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FAQ About Blogging

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Last month marked 1.5 years of consistent blogging here at The Lucky Lifestyle, which I am excited about and proud to have achieved. Writing, sharing, and content creating are all passions of mine and I'm so grateful to have a space in which to do it (and even more grateful that you take your valuable time to read!). I have a lot of hopes for The Lucky Lifestyle, but I'm also in an insanely busy season of life and just trying my best to keep my priorities in focus while also keeping the dream afloat.

Lately I've been receiving more and more questions from friends about blogging, which I love! I am by absolutely no means an expert (at. all.), but I'm more than happy to share my experiences and what has worked - and not worked - for me. Consider this a Blogging 101 FAQ. ;) If you're considering starting a blog, I hope this is even a little bit helpful... and that you go for it




1. What blogging platform do you use, and how/why did you choose it?

To get your blog up and running, one of the first things you'll need to do is choose a platform. The two most popular are Blogger and Wordpress. I use Blogger, and that's really for no other reason than that's what I used almost 10 years ago when I started my first blog. It's owned by Google, and to me it makes it easy to have everything all linked up through a separate blogging account; I can read other blogs that I follow through blogger and have my blog email address (helloluckylifestyle@gmail.com) set up through Gmail. 

However, I'm hearing more and more good things about Wordpress these days. I would advise anyone who's thinking about starting a blog to research both platforms and decide what seems best for your needs. I've found this resource to be informative: https://bloggingwizard.com/wordpress-vs-blogger/ 

2. How did/do you find readers or get any attention for your blog?

There are three big ways I've found to be most effective for gaining readers and encouraging engagement:

1. Follow and interact genuinely with other blogs/bloggers. I have been following blogs for about a decade, so it was natural for me to continue to do so once I started my own. Once The Lucky Lifestyle was up and running, I started to have the confidence to interact and engage with the bloggers I follow and admire. As counterintuitive as it can seem in a saturated blogging world, I truly believe supporting other bloggers and building genuine connections and friendships is key to growing your own blog. If you begin engaging, chances are that blogger will engage right back. Connecting with others is one of my favorite things (if not my very favorite thing!) about blogging.

2. Let your close circles know about your blog. If you don't let your nearest and dearest know about your new endeavor, how can you expect strangers to pick up on it? But really -- one of the first steps after starting your blog should be to actually tell people about it, and you should consider starting with those who love and support you!

3. Join link-ups. A great way to meet new bloggers and be seen when you're first starting out in the vast world of blogging is to seek out and join link-ups. Link-ups are hosted by a blogger or group of bloggers and allows other bloggers to link their post up so it's visible to more people.

3. How do you come up with new post ideas?

This is a great question. The truth is, I have so many more ideas than I can post about simply because of time restraints right now, but I'm constantly thinking "that would be great for the blog!" Really, if I think it's interesting or fun or cute or thought-provoking, I figure at least one other person might think the same and it's worth sharing here. I've always been a big magazine reader, and as this space grows I hope to lay it out more like a magazine -- interesting articles, finds, etc. -- than a diary of my life (although I know those posts are always sort of interesting too).

What I'm saying is: think about what you're truly interested in (or an expert at) and turn it into a post!

4. Do you make any money from blogging?

I sure don't! Maybe someday, but right now this is my creative outlet and I want to organically grow it (or at the very least maintain it!). There are plenty of ways bloggers do make money (some bloggers make lots!), but it is a job and requires a lot of time, effort, energy, and often monetary investments. R

5.  There are so many blogs out there. Is it really worth starting one?

There are a lot of blogs out there. There's no doubt it's a saturated world, however the one thing I kept repeating to myself as I started out was: no matter how many blogs/personalities/brands there are out there, there is no you.

Nobody can replicate the authentic you, and you shouldn't try to replicate anyone else. In simple terms: you do you. If you come from a genuine place and truly enjoy it, it will be a success no matter what.


Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments. If you've recently started a blog, leave a link to it below so I can check it out and say hello. :)

19 comments:

  1. I've had a blog for quite a while. May will be my four year mark. I've had other blogs in the past and they are hidden at this point. I use the blogger platform for the same reason you do, I like having everything in one spot. I took a little break and am jumping right back in again. I've had some posts with 5k views, but most of them are no where close to that. Ha. I found your blog through comments on others blogs. When I read others post, I always look at comments so I can find other blogs to read and follow! Happy Tuesday!

    https://onceuponatimeinhaz.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hey Morgan! Congrats on blogging for almost four years -- that's amazing! I love that you found me through comments on other blogs. That's what's so cool about this community, that we can all "find" each other and connect through engaging with others. I'm heading over to your blog now!

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  2. These are great questions and answers!!!

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Kayla! I figured I'd jot them down all in one place in case it's helpful to anyone else looking to start a blog. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I agree - once I started my own blog I felt much more confident in connecting with other bloggers! And have met some of my very best friends through blogging.

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    1. Yes! It just makes it feel more legitimate, as silly as that sounds. And I think it's a great way to put yourself out there when you first start out. I agree -- I love meeting great people from all around the world this way! So cool.

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  4. What a brilliant post! I wish I'd read something like this before I started my own blog. What you mentioned about organically growing hits the nail on the head, and making genuine connections. Great post, and I am so glad we started blogging around the same time and met each other! J xx p.s no one i know knows about my blog still!

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    1. I'm so glad you think so, Joanne! Yes, exactly -- the authenticity is what it's all about. I think it allows you to truly connect with other bloggers, which is what I think it's all about. I'm SO glad, as well! And in my humble opinion, I think you should tell a few friends and family members about your blog this month. ;) I bet they'd be thrilled to support you!

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  5. These are amazing. I love how honest you are. And the best way to connect is through real interaction and engagement. We make some amazing blogging friends that way.

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    1. Thanks so much, friend! I'm glad you think so and I couldn't agree more. Engaging and connecting are my favorite parts!

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  6. I just marked my 10th year of blogging! These were some great answers to some great questions :) I hope you can stop by:

    https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2019/02/tuesday-talk-lately-21919.html

    Colletta

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    1. Colletta! First of all, what a beautiful name. Secondly, congrats on 10 years of blogging! That's fantastic. I'd love to stop by -- heading over now. :) Glad you enjoyed the post!

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  7. Great points! I always enjoy finding new bloggers through comment sections on bloggers I already follow! Blogging is a great way to exercise that creative muscle!

    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

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    1. Yes, same here! I think that's how I started following most of the bloggers I do. It really is, I'm so glad this community exists! Have a great weekend, Amanda! xo

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  8. Such a great post and I loved reading your thoughts on blogging! The best part is connecting with others and having a creative outlet. I think what you said is so true about being authentically you. There are tons of blogs out there but there is only one you.

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    1. So glad, Sierra! Exactly -- and I think as long as you are coming from an authentic place, others will see that. Loved hearing your thoughts on the subject, too!

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  9. I love it! I've started and deleted blogs in the past.. I feel like I can do it for a month or so then life happens and it takes a backseat and when I'm finally able to blog again, it's been a few months so I delete it... it's a vicious cycle! Haha! Plus, I'm not comfortable telling friends/family about it because I feel like they wouldn't care or would not understand. Also, I'm still trying to balance the art of sharing about my family publicly but not sharing to much... like do I share pictures of my daughter and husbands face?! It's so hard... I read so many stories about images being stolen but then again, there's so many blogs would I have to worry about that? It's so hard to balance that line of privacy and still being able to share.

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    1. Oh GIRL. I hear you on so much of this! I still struggle so much with how much to share. I air on the side of not much about the kids, but it's so hard because -- well, they're my entire world. Haha. But their safety and privacy always comes first. It's an ongoing search for balance and what feels right. And I also completely understand the discomfort of letting your family and friends know about the blog. I think that's what kept me from taking blogging as seriously for a while -- but I bet if you tell them, you'll be amazed at the support and positivity you'll receive. :)

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  10. that was an really a great post thank you so much for this wonderful article on blogging i like to read if you can write on blogspot vs wordpress

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