Find your path.

Are you a new blogger?  Perhaps someone who wants to resurrect your blog or give it a new face?  What stopped you from successfully blogging before?  Was it fear?  Blog envy?  "Writers Block?"

Here are 3 things I find helpful to keep in mind while trying to find my happy place online:

1.  Nobody STOLE your idea!

• Were you thinking of an awesome post just now when you received your "daily feed" from Bloglovin' – or just happened to pop over to see what your favorite blogger is doing – and they posted EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE JUST THINKING?  Instead of thinking, "DAMN!  I can NEVER POST about that now," think, "YES!  Now we can engage in a conversation!"
• Bloggers will often "steal" your post idea because it's an idea that is on everyones mind.  I hate to use the word "trending" but it just might be so!  Ideas are flushed out of blog land just as they are flushed out through major marketing campaigns and themes in your favorite Primetime shows.  They are common themes that the general population is thinking about.
• POST YOUR THOUGHTS!  Either through a comment on their post or by a post of your own.  FEEL FREE to weigh in, you don't have identical readers and nobody will think you're a "copy cat."  (Ok, maybe a few.)  The majority of experienced bloggers are looking for engagement.  They would LOVE to spark an idea in your head and get you to write about it.

2.  Make it pretty!

• Finding your blog design in something that takes months.  Don't feel like it has to all come together at once, however don't settle for a pre-made template that drives you nuts.
• YOUR READERS won't know if it's not exactly how you picture it.  They don't see the late nights editing and adjusting buttons, they only see a "finished product" and are none-the-wiser.
• BUY ELEMENTS for a low cost on places like Etsy or from local graphic designers to help find your STYLE!  I bought my "social media" icons on my right side bar for a few dollars on Etsy and they instantly added charm to my blog.  I LOVE THEM!
• Take a photoshop class or watch YouTube tutorials and figure out how to make your own photos look coherent (if that's what you're into) and BRAND yourself so you are recognizable on the web.

3.  OWN your space.

• Piss a few people off.  (I should take my own advice here.)  If you aren't making people uncomfortable, they are less likely to engage.  WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE?
• Don't be afraid of who reads your blog.  Are you worried that your grandma might think it's inappropriate?  Are you trying to be politically correct?  Your readers will not always agree with you...and they probably won't leave you if they don't.
• Tell people about your blog.  Don't be a blogger who is afraid to have their info read.  Post a link on Twitter or on your favorite "bragger."
• Have people guest blog for you to enhance your range of topics.  Choose someone who would fit within the parameters of your platform but has something unique to say.  It doesn't have to be your best friend and it can be someone FAMOUS!  FAMOUS bloggers/writers will most likely get back to you.  You might be surprised how available your "internet celebrities" are.  They LOVE this game and are more than willing to help you out!

 – Jen