Another Bloggiesta is here, and I am addicted to this opportunity to make changes and visit other bloggers.
In April, I will have been blogging for seven years, but my first blog was pretty much dormant for the first year. Then I met some other bloggers, and realized that a community enfolded us. And with each new “meet,” I learned that we could help one another.
My first site was on Blogger, but in 2009, I started adding blogs here on Word Press. Sheila, of Book Journey, had a WP site and was helpful in telling me how to do various things on my blog. I got so excited by this new adventure, that I added way too many blogs…mostly on WP. And then combined a few of them. I now have eleven, and ten of them are on WP.
What advice could I give the new bloggers?
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
When I reached out to Sheila, with a question about how to do something on WP, I realized that there is no shame in asking. And in later years, I have been able to pay it forward with other newbies. There is a forever link when we connect and help each other.
FIND CONNECTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY
It begins, perhaps, when you decide to join one of the memes that proliferate on the blogosphere. For me, it was It’s Monday, What Are You Reading, followed by Mailbox Monday. Other memes would join the fold.
By visiting other blogs and commenting, I soon realized that people who comment back might continue to visit, and soon a conversation would flourish. Conversations and communication are the key.
DISCOVER YOUR OWN VOICE
As I read the blogs I visit, I realized that each blogger had a unique style, and imitating others would not work for me. Although I did tend to develop my own style based on what resonated with me in the blogs of others.
My style is conversational, I guess. And I love finding images to illustrate what I am saying.
I like to think I occasionally poke fun at myself, identifying myself as OCD or a little bit quirky. That represents me, personally, and others might recognize that in themselves…or maybe find it amusing. My Potpourri site is primarily my place for quirkiness.
DETACH FROM THE DRAMA
Every now and then I read and see a link to something dramatic that is taking place somewhere on the blogosphere. And it’s not that I am oblivious, but I don’t like to grab onto stories that may or may not be founded in fact. Or situations that may have no relevance to me. So…I detach. It works for me.
DON’T WORRY ABOUT NUMBERS, OR OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPERTISE
Yes, it is good to learn from others, and to discover how to enhance your presence. So that you can maximize your own experience. But not to compete…and let’s face it, when you blog for fun, as I do, it doesn’t do much good to compete with the experts. LOL
AND THAT’S ALL, FOLKS!
Keep it real, keep it true to your own voice, and connect!
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What advice do you have? What makes blogging fun for you?
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CURL UP AND READ 
I agree with all your advice, Laurel. My blog is for me. Even though I accept review copies it’s always been about my take on the books I read. I love to help promote authors and their books. And I love to visit other blogs to learn about new books.
When I switched to WP from Blogger several years ago other book bloggers generously gave advice and pointers. I’m happy to help other bloggers whenever asked a question. It’s never been about competition for me. And yes, I avoid drama at all costs. Maybe it’s my age but I just think life is too short to get drawn into the drama that some seem to thrive on.
BTW, current posting issues aside, I’m really glad I made the switch to WP back in 2010.
One of these years I’ll have the free time to participate in a blogiesta – I always seem to have family things going on.
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Thanks, Mary, and I agree wholeheartedly. And maybe it is being older (and wiser), but that attitude works for me.
And yes, I am glad to have switched to WP….annoying though the current posting system may be. So far, I’m able to work around it.
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Love your post Laurel. Phew! Wipes brow! So many blogs, but you seem to keep up… and read! I loved your Detach from the Drama, haven’t seen that on other posts and its so true. Waste of energy in blogging and in ( I was going to say real life, but blogging is real life) so in the world around us.
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I guess I learned to detach when I was in social work…I specialized in teens, and they have lots of drama in their lives…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn…glad you enjoyed the post.
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I really like WordPress so much better than Blogger, and it was so easy to make the switch! I’m just visiting and commenting for Bloggiesta this time around, because it wasn’t a good week for me to sign on, and that’s what I mostly spend time doing for Bloggiesta, anyway!
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I’m glad you could stop by, Laurie, and what I love most about Bloggiesta is how we can tailor the event to suit our purposes. Enjoy visiting! And yes, I love WP more than Blogger, too. I have one site on Blogger, my first blog, so I may leave it there. Or not.
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Thanks so much for your best blogging advice. Such great advice.
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Thanks, Pat, glad you enjoyed it and found it useful!
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Couldn’t agree more Laurel that its the conversations and discussions that are more valuable than the stats.
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Thanks, Karen, glad you agree…and that you could stop by. Blogging is fun for me, and the more chatting the better!
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11 blogs! Yowza! I knew you had several, but I didn’t realize there were so many. Kudos to you for keeping them all straight and going.
Yes to everything you’ve listed here (and particularly to the drama llama!). My addition would be to remember why you’re blogging — as I wrote in my recent Sunday Salon post (because I totally missed Bloggiesta this time around!).
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It is definitely good to remember why we are blogging…and yes, while I have 11, I mostly use my Top Five. But I like having them all…LOL. Thanks for stopping by, Erin.
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