Blog Log #15: Define What Your Blog Stands For. Create A Manifesto!

Nubby Twiglet | Define What Your Blog Stands For. Create A Manifesto!

A manifesto is a call to action. It’s a crystal clear declaration of what you stand for and believe in. Do you have one for your blog? I recently wrote a manifesto for Nubby Twiglet and though it’s still a work in progress, it was a great creative exercise to define my blog’s mission. Penning a manifesto for your blog can also be a great personal reminder for what you do and why you do it, especially after you’ve been at it for a long time (my 7 year anniversary is creeping up!).

My Manifesto

Are you a creative who’s passionate about the aesthetics in your daily life? Does design play an integral role in your personal expression? Then you’ve come to the right place. Nubby Twiglet was founded in 2007 under the guise that we should embrace our individuality in order to live a unique, inspired existence. As creatives, our lives are multi-faceted and expression ruminates from everywhere including our surroundings, careers and travels. Why should we separate our lives into bite-sized pieces when we can live it as one, inspiring whole? Come as you are, take charge and embrace a lifestyle that leaves you personally fulfilled.

Manifesto Cheat Sheet

If you’d like to write your own manifesto, here are five tips to help you get started:

1. Call out your blog by name.
You immediately want readers to know what the manifesto represents.

2. Define the purpose of your blog.
How are you helping your audience and adding value to their lives?

3. What makes your blog different?
What’s the unique twist on your content that makes it irreplaceable?

4. Who is your blog’s audience (or ideal audience)?
Are you writing for college students, stay at home moms, creatives or aspiring chefs? Define your niche.

5. How can you end on a positive note?
Tie everything up in a nice bow. Leave your audience feeling inspired and energized.

Do you have a manifesto for your blog?

If you have one or write one after this, please leave it in the comments so we can check it out!

26 Responses to Blog Log #15: Define What Your Blog Stands For. Create A Manifesto!

  1. Tori says:

    Shauna, fantastic manifesto, and a huge thank you to you for the tips – I shared an update on my blog’s FB page earlier in response to the announcement of The Blogcademy: Homeschool, due to it leaving me feeling inspired and determined to get on top of all things bloggy this Summer (uni finished Friday!), and this post will further help me to take that step towards spring-cleaning (so to speak) and clarifying my space and it’s aim. You, and Gala and Kat, are a huge inspiration to me; you always provided fantastically motivational information and advice that fuels my fire for blogging and it’s community :) Thank you for always making my day that little bit brighter!

    Reply
  5. Carina says:

    Hey Shauna, I’ve been a long-time reader, but I don’t think I’ve posted a comment yet! Lately, I’ve been thinking about getting more serious about my blog, and a lot of the improvements so far are private and internal (i.e. for me). It never occurred to me to share more about my blog and its purpose. Thanks for this idea. :)

    Reply
    • Shauna says:

      Carina: You’re more than welcome — sometimes we’re too close to our own blogs to think about these things. It only took me….7 years….to write mine! Haha.

      Reply
  6. Samantha Heathcock says:

    I’m not sure this can be classed as a manifesto at the moment (it’s from my blogs ‘about’ page), but I reckon with a little re-working it might?! Thanks for the tips Shauna.

    My name is Samantha. I’m a thirty-something in search of fabulous, but finding that some of life’s other f* words frequently get in the way. Having previously blogged as Babe on a Budget – finances and frugality – are certainly amongst those pesky f* words. In fact, the more you think about it, the more you realise life is full of f* words – both good and bad – and that’s exactly what this blog is all about…life.

    Reply

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    • Shauna says:

      Adri: This is awesome! I feel like I know so much more about you and what makes you and your vision unique after reading this. Adding a bit more structure (like I listed above) would make it more concise but it’s already hugely inspiring.

      Reply
      • Adri says:

        :)

        Thank you so much!!! Really, it’s been a process that is taking longer that I’d wish for, but hanging out that weekend with you guys opened my eyes and I knew running the life we want is possible!

        Yes! I’ll add more structure… I’m still at the ad agency in Mexico City and having Coke, McDonald’s, Olive Garden and Red Lobster as clients you can imagine how things are with this year’s FIFA World Cup madness… I’m so tired… that blogging is a few of the good things making me keep track of time! haha

        Thanks again! Take care!!!

        Reply
        • Shauna says:

          Adri: I know that feeling! I spent the majority of the first five years of my career working on projects for corporate clients. It’s only been in the last year that I was able to wave all of that goodbye for good. My version of your FIFA project was doing the NBA All-Star game in 2011. I’ve never quite felt burnout like that! Events are such hard work. It takes time to build the life and career you want but if you want it bad enough, it WILL happen!

          Reply

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    • Shauna says:

      Laura: This is great! I love how it feels like you’re having a conversation with someone you just met. It’s honest and relatable and makes me feel like I know you. Bravo!

      Reply
  11. Cherry Simpson says:

    Thank you for this advice. My husband and I recently joined together to blog in one place and we are still getting to grips with our new audiences. Here is our little blog manifesto:

    This blog is about telling stories and sharing things we like.

    Simple things… we like simplicity!

    Collectively we get paid to write, design, create and work in retail from day to day. Our work is rewarding, varied, interesting and fuelled by coffee, toast, The Sopranos and lots of books!

    Reply
    • Shauna says:

      Cherry Simpson: Ahh, this is fantastic! I love how much it really shows off your personalities. Wishing you tons of success with the blog. :)

      Reply
  12. Sarah Theresa says:

    I have just started blogging and am slowly getting the hang of it. The idea of creating a manifesto for my blog was extremely helpful and has helped me to get a better grasp of what i should be writing about. Thanks! Here is my what i have written.

    As a designer I depend on an endless supply on inspiration. I started this blog, Sarah Theresa as a way of sharing that inspiration. Through a constant stream of images, videos and tutorials I hope I can light that creative fire in all of you. I am currently a student studying Communication Design so Sarah Theresa will grow alongside my design skills. There are so many beautifully designed things out there that the world needs to see and I hope my blog will open your eyes to these.

    Thanks again your blog log has completely saved me!

    Reply
  14. Mark says:

    I googled ‘blog do I need a manifesto’ and found your site and this post. I really appreciate the directness of your manifesto as well as the cheat sheet. Actionable and to the point – thanks for putting this into the world!

    Reply
  15. Alicia Sneed says:

    Thank you for this post!

    I just wrote my manifesto for my new blog that I’m launching next month. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

    “Are you a person who’s trying to figure this whole mommy/daddy thing out? Do you think you’ve got it down, but always feel like NO ONE does it like YOU? Then you’ve come to the right place! Outright Mom was founded in 2014 based on the desire to empower parents to do it their way, and not compromise because they feel alone. In every sense of the word… we want to be OUTRIGHT…deliberate, imperfect (but the best), responsible, and most importantly available to those little stinkas we produced. We like to get a little green, a little emotional, a little controversial… but mostly we just try to have as much fun as parents can muster up before they pass out. If this sounds like you, then you’re an Outright Mom or Outright Dad. Welcome! Wear your new title proudly and come explore with us!”

    Reply
  16. Daphna R. says:

    As an individualist, I absolutely love your manifesto. I believe each person is a unique constellation and living in tune with your truth, expressing your unique self in all you do, is the greatest gift you can give to yourself and the world. Love your stuff, power to you!

    Reply

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