My Thoughts on Blogging
My favorite way to start each day is to sit with a cup of coffee and take my time reading the daily posts of my favorite fellow bloggers. I am constantly amazed and impressed by the clever and talented people I have discovered, but before I get into that, let me start from the beginning:
When I first created Freutcake (November 2010) I was full of ideas, bursting at the seams to share my inspiration, designs and food with the world. Then I started discovering the “Big Blogs”…you know the ones, and the air was quickly let out of my sails. It was an inspiration overload reading from these talented writers and creative minds working with teams of collaborators and professional photographers to create beautiful daily posts. Goodness this blog land can be overwhelming!
{photo sources clockwise from top left: one, two, three, four}
Little by little I found a way to share my unique voice and personal style with the world. It wasn’t about keeping up with other blogs, but more about being myself and sharing things that I love, regardless of what others were posting.
Over time I began to discover other fellow bloggers who, if possible, inspire me the most. They are the bloggers who I have connected with online. The ones who reach out and say hello and compliment your inspiration right back. After all, isn’t that what all of this is about? When did blogging become a competition or a secret club? Why not celebrate the creative genius of others, big and small, instead of kicking yourself for not thinking of it first?
This week I laughed and sympathized with the post on “How to Throw Yourself a Pity Party” by Kate, raved on Twitter about the creative genius that is Jordan and her “DIY Surprise Lantern”, drooled over Melissa’s recipe for Blackberry Cobbler, marveled at the wonders of Gluten Free baking on Jessica’s site, fell in love with all the interiors that Jacquelyn so expertly curates, and pinned a brilliant DIY posted by Geri.
You see, it’s all about spreading the love y’all! Blogs are meant to be talked about, shared, and if you like what you see, complimented! Give some support by leaving a comment. Tweet about it. Good acts will come back to you and you’ll feel better for giving praise where praise is due. There is nothing wrong with finding inspiration in others’ work, but why do it in silence, suffering with blog envy? Yes, it’s true…I comment on blogs all the time and never receive responses, but then there are those who do respond, who like me, love their readers and find drive to always be better from the support they receive.
I found a quote recently on Pinterest by an unknown author that read “Work Hard Stay Humble”. That sounds about right to me. Never forget that your readers are the life of your work. Be thankful for the compliments they leave, answer their questions, check out their blogs and in return, you may just find a friend who inspires you right back! – Leah
I love this post! It rings so true – at the end of the day, we should all just be nice to each other. I saw your interview with Jessica this week and I’m excited to read more of your blog
Kathryn- so glad you found me! {Jessica is the best
} Can’t wait to browse all of your yummy looking recipes!
I could not agree more with everything you just said! When I changed my views on blogging, stopped getting frustrated with a lack of traffic or people I admired completely ignoring me entirely the whole blog world changed for me. It’s all about finding your own voice, staying true to it and playing nice. Work hard, stay humble – no truer words have ever been spoken.
I’m truly glad we “met” as well! xoxo
oh and I forgot to mention – thanks for the sweet words
I’m so glad we “met”
Leah, I love this!! I agree completely. I was just thinking the other day that every blog I look at inspires me in some way or another. Whether they have a fancy design, 10 readers or what they write about. I love being able see what inspires & motivates others & then seeing the end result. I love that quote! (awesome pinterest find!)
It’s so important to stay inspired and continue to inspire others with your unique voice! I love having you as one of my readers. Thank you!
Well put, Leah! I don’t have a blog and probably read way too many because they are sooooooooo inspiring:) I just luv them! Your blog has become a daily read for me and my coffee, thanks for that…
Yay, I’m honored that Freutcake made the morning blog & coffee list! xo
so much truth in this, i couldn’t have said it better!
Thank you Rachael!
Well said sista! <3
Thanks Sista!
I couldn’t agree more with what you just have said (written). The only reason I would like more followers is because each new follower I get is an open door to an “online friendship”, and judging by the amazing connections I have made so far I wouldn’t say no to that.
I like to celebrate people’s achievements, and just live in a happy environment, I sometimes get the “that’s so nice of you for getting back to me” comment and I always wonder, well isn’t that how is suppose to be? I have stopped reading (and commenting) on blogs of people who have never even acknowledged 1 comment from me in a long period of time. I know some bloggers are super busy but a simple “thank you” sometimes is all we need.
I just found your blog this week and immediately fell in love with it, and after this post I like you even more
Oh Gaby Thank you! I’m so glad you found me! It’s nice to hear that others feel the same way about all this blogging business.
p.s. your blog is adorable!
Love this. I just recently stumbled across your blog and I’m glad I bookmarked it! You have some beautiful posts and this one just hit the nail on the head. It took me months before I got any comments on my blog when I first started, and when I did get them, they were from people who I had commented on myself. It’s a give and get relationship here, and you can’t expect comments to roll in if you’re not willing to provide feedback yourself. This whole thing is about meeting great people and starting a convo, amiright?
I agree! It’s all about making relationships.
I’m so glad you stumbled across my blog and took the time to comment. Your blog is lovely btw…I will check it out!
So eloquently put, Leah! I know there’s so many out there that share your feelings, but I sure wish there were more. Either way, thanks for being one of the SWEET ones! I very much appreciate you (and envy you out loud!) You crazy talented and I love your ideas of spreading talent instead of standing quietly envious!
xoxo
Aw, thank you Jess! The feelings (admiration & out-loud-envy) are mutual!
Thanks for the sweet compliments.
I really enjoy following your posts! I am a new blog follower and follow about 10 regularly that I subscribe to. I check in on many others, but my favorites are not the fancy, money making famous ones. I guess everything in life can have a down-side. Keep up the good work and you do write beautifully!
Thank you Marcia! I’m really happy to hear you enjoy my posts.
I couldn’t agree more, Leah! The blogger world can be daunting and I thank you for sharing the love and popping over to my blog now and again! For awhile I was finding writing blog posts unenjoyable because of lack of visitors and comments, but I’ve changed my outlook to just write for my own enjoyment and not try to get caught up in the statistics of followers and unique visitors. I blog on my coffee breaks at work and it should be a relief from the stress of the day, not add to it, right? Anyway, love your blog, hun, but you already knew that! xo
Leah, I completely agree! I have felt and often still feel the same way. I began reading certain blogs because I found them inspiring and as I began to develop and evolve my own blog, I wanted more and more to be like the blogs I was reading, only to realize that I always seemed to fall short. It’s so hard not to be influenced by what’s already out there and it can be really discouraging when you work so hard on something you truly love with little return. For me, it’s a real labor of love. I’m addicted. Slowly but surely, I see new subscribers and I’m meeting more and more creative and like-minded people who are willing to collaborate on small projects. Baby steps. Recently, I decided to stop reading the “big blogs” altogether, for a while at least while I find my voice and niche in this neck of the blogging world. Thank you so much for posting in such a sincere way about this topic. It’s something I think about all of the time but never really have anyone to express my thoughts with or that even understands what it is that I do so it’s nice when I can find someone to relate to. I think you’re doing a wonderful job on Freutcake, I’ve been following you for some time and I’ve seen it blossom over the last year or so. I wish you luck!
xoxo
Paola {love+cupcakes} blog
Thank you so much Paola! It’s nice to hear from a reader who has seen the progression of my blog over time!
So happy I found you via Jessica at Forgiving Martha! Thank you for answering my little prayer for the perfect lavender shortbread
I know they’ll be wonderful! Look forward to following you here some more.
By the way, the blog world can be very intimidating (and sometimes not so friendly), I agree. I try to remind myself that I’m doing it because I enjoy it and it’s a place where I can truly express myself.
I like the previous commenters idea about not reading larger blogs for a while. I may try it myself!
Hi Amy- So happy you found me as well and that I was able to help you in your quest for lavender shortbread!
Yes, I try not to focus on the “not so friendly” aspects and stick to my own positive blogging world. I have met so many great fellow bloggers who inspire me and like me spread the love. I don’t think it’s so much about “not reading the big blogs”, because they are inspiring and I still read them daily…but more about staying true to your own blogging voice and style.
Love this post! I kept seeing your blog’s name pop-up all over the place (FauxMartha and Forgiving Martha) and I’m so glad I finally clicked my way over!! You have now been added to my Google Reader, which is definitely one of the most inspiring places on the web for me
Okay, so maybe make that – you’ve been added to my email!
THANK YOU for writing this! I only started blogging in July and I’m confident based on this post and all the lovely comments that the day will come when I no longer will get a little discouraged about lack of traffic. And you said it perfectly – it’s all about spreading the love y’all!
This was just an incredible post!! Well said!! Thanks to Gaby, I have found your blog!! I truly believe what you say about your readers being the life of your work
Have a great weekend!
this was so lovely and you are so right! cheers, i love your blog, and i’m so glad to have found a new inspiration!
keep up the good work!
-marissa
Cheers to you for writing this post! I found you through Gaby and I’m happy I did! I can’t say I have anything to be humble about, but I do know that staying humble in the blog world is so important. I was just thinking last night about the connections I’ve made with women all over the world and the fact that blogging has brought that to me is incredible! I think that when blogging is a passion, it shows. Those of us who share that passion have an instant connection and it can be amazing!
What an incredible post… I am SO HAPPY to be meeting you!! xo Sarah