8 Things I Have Learned As a Blogger

I remember the day I wrote my first blog post. I was sitting in a hotel room in New York City. After many months of deliberation and one semi-attempt at blogging, I had finally decided to start my professional blog.

How hard could it be?

After a few months of blogging, I realized how unprepared I was for this journey. Blogging can be rewarding, but it can also be intimidating and overwhelming.

Since several of my readers have expressed an interest in beginning or have recently started a blog, I thought I would share 8 things I have learned as a blogger. I hope these insights will help you avoid some unnecessary stress and pitfalls.

1) You will have nights when you don’t want to write or you don’t know what to write.

You may have many nights when you draw a blank or you don’t feel inspired. Just let whatever is in your heart flow out onto the page, even if it is a surprise to you. Blog readers need to experience your stalled-engine moments because your best work may come out as you fight through those times.

2) Your friends and relatives may not read your blog consistently, and it’s ok. 

When I started blogging, I was convinced that my friends and relatives would read all of my posts. Imagine my surprise when, after a few months, only a dozen of them had decided to check out my blog and even fewer had subscribed to my email list. I was a little hurt at first. After all, the people who care about me will want to support me in every endeavor, right?

For whatever reason, some of your family and friends may not be active participants in your blog, but it does not mean they care any less for you. Some may not be avid readers, or they may not like reading blogs. They may have really busy schedules. They may not have access to the internet (believe it or not, there are still people with no access to the internet), or they may not realize you have a blog. They likely support you in other ways, so give them a break in this area.

3) Small view stats do not determine your worth as a writer.

You are a writer, whether your audience is a few or hundreds (I have yet to hit a thousand). The people who are meant to read your words will find them, even if it is not today, this week, or even this year. Look at the numbers, but don’t dwell on them. Just like the numbers on your bathroom scale, viewer stats are only a small portion of a larger picture. Keep writing content worth reading; it will draw in readers.

4) Grammar usage is crucial, but it is not the MOST important part of your blog.

Writers need good grammar skills. It is important to correctly spell words, construct fluent sentences, and use appropriate punctuation. You want your readers to understand your writing, not get disoriented by a misplaced apostrophe or run-on sentence. However, if your writing has nothing more than impeccable grammar, you will lose your audience. It is far more important for you to write relatable content. To be a successful blogger, you need to connect with your readers. So, if grammar usage is not your strong suit, find a grammar checking program or application (I recommend Grammarly) to assist you, and/or find someone who is willing to proofread your posts before you publish them.

5) There is no substitute for transparency.

Your readers will know when you are being fake, so avoid the urge to put on a facade. Inevitably, snapshots of your soul will find their way onto the page at the times when you least expect it; leave them there. Your best work often comes from your broken, splintered, or scarred heart. People need you to be raw and vulnerable because it gives them permission to be real. You are part of their journey. You are a messenger of hope.

6) Be a consistent writer, but leave some room for life to happen.

Deadlines are important, and you need to take them seriously. You made a commitment to write on a certain schedule, so do your best to stick to it. Try to prepare a few backup posts for the times when your schedule gets hectic or you have an emergency. However, if you have to postpone a post occasionally or not post one week, don’t stress over it. Leave some room for life to happen. Your readers will understand.

7) Sometimes the best blog ideas are found during your leisure time.

If you can’t come up with a blog idea, take a break and engage in some leisurely activity. Everytime I have writer’s block, I go to a place where creative people congregate, such as a craft or home decor store. Creative environments are great for generating ideas. Since I enjoy looking at art and decorating supplies, I may spend an hour of my time wondering around the store, looking at wall hangings or listening to customers discuss potential art projects. Inevitably, I will leave the store with a blog idea in mind. You might be someone who finds creativity at a park, on the lake, or at a high school sports event. Take the time to find whatever works for you.

8) Be brave enough to tell your inner critic to be quiet.

Self analysis can be useful, but it can also stop you from moving forward. You may be scared to write a particular post or may feel that your writing is not worth publishing; don’t let those feelings stop you. Remember, you are probably your toughest critic. What is the worst that could happen? At some point in your writing career, you will have a dud post, you will have some major typos, and/or someone may get offended, but the fear of it shouldn’t be what dictates your writing. Just write and clean up the messes when they present themselves.

Happy blogging!