going about writing this post is going to be a challenge. i cannot deny this, and therefore i am saying it upfront. so, here it is.
i've read so many blog series//tutorials on how to better your blog. how you should do this, and most definitely not do that, and how in such amount of time you should have this many followers and that many comments and everything will be lovely-happy and hunky-dory. it has worked for some bloggers, i know, but with others, the icing just doesn't turn out to be the right consistency. i'm going to list those things they everyone's heard millions of times and it may not sound very refreshing to you, but you could say they matter. just a little bit.
the number one thing i want you do to before you go any further is to ask yourself what you want to do with your blog. why you blog. what things you want to achieve. it can be anything. more followers, comments, don't be ashamed. as a matter of fact, just write that down in the comment box right now, because i want to know, too.
now that you've written that down, keep reading. i understand that you get your inspiration from the really popular blogs. i understand that you often get frustrated with them because everything they touch seems to turn to gold and they travel everywhere and bake exotic dishes constantly and the whole nine yards. but know this, they have come from where you are right now. atleast, most of them have. but know this also, some of them forget where they were and get caught up in the interweb stardom and such. if you continue your blog and eventually get to that point where you are as popular {or more} as them, don't forget who you are, and don't forget where you came from. random photo time:
and also, get off of the computer and do something else. eat a candy necklace. play with your sister. put away your clean laundry. cook dinner for your mom. don't sit at your blog with dissatisfaction because this isn't right or you wrote something in a way you didn't intend for it to be read. do something you naturally do. because this is key to blogging: be yourself. there's nothing wrong with being inspired on what's around you, but the ultimate goal is to sit down at the end of the day and look at your reflection and just know that you did well. that you are happy with yourself.
megan and i were just talking about this today: don't hide your life and imperfections. please. post your flaws. your photography that may not be the greatest. your nerdy quirks and habits that you can't seem to get rid of. that thing that makes you who you are? i want to know. don't think that just because not everyone does it doesn't mean you can't. do it. i dare you.
we are now getting to the part that you don't want to read. i know you've heard these things a thousand times. i have, too. but my mom says to listen even if you don't want to, because you may finally find what you're looking for, just not in the package you expected it in. so, here we go.
- blog design. keep it simple. easy to follow. all white backgrounds are nice, i am partial to patterned ones, and if you want one, keep the colors light. a clean palette is relaxing and will keep people come back to just air out. easy-to-read font, neat sidebar and pages, and preferably no colored fonts either. sometimes those can distract your reader for all the wrong reasons.
- emphasis. ever looked at my older posts? go take a look. notice how i have run-on post titles and lots of all caps sentences. yes, i was just trying to make a point. BUT THIS IS QUITE STARTLING SOMETIMES, ISN'T IT? instead, try some italics. bold and beautiful. flows alot easier, and doesn't, frankly, freak out your reader. i've read some blogs that do the all caps bit constantly, and though i know they're trying to make a point, sometimes a point just doesn't carry over very well.
- photography. don't be afraid to use your own. even if you're not that good, educate yourself. study up on iso and aperture and all. i know i am. if you don't want to use your own photos, or if you don't have a camera {which i highly doubt} be sure to credit the photos you use. and by credit, not tumblr of weheartit. on pinterest, i find that the original sources are usually with the photo. if you can't find the source, don't use it. simple as that. i'm guilty of doing such, i must say, but now i try as best i can not to.
- followers/comments. don't strive just to be popular. i've tried blogging solely for that purpose. has it worked? no. and the blog has long since been deleted. good things come to those who wait. be patient. and if you find it hard to be patient, get off the computer and exercise. Lord knows we need it. for commenting, don't go to people's blogs saying you love theirs and think it'd be great if they followed yours. you can leave a link at the end of your comment, but don't advertise yourself and/or giveaway, because then you'll come across as desperate. some are, but don't be.
- be yourself. i cannot stress that enough. please post about the things you love. you don't love. are growing to love. the latest food you tried. your new novel idea. your favorite character from the hunger games {peeta}. why fuzzy socks are better than normal ones. do what you usually do. treat your blog like your mom's coming over for dinner. it doesn't have to be perfect. don't plaster on a smile and bear the pain. it's your mom. act the way you always do. i beg of you.
i ask this: why do you read my blog? what attracts you to it//what would you have me change if you wanted me to change anything? be honest, nothing will be left unread. then go to your blog and start improving. followers and comments are just an extra smile to keep you going. they're not everything, even if they are something.
anything i forgot? something to add? please. spill.
and now, i must eat. biscuits are telepathically calling my name.
-kiss kiss kiss, hug rolling stones-
{pea ess: one week until project launch. someone pinch me now.}
