Discussions

Three Years of Blogging Lessons Learned

Posted by ThriftShopRomantic • 9/11/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blogging, bloggiversary, challenges, Help, lessons learned, older than dirt, tips, tricks

As of today, I've been blogging three years.

And given blog years are a bit like dog years-- typically they have short life spans, our virtual friends, the blogs-- I'm both surprised and delighted the blogging's still going.

Anyway, I've taken a joking look at some of the lessons I'd learned about blogging over the years here:

www.cabbagesnkings.net/2009/09/blogging-birthday-lessons-learned.html

So new bloggers and old-timers-- what added advice would you impart... particularly about the bizarre nature of blogging?

(I figured it's Friday, we might as well have some fun with it.)

User Comments

9/11/09

jafabrit

I really enjoyed your blog entry, left a comment.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Hey, thank you, Jafa. It's been a strange and fun time, for sure.
9/11/09

PetLvr

valuable insights indeed and, I also left a comment

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Thanks Petlver. I'll remember your Reddit trick. (Actually, I'm kinda short on vomit pictures at the moment, but...)
9/11/09

exit2013

I started my blog 3 years ago myself. It takes a lot of dedication to blog. It takes more than one blog post a day...must be consistent. Unfortunately I don't have that much time to blog full time. But at least I'm consistent...somewhat.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Really-- more than one post a day?
  
  Maybe it's your niche that requires that? I know when I was posting even once a day when I started out, it was too much content. No one had enough time to catch all the posts. Now I do it three times a week for the humor blog, and twice for the thrifting blog, and it's a lot more manageable for everyone.
9/11/09

TJlubrano

Hello!! I just read your post and commented on it! I just started out blogging so I have many things to learn. I forgot to say something in my comment. I think that my posts can be a bit on the long side haha. But it depends on the topic tho. Happy Blogoversary !

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  I've got some long posts, too.
  
  I think they're easier to cut down well-after the fact, than they are when you just write them and feel you need to get it all out.
9/11/09

timethief

Congrats! And many happy returns. I liked your post and left you a comment.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Merci, Madame!
9/11/09

nothingprofound

Congratulations on three years in the trenches. With your easygoing attitude you should last thirty more.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  NP- Heh, I'm only easygoing if I'm not driving in rush-hour. Then I go all Hulk.
2. 9/11/09
  
  nothingprofound
  
  Well then- so long as you don't blog while you're driving you'll be okay.
9/11/09

luv4treat

i liked ur blog..its kinda cool..

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Thanks. I'll take "cool" where I can get it.
9/11/09

MissSuzie

Congrats on the three years! That is great!

My piece of wisdom -- when you have nothing to write about, look at the google search terms that led people to your blog. Always some weird and interesting things there (at least for my blog anyway).

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Oh, that IS good advice.
  
  Yes, I've done that, too. Sometimes the weird word combinations can trigger all sorts of ideas.
9/11/09

cuteptaguy

Congratulations! I am a baby blogger - my blog is only 9 months old. Any advice from veteran bloggers (hope you don't mind me calling you that) is always a welcome read.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Hey, "veteran" sounds all noble. I'll accept anything but "ancient hag blogger."
  
  (Wait... that has a bit of a mystical feel to it, too. Sorta Yoda-esque. So maybe that's not so bad, either. )
  
  You know, in blog years, your nine months is really substantial. So many folks try it for a few months and then hose the whole thing.
  
  I hope it continues to bring you enjoyment.
9/11/09

faithsju243

I am amazed three yrs I bow to you. I left a comment. Do you think you can go for another three years?

And you're right you can't un-post an entry...those bad ones haunt me though.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Faith- I imagine those "bad" posts of yours are probably viewed more as bad by you than by anyone who read them. I understand how you feel about it, of course-- many of us are harder on ourselves than other people ever would be.
  
  But knowing you can do something you're happier with now shows growth. So it's good to think of it that way.
  
  I should be able to do three more years, yes, barring some kind of major uprooting.
  
  But honestly, like you, a lot of the stuff that spurs on my blogging is already apart of my daily life.
  
  So there's no shortage of material-- though some of it's better than others.
9/11/09

MidwestMom

Happy blogaversary, TSR.

I'm so impressed that you continue to find new inspiration to write. It must be a calling, because you're quite good at it.

I haven't checked your post yet, but I'm guessing one of your lessons learned is that you can't get too much mileage out of a good zombie joke?

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Would you believe, the post is relatively zombie-free?
  
  I admit, there are days I'm not feeling terribly inspired until I dig into just WRITING.
  
  Sometimes I actually feel lifted up while doing it.
  
  And then other times I know the piece just hasn't worked the way I hoped.
  
  Mood has a lot to do with it.
  
  But I have to crank out content quite quickly for my job, so I'm used to tight deadlines and working through blocks.
2. 9/11/09
  
  MidwestMom
  
  Well, you do it well... and I will say that I was pleased to see a few zombie references -- even in your chalkboard at the top of the post. Thanks for that.
  
  Have some brains.
3. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  On a Friday afternoon, I need all the brains I can get.
9/11/09

cookingasshole

congrats on the three years! that is truly impressive. I have not even been blogging for a year so unfortunately I am devoid of wisdom

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Well, gee, MonkeyMan, I think you underestimate your powers o' the blog...
  
  You're getting a book deal... Ya must be doing something right.
9/11/09

RecycleCindy

Jenn,
Just wanted to say congratulations on three successful years of blogging. I love your blogs and hope to be reading your humorous adventures for many more years to come.

[reply]
1. 9/11/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Thank you, Cindy! You're a gem. You were one of my first friends here at BlogCatalog!
2. 9/16/09
  
  buzzyblogger
  
  I learned to focus on building one website or blog at a time. Otherwise you will spread yourself too thin.
9/16/09

magnamatt

Jenn is awesome...funny blog...staying power. She's like my blog idol.

[reply]
1. 9/16/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Aw, shucks, Matt...
9/16/09

calais50

Congrats, Jenn. You have one of the best blogs I can think of.

[reply]
1. 9/16/09
  
  ThriftShopRomantic
  
  Thank you, Robin! PS-- it's nice to see you back here on BC!