Next up in my series of things I know to be true ... blogging. This is not the normal, "post frequently, be consistent and take good photos!" advice (though that's good advice, too). This is the deeper stuff that is totally true for me.
Write about what YOU want to write about. If I've learned one thing over the past 9 years it's that I have to write about what I want. Only. Always. Forever. Asking what people want to see from my blog results in seriously conflicting opinions (more baby posts! more DIY! less baby posts! more recipes! more about your family! less about your personal life! more DIY! less about your house! more about what you wore! less shopping links! tell me where you store your minibooks!) and for me way too much stress. It also results in requests for stuff that is relevant but is totally uninteresting to me. I can't fake it for the blog. Let me re-phrase that... I can't fake it for the blog and sleep well at night. So my advice is to just write. Write about your passions and adjust accordingly as your passions change.
Consider the goal. Why are you writing your blog? Seriously? Why? Nothing matters, stats, links, clicks, comments or post-frequency until you know the "plan" for your blog. Is this a way to share your stories with friends and family? It it a way to promote your business? Is it a way to create a community around a niche interest? It it a place for you to share the insane things that you witness while on the subway to work? Is this how you plan to support your family in the next five years? Knowing your goal is the only way to determine what actually matters for you and your blog. Being honest with yourself can save you a lot of stress and/or help you develop an actual game plan.
It all comes back around. All of it: the interest, the ideas, the pageviews. Like every other activity, my interest in blogging waxes and wanes. My ideas flow for weeks and then dry up completely. My stats go up and down, up and down, up and down as seasons change and links get shared and inspiration strikes. I cannot control my interest, idea flow or pageviews. But I can control my work ethic. No matter what, I sit down and write. Every week for sure and nearly every day. My goal with this blog is to share my passions and promote my business and so I dedicate many hours and energy into developing original content because THAT I can do. I have learned that the rest, all the stuff I cannot control, is cyclical and will always return as long as I keep writing.
ps... this post was intended to share my thoughts on blogging but when I read back through I realized these three things are my mantras for life too: Do what you love. Know why you're doing it. Trust the process.
This week on ELISE GETS CRAFTY I'm chatting with Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess about managing a team and growing your business. Click here to subscribe or stream the episode from your computer here.
Other posts you might enjoy:
- on motivation
- how I tackle huge projects.
- time spent consuming vs. creating.
- how I keep my daily tasks organized.
- why I set goals
- the difference between goals and to-do list items.
- tips for success with long-term projects
- more thoughts on "balance."
- creative books I always return to.
