5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Began Blogging

I’m only seven months in on The B Werd but I get SO many questions about blogging. How did you start? Where do I start? What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a blog? First, let me say that I’m truly flattered you all enjoy The B Werd enough to even consider asking me these questions. Second, let me also say that – I didn’t know anything when I started. I hadn’t done much research outside of the blogs that I read regularly. I literally pressed “publish” on a post I had written that morning and figured everything out after that. I’m still figuring things out. What kind of content you all enjoy seeing most, what the best days to post are, what opportunities pay; so I won’t have all the answers for y’all any time soon. What I am willing to do is, share what all that I’ve learned thus far and what I wish I knew when I started this blog back in January.

If you’re going to start, remain consistent.

We’re all familiar with the phrase “practice makes perfect”. Blogging works the same way. It takes a lot of practice, a lot of trial and error but more importantly a lot of consistency. You will have to keep a steady flow of content on your social media channels that essentially leads them to your site. In the beginning, I worried about annoying my Facebook friends and my Instagram followers. I didn’t want them to be sick of seeing me but unfortunately, it’s a necessary evil. My original plans were to post twice a week but with the feedback I was getting from the beginning, I knew twice wouldn’t be enough. Now, I try my best to post four times a week regardless of how hectic my work schedule or personal life is. It’s how you’ll grow your tribe and also how you’ll quickly get rid of the people who won’t enjoy what you plan to provide with your blog. Nothing pays off more than consistency and you’ll see that for yourself as soon as you stick to it.

Ask what you don’t know to those who may know

This was a piece of advice my first blogger friend Angela gave me. Don’t be too prideful to reach out to people who are further along than you. Connect with other bloggers or women in your business, in and outside of your area. There have been a handful of business woman who have answered several of my questions that saved me time and money. They’re experienced, they know something that can help you and it costs them nothing. Send a quick message, comment on a photo, shoot them a friendly email. It’s instrumental in your development as a blogger or entrepreneur. You will need to find like minded individuals to bounce ideas off of. Learn from their mistakes, you won’t have the time to make them all yourself. They won’t all reply but some will and with that, you’ll gain some valuable information.

Promote Yourself

Believe it or not, I get shy behind this blog! I have so much personality but I’m an introvert so it was especially difficult for me to tell others about it if they didn’t already know. We get so timid when it comes to what may embarrass us. We’re afraid to hear feedback or get asked uncomfortable questions because we’re sensitive about what we’ve created and don’t want to hear what anyone else thinks of it. Tell them anyway. Tell your sisters, your coworkers (if your blog is work appropriate) and your friends’ friends. When you know people are actually reading your blog and waiting on your posts, it provides a good source of pressure. They like what you’re doing, you don’t want to disappoint!

What quality are you adding to others?

Because that’s what attracts your tribe. You could be teaching them how to feel beautiful with make-up tutorials, or how-to be self-sufficient with 30 minute recipes. Whatever the case, provide them with something that adds value to their lives. Make it unique; and by unique I mean, be as “you” as possible. We don’t need what someone else is already doing, or else we’d find it in them. Talk how you talk, edit your photos how you like them and create content with good intentions. We need you to be your genuine self, it’s what makes you relatable.

Make an impact that makes you income

I began this blog solely to make a difference. To inspire, to engage with other women and to push limits. I used my own money from my corporate job to purchase a domain, get a webpage designed and even put together the outfits I post, without ever thinking of making a dime. We are all aware that blogging can eventually become a lucrative source of income, but wanting to make money can’t be your determining factor. Starting a blog is a LOT of pro bono work. Keep in mind you are creating a job for yourself that doesn’t have a bi-weekly direct deposit, so be very attentive to your reasoning behind it. Your purpose will eventually pay.