Blogging has been an incredible journey for me, and one I am still on. I have been doing this on and off for nearly eleven years. It has been a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. When I first started, I had no idea what to expect or how much I would learn along the way. I am not even sure I knew how long I would be doing this, as it was just a hobby at the time. From developing my writing skills to understanding my audience, each step has taught me valuable lessons. My blog has evolved over the years, as I have, too. In this post, I want to share what I have learned from my blogging experience and how it has shaped my perspective on creativity, communication, and connection. If you are thinking of starting a blog, or are new to the blogging world, this post is perfect for you. If you have been doing this for many years, like myself, then stick around and comment below with any advice you can give to newbies that I may have missed!
One of the biggest lessons I learned from my blogging experience is the importance of perseverance. There were times when I felt like giving up, and times when I evidently did. I think something people may not be aware of is the time and effort involved in posting. It’s definitely more time-consuming than one might think, especially when you want everything to be perfect. Although I don’t do this to gain anything from it, it can be disappointing when a post does not reach many people or does not perform well. Funnily enough, those posts that you think are weaker end up performing better than you expect! Pushing through these challenges taught me that resilience is key to achieving my goals. Additionally, I learned that seeking feedback from others can provide valuable insights and help me improve. Don’t change what you want to talk about just because you are not getting the reaction you expected. These experiences have shaped my approach to future blogging challenges.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that people like it when they can relate to you. When I write particularly personal blog posts, I find that people like those more, and my statistics show it. At the end of the day, most people read your blog because of you and how they connect with you. I find that sharing my thoughts, feelings, or even stories in my posts engages my readers more. Your audience likes to feel connected to you, so it’s important to let your personality shine through in your posts. This is something I used to shy away from because I thought I was too dull and boring, but it turns out people like me! That being said, don’t try to be someone you’re not or copy someone else’s personality, as it won’t resonate well. I haven’t done it, but I’ve seen other people do it, and it’s just like, “Girl, just be yourself!” You don’t need to mimic anyone else. This will encourage your audience to return and read your posts repeatedly.
I also feel that, compared to when I first started posting, I have gained better writing skills and have definitely learned that focus and structure are needed in posts. I used to write quick, short posts; I don’t even think I spell-checked or proofread them because I felt it was better to keep posting quickly than to spend time writing lengthy ones. That couldn’t be further from the truth! I now definitely spend more time writing blog posts, making sure that each paragraph is clear, easy to understand, and flows nicely into the next. I make sure that my posts are not so long that readers give up halfway through, but long enough that they come away with something (I hope!). I plan my posts in sections so I know the direction the post will take. It may be more time-consuming, but if you are not willing to put in the time, there is no point, to put it bluntly. Honestly, if you have been blogging for a while, read some of your first posts and see how far you have come!
I’ve also learned that understanding my audience is very important. I’ve talked about your audience liking it when they can relate to you, but I haven’t mentioned how important it is to listen to your audience. Yes, I don’t have a niche, and most people will tell you it’s important to find one; however, I know I will get bored writing about the same topic when I have so many interests, and I can honestly say I have followers who clearly come for different things. My film category can be a bit hit-or-miss, but most of my other categories gain a healthy amount of interest. It has taken me a long time to get here, though. At the beginning, I was writing some rubbish, and not many people were interested in my content, and I don’t blame them. I would pick topics because they were relevant or popular at the time, but I wasn’t passionate enough about what I was writing, and that showed. Pay attention to your most viewed content; you can gain a great understanding of the kinds of things your audience likes and dislikes.
Improving my blog’s visibility is something I’m still learning. I think this is something you constantly have to adapt to, as the world is forever changing, with different social media platforms, etc. What you want to get out of it determines how far you want to go with promoting your blog. Obviously, you want people to be interested, but honestly, I’ve never wanted to make money from it; I just do it for fun. However, I have been incredibly fortunate to receive many gifts over the years, and last year I got my first paid post. I’ve received emails for various things, but they haven’t been things I’ve aimed for; however, I appreciate everything offered to me. One thing I will say is that if you want to be more visible, you need to be prepared to spend money. I have invested money in my blog; for example, last year I decided to get a professional logo. One thing I did from the start was get my own domain; that is probably my top tip. But yes, it is a constant learning curve, and it does depend on what you want to get out of it.
One thing I was oblivious to when I began posting on my blog was the amount of time writing a post requires. When I first started, I tried posting every day, prioritizing consistency over content. I was literally posting one-paragraph posts and thought that would be successful. Now I plan my blogging schedule and write posts in advance so that something is published each week. I am happy with what I am posting, rather than just posting for the sake of it. I am definitely spending at least an hour a day writing, something I decided to implement when I realized last year that I wanted to restart my blog properly. I keep that in mind. I do not have set posting days, as that has never worked for me; it became added pressure. I worried about that, but I am happy with the interaction and that people are reading my content.
As I’ve previously mentioned the amazing opportunities I’ve been given, I think it’s important to mention that if you are starting a blog hoping to make money or receive gifts, it won’t work if that’s your only focus. I started and continue to post because I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned in life, discussing my hobbies, and interacting with and meeting like-minded people. Through others liking my content or following me, I’ve found some great blogs I enjoy reading. I’ve also made friends through blogging, and that’s one of the things I’ve loved most about this experience. Focus on your passions and connecting to your blog posts personally, because that’s what will shine through, and everything else will follow. If you don’t, you’ll lose enjoyment quickly, and it will start to feel like a chore. It really is as easy as being yourself; trust me, many people will like you for being you.
Thank you if you’ve made it this far; it’s definitely a longer post than usual! In conclusion, my blogging journey has been a deeply rewarding learning experience. I’ve discovered the importance of consistency, the power of engaging with my audience, and the constant need to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape. More than anything, I’ve learned that blogging is not just about writing; it’s about connecting, sharing, and growing, both as a writer and as an individual. I look forward to continuing this journey, armed with these lessons and excited to see where it takes me next. To think how many times I’ve thought about closing this site and ending this chapter, but I know it’s a choice I would regret. All it took was a push and some supportive people to build up my encouragement, and I’m so glad I had that. Thank you to all of you, old and new, for sticking around; I am forever grateful.
I would love to hear in the comments any tips or lessons you’ve learnt from blogging!
Amy x
littlemissminor.com 