Caitlin has set us quite a tricky challenge for today in the Daydreamer’s Challenge.We are to give any blogging tips that we have learned that has either made us want to follow another blogger, or has helped us to gain followers. I am still reasonably new to blogging, and am really rubbish at the technical side of things but here are my thoughts based on my personal experience and opinions.
- Always take time to reply to comments. I know this is obvious, but if someone has taken the trouble to comment on something that you have written that strikes a chord with them, then they deserve the courtesy of a reply. Similarly, if you read something on someone’s blog that you can relate to in some way, then try and leave a comment for them. We all like to know that someone is reading what we write, and getting comments is a wonderful way to interact with each other.
- Enrol on a ‘Blogging 101’ course or the writing or photography course, whichever one appeals to you, This really helped me to learn some of the basics even though I had already been blogging for a few months. You get to meet lots of other bloggers and can share tips and get feedback so it is a really worthwhile thing to do.
- Read lots of other blogs! Don’t just stick to one genre. I follow all sorts of blogs, and have learned a lot from them as well as met some interesting people.
- For me, when I am writing a post, I just write what I am thinking. I do not aim my posts at anyone in particular (this might not apply to you if you have a niche type blog) as I feel that if I am trying to impress someone then the post will look contrived and therefore defeat the object! My posts are, I’m afraid, the product of a disorganised mind!
- Have fun! Join in with blogging parties and meet and greets. There are lots of lovely bloggers that host these and they are a great way to promote your own blog as well as find new ones to follow.
I hope some of these tips are helpful. Of course I am by no means an authority on blogging, but have told you what I have learned from my experience.
Rhyme and No Reason! 
Episode 215: Chatting With The Neighbours.
Further to yesterday’s post on commenting on neighbour’s posts, today’s Blogging 101 task is to expand on it a little. We can either write a post that is inspired by the one we commented on, or we can explain why we commented on one of the posts. I am going to do a bit of both!
The blog that I will expand on from yesterday is Crickets Are Ok. The name itself made me curious as to what the blog would be like, so I had to go and see what it was about! I read a crazy post entitled ‘Hey, how are you?’ which really made me laugh.
I totally got this post! The seeing someone you haven’t seen for ages, asking them ‘how are you?2, then after you have exchanged greetings being at a loss as to what to say next! That has happened to me so many times. I am not the most socially proficient person at the best of times, In fact if there were a course entitled ‘The Art Of Smalltalk 101’ my name would be first on the list!
Thanks God for Blogging 101 is all I can say. At least no-one gets the awkward gaps in conversation,the stumbling over words, or the constant butting in and talking 10 to the dozen because I have finally felt confident enough to talk. That is why I love blogging so much. It is almost as if I have found my voice, and not only that, people are listening and even commenting!
I looked at Krissy’s ‘about me’ page and noted that she too suffered with depression, something else we had in common. I then read another of her posts where she detailed what it felt like when she was in the throes of depression which really resonated with me. It is not an easy subject to talk about, but Krissy has managed to convey what it is like extremely well.
Anyway, the main reason I loved this blog and am now following it, is because of Krissy’s sense of humour. She too likes to try and laugh things off and see the funny side of things. It is her way of dealing with the challenges she has been given in life, and I admire her greatly for it.
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