Why I didn't quit blogging though I lost my inspiration and readers

Fall 2014 was exciting time for me from the blogging point of view. My blog was growing like crazy and I had lots of ideas and time to write. For example, I more than doubled my blog traffic. Susannah played a huge role in all this. She was my blog mentor.

But then something happened. 

I started to loose blog inspiration. And that led to fewer posts and fewer readers. I was also questioning my blogging motives. 

Is this really something I'm so suppose to be doing? Is my blog an addiction to me? Could I be using my time to do something more useful and meaningful?

The lack of inspiration, loosing my readers and questioning my motives nearly made my quit. I almost deleted the whole blog. 

But I couldn't do that. Here's why:


1. I've worked so hard for my blog. I don't want that hard work go to waste.

2. I still love the reason why I started to blog.

3. I love to have a space of my own that allows me to use my creativity.

4. I still have things to say - not as often but still!

When I remembered all the lovely blogging things, I made some serious changes so blogging would be a joy to me - not a chore. 



1. Forget statics

I used to check Google Analytics daily. Now it's been almost 2 months! It's so liberating not to blog to get page views. 


2. Don't force it

One of the biggest blog worries that led to my blog burnout was  the need to post often and regularly. Now, I refuse to worry about that. If my blog is quiet for a while, it's ok. I'm not going to post just to fill my editorial calendar. If people forget my blog, it's ok. 


3. Break the rules

To me blogging is about freedom. The blog rules took that away from me. So now I refuse to worry about them. For example I don't have and Instagram account for me blog, because I don't like Instagram. I don't advertise regularly on Twitter of Facebook. Freedom!


Read more:

Why you should stop caring about your blog

When blogging feels so vain

I had couple posts I was suppose to publish this weekend, but after the horrible attacks in Paris, I decided not to publish them. They felt so irrelevant and superficial. 

But then I realised, blogging isn't disrespectful. It's actually a celebration of life. I want to celebrate this wonderful life God gave me. I want to write about it!

5 resources I couldn't blog without

1. PicMonkey

I love using PicMonkey, because it's easy and free. You can do so much with it. 

2. Canva

First I didn't like Canva, but eventually it showed my how amazing it is. 

3. Photobucket

For me, Photobucket is the best image host option. 

4. Evernote

I love using my virtual notebook to keep all my blog stuff in order. It's so convenient when I'm not home or can't use my own laptop.

5. Stock photo sites

I'd like to only use my own images, but unfortunately I am one of THOSE people. Therefore I try to find pretty and free images from Pixabay, Unsplash and morgueFile. They are my favorite.



What are your favorite blogging resources?

Blog Makeover

Hey guys!

I decided it's time to do something new here on my blog. So, as you can see, I changed the design a bit. I'm still working on some things (sidebar, social icons, post titles...) but you can already see the big picture. 

I still wanted pink, but I also wanted something bit more modern. 

I just bought a domain name for my Finnish blog, and I'd love to get rid of the blogspot-part here too. 

How does your personality type affect your blog writing

I find it extremely interesting how much our personality types affect us as writers. 

As a blogger and someone who loves to write stories, I've been reading writing tips and props A LOT. Then I realised, that all tips and props are not meant for everyone. Why? Because we have different ways to write. 

So I found out that the best way to improve my writing is to make sure I keep me personality type in mind and seek tips that are specially meant for writers that have the same personality type. Naturally there are some universal tips, too. 

Here are some amazing tips, posts etc., that I've found effective and interesting. HERE you can find out your personality type.

Know Your Type, and Then Sit Down To Write

Writer Wednesday: What Is Your Writing Personality?

Introverts

5 Mistakes For INFJ And INFP Writers To Avoid

Why INFJs Have Trouble Writing

Understanding the Introverted Writer

Why INFJs And INFPs Have Such A Hard Time With Criticism

Introverted And Intuitive? Why The Writing Rules Probably Don't Work For You

The ISTP Writing Personality: Extreme Knowledge

The ISTJ Writing Personality: Model Efficiency

The INFJ Writing Personality: Eloquent Vision

The INFP Writing Personality: Elegant Persuasion

The INTP Writing Personality: Rational Curiosity

The ISFJ Writing Personality: Tangible Warmth

The ISFP Writing Personality: Quiet Music

The INTJ Writing Personality: Creative Precision

Extroverts

7 Ways for Extroverts to Increase Their Writing Productivity

Extraverted Writers: Talking It Out

The ENFJ Writing Personality: Expressive Harmony

The ENFP Writing Personality: Imaginative Voice

The ENTJ Writing Personality: Confident Clarity

The ENTP Writing Personality: Energetic Innovation

The ESFJ Writing Personality: Friendly Conversation

The ESFP Writing Personality: Spontaneous Joy

The ESTJ Writing Personality: Decisive Logic

The ESTP Writing Personality: Bold Action

My 5 Blog Sins

1.  I publish before editing

I'm too excited about my posts. I publish them before editing. There are too many typos, Finglish (Finnish in English) sentences and weird word choices. Forgive me. I'll try to do better. 

2.  Blog burn out

Sometimes I feel like I'm letting down my readers. I don't post enough, my posts are not unique enough... When I start to worry I seem to lose my blog inspiration; I can't come up with any post topics and blogging is more a chore than a way to express myself and be creative.

3. I envy "big bloggers"

Some of my favorite blogs have thousands of followers. When I have a bad blog day, I am jealous. I wrote Enjoy your small blog, when I needed to remind myself to happy about my own blog. I've worked hard and my blog has given me so much.

4.  I don't really utilize social media

One of the best ways to get readers and followers is to promote your blog on social media. I have never enjoyed it much. I'm still trying to fall in love with Twitter. I don't have an Instagram account for my blog and I often forget Facebook completely. 

5. I get embarresed when I tell people I have a blog

I don't know why, but I'm quite shy about my blog. It took me a long time to admit that I have a blog. And even longer to promote my blog on my personal Facebook wall/timeline. Why? I have no idea.

How to advertise your blog 2/2

Read the part 1 HERE.  

Payed options

1. In addition to regular blog ads, many bloggers offer other advertising options. For example they might have a social media option. They will advertise your blog and your posts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest etc. I've noticed that this is a great way to get more readers. In my case, it's been more effective than blog ads on blog sidebars. 

2. Some bloggers offer a chance to co-host their extremely popular link up/blog hops. Usually it's free, but there are exceptions. Co-hosting has also been an effecting way for me to get  more readers. 

"Friendly" (and free) options

1. Comment other blogs. First of all, I never comment just to get readers. I only comment if I really want to say something to the blogger. I believe it's really tacky to comment only to get readers. But I've noticed that many of my comments have brought me new readers. Especially comments on smaller blogs. 

2. Mention other bloggers' posts on your posts. This is a great way to form blog relationships.

3. Link ups/Blog hops can bring you more traffic. Check out Top 3 link ups traffic wise 

4. Share your posts on Facebook. Don't do that too often, though, so your friends don't get annoyed. Twitter and Instagram are also great!

5. One word: Pinterest. Pinterest has brought me tons of traffic. This post about "pin"able blog images helped me a lot!

6. Guest post. This could also be under Payed options. I've guest posted couple times, and I enjoyed these experiences. I recommend this option!

How do you advertise your blog?

I need your help!

Hi!

This post is especially for you if you have a blog and your own domain name.

I've been thinking about getting my own domain too, but I'm not sure yet. Could you please help me?

1. Why did you buy your own domain name?

2. Has it been worth it?

3. Do you recommend it?

Thank you in advance :)

Lovely Comments - Top 5

I'm not going to lie, I absolutely love getting comments! Here are my top 5 comments (in no specific order) from my lovely readers. Thank you for your thoughtfulness! 

1. Jessica's comment on Why I blog:

You are a very talented writer! I love reading here. :) SO glad that you blog!!

Hope you are having a great start to the week,

Jessica 

2. Kiki's comment on A letter to my past self

Ooh, the last sentence really hit me (well, your whole letter did, really!). :) Reminding myself to be fear-free and to see my value are two things that I struggle with more often than not. Thanks for reminding me of these truths and for linking up! :)

3. Susanne's comment on Enjoy your small blog

I love small blogs!! I usually think that "big" blogs are boring, because most of them have become like advertising websites. And I like how "smaller" bloggers connect with each other. 

I don't listen to blogging rules. They are so generalised and always aimed at money-making blogs. 

I especially agree with the "people follow because they want to" thing. You really nailed it there. On a smaller blog you (usually) have READERS, not followers. I think the "followers" hunt hysteria has become too much and I think people have lost the point with blogging.

4. Ashley's comment on 10 things I want to teach my daughter

I love this post. Having a daughter & another on the way sure does make you think a lot. I want to teach her to be an amazing girl/woman. I also want to be the example that helps lead her in the right direction. <3

5. Ladonna's comment on 5 Random Things (you need to read our whole conversation to get the point) 

Ha Ha! That sounds like me. Okay, no more emails. Get back to work!

Enjoy your small blog

The blogging world (and Pinterest etc) is full of "how to grow your blog" posts. We all (Yes. I generalise.) dream about having a super popular blog. 

I want to remind myself to enjoy my small blog. Here's why:

1. Every comment makes your day

Stop being jealous of blog comments. If you'd get them as much as those "big bloggers" do, you might not appreciate them as much as you do now. What a joy it is to read your reader's thoughts!

2. You can break the rules

If you don't feel like following those "holy blogging rules", then you can just forget them. Stop thinking about social media, statistics, SEO, traffic, etc. Just have fun. 

3. Your followers really want to follow you

It's easier to follow big blogs. I think it's psychological; we like to do things that everyone else is doing. I'm not saying that that big blogs are not worth following. Instead, I think it takes more to follow a small blog. So if you get a follower, she/he really enjoys your blog. Yay!

4. You can always learn 

I've noticed that when I'm humble, I learn most. Having a small blog keeps you humble and gives you an opportunity to learn. 

5. You are a dreamer

You can still dream about being the proud owner of that popular blog! Your not there yet, but dreaming is wonderful.

Are you enjoying your small blog? Or are you a "big" blogger who still appreciates the small things?

I really need you, Christmas!

It's been crazy 2 months. I'm pretty tired right now. I was suppose to graduate (finally) this month, but because I had to go to another town to do my practicum in November, it's not possible. 

I hope and pray I can finally call myself a qualified guidance counsellor in January or February. 

My busy schedule has affected this blog too. I guess, because of all the stress, I've lost a bit of my inspiration and creativity. I've been a bit sad about it because I love my blog. It even got so bad, that I had to read my own post: How to find things to write about.

That's why I need Christmas so badly. I need to rest and forget all the school stuff. I want to be inspired to blog again.

Have you ever experienced something similar? How did you overcome it?

How to advertise your blog 1/2

Payed ads (Passionfruit, Adproval, Adlet, etc.) 

1. If you have money, buy the in-post ad instead of the sidebar ad. They'll bring you more traffic and you'll be the "VIP sponsor". (Buy sidebar ads only if there are only couple spots on the blog.)

2. Make sure you know exactly what is included in your sponsor month and make sure you get what you were promised. (Social media love, guest post, giveaway etc.)

3. Before buying the ad, email the blogger. How many times will she/he post during your sponsor month? Is there something you could do? This email will motivate the blogger. Also if there're concerns on your mind, email during your sponsor month. You are the customer.

4. If possible, change your ad image during your sponsor month.

5. If the blogger offers you a chance to be part of a giveaway, don't hesitate! 

Swaps

1. These might break your heart. Just kidding. But it is true that swapped ads are usually tiny and under everything else. Your ad gets lost among other tiny ads. So don't expect tons of traffic. Be happy of small victories :)

2. If possible, change your ad image during your swap month.

3. Remember to be a good swap partner. 

About the ad

1. Find out what kind of ads will be around yours and design one that will stand out.

2. Make it the right size so Passionfruit (etc.) doesn't make it look weird.

What have you learned about advertising your blog?

How to find things to write about

1. Read a book

Books are a great source of inspiration. You can not only write reviews but also discuss thousands of topics that rise from reading a book. 

Ideas:

- a review

- why this book speaks to me

- best ways to read and study a book

- discuss a theme from the book (love, disappointment, grief etc)

- book covers

- best book stores

- a book that should be turned into a movie

2. Create mood boards

Beautiful mood boards have helped me a lot to get ideas what to write about. You can create them out of magazines etc or make them on your computer. Post you mood board(s) or write about thoughts and ideas that rise from your mood board(s). 

One of my October Blog Challenge topics was a mood board and a lovely Finnish blogger linked up her mood boards HERE.

3. Recycle 

Take your old post and write it again. Make it better: funnier, more informative, deeper, etc. Or write a response to your old post. You might have learned something new after publishing it or grown as a person. 

4. React to news

Read newspapers or watch news and take notes. 

Ideas:

- how does it affect my life?

- what's behind this?

- your solution

- the other side of the story

- how does it make me feel

5. Other bloggers' posts

Read other blogs. Write responses or your own versions of their post. Remember, though, do not plagiarize. 

6. Look around you

Sometimes you just have to take a break and look around. See the the people around you. Try to understand how things work. Your home is also a great source of information.

Ideas:

- what does my home tell about me

- things I need to fix

- how the people around me have shaped me

- what I love about my neighborhood

- my cleaning tips

7. If you would die tomorrow

What would you like to tell your readers if you would die tomorrow? Or what would you do?

8. Find your old diary

Every time I read my old diaries (especially the ones I wrote when I was a teenager) I laugh so hard. My life was so simple. My thoughts were so funny. And my feelings - SIGH - were so ridiculous. But I learn so much about myself reading them. I realize what a long way I've come and how much I've learned about everything.

9. Photos and paintings

You could talk about an artist. I like to try to figure out what's behind the painting. What's the story and how it makes me think and feel. 

I've pinned paintings and photos that inspire me to write. 

Follow Mrs K's board Art on Pinterest.

10. Things you would never write about

Sometimes you have to have boundaries. But sometimes those boundaries should be broken. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary or uncomfortable, but often it's worth it. 

Sometimes boundaries are a good thing and you should respect them. Why? You tell me.

How do you find inspiration?

Linking up with:

Anything Goes Mondays, Inspire Me Mondays, Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

How you can make me love your blog

This post was inspired by Ashley from That Southern Mama. She writes:  Why I Return To Your Blog?

1. Your blog design

Your blog design is the biggest thing for me. I love if your blog is simple, unique and stylish. 

I want to find posts easily! 

2. Feeling included

I don't like blogs that are public yet the blogger doesn't interact with all the readers. If you make me feel that you have a VIP readers then you will not make me fall in love with your blog. 

You can make me feel included by answering every comment and possible emails and by giving a new reader a chance to get to know you easy. 

3. Short yet thoughtful

I'm not going to lie, I love short posts. I often don't read long posts, I might skim them through. Short posts, that are written thoughtfully are amazing.

Thoughtfulness also means that your posts are not replicas of other bloggers' posts; your posts are unique. I don't like posts that you just "had to write" to have "at least 5 posts each week". If you don't have anything to say, don't post anything.

4. Photos, photos and photos!

I love blogs with beautiful photos. Don't use low quality photos. If you don't own a great camera, use pretty public domain/creative commons pics - and maybe edit them with Photoshop/Picmonkey. 

  

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Blog Memories - May 2013

Last May I blogged about:

Hiking in a conservation area, Kolvananuuro. READ.

Why I loved Silver Linings Playbook. READ.

Our kitchen renovation. Part 1. Part 2.

Women's beauty and body image. READ.