But I Smile Anyway…

What are the rules for blogging?

There are so many posts out there, detailing all these things you are supposed to do, to create a perfect blog that will make money/attract followers/sell your book…

But really, are these rules for everyone?

If you are blogging for a purpose, as a career, then maybe.

But for those of us out there who started to blog for our own entertainment, as a pass-time, are these rules appropriate?

Here’s my take on what you should do to operate a successful, happy blog!

1) Post regularity

Whether you post once an hour, once a day, once a week or even once a month, if that is what is good for you, then that is perfect!

I know some out there hate to be flooded with notifications of posts from one blogger every day, but then, if they enjoy your posts, surely they would be happy to see an influx! (although, I must add a point, mentioned in the comments by Erika, make sure your regular ramblings have some sort of content, not just minute snippets of nothingness… That’s where you link your blog to Twitter or Instagram and we can follow you there too!) Similarly, if you post sparsely then your loyal followers will be on the look out for your next post.

If they don’t like it, they can always unfollow.

2) Unfollow?

OMG Ritu! What are you saying???

I worked so hard to get my followers… I don’t want them to switch off!

Really?

But seriously, look at your numbers… I remember reading somewhere that if you get at least 10 % of your followers liking or reading your posts, you’re doing great!

I have over 3500 WP followers. Most of my posts get less than 100 likes. That is a pitiful amount if I have these apparent followers!

3) Stop Number Crunching

Yes. I find that the more you fixate on the numbers, the more your content suffers.

When you start out, it is so easy to get sucked into the whole stats thing. I remember in my first year I found myself checking my app countless times a day for notifications, and to see what my daily stats were saying. It started to rule my day.

I started to resent blogging. I was getting agitated that the numbers I thought I should see were not appearing on that stats page. Tuning into my blog was beginning to be a chore.

The moment I realised that, for me, the stats really meant nothing, was when I started to accept my Blogily.

4) Blogily and the Blogosphere

Your blog is part of a much larger picture.

In order for your blog to flourish, you need to connect with others, create your blogily, your own community.

And how do you do that?

Don’t expect others to come to your blog space if you are not prepared to go and visit others.

5) Commenting is key

It’s all well and good, whizzing through the reader, liking all and sundry, but if you really want to connect, you need to reach out and comment on posts that mean something to you, that touch you, make you laugh, cry, cringe.

Posts you can relate to.

Commenting means you can build up a relationship with others, start a conversation, a rapport, which can lead to a deeper relationship than just a follower.

And it works both ways.

6) Keep up to date with your notifications

If another blogger is reaching out to you, by commenting on one of your posts, don’t ignore them! You don’t want the reputation of that blogger who thinks they are too good for their followers, not deeming them worthy of a reply.

Thank them for a reblog or a pingback.

Respond to their comments.

7) Write from the heart

Nothing will allow your posts to be more human than if you write with genuine emotion. We are all human. It is likely that whatever you write about, will be being experienced by someone out there. And even if they feel unable to express their own feelings, they will appreciate what you are going through, and relate to you.

8) If you don’t know, ask

This one is so important! Once you get going, you are bombarded with so many technical blogging terms, that for someone that may not be tech-savvy, it can be daunting.

But fear not.

Your blogily will have a few members who are seasoned professionals and they are usually always happy to help.

In the early days,  I had fellow bloggers posting screenshots of how to do things for me, so I could work out simple things, like creating hyperlinks, and pingbacks.

Since I have become more experienced, I have managed to post ‘how-to’ posts to help out my fellow bloggers, and they are always much appreciated!

9) You don’t need a niche!

I know some experts tell you that you should have a theme for your blog, posting only on that topic, but if you are like me, you are almost a Jack of all trades, Master of none!

Check my blog out:

• Fiction
• Poetry
• Recipes
• Reviews
• Tips
• Thoughts
• Motivation
• General silliness
• Insights into my life

No particular niche there, see! And yet it still gets hits. It still gets follows!

There you are Peeps, my random ramblings for a Tuesday morning!

Have a wonderful day, and enjoy your blog for what it is, your space to express yourself freely!

Images as always by Bitmoji!