In the blogging world, many pieces of advice are relative. What works for one person may not work for another. There are several factors to take into consideration including focus, goals, audience, etc. But I truly believe that no matter what kind of blog you have, there are few personal changes that can make anybody a happier blogger. Today, I want to share three “rules” I have been trying to live by.
1. Talk about your blog in real life.
I used to tell people about my blog as a very last resort. I would dance around the subject and mumble things about crafts when I should have just said, “I’m working on my blog.” Depending on what kind of area you live in, half the people you talk to to might be completely perplexed. They might even bring up “weblogging”. ;) But the more you tell people about your blog, the more you’ll hear people say, “I have a blog too!” And suddenly, you will have a real life blog friend. Piece of cake.
Recently, I have been challenging myself to talk about my blog here in Portland. Already, I have made a few friends at work who are also bloggers! It’s crazy and wonderful how one mention of blogging can spark a conversation and connect you to someone who may also be keeping their blog on the DL. When you talk about your blog enough, I promise that blogger coffee dates will be abounding.
2. Do not try to be passionate about something you’re not passionate about.
Think about something that is really cool right now. Pineapples? Everyone is so into pineapples. I personally only like pineapples on my pizza. But I keep looking at this pineapple patterned cardigan at Target and feeling like maybe I should have it. I genuinely think it’s adorable but I also know that I’ve been strongly influenced by the interwebs. Trends come and go every season and I fall under their spell every time. Say no to pineapples if deep down you want to say no to them.
Here is a more personal example: In high school and college, I was always the crafty girl. That was my thing. But as I said the other day in this post, I’m not too inspired in the crafty arena these days. It’s a bummer because I know people like DIY projects. But slightly changing the direction of my blog toward what I’m more passionate about has been so rewarding and has resulted in more growth than I expected.
3. Try not to minimize your statements or discredit yourself.
Through my psychology classes, I learned a lot about minimizing statements and I realized that I did this (and still do this) a lot! There is a big difference between being humble and being self-deprecating. I believe you can be humble and be happy for yourself at the same time. Here are some examples of minimizing statements (and alternatives) as they relate to blogging:
“I know I’m no expert at all, but today I want to talk about staying motivated as a blogger.”
(Today I want to talk about motivation. These are a few significant things I have learned through my experience as a blogger.)
“It’s super cliche and unoriginal, but I feel most inspired when I’m at a coffee shop writing in a fresh new notebook.”
(There’s nothing like a fresh new notebook and a coffee shop to make me feel inspired.)
“I just love web design. I don’t know, I’m so nerdy!!”
(I love web design!)
I literally said that last quote word for word the other night and my coworkers replied, “No you’re not, that’s so badass!” So…do your thing. Love what you want to love. Do what inspires you. Most importantly, stop putting yourself down. :)
Have any of these issues been relevant in your blogging experience? I’d also love to know how you go about bringing up your blog in the real world.
Thanks for letting me share!
Amber says
I love love love these rules, especially the third one! Feeling free to promote myself, my blog and my projects without feeling like I’m being over zealous has definitely been my greatest challenge.
I’ve also started speaking about my blog in real life more. When I met my new roommate, I introduced myself as a student and blogger –and it felt so natural.
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
That’s awesome! I’ve been trying to introduce myself more as a blogger too. Instead of saying, “I work at Anthro and do some crafty type things on the side” I’m trying to say, “I’m a blogger! And I also work at Anthro .” :)
Liz says
I always self-deprecate. I admire and honor authenticity and transparency, and I’ve never wanted people to think that I’m coming off as more than what I really am. I find myself saying things like that too! Though I know do have some skills, I always add on something like… but that’s just my idea, or, it’s just an opinion.
I tend to keep my blog a secret, for now. I want to be really proud of it before I release it into my personal world.
Great post!
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
I totally get wanting to share your blog at a time when you’re really proud of it. After I finally was happy with my blog design earlier this spring, I was so much more motivated to talk about it in person. :)
Alex says
I have yet to begin a blog, but of course, I have thought about #1. I know that by staying hush or keeping it on the dl, I am doing myself and my blog a disservice. However, if my blog is very new and in its beginning stages, I wonder: should I stay cautious and have patience? Or should I always feel proud of the content I post, since I choose to put it out there in the first place? (I think I’m answering my own question. Have confidence!).. And #3 happens without my noticing, so…must make conscious efforts! Reminds me of the commercial you posted about always saying sorry.
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
I was totally thinking about the “saying sorry” commercial while I wrote it! It’s kind of the same thing.
And I hope you do start a blog soon! I know a lot of people who have wanted to already have posts going before they tell people about their blog. But there is also something really special about having that first “Hi! This is my first blog post, everybody.” moment and maybe it will make people curious about what you have coming.
I say, just do whatever feels right. :)
JC says
I go back and forth when talking about my blog irl. Some people just don’t get it, but I have found a few who do. My doctor for example, she’s an avid follower now and when I go in for appointments shes always got something nice to say. I also have a problem with the discrediting thing. I find myself throwing out whole posts because I’m not an “expert” but I have to start telling myself it’s about the journey, and I don’t need to be an expert. Another Rule I have is don’t do anything you aren’t in love with. I tried influenster for a while, and felt so fake, so as much as I like free product its not worth the stress if it doesn’t fit the niche on my blog.
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
I totally agree. Reviewing products you’re not really into is so time consuming and ultimately kind of awkward.
That’s cool that your doctor follows your blog! I have a few friends and family members who follow along (I think!) so it’s nice to be able to have that kind of support. :)
theartbug says
Great tips and all are so true! If you are not genuine there is no use doing it!
Ashley Randall says
Number 3 is something I especially need to work on. I qualify absolutely everything with some kind of “But that’s just my idea,” or “but I’m not sure,” or even “But I don’t really know what I’m talking about.” That last one is especially troubling. It’s very cool that you’ve set yourself the rule that you are NEVER to do that.
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Even though it’s a “rule” for me, I still find myself doing it a lot. I think I’m more aware of it though. It’s such a hard habit to break!
Jessica says
These are absolutely great tips! It’s so hard to talk about blogging with people that don’t blog, but those people generally find it interesting which spawns a whole set of readers and concepts. It’s such an interesting world.
Hope says
Such great tips, I am always discrediting myself without realising H xx
http://www.hopesgone.blogspot.co.uk
Steph Strays says
I love this post. I really need to stop being self-deprecating my posts, but it’s hard. It’s so much easier to poke fun at myself than anyone/anything else!
http://www.stephstrays.com
Nina says
I still have difficulties talking about my blogs, even to my own friends. My bf knows I have one, but I haven’t really frankly told it to my flatmate. I said to another friend who likes photography that I wanted to invest in a camera and he told me “great, next step is writing your own food blog!” (I’m still not sure if he was serious or making fun of me…) and I said “yeah, that’s the plan” while I actually had started my blog!… Eventually I told him I had a blog but I went very quickly about that. At first, I didn’t want to show it because the design wasn’t ready. But now it’s more than that. The thing is that I’m the only one interested in blogs (at least, lifestyle, fodd and DIY blogs) among my friends, or so I think, and I feel like they don’t understand why I like blogs and why I write one. I know they are my friends and they won’t judge me, that I shouldn’t be afraid to tell them. I think they aren’t passionate about food as I am and even though we were all in the student board for arts, I’m not sure they are so much into DIY and fashion and house decor, but maybe I’m wrong! Maybe I’d be surprised to learn that they are indeed interested in all of this and in what I want to share!
Then there are the Facebook friends kind of people. People I used to be friend with in high school but that I haven’t seen in years. What will they think if I start sharing my blog posts on Facebook? Will they judge me? Will they think that it’s not relevant that I have a food and DIY blog while being an engineer? Maybe some of them studied photography or I don’t know what and they will see me as a rookie? I know I shouldn’t care about all this but I do. Actually I think that if they are not interested in my blog they won’t visit it and it will end here, and that they won’t waste time to judge me. And even if they do, why sould I give a damn about it right?
For the moment, I just share my blog through commenting on other blogs by fillling the “website” blank (which is a great step for me because I wouldn’t dare at first!). I hope that one day I’ll be proud enough of my blog to share it more widely!
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
I think your friend was probably being genuine about suggesting you start a food blog! More and more people are finally realizing that blogging is a highly successful way to market your skills. When I first started blogging, I didn’t have a lot of friends who were into blogs at all. I still don’t have a ton! But that’s because blogging is a young industry. Before you know it, all of your friends will be reading/writing blogs and they’ll look to you for advice on how to get started. :) Maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised by their reactions to your blog.
With any hobby or passion, it’s so hard to get past that “what will they think?” phase. But once you start expressing it a little bit, you’ll become more and more comfortable. I hope you do start sharing your blog more because I honestly think it is wonderful. I love all of your recipes. :)
Nina says
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words! Yesterday, I told two of my friends that I had a blog. One of them was the one whom I had already told (but apparently he hadn’t notice), and the other one was really enthusiastic about it and wanted to see it. She loves cooking as well so she told me my photographs made her hungry and I was happy about it because I’m really beginning and I’m not so confident about my pictures. I’m still a bit shy about it but tonight I’m gonna cook a pizza for the blog and my flatmate will probably see me taking pictures so I will have to tell her. And I won’t care about what she thinks! I’m determined to keep on blogging and I have started to organise my future blogposts.
And now that I’m definitively back from holidays I have to catch up with your blog :)
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you talked to your friends about your blog! I’m sure they all would love to hear what you’re passionate about especially if they are foodies as well. I think talking about it will get more natural with time. I spent years not talking about mine and now I won’t shut up about it. :)
Laili says
This is so great! And inspiring – I’m definitely guilty of self deprivation and not talking about my blog enough – there is something to be said about finding that balance between feeling like you’re in someone’s face and just talking about something you do and enjoy. And to be positive in how you speak, about yourself, about your work, your passions, whatever it might be!
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Yes! Positivity has such power no matter what you’re talking about. :)
Alyssa says
love you friend. miss you and your life. but love that I get to stay updated. don’t stop blogging, you are still such an inspiration to me :)
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
Love and miss you too, Alyssa. :)
Alexandra C. says
It is so hard to say ‘I’m a blogger’. I feel like blogging is becoming so competitive. Which in part can drive you to make your blog the best it can be, and network etc. But it can also be discouraging. I can’t even imagine myself saying ‘I’m a blogger’ to someone when they ask ‘what do you do?’… unless I magically gained ‘Taza status’ or something. You know? But this is so true, there is no reason to discredit your interests, skills or not tell people about it. :) It’s cool, and being confident about these things only draws people in more! I also love what you are saying about not following trends that you don’t actually want to follow. I feel the same way about the pineapple one too, and that Target cardi. It’s so important to stay true to yourself. And it is so tempting to choose things to blog about based much more on trends and popular topics etc to gain more readers, views… It’s not worth it. :) Thanks for these reminders, this morning I was feeling pretty discouraged about the blog world. It’ll pass! XO -Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Jennifer | Earl Grey Blog says
I know what you mean! It’s really so easy to be discouraged. I feel it all of the time, but I just have to keep on going through these reminders. I think saying you’re a blogger will give you more credibility and thus more readership, you know? Like if you designed a few things here and there (but not as a career), you could introduce yourself as a designer (because it’s true!) and maybe more people would stumble upon your work through word of mouth. I feel that way about blogging. Talking about my blog in real life has opened so many doors that I never expected. :)