Joyfully Smitten

Living Life wth Full Hearts and Messy Hands. Encouraging Moms to get hands on with their children and embrace life right where they are.

By

The Blogger I’m Not.

 

When I started blogging in 2007, I didn’t have expectations.

I didn’t know of the community, or the said “rules”.
I learned more about the supportive community in 2010.
I fell in love with the people, the support.
But when I look at some of the other bloggers that I blog with, I guess I’m kind of a rebel.
 

Regular Link Ups? Nada.
Call it what you will but I have looked up link-ups on days that I need something to blog for, but I’ve never been one to be able to make myself write on a specific subject just for a link-up. I do use link-ups, however, but I don’t ever want to make my blog all link-up posts! It has to be a link-up that I feel like fits.

Outfit posts? What I Wore Wednesday Posts? Nada.
Not only do I not have a super up-to-date stylish wardrobe, it takes about 400 pictures to find one that I don’t feel unbelievably awkward in.
Just taking the photos, makes me feel awkward.
So the most y’all we will be getting from me is A-List posts, and baby updates.

Facebook Page for my Blog? Nada.
I don’t even have a personal Facebook page – yes, you read that right – neither Ryan or I have a Facebook – so I certainly don’t have one for my business, or my blog. 
And yes, I feel like the blog & business do just fine without having one.
A ton of giveaways? Nada.
I love hosting giveaways, but having them all the time isn’t something I’m interested in.
Honestly, I have to really be interested in one to go through all the work of entering one myself.
Paying for Sponsor Spots? Nada.
Honestly, there are some fabulous blogs I wish I could give some $$ to and grow my shop and blog – but the truth is, there is zero dollars in the budget for that.
Zero.
Already with a small business in a struggling economy, plus a baby on the way – pretty much our budget consists of bills & baby.
So, I’ll be keeping this little hobby of mine free,
which is exactly why I make it free for you, too.
I’ve seen the posts, the same ones you have seen – the ones that tell you how many posts to write a week, which link-ups are trending, how to respond to comments, etc. etc. but don’t rules defeat the purpose – even just a little?
Having a blog is supposed to be a way to have your own space, your own creative outlet – so why put rules on it?  Sure, there are tips and tricks that help – but rules? No thank you.

I think there are all things that each blogger prefers, or little things that drive them a bit batty – for example, when somebody leaves me a comment like “newest follower! Come follow me back!” – not only do I see the email, most of the time delete it – but I don’t usually go. I want blog on my reader that I enjoy reading, because as a blogger, I want people reading and following my blog that want to read it, that want to connect.
But who am I to say that’s not the way to blog and comment?
I’ve seen large blogs leave those comments, and it works for them – but it’s not what I prefer, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to come up with a rules post.

See where I am coming from?
Moral of this post – blog what you want, when you want to blog.
It’s your blog, your space – so do your thing!

As for as rules go – I think the only rule that seriously applies is a life rule to “Treat others how you want to be treated” – so don’t write rude comments (I’ve been lucky and haven’t gotten hateful comments – but have seen many out there!) and comment when you have something nice to say.


What do you think? How do you rebel in the “rules” of blogging?

  • I absolutely agree with you so much! I have tried to take outfit posts on a regular basis but the truth is, I feel awkward taking them, I feel my outfit isn’t exciting enough and I definitely don’t have enough clothing to do once a week, let alone a few times a week, like some bloggers do!

    I have never posted a link up, I do think they are a good tool for the type of blogger who is regular with their posts and has set days for certain things, but my blog is definitely somewhere where I post what is on my mind and if there is something that I like this week, I’ll post it on any day that I like! I never seem to find motivation if it’s a certain day that I need to have that motivation for, an yet if I’m browsing the Internet on a day when I don’t feel like blogging I’ll find myself coming across inspiration for a post I didn’t even consider writing! I admire bloggers who can stick to a schedule well, I certainly can’t!

    I really can’t stand people who join websites just for the followers, I don’t understand what it is they are trying to gain? Sure, you have a huge follower count but not one person cares about what it is that you are posting, surely? I’d much rather have a small group of people that love what I post and actually find me to be an interesting person! Clearly you agree too!

    I love your blog, so keep rebelling against these rules!!x

  • I know exactly what you’re talking about! I have been feeling like that a little bit, with my posts, I feel like ALL I ever write about is the new baby and I don’t want my blog to be all about Baby, because there is LOTS of other stuff going on in my life too, BUT the baby is the biggest thing right now and really my main priority! AND then I started thinking well I HATE when other people post all about their outfits every day I think it’s BORING BUT that just means I don’t read their blog, and they don’t have to read mine ALL about Baby (mostly).

    BUT it just means we have different tastes, I hate when I read peoples blogs telling me “you shouldn’t just write about baby” well lady I don’t like reading all your posts about your outfit or nail polish OR your posts about what I should write on MY blog…so I unfollow and hope they do the same!

    AND the “hi newest follower” it gives me the same feeling, like ummmm well hmmmm I WOULD have looked at your blog if you would have just left me a cute comment about something I was talking about…BUT since all it seems like you want is for me to look at your blog NOW I’m not 🙂

  • Kristina,

    I always have something nice to say to you.

    You have to be the most helpful and kind person I know in the virtual world and I can’t imagine you being any different in person.

    I respect the way those that I follow blog and that is why I follow them; because they interest me, their values are the same and they seem like good “real” people that don’t play by the “rules”.

    Kim M.

  • You go girl! Blogging should be for and about you. You should not feel like you have to follow any rules or adhere to any “blogging” standards. Blogging feel fun and enjoyable – not like an obligation. You do what you want to do when and how you want to do it!!!! Your blogland friend love you for you not for what trends you follow!

    So keep up the good work!

    R

  • You and I are rebel bloggers together. I think it’s awesome that you make it a hobby, you keep it free, and you do what you want. Outfit posts are dumb anyway; I skip over them entirely 99% of the time.

  • I feel like I should comment. But I have nothing to add. Ooooh! Look! New buttons!

  • Kristina,

    SO very well said. I love this.

    xo Shane

  • I think at the end of the day, what’s important is that your blog is a reflection of who you are, rather than being a reflection of whatever the latest trend in posting seems to be.

  • I think this is an amazing post. And I think you are wonderful!!!

Get All The Good Stuff Right to Your Email. Free.

ProudPartnersofJoyfullySmit

Quick Disclosure

Joyfully Smitten does contain some advertising and affiliate links. This means that I may get commission on sales of the products that I link in my posts. Items found posts marked with "c/o" were provided for the post. All opinions on products, sponsored or otherwise, will always be my own. All companies that may have an affiliate link in the post can be found on the partners & affiliates page.