Blogging From a Newbie's Perspective - from BBC Mentor Pink Postcard

Sadly, the BBC has come to a close! What a crazy fun series it was!! Did you enjoy it as much as I did??? I must say that I will be glad to get back to sharing my DIY journey with you, but I will miss my BBC friends! I will be sure to keep up the fun at least twice a month with mentor and featured blogger posts.

Don't forget Simply Klassic Sunday this weekend will include a special linky to share your posts on all things blogging related: blogging tips, advice, where you blog, an introduction to your blog, or even asking questions. I can't wait to see what you all have to share!!

Today's mentor is the fabulous Denise from Pink Postcard who is here to share with you some of the best blogging advice you could get - feeling discouraged? We've all been there!!!

Thank you so much Kristin, for inviting me to be a part of this series! I think this is such a great idea and so helpful- I wish I'd had a resource like this when I started Pink Postcard! Such an honor, and I am so humbled to be a part of this.

This is a post I wrote when I was fairly new to blogging. I didn't expect anything other than to get real about my feelings. No one seemed to be talking about their experience, except when I would email or talk on the phone with some of my other blog friends.

This was me sharing my feelings at the time, and I was completely overwhelmed by the response this post got. As a side note: some of the photos have changed since the original post because I could no longer find the originals.

Blogging from a Newbie's Perspective: what I've learned so far

You sent for me sir?

Yes, Clarence. A man down on earth needs our help.

Splendid! Is he sick?

No. Worse. He's discouraged.

I have to admit- I was pretty naive about what 'blogging' was.

The only blogs I knew about were family/personal blogs, or techie blogs, or movie junkie blogs.

I had a family blog in 2006, and gave it up after a few months. I found Facebook, and decided that would be a better format for sharing what was going on with my family.

For most of 2009, I had a desperation to find a way to connect with other creative people. Painters, decorators, people who were uber creative who could help expand my creative thinking cap.

I was talking to two of my sister in laws about wanting to work from home in a business related to interior decorating, but I also loved cooking and gardening.

One of them said to me, you should start a webpage!

I am so technically challenged I had no idea how I would build /start a webpage.

And then last year, a friend suggested I check out My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.

Blogging?! I kinda knew how to do that!

And then my whole world was blown wide open to a virtual online magazine of decorating!

Holy cow!!

Last July, I started this little project called PinkPostcard.

I really had no idea what I was doing, and was figuring out things as I went along, mostly too shy or embarrassed to ask questions of seasoned bloggers.

And then it happened. About two months into it, I started feeling insecure about how slowly my blog was 'growing,' I started gauging my day on how many people had commented or signed up to follow me.

And when you're blogging about things that are personal to you- your home, your sanctuary, the thing you take pride in- and it feels like few people are jumping on board with you, while the blog that started up three months after you has exploded with followers, well, it gets discouraging.

Just bein' real here.

And then about a month ago, I ventured into the hostess role.

In week 3, I woke up to check on the party, and GASP!

nobody's here?

*sniff*

Later that day, I saw that we indeed did have a party, but that was a tough day.

I felt like a big fat loser.

Remember the scene in Something's Gotta Give where she's writing and crying off and on?

Yeah, that was pretty much me. Going between discouragement and overwhelmed by the support of fellow bloggers, saying Me Too!

If you will, play this video and imagine this is me, blogging and reading your emails of encouragement:

(It's kinda long- you get the idea after about a minute)

And please please PLEASE, if you linked up in week three, don't think that I didn't absolutely appreciate you who were there- because I truly did! I just thought that by week 3, I wouldn't be seeing an empty page after two hours of being open for business! :(

Later that day, as I was visiting blogland, I came across a post by Donna from; Funky Junk Interiors. It brought me to tears. I was so encouraged, I wrote her a note of thanks.

She was incredibly kind in her words of encouragement and suggestions. I am forever grateful.

And then, in talking to some of the friends I've made since I started blogging, I discovered something....

Everyone else felt like me at one time or another!

Here's what I learned from my own experience thus far, and what others are saying:

*It's an emotional roller coaster.

*There just aren't enough hours in the day to visit everyone you'd like to, respond to all of the wonderful comments, and meet new blogs.

*Sometimes it feels like you're back in high school and it's like trying to get the attention of the popular kids (blogs) or keep up to eventually be on that track of popularity.

*It costs money to blog! I thought it would be a relatively "free" thing for me to do. Uh, no. Projects cost money and so does starting a business (like Etsy- that you help promote with blogging!)

*Not having enough "good things to write about"

*Not having projects good enough

*Wondering why some blogs have huge followings and yours is feeling rather invisible

*Some of my most favorite bloggers have all considered quitting their blogs at one point or another!

So, I write all this to say thank you over the past week to those of you (and you know who you are!) for your words of encouragement, for helping me not to feel like a big fat loser, and that I am not alone in my feelings. Every one of us started because we love what we blog about! And there are those days of discouragement and feeling unworthy.

If I can offer any thing positive as to what I'm learning, it's this:

Dear Denise: (and others in the same boat)

* Blogging takes time and dedication. Whether you do it for fun or as a business venture. Give yourself a break and relax. Enjoy it!

* Link up to parties, it's how people find you from the billion other blogs out there!

* Go with your gut.

* Be personal. (still working on this one) I started out thinking that I had to be careful about what I was writing about myself. You know, because of all those crazy rapists that stalk blogs. (kidding) I don't give out anything that personal. But we are human beings, we want to connect with people!

* don't compare yourself to anyone else. You have something unique to offer. Really, you do!!

* Teach. You may think what you know is not worthwhile or too simplistic, but someone out there doesn't know how to do it! It's what people want to know!

* Learn from people who do what you do- it's free! And probably a whole lot more interesting than sitting in a classroom.

If you're thinking about quitting blogging because of the time commitment, or just sheer disappointment, or unworthiness, please don't! Those of you who have been brave enough and honest enough to say so- I would sincerely miss your personality and what you bring to the blogging community. I may not get to personally tell you that as often as I'd like, but, I would!

I have so enjoyed my 7 month journey into blogging. I'm not considering jumping off a bridge into icy waters for the insurance money, and I'm not quitting my blog.

It's just been different than what I expected, and I never knew I wasn't the only one feeling the way I did!

I also never expected to find more supportive and thoughtful people on this journey. It's so nice to see women helping women.

So, sit down and pull that safety bar over your lap.

Hang on! Everyone else is feeling just like you do!

Still feeling discourage? Don't! We've ALL been there, whether as beginners or seasoned bloggers. That's why I created this community called the BBC. I've hope it's been helpful to you!

Saturday night, Simply Klassic Sunday will go live at 4 pm (PST). Remember, there will be not only a general linky for your projects and such, but there will be a special link up for all things blog related - your favorite tips & tricks, advice, where you blog, what you've learned or just a general introduction to your blog! Come back later to join in the fun!
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