I think we need to get a few things straight about blogging. Blogging isn’t what it started out to be. There are very few blogs in the true sense of the word any longer. We have become a world of almost websites. But we are called bloggers because we don’t have a company or whatever.
I’m cool with that. I’m a blogger. I’m a blogger in the 21st Century definition. Why did I explain all of that? Because I want to talk about . . .
How to Survive the Blog Life.
There are some people that don’t realize what goes into a lot of our blogs. The hours of writing, researching, networking, formatting, web layout designs and much more. I don’t really know of anyone that just throws out some words and that’s that.
I’ll make this simple:
- Write what you like-If you are trying to write in a style you don’t like or are not comfortable in, then you’re likely to feel that eating at you. Maybe it’s just me, but when I am writing, I will just stop even at the end of a 1000 word article if I am not feeling it and trash it.
- Only write when you want to-Don’t force yourself to write just because you feel responsible for it. Or you want to have content because you are afraid people won’t come back if you miss a day or two. If that’s true then they really weren’t into your site in the first place. Not to sound negative there, but it’s the truth.
- Be nice to people-There is no reason to be mean to anyone. If you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say it. If you don’t want to interact with people, don’t have comment boxes on your posts where people might ask you something. You don’t have to respond to every person, but you can some at least.
- Set your boundaries-Make your life easy by setting some rules for yourself about interacting with other bloggers or readers. They are your friends and co-workers of sorts. Keep it that way. Makes for an easier life for you and keeps you a lot happier in the long run.
- If you like it you like it-Only click like on things you like, and if you really like it then reblog it. Some don’t like to reblog because it doesn’t look good on their blog or reblogs don’t work that great for views and traffic on average. So what?
There is something that I didn’t mention. It’s the most important thing to remember in order to Survive the Blog Life.
Don’t worry about success.
If you ever start worrying about success go to one of those 5 things and see which one you are missing out on. You see, being you, just being yourself is enough. You don’t have to do gimmicks.
I give tips about how to increase traffic to blog sites, but I don’t use them all. You see, I just like giving the tips because I know that a) some people are after success and b) some people just like to use different types of things, okay and c) I just like to share/teach. Sorry, it’s in the blood thing. Once a teacher always a teacher.
You now I added the star rating to my posts a while back and no one really uses it. But yesterday for some reason someone decided to put a 1 on two of my posts. One was my Autumn post and the other was my Haiku Prompt Challenge post. You see if it had been just the Autumn post then fine, but then when it was the Haiku Prompt as well I realized it was someone just being mean. But I’m good with it. I’ll take down the star rating eventually anyway because it was just for a change and no one was using it anyway and it doesn’t really go with my new theme and layout.
But don’t add things like ratings to your posts if you are sensitive and care what people think. Just sayin’. Oh, and no worries. I know the deal, so I’m good.
So everyone, remember, forget about success, write honest, and take some breaks.
As a companion to this article you may wish to read Blogging Personality: The Key to Success.
Ronovan
2014 © Copyright-All rights reserved by ronovanwrites.wordpress.com
I loved this! A lot of great advice! 😄😄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank You!
LikeLike
So true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for more great advice! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just what I needed to hear right now – perfect timing, thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m learning lots of things in your blog, Ron! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an awesome comment! Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your advice is helpful and down to earth. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog….. An Author Promotions Enterprise! and commented:
This is one for the Bloggers as well as the blogging Authors – it’s great advice 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I liked, I clicked.
LikeLike
The last line says it all 🙂
LikeLike
Ahhhh. So freeing. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said! It’s too easy to get sucked into watching those stats and feeling you have to post constantly… then it becomes a chore, and not a pleasure. Thanks for the reminder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just when I thought you could not possibly have more tips for us all on blogging, there you go and prove me wrong. Great advise as ever Ron, and what an uplifting post to anyone thinking of throwing in the towel and finishing blogging because they’ve had a few bad days/weeks of views, comments, likes, followers or have hit the writers wall called ‘block’.
Like I have said before, on days or weeks you don’t have anything original to post, then do some reblogging. After all, you’ve liked the post and enjoyed reading it, so pass it on to your own followers as well, as some of them may not be following the blogger who wrote the post. They in turn may really appreciate you reblogging that post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be totally honest with you, Hugh. I really had no idea what I was going to write when I started the article, even the subject. You sort of write life, you know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t you just love those 1-star type of reviews that tell you nothing? *shrug* I set a goal of 1 blog post per week. Do I make it all the time? Nope, and that’s okay, too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have a friend that puts a lot into her one post per week and she has an incredibly successful blog. So it really is quality over quantity. And when she didn’t put anything out for a couple of weeks, her views were almost the same. She took time of because she had to and she’s survived to write more posts. 🙂
LikeLike
*whew* all the “conventional wisdom” I’ve been given says more posts=better blog. Not possible on my current schedule so I’m glad to hear quality still counts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What really works is good quality and making connections with other bloggers. Yeah, in the beginning you might want to have more content, maybe, but very quickly you want to go for that killer one.
LikeLike
Hi Ronovan. A deep breath is good every once in a while. Thanks for your input to keep blogging real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so appreciate your insight and tips. They are concise and relevant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Covey View and commented:
Ronavan’s excellent tips for blogging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on MARSocial Author Business Enhancement Interviews.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀 Nice input, perhaps I´m reblogging this. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Jo Robinson.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Ronovan, You give the best advice. Thank you. LHN
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was good, thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your ‘don’t worry about success’ attitude. Blogging on something that you really love is key, so if you only have a small following, that’s okay. I blog about free classic short stories (mystery and supernatural) and that’s really a limited audience. But my followers are truly interested in reading these stories. Some bloggers just want the high traffic but if they don’t actually read and enjoy the blog, what’s the point? Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree on what blogging has become and what it was. It’s nice to read a post about the life of the writer and not how I should be doing what I do. You’ve put out some very good advice for all of us. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
great advice for bloggers across the board.. it is not a competition but it is a wonderful opportunity to write what you enjoy, test out new styles and story lines and share information with others. Great post
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Crazy Lady Speaks.
LikeLike
I so agree with your last point about not worrying about success. Just do it because you like to write and think you have something to say!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Reviews & Recommendations and commented:
“Only write when you want to-Don’t force yourself to write just because you feel responsible for it. Or you want to have content because you are afraid people won’t come back if you miss a day or two.” That was what I needed to read. Thank you.
LikeLike
“Only write when you want to-Don’t force yourself to write just because you feel responsible for it. Or you want to have content because you are afraid people won’t come back if you miss a day or two.” That was what I needed to read. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It takes some time to learn it, or it did for me anyway. 🙂 Or I think I learned but was so into the habit of content content content that it took a while to slow down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suspect it will take me some time as well. On one of my facebook blogs I have over 10,000 viewers solely through word of mouth, no advertising. It’s been active for over a year. I have one on book reviews that I started this past April & it now has 500 viewers. I also have two other pages on which I am sole administrator. It keeps me busy.
For the first year I posted daily & kept faithfully active. The last couple of months I’ve only been active weekly, but felt guilty & neglectful. I haven’t noticed a decline in number of viewers but the ‘feelings’ were harder to take. That’s where your article has helped. Again, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on talkingthailand and commented:
some good advice 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on myredwinediary and commented:
This is short & sweet, and really hits on the basics for building a ‘blogging life’, as far as I’m concerned. Thanks, Ronovan.
LikeLike
This is great advice, and a great posting! I will reblog.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on and commented:
This is great advice
LikeLike
You caught my attention by talking about how much time we spend blogging: it is a little crazy how hard I am working at something that isn’t a job. I don’t think non-bloggers get it, but that is okay, as long as we keep our expectations in check. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not sure that it is so much wisdom as it is admitting I have a problem. 🙂 First step to recovery is to admit it. I may come up with a Rehab Program for Bloggers at some point. Thank you for commenting. I liked the way you wrote your comment as well. I guess that’s a writer’s appreciation speaking.
Much Respect
Ronovan
Hope you don’t mind a follower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would welcome a Rehab Program — or my family would, anyway. 🙂 Thanks! And I’m going to follow you, too: I appreciate your realistic aporoach.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Blogging is supposed to be fun. If you aren’t having fun, step back and take a deep breath. And remember this; the only person you are responsible to for on your blog is you. You are the only one that needs to be happy with what you post. The only person that needs to think about when your next post will be is you. If you are getting close to the edge of pulling your hair out or just giving up blogging, check out How to Survive the Blog Life. […]
LikeLike
[…] How to Survive the Blog Life. […]
LikeLike
[…] How to Survive the Blog Life. Oct […]
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Lucinda's Ongoing Thoughts and commented:
Your article is very timely for me because I just started blogging 101. I can easily use up all my time on the computer with my blog. You gave practical tips that spoke to me and gave me something to think about because I don’t want to burn myself out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the compliment and the reblog. It is very easy to get caught up in blogging. It’s so fun that you don’t even realize burn out is happening.
LikeLike
Yes, found that out by experience.
LikeLike
Excellent advice.
LikeLike
[…] For more about the Blog World, I would recommend reading How to Survive the Blog Life. […]
LikeLike
What a great motto: write honest and win!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great points, especially regarding about not writing what you don’t like, or the pressure to post. Thanks for such an encouraging perspective!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a mild moment of panic when I got to a certain number of followers and thought “Oh, now I have to write something good! Or think before I post!” Then I started laughing at myself.
I have been writing on another site that likes (some) of my prose but really dislikes (almost all of) my poetry for almost ten years. So it still amazes me when I get a “like” on a poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a matter of taste and also appreciation of creativity. Like with the Haiku Challenge, the community that’s been built appreciates the change of direction at times. even the ouch moments.
LikeLiked by 1 person
…I totally took the ow as positive, heh….
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] article goes somewhat hand in hand with another of my articles I wrote sometime ago called How to Survive the Blog Life. It’s the number one article on my […]
LikeLike
Love it, thank you for yet another helpful post. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] at the bottom of the blog, currently. There are two that seem to get attention the most over time, How to Survive the Blog Life. and Blogging Personality: The Key to […]
LikeLike
[…] How to Survive the Blog Life. […]
LikeLike