My 10 Blogging Commandments.

April 11, 2017

Blogging is literally my favorite thing in my world. It's my online diary that keeps me totally sane. It's a pain in my butt, it keeps me up at night, but mostly, it makes me so dang happy. It might be nothing more than my favorite Denver hot-spots, but there is something about telling my story that just feels damn good.

Quick story: My hubs is the cutest. On Sunday, I was busy running errands, doing laundry, trying to watch the Masters while cooking dinner and he stopped me and told me to go blog a little bit. He 100% knows my heart and he knows when I need a little me time. Granted a little me time turned in to 2 hours of undivided blog attention, but it was what I needed after a very long week.

Me time = Law and Order SVU, a closed office door and this space. It's the perfect time to just zone out. Oh blogging, the funny, amazing game you are. I love it, but man, it's a tough gig.


I've been around the block a little. I started this blog in August, 2009. Feel free to read my first post, it's horribly embarrassing, but honestly refreshing. I'd like to think I've learned a think or two about this business, so here ya go. But let's get this straight, I am no blogging guru. I just know what has worked with me.

1. Be kind. Blogging is hard. People are mean. Be kind to people. We're all just doing the very best we can. Imagine how bad a mean comment hurts, but how encouraging a good word is.

2. Comment, comment, comment. Engage with other bloggers. This community is so incredible. Don't expect to grow if you don't help others grow too. That goes for Instagram too. My favorite part of the day is when I get to sit, grab my inbox and read all my favorite blogs. It's like catching up with friends.


3. Be authentic. Do you like the post you're about to hit Publish on? If so, post away. If not, re-think what you're doing. People will see through the crap. I used to follow a blogger (for yearss) and recently all she blogs about is stuff she's selling. And it's not good stuff, it's bad stuff. I feel a sense of loyalty to her, but the blogger I knew is gone. Stay true to yourself and your readers will stay true to you. Trust me, I have blogged some weirddddd stuff. Sometimes I wish I hadn't hit publish. But we live and we learn. 


4. Spell check. People. There is a button that will do this for you! This always makes me laugh. It seems very simple/ But, my favorite Friends episode has the best quote ever.  Basics: You=You, Your= possessive; You are = You're. I cannot tell you how silly it is to see people misspell the basics. I don't care if it's on Instagram, Facebook or especially a blog-post. People take high stakes in others ability to spell. Do not sell yourself short by misspelling a word.


5. Do not partake in follow/unfollow. It is a losing game. And it's annoying. There is a blogger who legit follows and unfollows me on Instagram every day. How do I know? No, it's not because I have an app that tells me. It's because every single day I get a new follower notification from her. Really?

6. Find your tribe, love them hard. Blogging BFFs are real. Love them, use them, encourage them, find them, believe in them. All those things you do, they'll do back.



7. Be consistent and authentic. These absolutely go hand-in-hand. Being consistent with crap isn't good and being inconsistent with authentic content will only get you so far. If it is post you would NOT read, do not post it. What's the point. Great, you have a terrible blog post but you made a hard-line rule to post every other day. Skip it. Save it for when you're motivated. I promise it will be worth it. With that being said, I'm still waiting to be sponsored for tampons, so it's all perspective I guess, ha.

8. Instagram is great, but don't neglect other forms of social media. There's a lot to keep up with. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Bloglovin, did you schedule on Tailwind or Hootsuite? Is your ShopStyle linked to Insta? Sheesh, just writing all that out wore me out. But, if you wanna grow, you gotta grow everywhere.

9. Don't steal other peoples content. Hustle. Work hard. Stay humble. I do a lot of blog-surfing and recently I came across my EXACT post about Denver hot spots. It was from a small publication, sharing their "Local Denver Hot Spots" They even used my picture. Guys, at first I thought, holy crap, I've made it. Then I realized wait, I was never asked, my blog isn't mentioned and neither is my name. I emailed and demanded they remove the post immediately (the lawyer in me got a little feisty). And they apologized and took it down. But, come on people. I get we all share general ideas. Heck, I've seen the 10 blogging commandments 1000000x. But write your own stuff. Do not copy and paste. This applies to Instagram. There's nothing better than posting a picture and 5 minutes later someone posts the exact same. SMH. Apparently in kid lingo that means shake my head. Bottom line, work hard. Blogging takes work. If you're out to still others, you're in the wrong game. Blogging is hard, but so rewarding. Put in the hustle, see the reward.


10. Look to the mentors. I have been friends with Helene from Helene in Between for over 2 and a half years. She is my blogging mentor. I did her blog review over two years ago and she is still my go-to for all blog questions. There are blog-geniusus out there. Use them! Do not be embarassed to ask for help or advice. My recs: Kallie from But First, Coffee. Helene, obvs. Kaelene from Unlocking Kiki, Erica from Coming up Roses. Just to name a few.

What are your blogging tips? Tell me everything. Like I said in #10, I love advice rom others. We're all in this together peeps.

Happy Tuesday friends!

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16 comments

  1. #5...YESSSSSS. Please, for the love of goodness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
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      MY EX IS FINALLY BACK TO ME

      I was so depressed when my ex left me for another woman. it made me felt like i was not relevant and my heart and love life was seriously destroyed. i could not concentrate in anything i was doing. i went online and searched for help but could not find any genuine spell caster until i went to Ocala Florida to visit my aunt to ease the depression and loneliness. when i got to Florida, i explained to my aunt who then felt pity for me and told me the secret she have not told anyone about the success in her marriage with her man. she then took me to the temple of powerful Dr. Ugo Wonders whom i met and explained my problems to. he promised to help me because of my aunt. i trusted his words and provided him with the materials needed to help me get my ex back and to my greatest surprise, after 48 hours of casting the spell, my Ex cam back on his knees begging for me to forgive him. i was shocked and surprised at the magic. we are happily married now and everything is working fine with us.I promised Dr. Ugo that i will never keep this a secret because he brought back my life and my world and that i will hare my testimony to the general public.
      My advice goes to any one out there who is emotionally depressed or having any similar relationship problem, to contact Dr. Ugo wonders the ultimate spell caster via his direct email generalspelltemple@gmail.com or call his temple line on +1 386-336-9876 he is the best in Florida....

      Delete
  2. Yes! Such good points! Hate the follow/unfollow nonsense. I get frustrated when bloggers are rude and demeaning to each other, we should be supportive and help each other grow.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Really good points and reminders. I started blogging way back in 2010, and now have a new blog that is more niche and I totally love it! It is a lot of hard work, though. The follow/unfollow stuff I just don't understand. I think some of the best advice I have received so far is to just keep focusing on making good content!

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  4. Omg the un/follow on Instagram makes me angry, I literally started to ban these people, when they have a profile picture that is eyecatching enough so I remember it and then I see it pop up again and again... sorry, not sorry, ban! xD

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  5. It is SO HARD to keep up with all of the social media in addition to blogging! I keep thinking that I need to have some days where I just focus on one aspect of blogging and schedule things in advance... maybe one day! -- Lisa | Naptime Chai

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  6. Keep at it Kristen!! As your "occasional photographer" I think you're doing a great job!! (notice I used "you're correctly!"

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  7. Great advice! Especially #5!! OMG how annoying! There is someone on IG that literally follows and unfollows me and then follows me again and I just want to ask her "why do you follow me just to unfollow me only to follow me again?" BUT, I have to be the bigger person and just move on. :)
    xoxo Barb
    www.flashesofdelight.com

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  8. Love these and agree with all of them! Especially networking with other bloggers...I'm a part of a local blogger group and they are such a great resource. And fun!

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  9. Love this! As a new blogger, I love reading lessons learned from other bloggers who have been at it for a while - it definitely helps me out!

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  10. This is a great list! I don't get the whole follow/unfollow. I don't get how people have time for that?!

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  11. These are all such great commandments to follow!

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  12. My favorite Denver hot-spots, but there is something about telling my story that just feels damn good.https://article.wn.com/view/2017/06/01/Renting_Out_Your_Old_Is_House_Is_Right_Choice/

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  15. Your 10 Blogging Commandments are spot on! Especially #2, engaging with other bloggers is key. Let's support each other and keep this awesome community thriving. Can't wait to read more of your authentic content!

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I love hearing from all of you and greatly appreciate all your feedback and comments! xx Kristen