Tuesday Talk - blogging behind the scenes and some things I've learned

 

Happy Tuesday, friends! I have had a few friends in real life ask me about blogging recently, so I thought I'd share a post about blogging behind the scenes and a few tips and tricks I've learned along the way. I hope you enjoy this post, and more than that, I hope it inspires you! 

I first started my blog in 2007. I was looking back and something messed up and took me back to this year, so I can't say for sure the exact date, but needless to say—I've been around for quite some time. My blog has adapted to the circumstances I've been in over the years, so it's changed a lot. It's really fun to go and look back on old posts from when the boys were young. While I was looking through old posts last night, I noticed how sporadic I used to be here. And rightfully so, since I was still in the throes of raising our sons. I saw a couple of old posts that I thought I'd share with you, in case you'd like a glimpse of what those old days were like. Here's a post about our fall break in 2011. And here's a post about a wintry day in 2015. Those were the days! We always had such a blast together during our homeschooling days.

Anyway, because I've already mentioned how sporadic I used to be at blogging, I started something revolutionary a year and a half ago that changed my life...well, as far as this goes. Another blogger shared how she schedules her blog posts and keeps a notebook for hers. I think it was Andrea at Momfessionals whose post I saw. Since that day and because that resonated with me, I sat down with a composition book and mapped out the rest of that month. That was in the fall of 2021. Since the day that I started scheduling posts, I started to blog five days a week, and every once in a while I'll even throw in a bonus post. It makes a world of difference having a blog schedule and I've noticed it's something that I follow. The purpose is to find what works best for you and to stick with it. I know many of you who only blog two or three days a week and there's no shame in that! You know you best and what will work best for your life. 

I write 100% of my blog posts in advance. I never write and post on the same day anymore, unless it's on a bonus post day. This helps me tremendously, because I use the downtime I sometimes have an abundance of at night and use that time to write. One type of post that is very time consuming to write is the post where I share about the books I read that month. I try to do that as I finish a book, because it saves so much time! Another post that takes a long time are the link party posts that I host for now. I love doing them, but it takes time to organize that and to remember to remind people about them well in advance. Many of those participants are people who schedule their posts ahead of time, like me. I don't mind it, though and it's time well spent, because they're usually well attended, in the way of everyone who joins in. 

I've taken over one link party for someone this year, Anne in Residence, who started the Currently blog posts. I offered to continue the post for her and offered to give it back to her, should she ever change her mind. That's only once a month. I'm also hosting Thankful Thursday for my friend Rebecca Jo, who has been on a blogging break. I plan on continuing on with another link party who was started by someone else—I will continue with the Share Four Somethings monthly link party for my friend Heather. This one is an easy takeover, because the four somethings we share each month will stay the same throughout the year. This year's topics were things loved, saved or braved, gleaned and achieved. Stay tuned on the topics and date each month, but the link will open on a Saturday. I do this because these are things other people (and myself) love.

Speaking of link parties, I've learned to participate in them because that is what readers love! Those posts are easily my most viewed posts of the month. A Friday Favorites post may have over 500 viewers on just that one post. I also use those posts that lots of people see to remind them that I blog regularly. Another thing I have learned to do is to link back to each post from that same week. I am forever using the link tool here on my blog and I have it open to a new window so that they won't lose their place in reading that current post. I have noticed that when I write a serious post, there aren't a lot of readers. That being said, I won't ever stop those types of posts, but I may mix them in more with the lighthearted posts that seem to be everyone's favorites. 

Do you ever look at your blog stats? I do and I think it's helpful to do so. When I post here, I almost always share it immediately to Pinterest, where most of my views come from. Do you ever see me there? Here's my Pinterest profile, in case you're interested. Also, let me know yours! I love finding new people there. I used to share it on Facebook all the time, but I usually forget to go and have to do it manually now. I used to have it connected to Facebook through Bloglovin', but I don't know what happened. I like to know where readers come from and try to post wherever they view from. I do try to remember to try and share a link on Instagram stories, that also go to my Facebook stories. I like to post to places where you can easily click to get to the link. 

I try not to be redundant, but sometimes I have to be or I may repeat something on a Friday Favorites post that you've already read about. Even as recently as this past summer, I did not consider this. And about that, I am constantly learning from other bloggers! I love how certain blogs look and I try to mimic those here. For instance, I changed the look of my blog over the summer and simplified it to a more streamlined look. (Or so I think.) I do not have help with any of this blog—I do all of it myself and you can probably tell! I don't even pay for my own domain, but I may do that eventually. I also may eventually have someone help me with this. I think that's a good use of money that's gifted to you for a birthday or Christmas! 

I try to listen to suggestions and ideas. One reader suggested a type of post recently and I wrote it and published it over the weekend. On this note, I think it's good to ask for ideas from readers! Nobody knows a readable topic more than the one who is reading your blog. For instance, I love home tours and find myself doing them regularly as well, at least for the seasons I like to decorate in. 

I have learned that people love comments on their blog. Who doesn't? That being said, I try to consistently take the time to comment on all the blogs of the people who read mine. Theirs are always my favorites to read! I love the big blogs, but I really love the smaller blogs that I have gained a sense of community in. You know the ones I'm talking about, because you're the ones who keep coming here and commenting. Thank you!!! 

I try to keep things fresh, but I also have weekly things that I do all the time. My blog really is about me and my own tastes, so of course I do that, but I want to keep it fresh and interesting. You may have noticed that I titled this "Tuesday Talk". I think I'm going to start doing this monthly here on my blog, where I share a new topic each month. I already have them scheduled in my handy blog notebook! 

I read blogs Monday through Friday, every single week unless I'm sick or out of town. I try to let people know when I plan on taking a break here, like when I traveled to the Cape Cod area in the fall. And even though that trip ended early and I came home late Tuesday night, I still pretended like I was gone and took a real "vacation" from life...work, Bible study, choir practice and this blog.

One last thing I've learned is that a picture—or several of them—is what catches the eye. I love taking pictures and am always taking them while I'm out and about. I've actually started conscientiously thinking about this! I'll be out and see something (or experience something) and take a picture of it, knowing I'll only share it here on my blog. Sometimes I share it on social media, but I've been trying more to keep the two separate. One thing I'm always taking a picture of is my food, because I love and appreciate food that's pleasing to the eye and to the tummy. I don't usually "stage" pictures, I try to take a picture that is genuinely good. I like to pick and choose which picture I use for the link parties, too, because I am drawn to what looks appealing. That's something I spend a lot of time thinking about. 

Well, that's about it for the things I thought about that I've learned over the fifteen years of this blog. If it inspires one person in how they blog, then my day will be made. I hope it inspires you and challenges you to view your own blog! Thanks for reading, friends. Love to all! 

I'll leave you with this adorable store front on our town square. You know how I love it here. ❤