Pre Blog Post Notes: For a long time, I wanted to write a “true” post, shedding light on what blogging is like by sharing my experience. However, every time I got started, I didn’t sound authentic and, at times, even bitter. The general notion of bloggers and blogging is that it’s fabulous, easy, and fun. Opinions form and bloggers that write posts such as “how to create a blog in eight easy steps” make me cringe and question everything.
Am I the only one struggling to keep up with the ever-evolving social world? Is life really perfect (in eight easy steps), and I just haven’t achieved it yet? Yes, those thoughts cross my mind, yet the reality is nothing comes easy, and blogs aren’t complete in eight simple steps. If you have the formula for how to create a successful blog in eight steps, please, I beg you, email me the instructions. Can some please write an honest post about blogging, any takers? I don’t mean to sound like a Debbie Downer or discourage anyone from starting a blog, “you do you boo”. What I want is to read a well thought out post by a famous blogger and hear about the good and the bad they went through to achieve success.
The Post/About My Blog:
Four years ago, I decided to “take a leap of faith” and make my blog a full-time job. To many, it seems like the perfect scenario that doesn’t require a lot of work. I’ve always wondered why some individuals thought that? Don’t judge a book by its cover I’m not sure if this saying applies to this scenario, however, don’t be quick to form opinions. Readers or followers only get to see the pretty side of blogs and Instagram accounts, and yes, some bloggers make it seem like life is perfect. But Hunny, nothing is perfect, and we should know this by now. Not many know or want to know what goes into creating a blog or a post. Well, let me take you behind the scene of what I deal with periodically.
Having a blog opens up the floodgates to never-ending criticism and opinions. For some odd reason having a social platform such as a blog gives the freedom to others to critic you and judge you. Provide you with opinions and views when you clearly didn’t ask for them, and, most importantly, everyone, but you will know how to do it better. Handling the harsh opinion of many and constantly listening to the phrase “you don’t do anything and haven’t accomplished anything” at times makes me feel unworthy and second best. Now, I’m open to creative criticism, but please spare me of your opinion. Rules are simple if you don’t like someone don’t follow them or engage with them.
Remember criticizing and opinions are in the category of ” people shit is easier said than done.” and if it’s so easy, do it yourself! You seem to know-how. Please note, this particular article isn’t to make you feel bad for me (FYI I’m doing great), or anyone else. It’s to let you see that a blog is just like any other job, that comes with its own challenges.
Define Blogging:
Let’s start at the beginning; nowadays, everyone is a blogger, and it’s difficult to identify with such a job title “blogger” that gets thrown around like trash. I define blogging as an individual creative process. That lets your readers in on your fashion and style, travel tips and ideas, or lifestyle, and yes, that means one must have a functioning up to date blog. Individuals that post a photo on Instagram with two sentences aren’t in my book bloggers. They are creative individuals and maybe even influencers, yes, and I’m here to support them. But boy oh boy, is it annoying when someone calls them bloggers and advises you to be just like them.
Apparently, in this world, we don’t have enough perfect images flooding our social media to keep us up at tonight wondering why we aren’t thin, pretty, rich, or famous. Why can’t I be me? No matter how hard I try and however much I write, I will never be good enough in the eyes of these opinionated people.
Question/Concerns:
While being compared to someone else in a way that’s off-putting to the whole blogging process, I always get asked why I start a blog when there are some so many blogs out there? Well, we all have something to say or share, whether or not you read what I have to say is up to you. The second question is, you don’t have a topic. Well, let me open up your eyes. My topics are fashion, travel, and lifestyle, and I’m proud that I don’t just focus on one topic. My favorite questions I continuously hear is “drum roll please,” how much I make. Love to tell you, but it isn’t any of your concern! Maybe this unsatisfying answer will keep up at night? Just like the perfect images!
Putting a Blog Post Together:
With so many blogs out there, the pressure to produce more than two or three blog posts per week is on. However, to create a quality post with good information and well-picked out photos takes time. To be exact two days is what I need (if not more). Sure, some days, the words just pour out me like vomit, but that’s not the case with everything I do.
Editing is a tedious process, and I personally hate to post something that I wouldn’t be proud of in the end. Attention to detail is everything, and it would be nice to hear positive feedback. Instead, I (so often) hear, “who helped you put this post together? You couldn’t have done it along” Overall, it’s disappointing that people assume that I don’t know anything about blogging or running a website. Yes, you caught me red-handed I’m dumb, omg I’m just a pretty face behind the blog lol 🙂
The drama queen in me, sorry I got carried away, and I’m here disappoint you. Everything you see up on the blog is done by me ( unless otherwise stated). I rarely ask my computer savvy husband’s help. I will admit if something isn’t clicking for me, then I ask his help. Russian posts are created by me, my mom, and occasionally my dad.
Difficult Task:
Creating a post is also half the job. After going live with it, I have the task of getting views/reads. Nowadays, that’s like winning the lottery. Because of one straightforward fact, we don’t read! My generation seems to be done with reading, and no, I’m not just talking about blogs I’m talking about books. Ask yourself, “when was the last time you read something interesting?” If you recently read something, good for you. But I bet a lot of the “opinionated people that I’m so comically concerned with haven’t touched a book since school”. It’s a fact people need everything to be “easy access” meaning instead of reading people watch videos. I have nothing against videos. In fact, I just started my own youtube channel. But reading is becoming some sort of a dying art form.
The Competition:
The competition is unreal, competing against other more popular bloggers is tough. Once you start a blog, get ready to battle that uphill battle of continually competing against “famous bloggers” that leave no room for us “late bloomers”. If I had this brilliant idea of starting a blog back in college around 2010, maybe by now, I would have 1 million Instagram flowers and blog subscribers. But I didn’t, just like many of us, I came around to doing this as a full-time job about four years ago, and it’s been a struggle. So If I hear the phrase, there is room for everyone; I say, bitch, please. There is only room for you and no one else.
Newcomers, the harsh reality of blogging, is that it’s not easy. It takes some hard work, determination, and effort to make it in this business. As I say “to have a piece of the pie”. Don’t buy into phrases “easy steps,” “successful blog,” or anything else. Blogging isn’t easy, and success won’t come overnight. In fact, you’re more likely will fail, then you will succeed. Sorry but that’s the reality. There isn’t enough room for new bloggers and blogs. About 1% of new blogs become successful in a year; that’s because there are about 500 million blogs worldwide trying to make it.
Being proud of what you have and not giving up:
The best way to win this tug of war is by not giving up and by having thick skin. Get ready for outside criticism because you will hear it from the most unexpected people. Somedays, you’ll listen to some pretty creative bullshit like “you only know how to take pretty pictures”, or “you don’t know how to write” or something along those ” well throughout” lines.
We are only human, so let us treat each other with respect, support, and love. Is that too much to ask for? P.S If you plan to start a blog, get ready to hear a lot of shit your way, and don’t expect every friend or acquaintance to support you.
“Throughout the years, I learned people could be ugly when you least expect them. ”
I myself have only recently learned how to deal with criticism and opinions. Due to three amazing people: computer savvy husband, supportive psychologist mom, and professor dad. Thank you for being there for me and teaching me how to love myself. As well thank you to all my friends who have supported me ” because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more” -Unknown.
