LESSONS I’VE LEARNT IN ONE YEAR BLOGGING

LESSONS I'VE LEARNT IN ONE YEAR BLOGGING

Happy Blogaversary,

I still remember the day I was installing wordpress and had totally no idea what I was doing( oh the memories) but I’m happy to say that after one year of lots of writing and learning along the way, I managed to keep at it. So yes people Jocajic.com turned one last week and I had to write a post to tell you how everything was and most of all the lessons I’ve learnt in one year blogging. I’m going to try to make this post not to be too long and just be straight to the point, so let’s get right into it.

1. CONTENT IS KEY

I know you’ve heard about this a lot but I’m sorry to tell you that it’s true. If you want to gain traffic and more readers, your content has to be good enough to make someone stay and read your blog and also want to come back for more, my other post here has more on that do check it out. So make sure you write content that you would want to read and gain something from at the end of it all.

2. NETWORKING

I learnt this the hard way by being late to the promotion party all detailed here. In order for your blog to do well, you need to be able to network with other bloggers by use of social media and joining groups. It may sound as the simplest thing to do but you also have to figure out what kind of groups are right for you and are along your niche. By you doing that, you not only get traffic but you end up learning so much more from other bloggers out there just like you by asking for help where necessary that will help you in your blogging journey. I have been able to join great groups all through Facebook, Pinterest and Tailwind tribes which have really helped me immensely.

LESSONS I'VE LEARNT IN ONE YEAR BLOGGING

3. BE YOURSELF

Nothing beats authenticity and the only way to have that is by being yourself, that’s probably the most important thing I’ve learnt this year. Comparing what someone else is doing or has achieved more than you will not only hurt you but will make you stray away from what you should be doing which is focusing on your blog. By being yourself, your readers get to know the real you and that’s how you get loyal readers who will always be there to read your content. For you to be able to get yourself out there and be noticed as a blogger, just be you and the rest will follow.

4. PROCRASTINATION

We all go through this at one point and let me just tell you that this can really mess you up. I did this even before starting my blog, not wanting to do it or thinking it’s not the right time or just waiting for something to happen for me to do it. Same goes for when your blogging, I’ve learnt that waiting to do something later on or until the last minute has been my downfall. That post which you were supposed to write last week but never go to do it then trying to do it a day before or hours before it’s published is not a good idea. So stop procrastinating and just get on with it on time.

5. WRITER’S BLOCK IS NO JOKE

I’m seriously not joking here, if I can only tell you how many times I’ve sat looking at a blank screen not knowing what to right, it would be pitiful. But all I can say is that it happens and don’t beat yourself up about it, all you need to do is just relax go through your posts, read some blogs and figure out what you can offer your readers to help them or what answers you’ve been wanting to know then just expand from that. You’re not alone it happens most of the time.

6. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

This was really hard for me because I thought I had to blog nonstop to achieve something but with that, comes writer’s block I just talked about above and the only way to avoid that is by giving yourself a break. Designate days where you don’t have to even look at your laptop or any blogging work. I know it can be difficult because when you love doing something, you want to perfect it all the time but remember that too much of anything is poisonous, so do yourself a favour and take a break once in a while to regroup then come back afterwards fresh and full of ideas. The longest break I took was a month where I wrote nothing and just decided to do other things away from the blogging world, it was hard but necessary at the end.

7. YOU WILL SPEND MONEY

When I started my blog, I told myself that the only thing I was going to pay for was the start up and hosting but I slowly realised that I’ve had to spend on some extra things which come up as you continue blogging. So far, I have not spent as much as other bloggers have but just for the necessary and important things. The last thing I accepted to pay for was for Picmonkey after finding out it wasn’t free anymore but also because I use it all the time to create my pins. I know there’s Canva which is free but I honestly tried using it but was too confusing for me. So just remember that you may need to spend some money along the way.

8. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Another lesson that I’ve learnt this year is to believe in myself, not everybody thinks you can do it. You have to know that there may be naysayers and haters along your journey. The ones who think that blogging is a waste of your time and the ones who will leave you nasty comments for no reason at all but just remember that it’s just to test whether you believe in yourself or not. Not everyone has to love your content that’s why niches are there and no matter what those hate comments say, they don’t have to like you either just believe in yourself and your good to go.

LESSONS I'VE LEARNT IN ONE YEAR BLOGGING

9. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Last but not least, patience is really a virtue. Being patient is not only necessary when blogging but it will keep you sane. If you’re one of those people who expect 100,000 thousand views in your first month, then I’m sorry to burst your bubble but it’s time you choose something else to do because it’s not going to happen overnight. It takes time, lots of work and research so just be patient continue creating great content and it will pay off at the end.

So that’s it, the lessons I’ve learnt in my year of blogging. I am looking forward to the next chapter and what will come next, I also have many ideas and strategies I will be using and I know if I continue doing what I’m doing and work harder, then I will soon be celebrating my second year and many more to come. I would also like to thank you all who have been reading my blog and commenting on my posts, wouldn’t be able to reach here without you all. Once again thank you very much, stay blessed and until next time do tell me, what have you learnt so far in your blogging journey?

 


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126 Comments

  1. All of the points are so true and even though blogging is still a hobby for me it’s very time consuming if you want other people to read it. I love it though! Happy blogging anniversary!

  2. Happy one year anniversary. I will say that I enjoy blogging it’s kind of cathartic for me. But I agree with you, content content content is key!!!! And your content is always good!

  3. I definitely got on the networking boat a little bit too late, but it is so helpful!

  4. So true, all of this! Happy blogiversary!! Content is totally the number one most important thing, and number two is networking. If you don’t get your content out there for others to see, you’re going to be super sad that no one will see what you’ve written.

  5. Yup, I so agree with all of these lessons! Happy One Year! Networking is SO important. I find I do it on a daily basis.

  6. So helpful to see what someone is going through a year in. I’m just starting and it’s great to see these lessons. It’s going to take tons of work, but that’s what makes it worth it!

    Happy 1 year!.

  7. Patience is definitely a virtue but the rewards are vast when you work hard ! Congrats on one year of blogging and I agree that good content and networking is definitely key! x

  8. Happy blogiversary! It’s such a fun journey, but yes, there is definitely the moments of writer’s block! I think all these lessons are accurate, no matter what you choose to blog about!

  9. Learned a lot from this article and I can totally relate with you. Blogging is challenging yet such a fun journey. Wishing you success in this journey.

  10. Those are the same thing that I’ve learned in my first. Those are such awesome things to always remember.

  11. Great tips – thanks for sharing. One thing I’ve learned is the power of focus. I set my timer for 50 minutes, and when that’s up I drink a glass of water and do 5-10 minutes of stretching, walking or dancing about. It’s really helped my productivity and energy levels. Good luck with 2018! x

    1. Love your idea, it’s great to keep yourself motivated and as you said help in productivity, I will be stealing that lol. Thank you so much.

  12. Happy one year to you and much success to you. Can agree with a lot with every single point. I think patience is my number one. Nothing comes over night.

  13. I learned some similar lessons in my first year and love hearing your perspective. I think being authentic is so key, and helps bloggers stand out. Good luck with your second year!! 🙂

  14. How about blogging is a real job! I’ve had several friends tell my blogging friends that they don’t have a real job. It takes hard work and dedication! Congrats on your first year, these are important lessons!

    1. I know what you mean I’ve heard that from even close friends who think all bloggers do is probably nothing but so long as you do YOU, all will be fine.

  15. Congrats on your 1st year of blogging! it is a big milestone! and you are right with all of these! absolutely true! patience is key!

  16. These are really great lessons learned! I love your point about content. Content will always be king and will take you far.

  17. As easy as networking can be it is actually quite hard. I want to try so many groups and in doing so I’ve never truly ‘connected’ with any few or even one in a valuable way. I need to scale back and feel more personal in groups

    1. The thing about networking is choosing the right groups it doesn’t have to be too many because you end up getting overwhelmed and not being able to connect, just narrow them down to the most helpful.

  18. Procrastination is also my downfall at times. But I agree it goes hand in hand with giving yourself a break. Sometimes you just have to prioritize what is right at that moment for you. And sometimes that is indeed taking a break. Thanks for sharing!

  19. excellent points right there! Patience is one important one right there!! Many want’s to see results fast but patience can take you far if you don’t give up!

  20. BE YOURSELF. BE YOURSELF. BE YOURSELF. BE YOURSELF. I cannot stress this enough. If you are NOT yourself via your blog, then you will wind up not being happy with what you’re doing and eventually give up!

  21. Congrats on your first year of blogiversary! These are great pointers. Agree that patience is virtue and by working hard in the long run, the rewards are endless.

  22. Congrats on your 1st blogiversary, the points in your post are so on ‘point’. The amount you learn and work through when you actually start blogging is amazing.
    Great post, and congrats again ?

  23. Joining groups has been the best thing for me as a blogger. I has no idea what the heck I was doing when I first started and realized really quickly that creating a community is the most important thing. I love your tips and definitely needed them as a reminder. I love your work and Happy Blogiversary. Amazing <3

    XO, Sivan
    http://www.theolivebrunette.com

  24. Woo-hoo! Congratulations on your 1st annual blogversary! This is a huge milestone and deserves proper celebration. I hope you do something special just for yourself! Take care and happy holidays!

  25. Love this! Happy one year, so exciting!! These are so true, ESPECIALLY the one about authenticity! My mom always tells me that too because she is also a blogger… and the Fb groups are great. And linkups! Just need to utilize them more 🙂

  26. Networking is definitely key when it comes to blogging. You need to have people in your corner!

  27. Congrats on the blogversary! I also learned the value of networking this year, when I met so many lovely ladies during NYFW! It’s invaluable to have a group of girls you can bounce ideas off of or just vent to when no one else around you “gets” what you’re doing.

    -Marissa
    http://www.quartzandleisure.com

  28. This is so refreshing to read. I’ve only be em in this blogging world for 5 months, and have experiences a few of these. Thanks so much for sharing. Shine on ✨

  29. This is such a great post. Every point you made couldn’t be more true! Congrats on your blogversary!

    Erica
    Whattheclique.com

  30. Thank you so much for sharing this! I also read your blog on how to get noticed as a blogger which is really helpful as well. I started my blog https://blackerbsj.wordpress.com a few weeks ago and I have been scouring the internet and facebook groups for advice ever since so thank you again for your insight! I only have two posts right now but if you have time to take a look and let me know what you think that would be awesome! I am trying to get all the feedback I can from those who have been there and done it!

  31. Omg I suffer from writers block so badly too, its honestly one of the worst things ever but I will try out your method of looking through old writers post’s for inspo. Thanks for sharing

  32. Happy Blogiversary!! These are all great tips. I need to remember all of these moving forward because I just launched my blog the end of December.

  33. I was late to the promotion party also, and the long pins party. After joining both, things changed drastically!

  34. Happy one year to you. You definitely learnt some good lessons 🙂 I love the part where you said just be yourself. I totally agree. I know a lot of bloggers who try to change themselves so that they can get a bigger audience which turns out to hurt them in the end and yes writers block is definitely no joke 🙂

  35. Congrats on a year of blogging! You hit the nail on the head with this list. I’m coming up on 3 years in March and I feel like I’m constantly learning.

  36. I admire you for sharing all you have learned in just your first year of blogging – and thank you for sharing these lessons for all of us to read! I have to say the biggest one I’m still dealing with is procrastination – not intentionally, but just having the day or moment slip away, and then it’s beyond my available time or mental capacity to construct a decent blog post on any given day.

  37. you are such an amazing blogger. I must confess you are also a prolific writer. I always love coming here because your post inspire me always, like Oliver twist I keep asking for me.

  38. Congratulations and go at your own pace.Happy blogiversary!! It is a huge milestone.

  39. I certainly learned these things after my first year of blogging – anddddd now I have been blogging for SIX YEARS!!! It’s crazy how time flies and if you are committed to your blog, you’ll keep on trucking! Blogging is the most amazing creative outlet in my person opinion!

  40. Great post! I think networking is so important (and something I’m finally making more time for in my journey). And be authentic. The more I’m ‘me’ when writing (and really, who else would I be on my own blog?), the more positive feedback I get from my posts.

    1. Exactly, I usually hate when some bloggers try to be something they are not or copy someone else’s voice which ends up showing through their content.

  41. I started my blog in July 2017, so I’m coming up on a year. Thanks for these. (Also, I was so upset when Picmonkey wasn’t free anymore!! I’ve started using Canva, but I thought Picmonkey was easier. Maybe it’s worth paying for…)

  42. Well done in your first year of blogging! These are some awesome lessons you have learnt within the first year. I totally get you on the writers block.

  43. Congratulations on your one-year blogversary! We all learn so many things along our blogging journey, and networking is incredibly valuable. Believing in yourself and your own creativity and talents, and abstaining from comparing yourself to others is key to long-term success.

  44. Congratulations! I think I would have started with the last point :)) I don’t have patience. All the lessons are great. I use Canva a lot, I find it very useful. Maybe you should give it another try. Also, the procrastination, damn, I’m so guilty. Keep it up, and to many years ahead 🙂

  45. So many great tips! Truly I think it journey is a lot about networking and good content and social media presence and all those things, but I think the BIGGEST part (as you mentioned a few times) is being authentic. People can see right through a faker! Congratulations on all of your success in the last year!

  46. The crazy thing is we are all learning things ever day. Keep up the amazing work girl.

  47. I’ve honestly learned the most from the networking I’ve done. Through joining communities, I get to see other people’s blogs who are at the relative same level as me and I get to learn little tricks and formatting styles that would help me better my own blog. Reading other blogs is the best (and free) way to preview a potential blog add-on or a site designer’s portfolio before buying the service or add-on!
    Nicolette | https://nicolette.co

  48. I agree with all this. Blogging is time consuming and only the ones who are passionate make it last long without expecting compensation. I’ve been blogging for 4 years and I haven’t stopped though there are few months of hiatus that happened 2 times in that 4 years but I’m still here and happily blogging!

  49. We still have to hit 1st anniversary for our blog but I can totally relate to your feelings. Patience and belief are must, well said!

  50. Happy Blogaversary! These are such important lessons to learn, and ones that many bloggers don’t learn as quickly as you did. Good for you! Keep up the great content!

  51. Networking is such an important part of running a successful blog. You need to find your niche and connect with your tribe.

  52. Great tips babe! I wrote a post on this myself when I first hit my one year. Congrats!

  53. It looks like you have learned a lot within a year in your blog. Happy One Year Anniversary too you!!! keep up the good work.

  54. One year down, many more to come! I love your work and hope your success continues!

  55. Blogging definitely takes patience and yours has paid off. I absolutely love your blog and it seems like it is way more than a year in the making. Congrats!

  56. Content is super important in a blog. Its a sad truth, you will not get subscribers or followers if your content isnt up to par. Thanks for sharin, I hope this will help a lot of people.

  57. Congratulations on a year of blogging! I will certainly say these are all lessons I can relate to and have learned over my years of blogging. That one about writer’s block is all too real and familiar.

  58. First, congrats on your first year! We’re new and have been blogging for a little over seven months and I have to say you are dead right on all of these! Really great post!