Thoughts On Blogging
Lately, I’ve been getting asked a lot of blogging-related questions so today I’m going to share some insight and advice on how to get noticed and a few of the steps it takes to build a solid blog. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have more specific questions!
In The Beginning: Nubbytwiglet.com, Fall 2007
Blogging isn’t easy. Though the internet is overflowing with how-to articles and more advice than anyone needs, the truth is that there’s not a proven formula to gaining notoriety. Rather, here are some concepts to consider, whether you’re new to blogging or have been at it for years:
If you’re seeking a massive readership, you’ve got a long road ahead of you, considering that there are over 100 million blogs out there.
With many niches already at saturation point, the one thing that you can do to stand out from your competition is to offer a unique perspective. How? Start by simply asking yourself “What makes my perspective unique and interesting?” You should be able to easily rattle off a list of ways that your blog differs from its nearest competitors. This cannot be stressed enough. If you’re presenting a carbon copy of someone else’s theme, personal style, voice and aesthetics, it can be a huge turn-off and readers will usually default back to the originator.
When making a list of what encapsulates your unique perspective, it can be super simple or totally outlandish. It may be as straightforward as finding your unique voice. Do you have an uncanny knack for ‘keeping it real’ that people admire? Or, maybe you have an awe-inspiring job (International Playgirl, anyone?). What about an amazing collection of shoes? Or, perhaps you possess a treasure trove of thousands of MP3s and an inside look at the music business. Play up your uniqueness and make the most of what you’ve got.
Blog because you’re passionate about your subject matter and about sharing what you know. Blogging for the sole purpose of gains (monetary and otherwise) won’t get you very far. To receive whatever it is that you’re after, it’s only fair that you’re willing to give something in return. Being completely self-absorbed and not offering your readers anything of genuine value will get old fast.
What can you give? Consider sharing advice about your profession or how to earn an education in a similar field as your own. Maybe you’re skilled at painting, drawing, knitting or another hobby and can share the outcomes of your projects along with tutorials. Do you possess a unique fashion sense? Share it with the world and inspire people as they’re getting dressed in the morning! Are you a brilliant writer? Share your experiences and offer your readers advice.
Besides offering content that no one else has, unique columns also add structure to your blog. If you keep a regular schedule, it helps readers to know what to expect on certain days. I’ve developed quite a few including The Typofiles (Tuesdays), Ask Nubby (occasional Wednesdays), What I Wore (twice a week), Link Love (Thursdays), The Week In Pictures (Fridays) and more that are all listed here.
Post content at regular intervals (but don’t post just because). Figure out a schedule that works for you and your lifestyle. Personally, I am happy with posting five to six days a week, but if three times a week works for you, that is fine. Be relentless with the schedule that you set for yourself. Posting a week straight and then disappearing for a month without a mention of why comes across as flaky and makes you seem undependable. We all get busy and we all have lives to live. The bottom line is this: don’t set yourself up for an unrealistic schedule that you can’t keep. Set your expectations while keeping time constraints and other commitments in mind.
Share what you love and always remember to link to it. Giving link love is one of the best ways to support those you admire while gaining authority from other blogs that share your links.
I know so many people that want to blog, but are holding out until their theme is perfect, until their prewritten articles have reached a certain number and until they’ve gotten their niche and elevator pitch perfectly crafted. While preparation is great, perfection is impossible. Waiting isn’t doing you any favors. Think of the content and amount of readers that you would have now if your blog had gone live in its imperfect state six months ago. Two years into Nubbytwiglet.com, I’m still making tiny changes on weekly basis. And, there’s still so much to do. Embrace the imperfect nature of digital content. It’s constantly shifting and growing and that’s what makes it fun to watch.
Two years into blogging five times a week, some days are still a struggle. There will be days where a post that you spent hours meticulously crafting barely receives any comments. There will be instances when you wonder if the time and energy you’ve committed is even worth it. Sometimes, you will feel as if your inspiration has been sapped dry. Then one day, when you least expect it, things will just click. It took me a year of regular blogging before my stats spiked and freelance and advertising offers began rolling in. It’s all about perseverance and dedication.
One of the coolest parts about blogging is to see a blog grow and change with a person. When I first started blogging, I was a full-time design student sharing my projects and vacation photos. The blog has continued on through multiple jobs, internships, business endeavors and freelance gigs. And, it is still a constant reminder of not only where I’ve been but where I’m going. Follow through with your blogging plan and refuse to give up, even when things get tough. People will notice. And, you’ll eventually be rewarded in ways that you cannot even imagine right now.
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62 People have left comments on this post
Good Read..I just started my blog a couple of weeks ago & its def. hard work and I DID kinda make the mistake of “waiting to everything is perfect”…I could have had my site up like a year ago..its all good tho
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Great article, I’m glad it’s clicking for you!
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fab article and very well timed for me- i’ve been wrestling with the ‘perfection’ thing and making all kinds of excuses not to start my business related blog. having read this i think today is the day to carpe the blogging diem. i’m gonna carpe it old-skool. thanks!
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This is great, especially as I’m trying to work at starting up my own blog after I realized my last one was more like a diary open to the public.
Nubby, have you worked with any of the free blogging services? Are they any good?
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Very inspiring and helpful article, Nubby. I started my bloggy blog about 4 months ago, and I’m still in the process of tweaking it and adding/taking away things almost every day. The cool thing about blogs is that they are always evolving, and it’s awesome! Thanks!
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I’ve been following your blog for a while but never actually commented and thought I finally would. This is a great article and it really helped me. I’ve been blogging for a while but never really had anything unique but bring readers in.
Thanks for this!
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this is an fantastic article! i think it’s true that you need to have passion. i find myself reading the blogs of everyone and anyone, as long as they have this passion behind what they are doing.
i also think it’s okay to openly admit you aren’t perfect. i’ve been writing for years and years, but, i’ve never blogged – so, now i’ve decided i should start (to go in conjunction with an internet writing project i’m working on) and at the begining i’ve stated, prety much “hey guys, i dunno what i’m doing here, but, let’s see how it goes!” and it’s fun to experiment with what i like enough to continue writing about and what i can only write about ocassionally (i can talk about books forever, but, i can only show people my fashion every now and again). i think it’s the best way to work things, it’s working so far!
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Thanks Nubby, this was a very helpful post. It’s difficult to find direction in blogging. I feel I still have a long way to go. topics can end up here, there and everywhere to a point where ppl start questioning what the blog is even about.
It’s also good to note that there will often be many silent followers. So even when you think theres no one reading, there probably is!
x
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This is WONDERFUL information! I’ll be linking.
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Fantastic article, I get asked all these questions about my blog constantly. I’ll start sending them here!
Above all… don’t give up! Push those subjects that mean most to you, even if they are odd. It what makes you stand out! Find your niche, for me it’s the town I live in.
Heck, I talk about yams all the time and next thing I knew I had a 20lb box of yams at my door.
Miss Nubby is one of the inspirations of why I got started into blogging and any day I start slipping back into my cave of “Why the heck am I blogging? Should I get a REAL job?” I look at what she has done and it pushes me forward to keep on chugging. And everyday I see the results, it does take alot of work and can seem like a full time job. But it’s worth it at the end of the day when I get a nice comment from a reader that I made them think differently or changed their life somehow.
Thank you Nubby, you’ve changed my life!:)
-Miss Destructo
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Hello Nubby,
I’ve been blogging for 6 years running and I must say I’ve had the ups and downs for it. I never began blogging for monetary reasons but more of an outlet. I can say this as much, blogs change. Some people would want to carve their own niche blogs but the overall feel of it would change as readers grow and you’ll feel that natural need to just progress or make changes. It’s evolving, definitely, and I think that’s the biggest fun I’ve had with blogging.
Thanks again for your advice and I still am jealous about your press kit. Such eye candy. You’re awesome, I hope you know that.
Cheerios!
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That is great advice once again Nubby!
My blog is new and just getting off the ground – I will definitely take on board your tips.
Cheers,
Swah
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This could not have come at a better time! My personal dot com has been laying dormant for many months now as I try to iron out details, and I’m really trying to get something off the ground once and for all. During a coffee-fueled brainstorming session yesterday I began writing a “reasons to start a blog” list and it really helped to figure out what I wanted to get out of it and what I have to offer to the blogosphere.
I especially like the reminder that one’s blog is constantly evolving, taking on slightly new forms — so it’s a waste of time to make every single decision you can think of when it’s in its infancy. (I was just reading Gala’s old-ish articles on Problogger today about shifting from a niche topic to a niche demographic, and it definitely reflects what you’re saying.) And isn’t that the advantage of digital text and information over paper-published, it can be instantly updated and revised?
Anyway great article, and congrats on being such a successful blogesse (let’s make that word happen!) that you have advice to share.
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Loved reading this. Great advice x Sushi
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Retro.Bunny: I stated out years ago on Live Journal but then jumped straight over to my own platform two years ago. Seems like most of the bigger bloggers using a free platform stick with Blogger.
Ash: Good for you for making it happen. And those first few months are key…that’s when you’re really figuring out your formula of what works and what does not. Good luck.
melissa dominic: I agree with admitting that you aren’t perfect…because none of us are and trying to project that just makes bloggers seem untouchable.
Miss Destructo: I visited your blog last night and could not stop laughing about the yams story and the photo of the massive box of yam-related products! I love your sense of humor and willingness to keep pushing forward, no matter how hard it may get.
Niki: Congrats on making it to the six year mark! That’s something to be really proud of. Keep it up!
Molly B: I agree that it’s a waste of time to make every decision about blogging in its infancy because it is constantly changing….that’s why I encourage people to jump in because you learn so much more once you’re actually making it happen. And, here’s to ‘blogesse!’
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This article is amazing. One thing that I really need to work on is figuring out how to write about *all* the things I’m passionate about [fashion, design, diy/crafting, organization, finance] under a larger overarching theme. I feel like I’m just now starting to get it figured out. Thanks for writing this!
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Ugh, you’re so right about waiting. I’ve been wanting to start my own local street fashion blog for a year or two. I was initially put off by having to admit that its already a fairly saturated niche, but actually I’ve found that nothing exists about my city, and actually I’m convinced it has a exceptionally high ‘individual-style quotient’ (-if you will) which deserves to be promoted.
So I’ve registered the title; which happens to fit perfectly – Bristol Fashion (after a British saying – ‘Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion’) at a few blog sites just to reserve it and give me a free playground to start off with until I see if it’s really a go-er
Now I feel like I’m falling at the final hurdle of being too shy to take my camera out and actually ask people if I can photograph them.
Agh, eventually I will.
Anyway, good article, thanks!
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I’ve been blogging off and on for many years and it does take much perserverance to maintain a blog. my current blog is quite new and it feels much more like me than previous ones I’ve had. Thanks for posting this great advice!
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This was really helpful! Thank you for the tips. I love your blog and look forward to your posts!
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This is an excellent roundup of your opinion + thoughts, thanks!
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That was a really good post, Nubby! Actually it’s very hard to do something which is too unique. On the whole, it takes time. To become a reasonably famous blogger if you take no shortcuts like advertising and things. I’m an anon blogger as of now and after a year of writing, I have got about 10 readers. Actually, it can be more, but due to my multitasking nature, I have many projects. Networking, in my opinion is the key and of course, content.
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Great post & all true points. I’ve been blogging since 2005 and have had the ups and downs with it during the different stages of my early career. It certainly has changed my life and brought many interesting projects and opportunities and new friends near and far.
Your blog in particular inspired me to renew my efforts in 2009. Thank you!
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thanks for this awesome article. it’s refreshing to have help in this department. i love to write and am a very open person. i like to keep a journal of my life and have been told that i should write books. i feel that blogging might help me along with that. i don’t blog daily but i’d like to do so. sometimes though i wonder if i should have a theme? i just talk about whatever comes to mind that i have to vent or an event that just happened recently. it was nice to read this and identfy some of the mistakes i’ve made while blogging.
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thank you so much for this post – it is great to hear some words of wisdom from an experienced blogger, i found this very encouraging.
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This is an awesome article, and something I very much needed to read right now! Will add a link to this in my next link roundup
Thanks for the advice!
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Great advice and perspective Nubby! Thanks…judy
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My darling Nubby: this is so fabulous words don’t even begin to form beneath my fingers to properly encapsulate my gratitude for your place in this oh-so-vast world of web. You are truly a gem, of serious inspiration, and I hope you continue to do this for years to come! MUCH LOVE…
-Df
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thanks for the tips. very encouraging!
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i LOVE your article. i don’t get many readers on my blog,though
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Great article! Very inspiring!
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Such a great article! Thanks for the tips. I noticed that a lot of popular blogs (not just fashion related are also really well written. The way they write just makes it easy and entertaining to read. I keep getting the urge to go back and rewrite bits and pieces after the post is published. and I usually do.
Would be great to know others’ opinions on whether its ok to rewrite if its already been posted!
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Hi Nubby
I am a makeup artist and I wanted to start up a blog?? How do I get started? Should I invest in an actual site or should I sign up for a blogger site? I was thinking a site would be better because it would link with work, no?
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;__________________________;
owrr–
I’ve been following you for long time, but today I got to this page…
just the same day I’m struggling to start a blog for design class.
and xD I’ve fallen on the perfection mistake SO many times already, that today started posting as “oh well, I’ve lost so much time searching for perfect blog, and tomorrow I have to hand it in ._. gaaah, no! today I’ll hurry and publish it finally!”
And then started procrastinating even more, and among many templates googling, I thought “uhm, let’s check nubby’s to catch tips”
And found this *epic tears*
THANK YOU
I’m always expecting to have everything well planned and “perfect” to start in a project, and then, find that some of my friends just, “jump in” with stuff and they succeed– and I always insist on the mistake… but reading this is been really inspirational ;m ;
thanks a lot for this post, nubs ♥ you’ve made my day
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I love that you’re sharing your insight into what blogging really takes! I’ve started my own two blogs before, but one of them wasn’t working; mainly because I wasn’t putting much into it. I didn’t feel motivated enough to keep writing. At the beginning, you just want to see people commenting right away! It usually doesn’t happen. But yesterday, I started blogging about my experience in London and my change of majors in college. I feel quite motivated, and I have actually gained 2 followers, in just one day. I guess when you’re passionate about something, it just shows. Perseverance is key, as you said
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Nubby, you brought it to the point. I’ve been blogging for about half a year now, and sometimes it’s really though. I work so hard on my page, learning everything from scrach (I basically didn’t even know what a blog was until a few weeks before I started). It can be frustrating, when you work so hard and make an effort, but barely gat any page views/comments. But as of late I have noticed that the effort is well worth it. Stats are going up and I have some dedicated readers.
But in the end all of that doesn’t matter. What matters, is that I’m doing this for me – and i love it!
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As if the press kit info was not enough, now this blogging article. Thanks so much for all the insight. I am really excited to start this process, after reading your article. You have no idea how much that helped.
Keep it up Nubby!!!
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I am really empress with your post review.It’s really awesome idea to share the thoughts you like.
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Hi Nubby~ We love your site, especially all the amazing advice you give. We were trying to “wait until everything was perfect” until we saw this post about blog-startups, so we pretty much launched right away after reading it. Seriously, thanks for all the cool info & advice. You’re one of our blogging heroes. If you get a chance, we’d love it if you checked us out @ poorandpretty.com
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thanks so much i have been trying to get the perfect layout for almost a year now and now i realized thats dumb i coulda blogged 100 plus entries by now
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I was feeling a little disappointed about my blog because I get almost no views but now I have more motivation thank you!
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Hi, I just found your blog today—there’s some very sound advice in this post, particularly the point about not waiting until it’s perfect.
I’ve fallen into that trap myself, taking months to finalise a design; until one day I realised that design for the web is never truly “finished”, due to all the constant tweaks and fixes needed to keep it current.
In the end I just ignored my inner control freak and put the site live with all its imperfections; nobody except me ever noticed any of the things I’d been worrying about.
Perseverance is a massive part of it too; you will, almost without exception, spend at least 6 months posting for absolutely no-one. It can be depressing, but keep at it and eventually people will come.
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Да уж. Спасибо вам, что заставили задуматься
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I was blogging for a while last year and I gave up b/c I was afraid to post things when they weren’t perfect. I spent so long trying to figure out how to make it fancy I got exhausted and gave up. I just started up a new blogspot account today and I’m really hoping I’ll get back to blogging regularly.
I had some friends who really liked my old blog so I really hope it’ll just come back to me. My ultimate blog fantasy is somewhere between yours, the Fat Jew, and Tavi’s.
Thanks a Million for your helpful and insightful advice!
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Все замечательно: и по стилю изложения, и по содержимому. Так держать!
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Goodday
I’m new here and just wanted to drop by with a little “hello” message (sorry if I have posted in the wrong section!)
My name is Courtney, mom to two lovely boys, and a parttime soccer coach!
I’m here to sniff around and gather some information, so please welcome me :O)
Have a fantastic day!
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Thank you very much for this inspiring post, Nubby. It’s very useful, even for experienced bloggers like me… I always find some inspiration when I visit your blog, today is no exception.
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HAHAHAHAHAHA! @AmandaYJS @liyinglings HIT HER TWITTER API LIMIT! SHE CANNOT SPAM YOU UNTIL ONE HOUR LATER! XD
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I’ve got to say, this is the type of website that I’ve been looking for, for a while
Completely inspiring
I’ve always wanted to start my own blog, but never seemed to be in the right mind set to actually come up with the material that I wanted to put out there
And now going through a Media Arts course, which has inspired me to go on to take Graphic Arts for the next two years, I have an idea of what my goals are, and it’s sites like this that give me a push to actually get my shit organized
Also realizing that you really aren’t going to get anywhere you want to go, by just waiting for it to come to you.
Thanks!
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