Tuesday, August 20, 2013

I Love Therefore I Blog













Shirt: c/o Chicnova; Dress worn as skirt: Forever 21 (similar); Shoes: Asos c/o Chippmunk; Necklace: Lola James

Every once in a while, a stray email pops up in my inbox from someone I don't know asking me a few questions about my blog. Without a doubt, each one is asking the million dollar question: how do I grow my blog? And if you read between the lines, it's: how do I get free stuff? Fast.

You can google this topic and a million articles pop up. Every blogger has written about the subject before, because it's been on everyone's mind (vocalized or not). There's nothing more depressing in the blogging world than watching your GFC widget stay at the same number for a week or two or three (well maybe getting your twitter hacked...). It's hard to watch others receive campaigns and products and be able to quit their jobs to blog full time while you're seemingly stuck. But I don't think most of the responses I've read to this question have been much help. They sound the same: pay someone to design your blog/place advertisements, be original and have a voice that no one else does, make your blog visually appealing. Blah blah blah. Sure, those are great tips. But it's not the whole story.

What they're not saying is that you have to LOVE blogging. All caps love it. It's like a relationship. If you feel wishy washy about your significant other, it's not going to last. You're going to fight, lose interest, quit. Then find a new one. And carry on and on until it finally works. If you feel wishy washy about blogging, you're going to lapse, quit. Then find a new hobby. And carry on until it finally works. Because it's not easy to blog. It's not always fun, in fact sometimes it downright sucks and is stressful. It's really hard work (like a relationship) and you have your ups and downs and fights with Blogger's editing functions. And you threaten to quit and plan and restructure and redesign and eventually fall asleep happy together again.

It seems so easy when you first start. The domain name is cheap. The host is free. You have a point-and-shoot or DSLR. You have clothes and you like them. Bam. Done. But if you only like that camera and those clothes and blogging one day a week, you're going to lose an attentive fan base. If you decide one day that taking the photos is not as easy as Polyvore, you're going to lose interest pretty quickly. It's just not as interesting to see clothes laid flat than clothes on a living breathing shape. If you decide that finding other blogs and remaining loyal to them is too much work, they're going to decide that keeping up with you is too much work as well. 

There are exceptions to these rules if you're a) a celebrity, b) so beautiful that people are googling your name just to find more photos of you, c) so crafty that you're the next Martha Stewart, or d) can bake such beautiful cakes that someone will wait weeks for your next post. But I'm guessing that if you're reading my blog on blogging, you're none of the above... so you're going to have to love it or leave it. And until you realize that this is a long-term commitment you're so excited to make - you can't have a successful, well-loved blog and you're probably not going to get a lot of free stuff. ;)

Linking up with WIWW.

24 comments

  1. loving those heels & such a cute outfit. LOVE IT!

    XO, Adropofbliss.com

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  2. These photos of you are absolutely breathtaking! You look beyond beautiful!

    XO,
    http://sororitygirlintherealworld.blogspot.com/

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  3. I adore this post. I feel like screaming this at people sometimes. I always get excited when I get a new follower or a comment because that means that I'm doing something well. I absolutely love blogging. But I see people just in it to get free makeup and it frustrates me.
    I adore this outfit by the way, that skirt is so cute!

    Mana
    Fashion and Happy Things

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  4. That outfit is amazing! Great post also, I wish I had more time to blog more frequent but when I can I love it!

    xo, Delightful Sunflower

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  5. Lovely skirt!!

    www.bstylevoyage.blogspot.com
    xx

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  6. Those shoes! I love them...are they comfy? They look absolutely fabulous on you!! And I totally agree...you definitely have to love blogging to be successful and keep it up :)

    Annie
    The Other Side of Gray

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  7. I love blogging, have been doing in regularly and try to really put my heart in and still my follow number stays the same for weeks on end or even goes down (a lot) sometimes. I don't think it's just that you have to love it, a lot also has to do with luck :) I've had bad experiences trying to pitch myself to PR companies so I sort of gave up growing my blog out to become more. I love blogging, but have to admit that I do sometimes envy other bloggers who often have only been around for less than a year and get invited to all the events and get all the goodies. But then again, my blog isn't a commercial platform like theirs often is. It's a reflection of me, my wardrobe and my daily actions. Anyway, I've lost my words a bit and don't know how to really put what I'm feeling about the subject in a correct light. I have a post about this in my concepts that I'm afraid to publish.

    I love your outfit, especially the skirt! xo

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  8. A) THOSE SHOES! B) I hate the mentality of bloggers doing it to get free stuff. I had to wait a freaking long time before I even felt like I was worth sending stuff to. I hate that. I pitch very rarely to companies because I want to have organic relationships and not just sell anything and everything to my readers because it was sent to me. I just don't think your personal integrity is worth it. That's just my two cents.

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  9. Love this post. It's so honest and true!! Also loving your flowy cream top!

    xo Amy

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  10. Love this dress/skirt, the print is great! And what you said is so true!

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  11. So very true! Blogging is like a full time job and I think a lot of people start blogging not realizing how much work you need to put into it to be successful.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Target Giveaway!

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  12. I agree with what you say. Blogging is like a relationship, hard to maintain but once you are in love, you go all out! :D

    Very nice outfit! :D Love the prints on the skirt.

    Google + / Twitter / Bloglovin


    cassandra xx
    http://backtofive.blogspot.com

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  13. Love your outfit! Also, this is so so so true! You really have to love it because it is a lot of work! The best blog layout in the world isn't going to do much good if you don't put in the effort!
    ~Sara
    Sincerely, Sara

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  14. Yup... so true.. and yet doing what you love and living the dream is what it's all about... Great things take time.. and it's all about know what success looks like to you! Frankly I was thrilled when my GFC number hit 100 (something I never thought would happen).. And compared to others it's small but to me... HUGE!! It's important to celebrate the little things...
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

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  15. Lovely look : )) Nice skirt!
    Lot's of love
    www.outgoingtaste.wordpress.com

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  16. Great post. I'd also just add time to that list. You need to be patient. On another note, love your heels!
    xo
    styleontheside.com

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  17. I started blogging in December last year so im quite the newbie. Thanks for the advice. Its always good to hear from those more experienced than ourselves how things really work.

    I love those shoes I have been eyeing them on ASOS for a while now and your images are beyond dreamy Gorgeous!

    Dee Of Ms Dee Kay

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  18. Cute look ! I like your pretty style

    http://www.the-heels.com

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  19. Great post! And I love the light in your images - beautiful!

    Candida
    Merch Maven

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  20. Great thoughts on blogging, thanks. :) This outfit is so utterly CLASSY. everything about it is really, really perfect. Love the skirt, shirt, and shoes.

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