1. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
I’m sure veteran bloggers would agree that you can learn something new about blogging every single day. That’s why you should avoid the pressure of assuming you have to carve out all the details or have an expansive knowledge base before starting. When I started, I knew I wanted to help moms, but had no concrete ideas about how that would play out. I simply started writing and experimenting until a great concept emerged.
Stay patient and keep it pressure-free-you’ll have an amazing blog soon enough. BUT, once you do have a clear direction, stay committed to it, don’t compromise, and don’t be afraid to say no to opportunities that don’t fit into the boundaries you’ve established.
2. It’s really not a competition.
In a world where people are constantly asking you about page rank, unique visitors and Technorati ratings, it’s easy to get caught up and begin comparing yourself to other blogs. This is both dangerous and distracting, because it keeps you focused on what someone else is doing and takes valuable attention from what you should be doing yourself. Don’t fall into the trap. Sure, you should check out what other bloggers are doing, but do it in order to learn, not to compete. Don’t waste your energy on that pursuit. Be genuinely happy for others and keeping working hard.
3. The numbers can lie.
While you’re thinking about tip number two, keep in mind that some of the ratings, rankings and followers you see may have been manipulated. It used to really frustrate me to see blogs the same age as mine with hundreds and hundreds of followers, then I found out what a good giveaway or a “follow-me-I’ll-follow-you” club could do to boost someones numbers.
What I discovered is that followers do not equal readers. In other words, just because someone has 747 followers doesn’t mean those people read or even care about their blog. There are a number of clever ways to bump your numbers to appeal to PR reps, but at the end of the day, we want readers, (right?) and that requires excellent content.
4. There is no blogging god.
Contrary to what some bloggers might suggest, there is no one in charge of what you do on your blog except you. There are no rules to follow and no governing organization to make you follow any imaginary rules. It’s your blog and your brand, and what you do is absolutely your choice. Keep that in mind the next time “they” tell you that you have to do xyz to achieve 123. And, the next time you wonder if it’s okay to do ________ (fill in the blank) on your blog, remember the answer is yes!
5. Your kids need to be fed.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been working on the most magnificent post the blogosphere has ever seen, only to be interrupted by a four year old who is ready to eat lunch, ready to go to bed, ready to play or just ready for mommy to be done. It’s so easy to be consumed by this blogging thing, but it has to be put in it’s place. Keep in mind that you’re mom first and blogger second (or third or ninth or twenty fifth, depending on your other priorities). Blogging is not your life, it’s just one aspect of it, and it’s pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Anitra is ”mama” to 2 sweethearts and has been married for 15 years. She has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. She combines her passions for writing, teaching and encouraging women, while blogging at The MamaZone (where you’ll find great T.I.D.B.I.T.S to make your mama-life easier) and If Mama Ain’t…(because if mama ain’t right, things can go terribly wrong) . Contact The1Mama@TheMamaZone.com for more information.
Anitra
www.TheMamaZone.com
www.IfMamaAint.com
www.twitter.com/anitra
Guest Post: So You Wanna Be a Blogger? 5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me http://bit.ly/6OOqo5