One Year Blogversary – A Few Thoughts

It’s here! The first anniversary of this blog. I am beyond myself with excitement, as you can imagine!!

I was an avid blog reader for a while. I turned to blogs for recipes, crafts and prettiness, in general. I stalked quite a number of blogs regularly.

The sheer number of blogs out there surprised me at first, and later on, inspired me. I mulled over the idea of an online journal for a long time. Finally, on the evening of January 31st 2013, I created this blog and typed out my first blog entry. I was pretty stoked over how easy the whole process was. That first post is pretty un-spectacular, but I knew in my heart it was the start of something good.

I would like to make a few observations about blogging in general, stuff that I picked up over the past 12 months.

Here are some pointers from yours truly.

1). Content matters.

I’ve learned that if you have something good to share, be it a recipe, a cute craft or even a funny anecdote, people will keep coming back for more. That means, limiting yourself to quality content and refraining from posting many ‘filler’ posts. I am guilty of a few such posts in the first few months. After the initial rush wore off, I aimed for a consistent 10-12 well-drafted posts per month.

2). Be consistent.

Be consistent in both the subject matter and frequency of blog posts.

Limit yourself to subjects you know best and which your readers expect from you. For example, I am sure to raise a few eyebrows if I suddenly started talking about fashion or politics.

If you are super organized and your only responsibility is blogging, it makes sense to maintain a strict blogging calendar. It doesn’t really work out for me, but I aim to blog at least twice a week. Remember, “out of sight; out of mind”.

3). It helps to have good photographs.

We live in a very visual world. Photos are key, unless you blog poems, essays or short stories.

Photography is one area in which I have made a conscious effort to improve, and still have a long way to go. Feel free to re-visit my oldest blog posts. You will know what I am talking about. Over time, I got to know my camera better, picked up a few tricks, and got better at styling (at least, that is what I like to think). The Photography Styling Challenge has been a huge help in this regard.

4). Network, network and network some more.

I am pleasantly surprised at just how lovely people genuinely are. I have made some amazing blogger friends. They are the first to like and comment on my posts and it absolutely makes my day!

If time permits, it helps to use social media to promote your blog. Find me on Facebook, Pinterest or Bloglovin’!

Be sure to be active on all the platforms you advertise on your blog and do not take on more than you can handle. Just the reason why I currently do not have an active presence on Twitter, Instagram or such.

5). Be polite and considerate.

That means no foul language, no plagiarizing and giving credit where it is due. It also means responding and reaching out to your loyal readers by replying to their comments and appreciating their feedback.

6). Have fun.

If you are not having fun, it is just not worth it!

Now, here’s what I wish I’d done differently or need to do from now on.

1). Get my own domain.

I absolutely should have done that when I started my blog. At the time, I didn’t know I would stick with blogging, and now I am scared to switch as I fear losing my readers. But I am sure it can be done and it is one of my goals for the year. Now if only I could get myself to figure out the how-tos.

2). Invest in good, professional blog design.

I think it helps to have a well-done layout and of course, it is one of my long-term goals. But the WordPress themes themselves are not so bad for now.

3). Update old blog posts or not?

I am really split on this. I thought of just considering my blog as a huge learning experience and try to better myself with each post. But there are quite a few old ones that get searched for and visited regularly. Should I update them with better pictures or should I just let them be? I can’t seem to decide.

4). Keep learning and improving.

I must remember to not get complacent and keep improving constantly. Maybe I could start with setting up a dedicated photography nook and investing in some fabulous backdrop and props. As for ideas and creativity, I read somewhere that creativity is one thing that the more you use it, the more you end up having.

Wow! This post has taken on a very serious tone and you are probably bored with the long text. I should have just posted a recipe and call it done, right?!

I did make some pretty awesome dum biryani in honor of this baby turning one. It turned out really good and I will be posting the recipe as soon as all the boring, behind-the-scenes drafting/editing work is done.

Till then, a very big shout-out to all my fabulous readers. You know who you are! Thank you!!

So, what do you think? What are your thoughts and experiences on blogging? Do you have anything to add?

I am sharing these tips at these awesome blogs.

• C.R.A.F.T
• A Blossoming Life
• Skip To My Lou
• The Dedicated House
• Between Naps on the Porch
• Better With Age
• Home Stories A To Z
• My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
• A Stroll Thru Life
• Cedar Hill Ranch
• Coastal Charm
• Elizabeth & Co
• House On The Way
• Savvy Southern Style
• The NY Melrose Family
• Not Just A Housewife
• 52 Mantels
• Living Well Spending Less
• Design Dining and Diapers
• The Shabby Nest
• French Country Cottage
• Common Ground
• My Romantic Home
• The Charm of Home
• Thirty Handmade Days
• Crafts a la Mode
• Love of Family and Home
• Tatertots and Jello
• DIY Show Off
• Nifty Thrifty Things
• By Stephanie Lynn