10 Things I've Learned in my 2 Years of Blogging
After writing my post about my 2 Year Blog Anniversary (read it here!), I decided to write a post about how much I have learned in the 2 years I have been doing it. I started out completely lost and not knowing what I was doing - but learned SO much along the way. A question I get every day: “how do I start a blog?”. And the answer I give everyone? Just START. Just like anything, you have to start. You won’t know what you are doing right away, but at least you started working towards something. Here are 10 things I’ve learned, and I hope this list helps out any newbie blogger that feels lost.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
I know it’s hard - but truly, don’t compare. It’s so hard online, especially when you only see people’s “happy” side. People don’t post when they are feeling down. I know I don’t! Just because someone got married at 20, or 30, does not mean you have to follow in their steps. Everyone has their own path. And for blogging - don’t compare yourself to the girls who have more followers, etc. Everyone grows differently! I have watched girls who had less followers than me, grow SO much faster than me! It’s hard in this moment to actually think you are doing a good job - but trust me, you are. Stay true to yourself.
Everything takes time.
I promise. It really does. It took me 2 years to get 10k followers. I used to think I was doing something wrong, or my content sucked. Was I still getting followers? Yes. Was I still working with awesome brands? Yes. Then why worry? You will not find your blogging style overnight, it takes time. One of my favorite quotes is “Everything takes time. The problem is, people easily give up when they don’t see results instantly”. Don’t give up.
Post consistently.
This is something I didn’t fully gather in the beginning. I would post 2x a day, then forget to post for a week, then post a random photo a few days later, etc. Post consistently. Your followers will learn when you post, what you post, and that is why they will follow you. And besides followers - pushing out more content helps you grow and helps you learn so much about yourself, and your blogging style.
If a collab doesn’t suit you - don’t take it.
I have always been a “if I don’t like it, I won’t do it” type of person. This did not change much when I started blogging. Since I posted my first Instagram and blog posts, I have been getting emails/DMs on collaborations. Not all of them suited me. I turn down SO many! Even with bigger brands (which was hard!). I think being 100% authentic will show to your followers. They understand you, and what you like. Example: you have a collab every month with a new watch brand, and every time you claim its “amazing”, and “your favorite”. Your followers will see this - and know you are just posting whatever collaboration you get. Only accept collaborations that show who you are, and what you like!
Know your worth.
AKA: don’t take free collabs - and for newbie bloggers: NEVER PAY ANYTHING! When I was first starting out I’d get so many emails about giving me a discount code to purchase products, or I had to pay shipping, etc. This is a scam, or it’s not worth it. Know your worth! Why would you work for free? And as I’ve grown - I’ve learned when and when not to accept a collab that is unpaid. If it’s worth a lot, or you LOVE the brand, by all means do it. You will grow a relationship with that brand and you’ll be considered for future paid collaborations. But still, know your worth. Don’t accept a collab for free that wants 4 posts, a blog post, multiple IG stories; etc - that’s too much.
Find a community.
One of my favorite parts of blogging - all the people I have met and became friends with! Look up hashtags, find Facebook groups, Telegram groups, meet up with local bloggers in your area - anything helps! It will help you grow, learn, and become a better blogger. The girls I have surrounded myself have helped me so much! They give me so much inspiration, and it’s great to have people to talk to. I know my friend group could care less about anything blogging related so it’s nice to have other people to talk to!
Focus on the followers you already have.
This is something I’ve recently learned. Instead of constantly trying to grow... focus on who is already following you. If you get a lot of clicks and DMs when you post home decor, you should post more about it! I know for me, when I post something that’s a great deal, or I post a Trader Joe’s haul - I get SO much feedback. My followers love it! Know who your followers are, and what they like. Constantly engage with them. Respond to DMs and comments. It will help in the end, and your followers will trust you.
Treat it like a business.
Seriously. Treat it like a business. For most people - it is their business, and their main source of income. If you are getting paid, always treat your blog like a business. Stay on brand. Communicate properly. I always make sure my emails are professional and I communicate well with brands! If you’re going to be late on a collab - let the brand know. If they are trying to get a free collab and you don’t accept those - let the brand know. Always treat it like a business, because it is. When you accept a collab to give a brand exposure & content, you are the: photographer, editor, director, art director, writer, etc. When brands do this themselves they have a lot of people contributing to that one thing. When they hire you, you are all those in one.
Don’t be scared to reach out to companies.
Really - don’t be! Almost half of my partnerships are because I reached out to the company. How awesome is that? If you wait around to have a brand reach out you - it will take forever. Stalk their Instagram, like their posts, and find an email. Send them a message about how much you love their brand and want to work with them, and always attach recent insights and a media kit. They will love it! It shows you care and are dedicated to work together. I send out emails weekly to brands I want to work with. I may not always get them, but I’m always trying.
DO NOT BUY FOLLOWERS.
This goes without saying, but omg I STILL see this happening! All. The. Time. Instagram has literally detected when people are doing this and hurting their engagement (crazy!). Be authentic. Don’t buy likes, followers, views, etc! Not only is this unethical - but you are lying to brands. Brands think your following is bigger than it actually is. Crazy huh? It’s a form of theft from my perspective - a brand is paying you because you have 20k followers - but if you bought half, then you don’t really have 20k followers.
In conclusion…I hope these tips help. Whether you are a new blogger, experienced blogger, or you are just reading this because the blogging world intrigues you, I hope you learned something! I am learning every day. Like any job, things change constantly and there is no “right” way to do anything. Everyone works differently, but these are things I’ve learned and had to repeat to myself (because sometimes I forget or get discouraged!). Happy blogging y’all!