Saturday 7 May 2011

Five Things I've Learned About Blogging..

...since my first post. To mark the end of Beyond Blogging For Scrapbookers, with thanks for a great class

1. Catchy titles are fun to write and great to read but they are only successful if they deliver.

2. Keeping a notebook close so that I can write down any inspiration which comes my way is A Very Useful Thing.

3. It's harder to be funny when people can't see your face.

4. Some readers visit every single day, and never say hello. But that's okay. Sometimes I like to be quiet too.

5. There is a google-world full of blogging resources out there; but my current favourite (because it's so lovely to look and so useful at the same time) is The Blog Guidebook

And you, what have you learned since your first post?

My first blog look

36 comments:

Jane said...

The one thing I've learnt is not to get too stressed, it's only a blog lol!!

Thanks for the link x

Amy said...

Oh I know exactly what you mean about how humour is perceived if you can't see facial expressions!

I've learnt that my blogging works best if I write in the moment, what I mean by best is that I like it, it is the same way I scrap and it works for me ... it works because it is then useful as a journal for future blog posts!

alexa said...

Lovely post and page Sian! Like the way you are peeping out over the top of that branch! What have I learnt? That real friendships can be made, and it's a joy being able to have a peek into how people in other countries live, work, eat, play ...

Gem's Crafts said...

Love the idea behind this post, and doing a LO about it too!

I've learnt that its ok not to blog everyday, and just when I have something I want to share :)

PS I think I'm going to borrow your idea of carrying a notebook around to note things down - why didn't I think of that before! I feel a trip to the stationers coming along :)

Jennifer Grace said...

I've learnt that bloggers are really, really lovely people, always happy to help and share the love!
Great page, love the embellies layered in the top right, esp the cloud! x

Clair said...

I've learnt that I have friends I've never met yet - like you x

Lynn said...

Lovely post Sian -nice way to conclude the BBFS class. Since starting my blogging journey i have learnt many things but mostly that it has kickstarted my creativity and whilst at the moment I have little time to craft, I can record my ideas and memories.

Jo.C said...

Great post - I think I have learned that there are lots of wonderful, friendly people out there who can be very supportive and encouraging :0)

ceruleanblue said...

Hi Sian,
I've learnt that I'm a better blog reader than blog writer, so I've given up lol!! I love the way you write and I'm always happy to see you in my Google reader feed :) And of course, your scrapbooking skills are pretty high up there too!

Rachel Brett said...

I've learnt so much! The biggest thing I have learnt is that bloggy friends are so lovely and understanding and will help whenever they can. Great post Sian :)

Cheri said...

I've learned that having a handful of loyal readers/commenters is more important to me than having a big impressive number of readers who never provide feedback!

Amanda said...

I've learnt that there are so many talented people out there and how so many of them are generous to share their ideas and knowledge just because they want to.

And like you say somethings are so much easier to put across to someone face to face.

Alana said...

Hmmm, what have I learnt? Well that UKS was invaluble to get my first readers and leaving a comment or two on other blogs, not only is it nice to do but often is reciprocated. I also found a whole new bunch of friends who 'get' my crafty tendancies and excitement of paper and colours. You know I love your blog bot just for the craftyness but also the stories that make you think...I had one like that or yes, so true.

debs14 said...

I've learnt that there are a lot of great people out there sharing similar interests to me and that by having a blog, I have 'met' people who I would never have come across in 'real life'. I've found that sometimes you write a post which you think is 'ok-ish' and then you get a ton of comments and you realise that you have hit a chord with people. I've learnt it's good to share the bad times and the good, and that a random sentance in a post can generate a comment that answers a question or puts things in perspective.
I've also learnt a lot by viewing other's layouts and crafty projects and I'm not ashamed to admit that I have tried hard to copy those I've really admired!

scrappyjacky said...

I've learned there are lots of lovely people out in cyberspace....and you can make real friends out there....I've learned that most blog readers like a variety on a blog....and I've learned just how inspiring other blogs can be.
Oh....and I've learned how to spend far too much time on the internet!!!!!!

Susanne said...

I have learned that less can be more, if you take the time to put more into less.

Melissa said...

Beautiful layout Sian! I've learned the fun of online communication. AND I've practically traveled the world over through other's blogs - seeing where they live and where they travel.

Kelli said...

interesting perspective...I should write about this :)

one thing I have learned is , "there is a time for everything, and sometimes there is time for bloggin' and sometimes there isn't..." LOL

Maria Ontiveros said...

I've learned that people read and write blogs on different schedules, that you can bring together lots ofvdifferent "circles of interest", that you can become true friends with people you've never met in real life, that I have a strong desire to share my art with others, and that quality (in writing, in art, in photography) really show so "no post is better than a bad, uninspired post."
Rinda
Ps lve the layout today, especially the birdhouse

Lizzie said...

Ooh, I've learned lots! But I'll try to pick out the Best things...

I've learned that there are a lot of lovely people out there, in the Blogging World and that you really can make Real Friends, even when they live thousands of miles away.

I've learned that I love to have a blog, because I can just write stuff, whenever I feel like it.

I've learned that some people are able to make and do amazing things and I love to see the results of their efforts!

I've learned that it's great to follow a small group of people on a regular basis, because you feel that you know them - and I like to know the people I connect with, at least a little bit.

I have also learned that scrapbooking is not as important to me as blogging, or book-binding... but that it doesn't really matter!

Thank you Sian, this was a good post and I really like the scrap page - the little clouds on that paper are so gorgeous. I also remember that photo, which you used to have on your blog last year...

Tracy said...

I have learned so much it is hard to write it down. But most of all, I have learned that blogging is fun and if it is not fun at any stage I should take a break rather than feel forced to keep at it. That may sound a bit ominous lol, but actually it is a bit liberating to think that I dont need to view it as a job if that makes sense.

scrappysue said...

Oh isn't it sad that BBFS has come to an end *sniff*. I still have much to learn about blogging (since I spent many a year just rambling to myself, LOL!), but I do know it has been a pleasure to get to know more bloggers and to be able to follow their blogs too.

Unknown said...

I have learnt that sometimes you just have to accept that you don't have time to blog and that it is okay to have a break!

WendyB said...

I've learnt that I still haven't the foggiest idea what I'm doing or why most of the time - but that's ok too.

Love the colours in this lo Sian, I've used those papers before myself and loved them. I might dig the layout out and post it - I think it's to do with wine lol

Re 16 year olds and to prom or not to prom - I still can't make up my mind if they are a good or bad thing. Grumpy is at school until Whit and then home to revise. Good look in the weeks ahead to your dd.

Alison said...

I have remembered that I really enjoy writing and learned that I may have an addictive nature after all!
Alison xx

Anonymous said...

I have learnt that it is ok to miss a few days and that sometimes it is better to blog about something than to rant and rave about it.

Jimjams said...

Glad you've enjoyed BBFS - maybe I'll see you in some future re-run?

I've learnt that blogging is for more than displaying a scrapbook page or two, that stories need photos and that Google Reader is amazing!

Carmen said...

I get that with the humour thing too. I'm very VERY sarcastic and have said some things in jest and then received lovely emails asking if I'm OK... I then feel a bit shamefaced saying... I was only joking. But if I took away the sarcasm and rambling it wouldn't be me and so I continue. Those that can filter through the ramblings... stay, those that can't - don't come back.

Another thing I've learnt - don't think that because you have such and such amount of followers on your sidebar that you ACTUALLY have such and such amount. Some people come once, see something they like, follow and just don't come back. Some people expect you to 'trade' follows and when you don't... they don't come back... some people don't even follow but can you shake those boogers? Like Hell *g* - really - pay no heed to the followers thing and don't get upset if you lose some, gain some or whatever. Some people read and lurk but don't comment - some people quite plainly don't read and comment and you think what the...?? Some gorgeous people read and make such wonderful comments and then make your day :)

People around the World, regardless of nationality, religion, interests are going through the same crap as me. We are the World. Literally.

Those same people get me through the crap and I may never even meet them and they might never even know.

Blogging is the best therapy ever!

Anonymous said...

I've learned it's ok not to blog everyday but only when there's something I want to share and that I need to put more photos in some of my blogs (I'm sure some others need less though). I've so enjoyed taking BBFS and meetiing bloggers from other parts of the world.

Jennifer Shaw said...

What a beautiful book!!! Good tips too!

I have learned a few things about blogging. It still amazes me that I get to chat with people around the world. Just too cool! As much as it is fun to get new followers, I know that some don't really follow. I never ask for followers in order to qualify for a giveaway because I don't want followers who really don't care to follow. Lastly, I realize that some people don't read the post and then make comments that don't make sense. ;) Kinda funny.

Tinkertaylor said...

Your post has got me thinking as usual lol What I have learned is that blogging is supposed to be fun and I will blog when I want to not because I have to. Having said that I love looking through all the lovely blogs I follow and rarely miss a day.

Ginger said...

Lovely layout Sian :)

I've learned it's okay to take time away from blogging when needed...

I blog more now than I did when I first started...

The blogging community has lots of inspiration to offer...

Taking Shimelle's classes are worth every penny... not to mention I have met so many amazing people because of her!

Sue Althouse said...

Thanks for the link - great resource. I love your layout and really need to do a page about my blog. I think I've learned to relax and let my blog be a "want to do", not a "have to do" or "should do". I really don't need one more obligation, but love the online interaction and camaraderie.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

:o) Hooray - catching up over here this morning and thoroughly enjoying myself! I actually smiled at your #3 about it being hard to be funny when we can't see your face. For the record, I get you, and I think you're funny, face or no face! xo

Ruth said...

It works best for me if I type exactly how I think, which is probably why I'm not the world's best blogger!

Miriam said...

I'm catching up this morning, how lovely it feels! Your post is food for thought for me Sian. Another of your 'great ideas' Just two things for now,
Blogging for me has become a really effective way to de-stress.
Just one comment can lift my spirits.
I love your layout especially the little house, it reminds me of a 3d card I made, I'll look it out. Sian, you always do that! Ok a third thing, 'meeting' you and your good ideas!

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