Blogging 101 {Pt. 5}
“All good things must come to an end.” This isn’t a quote that I exactly enjoy, but it’s so very true. After five weeks of doing the Blogging 101 series, today is the last installment. We’ve covered a whole gambit of topics and I hope that you have learned things along the way. As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, it’s been neat to hear the stories of how this series has inspired my readers– if you feel like sharing your story, I’d love to hear it!
Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert on blogging- I have so much more to learn myself. Throughout the years that I’ve been blogging, I have learned a lot, seen so many things and gained a lot from this world. I’ll share the good, bad and ugly {okay, there really isn’t too much ugly, but just thought I’d throw that in}.
Today’s topics: following trends and staying connected.
If you missed the earlier posts, here are the topics I have covered previously.
This topic may be controversial for some, but it’s one that is important to me. I will confess, I’m not always the most trendy crafter or blogger around. It took me ages to jump aboard the washi tape bandwagon and I was SUPER hesitant about the sequin trend in the beginning. Whether you’re a fashion blogger, or a crafter, being aware of the trends {ie following other blogs/ websites that are up-to-date & trendy}, is a must for those who want to be a relevant blogger.
I don’t partake in every single trend, but I think it’s important to know what the trends are and as much as possible, incorporate them into your creations and posts. You can pull inspiration from trends in a variety of ways– colors, layouts and/ or products. You may notice that I stay current on many trends, but at the end of the day, I also remain true to my style. I’ll be the first to admit that there are many trends that I love, but they don’t work for ME and my crafting aesthetics. It may take a little while for you to find the right balance of being true to your style and going outside your comfort zone, but you CAN find it. Trust me.
This is going to piggy-back on the being a friendly blog neighbor point from Blogging 101 Pt. 2 a little bit. As I mentioned before, it’s important to be a good blog neighbor, especially when you’re a beginner blogger. Once a blogger achieves as sense of “popularity” or “fame”, I’m sure it can be easy to disconnect and become submersed in your own little world and focus solely on what you are doing. Notice, I am saying this in somewhat uncertain terms.
I personally haven’t achieved hundreds of thousands of followers, reached my dream monthly page view number or had a post go viral on Pinterest {yet}. However, I WILL say that if these things did happen down the road, I would absolutely still stay plugged in and connected to the blog community. Am I trying to stir the pot here? No, not at all. I believe it to be extremely important to start and maintain relationships and friendships, no matter what stage you’re in as a blogger. Not only could these relationships develop into future collaborations and be a spring-board to take your blog to the next level, it could also bring you an even greater reward: true friendships. That, blog friends, by far the greatest thing I have gained during my 4 1/2 years of blogging.
This going to conclude the Blogging 101 series. I believe I have covered all of the topics that I wish I had known when I first started this world of blogging. Granted, there are several smaller topics I could have covered, but honestly if I did this, the series could continue on for a year. *wink* If there are more intermediate blogging topics you would like me to cover, I just might start a Blogging 102 feature down the road. I know many of my readers are in the beginning blogging stages, so I’m not sure if there would be enough interest….
Thank you to those who have followed along and shared this series with others. I can’t wait to see how you incorporate what you’ve learned onto your beautiful blogs!
Paulina, I have absolutely LOVED this series!! You have done such an amazing job really thinking all of the important points of blogging. Not so much a what to do/what NOT to do, but just how to be a thoughtful blogger and for THAT *I*, personally, am eternally grateful. This just shows how awesome YOU are. ♥
If I may suggest something? Maybe add a little button or link off to the side so that people who missed this awesome series can easily access it in the future? I really think this could benefit anyone and everyone who accesses your site. Y’know…like “My Blogging 101 Series”. Just a thought. :)
Wishing you a wonderful day and blessed weekend. †
Thank you for all the wonderful information! I will save these posts and revert back to them when I need a little inspiration!!
As with the others in the series, this was well done and a perfect “bow” to the package, Paulina! I absolutely agree with you on staying connected. The friendships I am making through blogging with this online creative community are real and very important to me! (Love the Craft Dash, too, and hope to play soon!!) xxoo Darnell
Just wanted to let you know what a great job you did with Blogging 101, Paulina … I’m a comparitive newcomer to the blogosphere (less than a year) and am still discovering so much … and learning from my mistakes! Having all this info in one place is so helpful … thank you! Thanks too to Lisa (above) as I got here from the button on your side bar! Anita :)
Thank for you for wonderful insight Paulina! This series has been very helpful as a new blogger!
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your down-to-earth style and your willingness to share what you’ve learned! All good lessons! I am definitely bookmarking this post for reference! Maybe I can pin it, too! I owe you at least that ;-)!
Thank you for putting your insights of blogging into this wonderful series. I have learned a lot from it. Traci
I am just starting to enter my work on a few of the challenges and have been posting from my Flickr page… a great tool, but doesn’t allow me to have a “voice.”
After reading your final blogging lesson, I’ve added your site to my faves, and will head over to Blogging 101 lesson 1!!
Thanks, Paulina, and Debby Hughes who led me here with her adorable shaker card =]
Thank you for sharing this series. As a new blogger I found this tips very helpful. I will try to follow them :)
Paulina, I was reading the Design Teams 101 post from today and saw this link. I am truly awed at your insights. Reading it made me realize that there are some things that I’m not doing and now must try to accomplish. What stood out to me was goal setting. I never realized the importance of setting goals. This is something I definitely need to work on. Thank you for this amazing series and can’t wait/hope for Blogging 102 :))))))
I know this is an old series, but I wanted to leave a comment anyway! I just finished your new DT series and I really enjoyed it, so when I saw you link this one up, I had to come peruse. I just devoured all 5 parts in 20 minutes! Great info here. I agree with staying connected and being a good blog neighbor. I try to leave blog comments and FB likes anywhere I can for fellow crafters. I’m always excited when I get even a single comment, so I try to do the same for others! Great info, as usual. :)
Thank you so much for this series!!! I learned tremendously throughout this whole series! I’m a new blogger and I kind of like to stay in my own comfort zone. This inspired me that I don’t have to be perfect but just be true to myself and enjoy:). Thank you so much!
Hugs
Joyce
I love how good content can live on in the Blogosphere forever. As a new blogger I’ve found all your tips super helpful! Can’t wait to apply some of this good wisdom. If you do a follow-up series please keep us posted! I’d love to hear what you’ve learned since the 101 series.
Wow – thanks for the great series and tips! Although i’ve only just come across it, your points are still very relevant. PS – love your blog and shop. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, it was very interesting to read this! And I agree with you on most parts! :)
As someone who is considering starting her own blog, I couldn’t have stumbled onto to this at a more perfect time! (thanks to your blog hop that starts tomorrow) Thank you for the wonderful advice! I think it is as relevant today as it was when you first wrote, which means it is advice I will readily follow! You did a great job!
Thanks for this series, Paulina. I have truly enjoyed reading and writing all your “tips” down so I can revamp my blog. It is awful…No, really. I have read some books from authors who have blogs, but didn’t get as much from them as your series. Lovely reading. Keep up the great blogging!
Great series!!! I’m so excited about the information you share here!!
Thank you so much!!! Hopefully I will do a better job in the future.
Thank you, Paulina, for a great series. I’ve read several blogging 101 post, but your, by far has been the most realistic and honest so far. Thanks. Keep crafting – I loved the water colour blog hop!
Thank you so much for this series, I just read all parts and I am happy to know that I am doing a couple things right and have good direction in where I can improve – a wonderful series!
Just finished reading your Blogging 101 series and thank you so much for sharing! There are really great tips. I just started blogging not that long ago so all this has been extremely helpful and eye-opening. I am very grateful to be a part of this community and the kindness that everyone has shared. So, big thank you for this wonderful series :)
Good morning, I just found your website and truly enjoyed interested in what you have had to say. I am not a blogger and probably will never be one, the whole experience still scares me, but admire those who have done it.
Please, keep up the good work.
Paulina, I want to thank you for doing this series and I have found it very helpful (I’ve also bookmarked it so that I can refer to it time and time again). You’ve definitely made some valid points and I for one will be considering them when I “take the plunge”. Currently, i am doing as much research as I can on blogging as well as creating my own YT channel. I have a long way to go (as I’m still learning all about paper crafting creations but when I feel confident that I have mastered this craft, I will then, and only then, share with others. For me, it is absolutely NOT about making money but improving the quality of our lives because in the end, that is what paper crafting has done for me! Again, thanks for sharing Paulina and I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Pauline — Thanks for this helpful series! I am in the process of updating my blog and you have provided many things to think about!
Thank you….blog to come….
Hi Paulina,
Thank you so much for being so thoughtful, and dedicated caring person to spend your time for others through your experience! This brought YOU more to me :) As a future bloggers ,I’m glad that I found your blog name and informative series through my search on you tube for card making; Awesome ! BTW, I found your blog name through “Nichol Spohr Magouirk ” you tube video. The series info. were very useful for me, and enthusiastic which brought me back to your page 2 nights in a row to read all 5 parts of 101. They answered some of my questions that were struggling with to find out for a last few weeks, and now start thinking brave!
Now that I found fundamental steps out, read other member of industries, companies ideas, and inspired more, I’ll try to practice more and be active on blogging.
cheers
Susan
It’s me Susan again! After I post my above comment above, I thought by myself : why not sending my comment through my blog email address rather than my personal one,? I can subscribe your page through there too!
see….. your series were awesome, and increased more brave doer beginner (me) :)
Top of my above comment note, You are creative, caring, collaborative industry member .
Thanks again.
Susan
Thank you so much! Such great advice…and advice I can learn from today! I do need to be a better blog neighbor. It is an easy thing to do…and there is no excuse not to share the love. I just started a blog to make it easier to enter challenges. I have goals, what I need is expectations. Again this was wonderful… I found this series because of your Valentine challenge. I do hope you hold more challenges…I love your products!
Paulina, I just finished to read your Blogging 101 series and thank you so much for all these advices ! I’m a new blogger and I must admit that I had a lot of questions to myself before starting. While I was reading your posts I was thinking “Why I have not discovered those posts before ?”. Thanks for sharing your experience, it is a great help !
Paulina this was just what I needed to read at the moment, I read this when you first published it and decided to come back and read again. I have been having a bit of a blogging do I quit or don’t I type thing for a little while, but ready your blogging 101 really has helped and I cannot thank you enough.
So many parts of this I was nodding along…even gave a loud yes to two bits, which hubby gave me a strange look !.
I have always been a bit of a lurker on your blog and have to say you always have come across so friendly, fun and loyal…hope that makes sense and I totally love your blogging style.
Thank you again for this series. I hope you are having a great weekend 😊
Hi Paulina. I’m was so happy to read this blog post series on “Blogging 101”. I’ve been thinking about beginning a blog, but still not sure. I’m an older woman…age 71…but I have so many, many interests and hobbies…scrapbooking, mini albums and card making…being just a few :-) I listen to podcasts while taking my daily 4 mile walk. I happened to listen to an older podcast today and was so impressed with the show. I know that the podcast “Scrap Owl Podcast” no longer exists. However, the podcasts are there forever, thank God! I listened to an episode recorded on September 26, 2014 entitled “Design Team Download” featuring you as the special guest. I loved this podcast interview! I was already a fan of yours because of the scrapbooking world and was already following you on Instagram. Even though you were discussing “Design Teams 101”, I was intrigued by the mention of your blog and the series about blogging. You’ve done a wonderful job teaching us all about blogging do’s and don’ts. And I’m a new subscriber also! Your blog is so neat and clean and chock full of ideas. I’m so very grateful you’ve continued to keep this blog up to date. I personally appreciate it and thank you very much. I look forward to reading it as often as it’s updated!
Hello Paulina,
I just finished reading the Blogging 101 series and cannot tell you how helpful I found it. I’m quite new to the crafting/blogging community and just started my own blog 2 weeks ago! Still trying to figure things out and so all information is helpful. The other day, I was reading about blog hops, as I didn’t really know what it was or how it works. Thanks again, keep up the good work, looking forward to new amazing products and get well soon!
Mel