I want to be a blogger too. PART 1
Disclaimer: Everything written below are my own words based on personal experiences
Fashion blogging, travel blogging, review blogging, blogging. It's hit an all-time phenomenon and every single one of us can be a blogger. We hear how saturated the market is, how it's 'too hard' to break into it, but if you're passionate about it and you just want to write to get your digital voice out there, then you're on the right track.
Creating a blog with the one aim to be 'insta-famous' is not the way to go, it's a cool ambition, but these things do take time and honestly, after four years I still feel like I'm trying to break the ice on the interwebs.
So you want to be a blogger?
Firstly pick a niche market that you're interested in. Chances are, out of the millions and billions of people out there, they'll be interested just as much as you are. Once you've identified what you want to write about pick three social media platforms you want to dish out on.
If you're wondering why I'm writing this and saying "Aren't you scared of competition?" No, not really, because we're all different and we all have a different tone of voice.
Social media platforms.
Think, do I want to use Instagram? Pinterest, Youtube, Tumblr, WordPress, Squarespace, LiveJournal, facebook?
Pick only three of these platforms, that you want to focus your energy on, or even two when you're just starting out. This will keep up your personal motivation, you'll be able to focus on your main platforms. Sometimes you might not see results within a week, a month or even a year. But if you pursue, and keep writing and posting your content, eventually you will be found, heard and read.
Proofread your work.
Having someone read over your work is the best way to not only make sure you have zero errors in your work, but it also helps you learn and grow and to accept constructive criticism. It's OK for your proofreader to have an opinion, don't take it to heart just take everything as advice. Get your mum, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or even your grandmother to have a read over it. They don't have to be professionals, as long as they understand your work, then the rest of the world will too.
This can be hard because sometimes you might not feel comfortable having a friend read your work. I like to use Grammarly to help me with correcting my work on my own. I also will take a break from my work for a few hours, watch Netflix and then I'll come back to my piece and read it out loud. I try to get out of my mind, so to speak when correcting my own piece.
Structure your blog posts, have flow in your writing.
You literally have less than 5 seconds to grab someones attention with your writing, so kick start your piece with something exciting, punchy and entertaining. You don't want to read a piece that drains you right? So don't post up that one up! Use adjectives describe every moment, let your words sing.
EXAMPLE
What we don't want.
We went travelling, it was fun. Saw big rocks, they were cool.
What we want
Today we went travelling, it was the first time in ages I could wear a t-shirt, I could feel the hot air skim my shoulders whilst we trekked the hike. The view was phenomenal, I felt the world under my feet as i glanced at the never-ending blue sky.
See the difference?