It’s the penultimate post before my 100th.
So, I thought I’d throw a big word out there. I should probably have learned a few more big words, but I can always blame being raised in Oklahoma on that little mishap. In fact, that works with almost everything. Being a terrible driver. Bad with directions. Not understanding. Bad with math. Being blond is exchangeable with being from Oklahoma. But I digress.
Back to what I learned, which is really not to ramble. If you ramble you get skimmed. They may go back and read the whole post out of guilt, or just in case I missed something. But maybe that’s just me being thorough (or blond)(or from Oklahoma).
Pictures make a blog post better. Even if you don’t have a good camera. Puppies and children work best.
Use pictures to tell a story with a story. It’s a great way to visualize. It’s relates your life personally with a reader.
There are many blogs, and many clubs you can join. But if you find a loyal reader, and you like reading them too, cherish them. Because once you focus on more readers and not the ones that were there for you in the beginning. The heart of blogging is lost – at least I think so.
Write every post like it’s going to make the wordpress home page. It could happen, write it like it will. You just don’t know who is reading, remember that.
You can blog to make money. I don’t, but it’s a great market. I blog because I want to. I want a record of my life. For my children, and for my future step children. I want to write what I can look back on and enjoy a second time. I keep that in mind with every post. I live with that in mind.
You can blog giveaways. I may do a giveaway, just because it’s really fun and nice to see someone win. It makes them happy, which makes me happy. It won’t be the main thing though. Most likely, it will be a rare thing or a one time thing. Giveaways attract a lot of readers, for the giveaway that is, not for your writing talent.
You can blog for personal growth. There are so many blogs that are just about self-help. Selfless living. Self awareness. Acts of kindness. Amazing people who I am in awe of. If you are looking to improve yourself and learn, it’s out there. It’s magnificent.
Most bloggers have a theme they stick with. I don’t, unless you count life as a theme. I don’t want to draw myself in a box. I like writing about anything and everything. Poetry, stories, and general life.
You most likely have a blogging schedule. Oops. My schedule is that I don’t post every day. That’s a schedule right? I like a day to catch up on reading blogs. My aim is every two days, or so.
I’ve noticed many aspiring writers that blog; essays, short stories, memes and excerpts from their books. Really incredible, and skilled writers. It’s almost like you are reading great works for free (and you are).
I love to write, but I don’t have any plans for a book. Maybe waaayyy down the road. Right now, I just enjoy where I’m at and what I’m doing. Fame and fortune is not a dream of mine. Not saying that I would mind…..
You can learn quickly about blogging if you keep your eyes open. There is a lot to learn by just paying attention to the moments and motions of what’s going on around you. You can not let technology get the best of you. Learn it, live it, and rejoice in it. This is an amazing time of social networking. For business or personal, you never know who you might meet that could change your life.
Creativity and originality rule in blog. If you are not about the money, or the numbers (stats, followers), be blessed by the enormity of talent. Relax and enjoy all that blogging has to offer. If cute families make you smile, mommy blogs are great. If you love to vent, there are plenty of blogs that tell like it is. Amazing poetry? You can find it right here in blogland. Humor? Gut wrenching stuff. Reviews are popular too. I can appreciate a good opinion. What great insight they give. And let’s not forget the yummy food blogs, or less yummy diet blogs chock full of healthy food and exercise tidbits for a rockin’ body.
Truthfully, I’ve learned you can get what you want out of blogging. It varies for each of us. Whether it’s growing your business, your talent, your friends, your hobby or even keeping in touch with family. It’s all here at your fingertips.
What I’ve learned…..blogging is as diverse and rewarding as you make it.
Happy Blogging!
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 
We have a lot of blogging practices in common. I am usually an every day poster and the theme of my blog is definitely “Life-whatever is happening right now!” It keeps things interesting!
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Great post. I’m new to blogging and while I started to blog just to get back into the habit of writing everyday, I’m finding that I really love reading other people’s blogs and learning about other people’s lives just as much as I like writing my own! I can’t imagine that it would ever make any money but that’s not really my point …
Thanks for letting me know it’s okay to just write!
Happy SITS Day!
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Congrats on being the SITS featured blogger today! I always see people comment things like “stoppying by from SITS”. Now I know what that is. I will have to check it out.
I REALLY like this post. I am still learning. I blog to further the knowledge about my business, but I after reading yours, SuziCates, and Peg’s blog I am trying to do that in a different way.
Just reading your posts has helped me a lot. Thank you.
It is important to remember just to write. Even if I want a “healthy spin” on it, I can still “just” write.
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I love using photos in posts too – although sometimes I use mostly photos particularly when it’s a subject I don’t really know what to write about, such as a recent trip to South Africa, it was easier to show what I wanted to in photos, I couldn’t put my feeling into words.
I also blog because I want to, maybe in the future I will want to make money from it but that’s not where I’m at now. I blog because it’s a great creative outlet and I enjoy it. Like you said you can get what you want to out of blogging and I do it for the fun.
I didn’t really have a theme either when I started out but recently I’ve realised I have a couple of themes I write a lot about, which helps me focus more.
Posting every two days or so is a great idea, I always feel like I need to post except on Sundays but I could do with taking more time out to read the blogs which are building up on my Gooogle Reader!
I hope you enjoy blogging for a long time.
Have a lovely day,
Jade
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Happy 100th – that’s a great accomplishment (and more since then I’m sure!)
I think as long as you’re having fun and it’s rewarding to you as the writer, that’s huge.
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I like writing about a variety of stuff too, not to earn money but just because I like to write and share things with others.
Congrats on your SITS day!
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Visiting on your SITS day. Great list. I totally agree!
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Excellent advice! I’m still learning, even though I’ve been blogging for a year and a half! 🙂 I could blame it on being blonde…oh, look! There’s a shiny object over there! 😉
Happy SITS Day! 🙂
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Yes you get what you want out of blogging. I agree. Also if one is looking for a following it takes time.
I would say focus on posting and then share the posts. I share on FB, Twitter, and Ning.
The way I share on ning is be a member of a ning of course. Then I open each of my ning sites in a different tab. Then I copy and paste the html part into the post a blog section of the ning.
At the header I give myself credit and say that it originally came from my blog Adventures of a Juggling Artist and to please stop by and visit there.
Once you have one posted you can ctrl a to select all then cut and paste to the rest.
I actually got banned from ning for a bit because they had to assess if I was a robot. 🙂 My admin friends thought that was funny.
Old fashioned cut and paste being a robot, lol.
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I love blogs with lots of pictures that is why I always have them in mine. 😉
Happy 100th!
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Congratulations on being SITS featured blogger and for making it to 100 posts. What makes a blog a must-read for me is sincerity, authenticity of voice, and content. You have all three in spades. Nice to have discovered you. I’ll be back.
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I find that blogging is therapeutic. It helps me feel a little more like myself – an adult – after taking care of a toddler and talking to a toddler all day. And yes, pictures are a must for me. 🙂
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So true, thanks for the encouragement. I am a new blogger and love the advice. It is amazing how much I have learned in just the few short months of blogging and I love that I have a record of everything.
Stopping by from SITS!
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