It’s my two-year blogiversary! I can’t believe how fast these two years have gone by and how much I’ve grown as a content creator. Over the years, I’ve learned so much about business, blogging, social media, marketing, relationship-building, and creativity. Here are some important lessons I’ve learned since I started this journey. If you’re interested in becoming a blogger or content creator, I hope these lessons inspire or encourage you. My emails/DMs are always open so please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or need support.
Don’t compare your journey to others
When starting out, remember that everyone is on a different path. No one is doing exactly what you’re doing, in the way you’re doing it. Growth is not linear. Sometimes, it’s unpredictable and uncertain! My advice is to unfollow any accounts that make you feel like you’re doing something wrong or that you’re less successful than them. Focus on your individual journey. Research, learn, connect, keep an open mind, try new things, and make improvements as you go along. The growth will come.
Perfectionism kills progress
As a former perfectionist, this is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned. At times, I would focus so much on making my content look a certain way, that I would end up not even posting it. After all that hard work! I would advise you to make sure that your content looks clean and cohesive, but don’t obsess over the details too much. We’re all human, and no one is perfect. Don’t be afraid to show those imperfections.
Have a niche, but don’t overthink it
We hear all the gurus and experts telling us to “create a niche and stick to it,” which makes sense to a certain degree. If you want to be known as an authority figure in your area, you have to choose a focus and center your content around that. However, remember that YOU are your niche and it’s perfectly okay to touch on other topics you are passionate about, as long as you’re still providing value to your audience. After all, we are multi-faceted individuals!
If you’re struggling with choosing a niche or focus area, ask yourself these questions: What can I talk about without getting bored? What topics am I passionate about? What do people ask me for advice on? What topics come easily to me? What am I inspired by? What do I want to learn more about? If you’re not sure, start with a broader topic, and narrow it down as you discover your interests. My main niche is travel but I also discuss photography, food, lifestyle, balancing my 9-5 with blogging, etc., because these are all things that I’m passionate about. When you share different pieces of yourself, you also provide an opportunity to connect more with your audience (they might relate to what you’re talking about).
Keep creating and sharing your content
There will be times when you feel discouraged because it seems like no one is noticing your hard work. Sometimes you’ll feel depleted because you worked hard on a piece of content and only a few people liked or commented on it. Well, I’m here to tell you that this is all part of the journey! If this is what you’re passionate about, keep creating and sharing your content, because it WILL resonate with someone.
There are people who need your travel tips (there’s a woman out there who just got out of a relationship and wants to take her first solo trip but doesn’t know how to do it), or personal story (there’s someone out there who just got diagnosed with a chronic illness and is feeling hopeless), or outfit ideas (there’s someone out there who has an interview coming up but doesn’t feel confident in any of their clothes). We’re all human and we all go through similar experiences. Ultimately, there’s bound to be someone in the world who can relate to you and benefit from your advice. So don’t be afraid to share your content!
Create frameworks and systems
Frameworks and systems will be your best friend – especially as you grow and your responsibilities increase. Before you begin posting, write out a business/content plan and content strategy. (Remember that saying, “If you fail to plan”…?) Your content plan doesn’t need to be too formal or lengthy, and you can do this in Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Click HERE to learn how to develop a content strategy.
You should outline your goals, target audience, mission/vision, and procedures for your brand or business. Create a system for writing posts/captions, taking photos/videos, and scheduling/posting. This plan will undoubtedly serve as your guide when you’re feeling confused or uninspired.
Take breaks and stay inspired
Speaking of inspiration, leave room for breaks and rest. Creating content consistently is HARD and can be quite exhausting. It’s perfectly normal (and wise) to take regular breaks from social media and creating content. These breaks allow you to rest, recharge, and seek out sources of inspiration. Read books, spend time with loved ones, go outside, travel, listen to music, exercise, and engage in other hobbies. I don’t believe that creating content should cost you your mental wellness. If needed, set app limits on your phone and remove notifications that aren’t important. Your health comes first!
GeeGee says
You’re doing a great job! Keep the articles coming.
admin says
Thanks so much! ☺️