I am learning so much from my friends in the media business who also blog. One of those friends, who is an amazing blogger, is Lauren Smith Berger. Her blog, Working Mom Magic is awesome! Since I’m in my first year of blogging, I was dying to read these tips from her and think they are important to share, so here ya go! (…and I am accomplishing #6 right now!) Thanks Lauren!

my first year of blogging

I can’t believe its been a year since I started consistently blogging! As I mentioned in my Best of 2014 post, I started this blog when I was pregnant with Mila… wrote a few posts and then didn’t write again for an entire year. (Here’s that post from last Feb)

Going into this, I knew content was king, but there are so many other factors I had NO CLUE about. I have learned so much this past year, I couldn’t possibly write them ALL down, but I did narrow it down.

Here are 6 things I learned in my first year of blogging.

1. Comparison is the thief of all joy

This is true in life, and in the blogging world as well. When I first started blogging I was SHOCKED by how many others were out there. I had a few blogs I enjoyed reading before I even got into all this, but beyond that I had no clue. I used to think, “I can’t compare to this other fancy site… or those professional-looking pictures… ” It can be overwhelming to see what’s out there, but try not to let it get to you. There is enough room for everyone!

2. Some people won’t get it

So what is a blog? What do you write about? Who reads it? Just a small sampling of the questions I was asked when I started blogging. (and sometimes still get asked today) I know a lot of my friends have no idea why I blog, and that’s okay.

3. Be careful with sponsored posts

Once your blog starts getting popular, you will likely start getting offers to write paid posts. I got a lot of offers in a short amount of time. I was so shocked that people wanted to pay me *AND* give me free stuff on top of it, that I accepted almost everything. It was a HUGE mistake. I had a few weeks where I had a TON of sponsored posts, many on a strict deadline. The whole thing stressed me out. Now I am super picky when accepting sponsored posts and I am much happier.

4. It’s blogging, not rocket science

Blogging is a way for you to express yourself. No one can write a post exactly like you… which is good, since there is a big chance you will be writing about stuff that other people have touched on before. For me, since I am a ‘mommy blogger’ this is particularly true. There are only so many mommy-related topics out there. We all talk about basically the same stuff… parenting, potty training, crafts, pacifiers, bullying… it’s rare to have a post on a topic that hasn’t been done in some form or fashion.

5. You will get stressed out

Blogging is a lot of work. Writing, pictures, editing, promoting on social media… it is more work then I ever thought it would be. I really love doing it, so most of the time, it doesn’t feel like work. But there have been a few times when it did. So I took a break. When I have nothing to write about, or I don’t feel like being on social media… I will give myself a week off. I have done that two times so far and felt much better afterwards.

6. Find other bloggers

This is probably the most important. There is an amazing community of bloggers out there. I didn’t realize that going into it. I have met so many awesome women through my blog and it is a very important factor if you want to grow. I love sharing great content from other sites, and in return, they share my stuff when it is something they really like. I met most of these women through SITS girls, I highly recommend all bloggers check them out.

So there you go! I still have much more to learn, especially on the technical side. SEO, photography, graphics… I could go on and on. Right now, I am just going to focus on writing posts that make me happy & hope the rest will just fall into place!

Thanks again to Lauren for sharing this guest post. Visit Lauren’s blog Working Mom Magic by clicking here!
  1. Thanks for sharing- I am a fairly new blogger and I’m just starting to go through some of the things you mentioned. It’s nice to know I’m not alone!

    • I’m so new at this too… that post was from a fellow blogger – Working Mom Magic – who is doing so well at this blogging biz. She let me share on my page. I really like it and think it is so helpful to other bloggers!

  2. I love this, I am still figuring everything out too. I haven’t consistently blogged ever but I have been trying to for the past 6 months or so. I’ve run into a snag and will lose our internet for a while but I am taking the time to take a step back and figure out what I can. There is so much to it that people don’t realize!

  3. These are great. I especially can connect with the whole taking a break aspect. There is always something to do for my blog….but I don’t want to ignore my kids or the fun in life just because I am trying to get one more page view.

    Happy one year anniversary!

  4. usgirl88 says:

    I have been writing online since 2010. But mostly for clients. But just two years ago I started joining paid to write sites. It has helped me earn a few bucks but it has also let me write freely about whatever I want. Now, I am a regular contributor of a Christian blog which I am so happy to become a part of.

  5. Definitely some great learning lessons and agree with most if not all, especially the sponsored posts. I also was getting sucked in left and right, but after 3 years of blogging now I am definitely very selective and only do what works for me and my blog, as well. Happy one year anniversary and thanks for sharing!

  6. TheaLee says:

    Excellent tips! I just started blogging this year and it’s been eye opening how much time I’ve been putting into it (time management is tough for me as a SAHM of 3), how stressed I get about being a total amateur and how much I have to learn!
    Found you on the Mommy Bloggers Share. Looking forward to following you!

    • These tips are from a friend. I’m just getting started and thought they were so awesome, I wanted to share too! It is so time consuming. I want to be able to stay at home like you, so I’m doing whatever I can to make money from home… while working full time until it happens. BUSY!

  7. Little Moose says:

    These are great things to know for the future – thanks!

  8. prettyloved says:

    Really great tips 🙂 Too true!

  9. Tia Johnson says:

    This is a great list. As a somewhat new blogger, I’m glad for anything that makes it easier and still fun. http://thefiveoclockgirl.com

  10. I just starting blogging in January of this year, and I did not realize how much there was that went into blogging. I started as a way to relieve my daily stress as a SAHM of 3, and a military wife whose husband seems to deploy every six months lately. I have enjoyed reading all the other bloggers out there, and getting to know a few. I will have to check out the site she recommended to connect with others. Congrats on your one month anniversary!

  11. Nina Badzin says:

    I’ve been at this for a bit over 4 years and still get that 2nd question from my in-laws. Arg!

  12. Kriss V says:

    I love the simplicity of the site/blog. I just started becoming interested in starting my own makeup/beauty blog. I definitely would love pointers on how to even start. I’m want it to be things(beauty, makeup, deals) wherei can write about and others can give feedback:) I love that most beauty bloggers have giveaways(I just entered in your $99 makeup one

  13. Sabrina says:

    Such great tips, this is my fifth day as a blogger and in glad I can across your post!

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