In the past few days, I have seen a number of comments on social media and articles about blogging and why people do it, what they gain and how they feel. For me, blogging is my outlet, I like to have a rant every now and then. I like trying out new products and experiences, so if they present themselves, I also love blogging about that. I’m a bit of a veteran blogger and have been blogging since 2003. I’ve been blogging waaaaaay back before it was ‘cool’ and although every now and then I’ve taken a small break, it’s the one thing I always come back to. It’s relaxing, thought provoking and a great way to express yourself. It’s my passion!
Anyway, the thing that sparked this off was an article I read via Twitter, about a Mummy Blogger over in the US. She had a good old public tantrum over the fact that she was ‘faking it’ on her blog… She criticised the PR’s and companies for making her (yes, making her) post pictures and write things that were untrue. Well… I was flabbergasted by this to be honest! At the end of the day, the content on MY blog is controlled by me! I am the sole editor and what I post to my blog is MY choice. How you can blame others for something that is clearly your choice, I will never know!
I’ve been dealing with PR’s and Companies directly for many years now and I’ve had so many requests to post things that I wasn’t comfortable with. My answer… EASY! – “No!” I have my standards and I also have my own style of writing and if it doesn’t fit in, then I politely say thank you, but no thank you! I would never compromise my integrity or ‘sell out’ for the sake of money or rewards. I don’t need to and neither does anyone else. You can build a blog that is both money/ reward making and still stay true to yourself!
As a matter of fact, to this day I haven’t monetised any of my blogs. Yes, I know that will shock some people reading this! Even my award winning Girls n Gadgets has never been monetised. But I’ve always blogged because it is a real passion of mine! 
Although, monetising my blog is something I’m looking into, now that I’m a stay at home Mum and it’s started to make traction. Don’t get me wrong, I have been paid for a few posts previously, as it was part of the initial agreement, however, you can count on one hand how many times I’ve been paid. I don’t see that as being a failure though as I got what I wanted out of my blogging and I have throughly enjoyed it!
Here are my top tips on blogging:
Be you! Be true to yourself. Make your blog relevant to you and your readership. People read you for a reason and by changing to be more like other (possibly more popular blogs) it is taking away from the uniqueness of your writing!
Don’t be pushed around by PR’s or companies – It’s their job to make you want to write for them. If it’s not what you believe in or not a product you like or are likely to use, don’t review it. Other opportunities will come along! They found you somewhere, so others will find you also!
If you do accept paid/ sponsored posts, make sure they are something you can follow through. Also, make sure that you have set your payment limits and don’t let them take the piss! If they can’t stretch their budget to suit your requirements, then they need to jog on! Please remember that sponsored/ paid posts take time! All posts take time, but in some cases, you may have to take time out of your life and not just your blogging schedule. Make sure you are compensated for this adequately!
Share your content socially. Most people blog because essentially, they want to be read and in a lot of cases, they want to help and inspire others about their chosen topics. Even if you’re just a bit of a ranter, you rant because you want to make a statement… You want to be heard! Share it and engage with others!
Share the blogging love! Find blogs you love and comment. There are so many blogging groups on Facebook and Twitter chats. Find some that suit you and meet other like minded bloggers. Comment on their posts and you will see a big change in your viewing stats.
Take part in linky’s as well. I’ve met some amazing bloggers though the linky’s I’ve taken part in. Through the conversation it’s created, I’ve gained so much more knowledge and support from these lovely people.
I hope this helps someone in the blogging world. Whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been blogging for ages! I’m no expert by any means, I still have so much to learn, especially on the monetising side of things! Any tips would be gratefully received on that side of things! Please comment below if you know of any good articles to read or anything else that you think might be of interest!
Thanks for reading!
I remember blogging back in 1999 when livejournal and such like were the done thing. It was a very unique thing to be doing back then but sadly most of my blog was a teenagers angst rant and therefore got deleted!
I had a livejournal and a deadjournal haha x
I agree publishing a post does take time. It’s not just the writing, you gave to get the formatting correct, source or make images, link out, link internally and generally make your work look the bee’s knees!
As someone who has had to organise a group of bloggers to write sponsored posts, I think it’s worthwhile seeing it from a client’s point of view. I always had meetings with the bloggers before we started and clearly outlined my expectations. In my experience, these were agreed on and then complained about!
As a client, who is paying I think it is fair to expect a review of your work to make sure the branding message and technical details are correct. Also, typos! I’m a typo queen myself so you can’t get enough eyes on your post to check for these. I much prefer a blogger tell me “nope, not doing that!” than “sure, no problem” And then a couple of months down the line, there are problems.
You rightfully pointed out that some posts will involve your children, family, going out of your way. As a social media professional, I cannot urge blogger enough to focus as much attention on the social media push they will give to their sponsored blog posts; actually ALL posts!! You want eyes on your efforts!
Great post!
*checks spelling* lol
Check my grammar while your at it please…it’s dire! hehehe
love this!!! so helpful to a newish blogger like me thanks so much for your wisdom xx #anythinggoes x
Love this, I also started blogging early on and will not sell myself, my blog,like yours, is my outlet. My safe haven.
Always love reading Blogging tips and advice. I don’t think you can ever stop learning! Thanks for writing a really useful post! #AnythingGoes
Found these tips really useful- I’ve just started blogging and it does take time to make sure your posts are perfect and there is so much to learn! #anythinggoes
I started my first blog back in September 2002, back then it was considered very geeky. I’ve had written journals before that but sadly most were lost. Blogging for me is laying out my thoughts for all to see, it’s cheaper than therapy and probably more effective. I saw the number of posts I was doing thin out over the years as social media took off (I’m guessing a number of bloggers disappeared because of this).
I’ve never considered monetizing my blog nor have I ever been asked to post anything by anyone. Not sure how I’d feel about that.
I love this, great post and fab tips. I have steered away from any kind of advertising as I want to stay true to my blog and what it is about, not use it as a way of financial gain. Perhaps at some point those opportunities will come along that we find relevant, but for now my blog is just for me to enjoy my love of writing, share our stories with those who care to read, and as a form of therapy for me!! #brilliantblogpost
Great tips there I think I read that post you were referring to and had similar thoughts on it as well! Commenting and interacting with other bloggers is so important! Fab post xx
I used to blog back in the day too, I’ve just started blogging again after years away. I agree with all your points, it’s so important to keep hold of your blogging integrity and remember that ‘no’ is just as easy to say as ‘yes’. #stayclassy
Good tips and I agree with you, no one makes you write anything on your blog so not quite sure what that US Mummy blogger is on about! #BrilliantBlogPosts
Some fab tips, you’re right, I’ve read some brilliant blog posts through linkys which I just wouldn’t have known about otherwise, some have been so moving and others super funny. #stayclassy
great post and tips 🙂 I really enjoy the linkies too. found lots of inspiring bloggers and posts 🙂 #brillblogposts
Love this. I’ve been blogging for a few years now and haven’t made money from it – I’m really wary of compromising the honesty of what I write about by accepting payments. But then again I put a lot of time into it … I’ve turned down companies offers before because they just don’t fit with my blog and it would have felt false to shoehorn it in. It’s a tricky balance sometimes! Will read that article you mentioned now! #anythinggoes
This is a fab post, it is so important to not get lost in stats and writing for others and be true to ourselves. When I started my blog I actually never read a blog, I was amazed to discover this whole world I never knew existed. I knew there were bloggers, but I had no idea how many, or all the amazing people I would meet on this journey. At first I would check my stats and was amazed people were trading my blog, but as time has gone by I don’t even check my stats, i get updates about new subscribers via email and I am thrilled that people are enjoying what i have to say, but I write because it is my passion and because I love helping others, for me that is what it is all about. I have had the opportunity to work with some lovely business people and I have felt honoured, but they always fit with who I am. Thanks for linking up and for sharing this great post xx #mg
Excellent advice and I love how passionate you are about blogging! This is all new to me but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I think it helps me get rid of anxiety about my daily life, I can “let it all out.” Although some people would rather not blurt out their whole life online but that’s not me! Haha Anyway, I completely agree with all of your points, but especially “Be You” as this is the most important one – I think – for all bloggers. If you’re not being who you are (like the woman you read about on Twitter) then what is the point of writing a blog?! Thanks for the advice and sharing with #StayClassyMama!
I’ve been blogging on and off for 5 years – I love it. It’s such a great way to let those creative muscles get a workout. And to meet people, etc!
Great tips. Blogging is my outlet. It is fun to look back on old posts and see how much I have changed. #brillblogposts
Great tips as I sometimes find it tricky to say no or ask for a specific amount for sponsored posts in case they refuse however I haven’t had to do this much and I try not to sell myself short! I have only just started accepting sponsored posts and I always make sure I’m writing it and it suits me, if not, I just wont do it.
#brillblogposts
Great tips, there is so much to learn about blogging, more than I originally thought when I just started to “write!. I see my writing and blogging as two separate things these days, I write for myself but I blog with others in mind. Sometimes they overlap, sometimes they don’t, but as long as I’m enjoying it I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. #BrilliantBlogPost
Great post, with some really useful tips. I blog because I thoroughly enjoy all the creative freedom it offers and I would happily do blog stuff all day, every day if I could. I do want to monetise my blog in the future, because I want to blog full time and still be able to pay those pesky bills. #brillblogpost
Having briefly blogged before I became a mum, this time round I have realised how vital linkies can be, not only for promotion, blog traffic but to find new friends and swap tips. I have learnt valuable tips from experienced bloggers that I can now utilise and pass on to others also! #brillblogposts
What a great post. I’ve just started my blog so for a newbie like me, it’s so helpful to read tips on blogging from pros like yourself. I’m loving my blog as a platform for my writing as I love to write and am discovering so many lovely bloggers out there. #brillblogpost
This is a really great post, especially for new bloggers. I have been writing in various forms since my teenage years and have only recently begun to publish any of what I write online where (eek!) other people can read it! Honestly, I’d like people to read my blog, but ultimately I write for me, and it’s good to remember that. #BrillBlogPosts
Hi, great tips. I’ve recently discovered linkys and have found some great new blogs to follow, Chloe https://pinkiebag.com #BrilliantBlogPosts
Thanks for sharing this – I’ve only been blogging for 4 months, and only just started to have brands get in touch. And really feeling the steep learning curve here! But it’s fun, and it’s MY thing – as you say, it’s easy to get excited because someone got in touch and say yes, when in reality you then find you don’t want to write about something! Saying no is a skill to learn too! #BrilliantBlogPosts
Thanks for these great tips! The fantastic blogging community is something you might not realise is out there when you’re new, I know from experience that blogging in ‘isolation’ isn’t as rewarding #brilliantblogposts