.
At several points I have felt it was a bad call, because I understand that Twitter is a great tool to drive traffic to the blog, since it allows links on posts, which Instagram does not. But it just got so overwhelming. Threads that lead to more threads, and negativity, and so much information. I got so stressed because I felt left out if I didn’t know everything.
I’ve been ignoring any kind of blogging schedule
It’s not really about quantity but about consistency, right? Well… There are months where I’ve been feeling more inspired, and others that churning out a post takes me the whole actual month. Being an inconsistent poster is a big no-no.
This is something I do want to fix. Mainly because I wish to reconnect with my blog and get back in that state of ‘blogger’ mind. I want to write more long-form content and get that proud feeling of a finished article. The rush of receiving comments of people who have enjoyed the content… I’m always so busy, but this is something that continues being important to me, so I’ll make the effort to work out some kind of schedule with myself.
I don’t post every day on bookstagram
Bookstagram is a bit unrelated, but it’s part of my whole blogging mojo as well. Even though it comes with its own set of ‘rules’, there’s one I thought I could add here. And nope, I don’t post every day. I take weekends off.
I don’t post content on the weekends. And all the time without fail I feel like I’m starting over on Monday, as if the momentum from the previous week resets because I missed two days. It’s so frustrating. But this is something I don’t think I’m willing to compromise on. I enjoy taking photos and editing them, and makinga pretty feed; but I don’t want to push myself too much.
I haven’t stuck with a single blog design over the years to be memorable
Being on brand can mean so many things, but what the heck no one is paying me for this so I’m going to go from pink to green to gold in my design if I want to. That’s exactly what I’ve done since 2014, when I first created this blog.
I haven’t created any cool features to stand out or get that warm community feeling
This is the kind of thing that really makes you feel like you’re in a community, participating in other bloggers’ initiatives. Some are long-running, others are just one-off events, but they’re always so, so appreciated. I haven’t been able to create one of these. I think this is the one that bothers me the most. Mainly because it’s been a matter of overthinking everything #NOTFUN. But I’m still here, so that could still happen, so who knows?
Ah I love this post so much, Pam! Like you perfectly said it, I don’t think there’s any right way to blog, the only right way is the one we choose, because we’re not getting paid for this and it’s a hobby, so… we should keep it fun above everything else 🙂 I would love to create some kind of cool feature someday, too, who knows, maybe someday we both will 😀
Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books recently posted this awesome thing…10 books I really got obsessed about
Thank you! I’m looking forward to that! Although, I think the travel posts might qualify? I love reading about when you travel to other places! I’ll keep thinking about what I could do, but meanwhile I needed the reminder to be more chill 😀
I had to choose a social media platform, because of time, and like to read ebook, I abandoned Instagram and have worked really hard to get my Twitter feed to my liking. I only spend about 5 mins at a time on there, and I actually interact with bloggers there as well. I would love to have a standout feature, but I don’t. I like when people update their blogs. I wish I was better with graphics so I could add some stuff, though I love the Slothtastic design my daughter did for me.
I can totally relate with this! I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to blog, particularly because I never aim to be a “big and famous” blogger. For me it’s just a hobby and being part of a community so I think I can safely say that I’m pretty chill about it 😂 I do have a twitter, but it’s mainly to join bookish chat and keep up with news. I don’t have a bookstagram account (and never intended to), change my design quite often, and never created any features either except for seasonal ones I do for myself 😂
Tasya @ The Literary Huntress recently posted this awesome thing…October Wrap Up & November TBR // I read and watched a lot!
YAAS Almost feels like being a rebel. The feature thing stuck with me ever since I read a post by Ashley from Nosegraze about how it’d be a good idea to do something like that. I really look up to her so it’s stuck with me until now. The best blogging is the one you do for yourself and doesn’t feel like a chore ♥