Now onto her PYHO topic of blogging guilt. Her feelings got me thinking about my own upkeep of my site and my thoughts on blogging. See...I don't have blogging guilt, persay, I have a severe case of blogging ENVY! I enjoy to blog very much. I like being a part of the blogging community. But, for the life of me, I can't seem to be as successful doing it as others. Don't get me wrong, I mostly blog for myself, my family and my babies (as a virtual baby book of sorts). However, sometimes, a little validation would be nice.
1. A nicely designed, personalized blog. I suck at designing my blog. I try my best to make it aesthetically pleasing...but I believe I've FAILED miserably. ::sigh:: My hubs is a computer programmer, and I know he could figure it out...if we had any semblance of free time (which we do not). I long for a personalized graphic, I have wanted a "grab my button" box forever, and I would love to have new and different tabs. But...I don't know how to go about any of this. I'm just hoping my blogger skills can put together some sort of cool format that I like. So that just leaves me green with envy about everyone elses blogs...
2. Sponsors. My internal dialogue is "who would ever want to sponsor or blog swap with me". I wish I could get over my virtual shyness...but I'm a weenie.
3. Followers. I know it's L.A.M.E...but I want to feel like someone, anyone...besides my wonderful family (::waves to hubs, MIL & mom who read religiously) reads my blog. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself, and that's hard to get over. I know I shouldn't care...but this is a PYHO...so....well...I DO! I've been blogging now since 2007, and I feel like a BIG FAT BLOGGING FAILURE. I look at some blogs I follow and all the great comment luv they receive on any sort of post they compose. I wonder to myself, what am I doing wrong??? A perfect example is my last post on baby jails. I really was hoping for some feedback from the great blog community. I really did need help and guidance, which is one of the many reasons I even blog at all. Alas, every time I revisited my blog...the comments still had a big fat zero next to it.
4. Cool reviews & giveaways. I have zero idea how to take my blog to the next level...and I'd really like to. I've always wanted to be a writer and publish a book. Being successful at blogging would be a great way to fuel that fire in me, and give me a kick in my pants to try. But...I'm lost as to why some blogs get sent freebie after freebie...and I can't even get a comment or two. ::cue large sigh::
5. Using other media to connect to readers. I'm a twitter idiot. I don't get it. Yesterday, I opened my twitter account and asked a student to come over to explain to me how to read all the by-lines of who I follow. I.HAVE.NO.IDEA. I started a fb page for my blog...but it fell flat. I'm just not to savvy with "linking up" other medias together. Not to mention all the blog rating sites. WTF. I have zero idea how they work, how to get involved...and frankly, what they mean.
So there it is in print. I'm envious. I'm a green little monster. I'm afraid to even ask for tips and trick because, lets face it...my commenting isn't exactly "happening" lately. So I'll just bitch, and complain and pour my jealously all over you.
Linking this post to Mom and Baby Beautiful and her blog "best of" series. Like me on twitter or fb if you want to read more.
You are so NOT alone with your blogging envy! I totally get all of that! One GOOD thing is that you have identified some things that would make your blog more succesful:
ReplyDeleteA new layout--instead of trying to create one yourself, purchase one from a desinger!!! A premade template is usually not very expensive! Write it off on your taxes as a business expense!
2. Giveaways--just go ahead and sponsor one. I will give you a clue, some people purchase the first few items that they review and give away so that they will have a history of give aways. Also, if you write to a company, most of them will send you a freebe without question!
3. Well google followers are going away! May be a good time for you to try to get people to subsribe to your blog via a reader or email. I will be honest, I read the blogs that come directly to my inbox!
You can do it! kick the green eyed monster to the curb and be your true authentic self! It will shine through!
Best of luck!
Thanks so much for your advice. I hope to take my blog to the next level using some of your ideas. I will think about doing an email feed instead. What other options are there out there for how to "follow" someone??
DeleteI'm just getting started and I feel like everyone else knows sooooo much more than I do about this blogging thing. Add all of the unwritten rules of blogging, twitter and social media and I am one huge lump of confusion.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from PYHO
I agree! It's so confusing. I think I know the proper etiquette for blogging (a am a constant commentor and don't beg for followers or do bloghops just to do them)...but I definitely have zero idea how to connect all my media, except pinterest, because they made it so easy with their ready-made button. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh girl, it just takes a lot of time. I had no clue about any of it, either!
ReplyDeleteAs for sponsors and reviews/giveaways- if you want them, email companies and ASK! :)
Btw, you don't have to do the same topic I do for PYHO weeks. It's about what you want to pour out- doesn't have to be related to what I pour out. :)
Hey Shell, I knew that about the topic. I'm just sleep-deprived (baby B was up all night coughing) so I wrote it inappropriately. I fixed it. :) Sorry for trapsing on your good ideas. Hope your little guy is doing better.
DeleteI have some envy too, especially with design. But if you want help making a button with code, I finally learned how..so just ask ;)
ReplyDeleteI will definitely bend your ear on the button. I want to create one so badly. I guess I'd need to personalize my blog first though huh? I wish I could come up with a catchy name for my blog. I'm so not creative like that. ::sigh::
DeleteI saw your post yesterday about baby jails - I just have zero experience with those, otherwise I would have chimed in! I think as much as we sometimes are afraid to post certain things, some people are afraid to post comments. Don't sweat it!
ReplyDeleteAs for reviews & giveaways - don't be shy, contact some companies and ask. I've been told "thanks but no thanks" on some and sure, we'd love to!" by others.
And Twitter gets easier the more you're on it.
:-)
Thanks Gina! I'm glad we're still following each other after all this time. Hope all is well. I'll try to comment more on your stuff too.
DeleteThis whole blogging thing can be tricky. I've been blogging for quite awhile now and I'm STILL learning things.
ReplyDeleteAs for reviews and giveaways, sometimes it's as easy as writing to a company and raving about their product and asking if you can have a sample so you can do a review on your blog. I can honestly say when I've reached out to companies I really like that I have never been turned away.
Just keep doing what you're doing. Eventually your hard work and effort will pay off!
I'm sending out emails requesting products for sure! Thanks for the advice. I'm going for it!
DeleteHi there. First time visiting from PYHO. I so understand everything you posted. I had a very successful blog for several years that I had to step away from for a few reasons. I have created a whole new blog and it's been very hard to feel like I'm starting all over again. It's frustrating and I get discouraged.
ReplyDeleteRegarding your design issues- I've seen a number of bloggers saying those things lately. It took me awhile to figure out how to do blog design and I'm definitely no expert. I am going to do a whole series of tips and tutorials starting this next week. It's everything from how to make a header, how to make a button with a grab box, right click protecting your stuff....all kinds of little useful tips. Feel free to stop by. And drop me an email if you want some specific advice, I'd be happy to help you out with codes and stuff.
I like your blog and your kids are adorable! I'll definitely be back to keep reading.
I will definitely be stopping by for the tutorials! I am so lame when it comes to computer programming knowledge. Science...I know. Computers...not so much. I will bend your ear when I start the renovations. Thanks for the visit. I'll visit back for sure!
DeleteFWIW - I love your blog :)
ReplyDeleteI have blog envy, too. I'd like to make mine better, but I just don't have the time (or knowledge!)
Oh - and I thought of you yesterday when I picked up Andrew from daycare. The baby girl there who just turned 9 months had her pedi appt and she is only 14lbs 13oz and it made me think of you being worried about B's size. I hope you are feeling better about all of that - and sorry that you didn't get any sleep :(
Hey girl! Thanks for the pep talk. I love your blog and that cute boy too. How big was Andrew at 9 months? I know I read his stats, but I can't remember? Sleep? What's sleep. I also have a lack of time and energy. After we're done doing the long bedtime routine for both kids and juggling them back and forth, I can barely keep my eyes open through 1 show together. It's sad.
DeleteHe was 19lbs 5 oz and 29.5". His weight dropped down to the 27th percentile (it's gone down each time) and I was concerned, but his doctor said he's perfect so I'm trying not to worry.
DeleteI hear you on not keeping your eyes open. By the time Andrew is down and I've pumped and gotten everything ready for the next day I am ready to hop in bed. There are not enough hours in the day.
Your content it good, but I find your blog set up very hard to view. Everything isn't lined up properly in the margins. Try simplifying your layout a little and increasing your margins.
ReplyDeleteIf you would like a little help you can email me.
To get more followers have a very easy to view blog and join some link up parties. Also have you looked into doing your post in windows live writer?
You are speaking a foreign language to me...unfortunately. I would have no idea how to go about the lining up. I agree, I dislike a lot of what blogger does, that's why I would prefer my own template! Something I can personalize and design. ::sigh:: I don't know what windows live writer is...but I'll go search it and find out. Thanks for visiting! :)
DeleteOh I think everyone has a bit of envy. Not saying everyone will admit it. It is exciting to be popular with readers I'm sure. Oh gosh maybe it's more like high school then I thought.
ReplyDeleteI agree everyone has blogger envy. Honestly their simply isn't enough time in the day or me to do it all. Your blog is fine!!!!! And I am going to follow you!
ReplyDelete