When I tell people that I am a blogger I am always met with responses ranging from eye rolling, not having a clue what planet I live on to people thinking its the easiest job. I happen to agree, yes blogging is easy but to do well at it is a whole different story.
I have had my blog for three years next month. I have worked hard at it and not worked hard at it in equal measure. Yet I am proud of my blog, not because its one of these shit hot blogs that people check daily but because I had so many insecurities about starting it and yet I did it anyway. And I’m still doing it three years on! *clinks champagne glass. I am now however able to see the mistakes I have made and still make from time to time.
1. Writing Style
When I was at school the only writing skills that I had revolved around essay writing. Hammering out facts and popping a nifty conclusion at the end. Unfortunately that style of writing isn’t what people want to read. The best way to get out of this is to write like you talk.
2. Being Self Indulgent
I feel like I make this mistake nearly every post. After all it is so much easier to talk about myself than anything else. Don’t get me wrong writing about yourself is fine but the key thing to remember is does anyone care? Ideally you are writing to give people an insight or some inspiration on the topic you are covering. Even better if you are a thought provoking son of a gun.
3. Not Posting Consistently
Holding my hands up to this one. When I write a post I am so overly excited that I just want to publish it. Even if that means I have published twice one day. Then what undoubtably follows is a mixture of no creativity and self doubt leaving me with this dry spell. Its no secret that the most successful blogs are the consistent ones. Learn to schedule posts and carry a notepad with you for when those creative ideas hit you.
4. Stronger Photography Than Text
We all love a pretty picture but lets face it if you are just here for the pictures then you would have more fun over on Pinterest. I love taking pictures, if there was a more consuming word than love then I would use it because photography is my favourite. I tend to take lots of snaps and then stare at my computer thinking how I can make a blog post that they would work with. Obviously this should be the other way around. First decide on your content and then tailor you photography to it.
5. Not Reading Enough
Books, quotes, other blogs even bloody road signs. Try to find words that aren’t your own. Grow your knowledge and find things that resinate with you. I definitely don’t give reading the time it deserves and I think you can see that in my writing style. It was on this years New Years resolution list and I need to put the effort in before it finds its way on next years list too!
6. Giving Too Much
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when large companies ask you to work with them. In my experience I used to feel so honoured that in the past I dedicated not only hours of my time but money (£150 on one occasion) to create the best content that I can. Often with little return. I think its key to be able to see your worth and that actually this big brand isn’t doing you a favour by asking you to work with them. You will have been picked for reason. I struggle with ‘what little old me?’ syndrome so I find this particularly difficult.
Blogging is one of those industries that is still so new and evolving all the time that its easy to make mistakes. Ive definitely made more than these 6 and I no doubt will make some whoppers in the future. I’d love to know if you have made similar mistakes too!
Cara
Cara this is brilliant! I really enjoyed this post and so many/ all of the points resonate with me. I’m glad to say I’ve been reading for most of your 3 years and when I think your content can’t get any better it always does!! Xx
Author
Thank you Anna! Your blog, Insta and life is one of my favourites to snoop on! xx
Very interesting read. I have just started my blog and these are very useful. I feel like printing them out and sticking them on my wall because I’ve Defo made some mistakes already! Great post!
Author
Thank you Rita. x
Wonderful post to read & as someone who tried to blog and failed miserably I feel you should give yourself credit for not only continuing but for having a fabulous blog and an instagram I love snooping on (not in a weird way). Like you say it’s all still very new but for sure you get better with every post and always enjoy the new posts. X
Author
Thank you Stephanie! Im sure you didn’t fail miserably. Its never too late to start a new blog!
What you’ve said definitely resonates with me lovely. I’ve been having the worst writers block lately, making loads of mistakes and feeling pretty crappy about it. Reading more widely has helped {I’ve got a cracking book on the go, aptly named The Muse} and so has just getting out and getting some space to think outside of little insta-squares. I’ve read your blog pretty much from the start, and I think my favourite thing is how constant your voice is. It is so important. Xx
Author
Thanks Sarah, and thanks for all the support over the years! 😘
Thank you for your honesty and for your work, I love your instagram. I wish I made your mistakes or any other mistake because it would mean I have a blog but I am terrible at it. I always dream what I am going to post when I am away from my desk and when I get there I completely forget about it. I have so many stories in my head and no one to tell them, when I start, my friends and family get bored or are not paying attention or throw some lovely “not everyone gets to do what you do”. I am always happy to listen to someone else’s stories, especially about travel because that’s my passion so I am sad when, for example, even my mum, after 2 weeks away, doesn’t even ask how was life over there, probably because I will actually start telling her 😂 So i though I’d blog insted, but never got started…
Anyway sorry about the long story, keep doing what you’re doing, I love reading it, even if it’s twice a day
Author
You should start a blog its so therapeutic!
Love this! I have a blog from travelling as a nanny years ago! This has given me the nudge I need to get going with it again… as a teacher this time!
Author
Ah amazing! Let me know the blog name and ill have a read xx
Really enjoyed reading this Cara. Thank you for sharing your blogging wisdom with us. As someone who’s very new to it all, I often second guess myself and wonder if I’m making (repeated) mistakes, so it’s good to hear that we all do it! Xx
Author
Thanks Elle. I feel like I’m still new to it all too!
I love reading your blog! I’m trying my hand at the blogging, but wish I had paid more attention in school!
Keep the posts coming xxx
Author
Thanks Claire x
Love this post. I’ve been following along since the wedding post. Each day you amaze me at how incredibly real life you are, and totally inspire me. For my future home & trying more and more ‘out there’ items for my wardrobe.
Author
Thank you so much Agnese x
Great post! I been blogging three months and am already guilty of all of the above! I love taking photos but get nervous taking them for a ‘purpose’ so I generally just use what I have. I definitely need to get more organised in that respect! p.s. I love your writing style, it wouldn’t seem as personal if you used words which weren’t your own! x
Author
Thanks Emma!
Thanks for this. I’ve just posted my first blog post this week and I’m working on content at the moment so this is really useful. I’m doing this as a bit of escapism and to actually inspire myself as I can get bogged down with work and every day life. However, good tip not to be self indulgent. I love your blog and instastories. They certainly make me want to capture more moments with my kids.
Such a fab post Cara and so reassuring that we all go through the same doubts and easily make the same mistakes! Love your Insta and blog – keep up the fab work lovely, and you’re so right – write as you talk!x x
Yup, totally agree! Not posting consistently is my major downfall. As you know, I work in marketing and so I often beat myself up…you do this every day for your brands/clients, why aren’t you putting in the effort for yourself?! Probably because by the time I get home, put the children to bed and cook dinner…all I want to do is switch off! Not helpful for someone trying to build a blog, haha! x
Thank you for writing this post! I am just starting out and reading these tips will hopefully help me to reduce the mistake making….no doubt I’ll make them all at some point but I guess thats part and parcel of learning, aye! I love your blog and your honesty! x