Today is a very special day for the blog – it’s its 6th birthday. Six years ago today, I sat down and decided that I wanted to start a blog. I had no ideas yet, and so just posted a no-title, no-writing post with a photo of a quote from Buddha. Not particularly inspiring, but it was the kickstart I couldn’t wait any longer for. Three months later I appeared with another post, and then another three months after that I actually got into the blogging lifestyle.
After six years, with all the little – and long – breaks I’ve taken, I’ve been kind of starting from square one when I’ve picked it back up. But with a lot more time to dedicate to it over the last year, I’m so much happier with it, and feel a lot prouder of what it is.
So, for today’s blog post, I’m sharing the things I wish I’d known when I started blogging. I wrote a post a while ago about the resources I recommend anyway, so that’s another great post to check out with this one. If you’re thinking of starting your own blog, or whether you’re already a blogger that just resonates with the list, I hope you enjoy reading. And, if you have advice to share, just pop it in the comments!
Go into it like it’s already viral
Fake it ’til you make it – I went into my blogging knowing that I had no readers and that I had a long way to go. And you can kind of tell that that was my attitude. Now, I write out a Facebook post like I’m writing to a thousand people.
When you go into, write like you’re already writing to hundreds of people. Pretend your blog has taken off already, and then when it does, you’ll already be set up and ready to go.
Join other bloggers online
I’m not just being cheesy when I say this, but the blogging community is so supportive. And, they’re probably your most valuable resource. For the first five years of blogging I was on my own, and had no idea what I was doing.
Last year, I started joining blogging Facebook groups, and following other bloggers on Twitter. It’s one of the best moves I’ve made in my blogging time so far. Not only will we all support each other with comments and whatnot, but as soon as you need help or advice on something, we’re all there ready to go. Honestly, join blogging Facebook groups, you’ll be so pleased you did.
Use all social media possible
People tend to get caught up – myself included – in Instagram I think. But, you can get so much from so many other platforms. The biggest surprise to me was Pinterest – you can get so much from Pinterest. I took a course online on how to use it properly, and since then I’ve got a few more visitors to my blog – but it is a long game. Be patient, use your time to learn how to use the different social medias, and use them as much as possible.
Don’t be embarrassed to blog
This is a big one, and I see this all the time. Don’t be embarrassed of your blog! I used to hide my blog and dreaded the thought of anyone I knew ever finding it. Once they did, I’ll be honest with you, there was a little joking. But sit tight, and in about a week it was over. When they learn that you love doing it, people love seeing you do it, and that you can actually make a living – or side living – from it, they’ll get bored pretty fast.
Drag yourself away from the actual blogging
I’d say I spend about 2-3 days a week actually focusing on the blogging, if that. My aim is to write up my week’s posts over the weekend. Any photographs or editing is then done as and when during the week. The other 4-5 days? I’m making Pins to share, I’m mocking up mailing list emails, I’m researching what I can do better. There’s a lot of side hustle to blogging that no one ever tells you about. But it’s all really important stuff.
Don’t be afraid to spend money on it
But only if you’re all in. I struggled through with a generic theme, didn’t buy my domain – it was just a free hobby. And don’t get me wrong, that’s all good! If that works for you, it’s a great thing, just go with the flow. But, for me, I know I would’ve been so much more in it from the start if I had go all in. As soon as I’d bought a theme and made it a .com website, I put so much more into it.
So, happy birthday katygoodship.com, and here’s to another six years – hopefully without the break this time!
First of all, happy blog birthday! I have learned so much in my four years of blogging, and fake it till you make it was huge for me. I almost quit because I was letting the doubts cloud my love for it. But I pushed through!
Author
Thank you 🙂 Same, sometimes it’s yourself that slows yourself down!
Happy bloganniversary 🎉
6 years is sure a long time 😄 I concur with the joining other bloggers idea, it helps connecting with other people who do the same as you- you learn from them too. Thank you for sharing ~Peshy xx
Author
Thank you 🙂
Love this post! I’ve been blogging on and off for nearly 9 years but have only started to take my current blog seriously last summer and I remember being so embarrassed back when I was younger. Now, I absolutely love my blog and have no idea why I ever felt the need to hide it as I’ve put so much work into it and should be proud. Congrats on 6 years, that’s amazing! And thank you for sharing this post.
Tash – A Girl with a View
Author
Thank you – I know, I have no idea why we all worry so much about sharing our blogs! I feel like every blogger goes through that stage at one point!
Happy blogging birthday lovely! I loved reading this post as I related to all these points and I wish I’d done these when I started blogging! Particularly the one about not being embarrassed of your blog x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Author
Thank you! I know, it seems like that’s something all bloggers go through at some point! x
Congrats on 6 years, that is amazing commitment! Totally agree with your tips, I think for me the best things for helping my blog get started was finding support (I love my blogging groups!) and social media. I tried different platforms and I focus now on the ones that get me be the best results (Twitter and Pinterest). I post on Instagram and Facebook but I try not to spread myself too thin.
Author
Thank you! Makes me wish I’d put this much effort into it for all the years I’ve had it! I totally agree on the support – I’ve only been joining groups since the end of 2020, and it’s helped me so much. That’s great advice with the social media too – it’s so easy to try and smash all of them at once.
Happy birthday to your blog! These are excellent tips! I’m pinning this for later. I bought a domain in 2019 but didn’t really do anything til September 2020 so I’m still a newbie blogger. Thanks for sharing x
http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Author
Thank you, love your blog too! Same as me – I kind of consider myself an almost-newbie blogger with most things 🙂
I started blogging 8 years ago and I wish I’d known to put energy into my social media as well!
Loved reading this!
Katy | http://www.katystephenson.com
Author
Thank you 🙂 I know, although I am enjoying feeling like a full time blogger what with furlough!
Happy Blog Birthday!!! So many of these things, I completely feel with you!
I think being online more has helped me – but also having strict SM breaks in the evenings and at weekends has made my brain better.
Can’t wait to see what’s next for your blog!
Rosie
Author
Totally agree with taking the breaks in the evening – I want to put as much time into it as possible, but I find I feel a bit mad if I spend 12 hours a day doing it!
Hi Katy. Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for sharing your observations – I think it’s useful for less experienced bloggers, like me, to hear about such reflections. Heres to the next 6 years 😉
Happy 6th Birthday!! Huge achievement.
I agree with all of your tips, blogging is a wonderful experience and the community is like nothing I have ever experienced before.
Here’s to the next 6 years!
Happy 6th blogging anniversary! I’ve been blogging for around 3 years now and I agree with all of your points. I didn’t really know anything about blogging when I started and I’m still learning now! X
Author
Thank you! I know, I feel like once you get into it you find out so much so fast, even if it did take me six years!
I love this post! I’ve nearly been blogging for 8 years now and I definitely agree with all your points, especially utilising social media and not being embarrassed to blog x
Happy 6th Birthday! xx
I’ve been blogging for almost 2 years – 1 consistently 🙂 I love these tips, I think that as soon as you forget about being embarrassed about your blog, you become more of your true self – if that makes any sense aha? Sometimes I feel like Instagram is the only social media when actually it’s Twitter that brings me most of my traffic. Great post xx