Q: How do you decide what to post about every day? I’m new to blogging and feeling a lot of pressure. I worry what I write will be boring. Do you ever worry about that? Do you have a checklist that you go through to see if something is good to write about? Do you ever worry that people won’t like what you share? Do you ever skip a post if you think it will be poorly received? Do you try to pace things out in a strategic way? – Nina M.
A: Aw, I’m sorry that you feel any pressure at all, Nina. Figuring out what to post about sounds like it could be complicated, but to us the key is not to over-think it. When we started this whole blogging thing back in 2007, no one was reading (seriously we could hear crickets) so the pressure was nice and low. Sometimes we chatted about big stuff (like our four month kitchen renovation) and sometimes it was small stuff (like a baseboard-related conversation, discovering old wallpaper, or someone accidentally selling our washer).
Slowly our blog grew to what it is today, and so did our commitment to sticking to what got us here: blogging about whatever’s going on in our lives (big or small – random, housey, or otherwise) like it’s our job. Because it actually is our job. Yup, from weird dreams to DIY haircuts and pretty much everything else, it all has a place in our weird little slice of the internet. So our advice in a nutshell would be to chat about whatever you’re genuinely excited to share and the majority of your readers will hopefully connect with your authenticity and feel your excitement right through their computer screen.
And you know I’m happy to be that hyper little cheerleader on your shoulder shouting high-pitched borderline-annoying things like: “you can do it!” and “go get ’em!” – so here’s my humble advice in a nutshell:
- Find a pace that works for you.
- Learn what topics you like to tackle.
- Look for unconscious clues along the way.
- Skip any post that you’re not excited about.
- Nothing is too small if you’re psyched to post about it.
- Try sharing more of yourself, no matter how random.
- Relax, it’s only blogging.
- Do. Your. Thang.
- You can’t win ’em all.
- A happy blogger = happy readers.
Allow me to do what I do best and elaborate the heck outta those:
#1. Find a pace that works for you. It’s probably one of the biggest “discoveries” that you’ll make along the way. Don’t worry, it’ll happen. Figuring out a pace that works for you will do two things: it’ll help your readers understand what to expect (thereby hopefully reducing your fear of the unknown as a new blogger) and you won’t feel rushed or bored (two things that can quickly kill a blog). We usually share about 2-3 projects a week along with a smorgasbord of other random house/family related stuff. You can see from our monthly round-ups that although some weeks are busier than others, at the end of each month we’re always surprised at how much we’ve done. Sometimes the projects are big and sometimes they’re just small updates. That just tends to be the DIY way – you ebb and you flow. But hey, that’s real life (with real budget constraints, snafus, & timeline challenges) so don’t get discouraged! This tip is probably one of the most important ones since it can easily determine the longevity of your blog (our pace is probably the only reason we’ve been able to blog/DIY non-stop for the past 5 years without burning out).
#2. Learn what topics you like to tackle. Then give yourself free reign in all of those areas (no fear allowed). In the past five years of this blog we’ve been all over the place, which is actually how we like it. And in all of that time, we’ve only renovated one bathroom and two kitchens along with building one patio and one deck, so it’s hardly major work that’s going on at all times. Most of the time we’re just noodling or making small/affordable tweaks (painting something, making DIY art, window shopping, sharing budget blooms, buying/thrifting something, doing small upgrades, rearranging furniture, re-organizing something, sharing Dude Get On That Already & Pinterest Challenges, etc). And sometimes we do full weeks of posts on a certain theme, like our wedding or our blogiversary. Heck, we’ve even had an entire week devoted to organizing! Just chat about whatever you’re loving or doing.
#3. Look for unconscious clues along the way. If we look at our monthly round-ups for the last 1.5 years, we notice that we usually have the same smattering of big and small projects going on each month. There are rarely months with all large things or all small things. We don’t consciously plan it that way, but that just seems to be what works for us. I think if you blog for a little while, the right pace for you will hopefully make itself clear.
#4. Skip any post that you’re not excited about. If it feels like work and you’re not psyched to share it, just let it go. We definitely do things around the house that we decide not to blog about. For example, we don’t always feel like blogging about re-organizing our drawers every time we do it – so we might skip that if we don’t feel like writing it up. That being said, sometimes posts are hard to write (for example, this personal one about my aunt’s passing) but I actually really wanted to write that to honor her memory and for Clara to look back on. It was hard, but it was worth it. So the posts that feel pesky, annoying, and not-worth-your-trouble are the ones I’d actually consider skipping.
#5. Nothing is too small if you’re psyched to post about it. Try to have a no holds barred / no rules policy if you’re excited to share something (people can tell when you’re holding back and blogging can be a lot less satisfying if you are). We love that nothing is too big or too small to chat about with you guys. Thank goodness. I think if there were rules we probably would have checked out about 4.5 years ago. Sometimes we do something really small and we’re so excited by the difference it makes in our home/life that we’ll share a quick little post about it. And sometimes those posts actually get the majority of our readers the most excited (so if we were to leave them out we’d never know that 200 folks would comment about how they liked a tiny/free clipboard project that we shared, while fewer people commented about some much more “hardcore” deck demo that we posted a week later).
#6. Try sharing more of yourself, no matter how random. Occasionally we chat about random things like running and breastfeeding. Sure, we wonder how the heck they’ll go over before hitting publish for a second – but then we just say “whatever!” and click the button. My breastfeeding post actually got over 1,000 comments and John’s post about running earned nearly 500! We never know what will be a hit, so we just share whatever’s going on that we think is fun – big or small, housey or random, kid-focused or grown-up related. Just try to let go of the pressure that you put on yourself (I know, that’s easier said than done) and you’ll be a happier, more enthusiastic blogger. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that you’re not decorating your house or blogging for the entire world, but in our opinion, the blogs where people decorate their house and blog for themselves are the ones that are the most compelling and fun to read. So that might be our biggest tip.
#7. Relax, it’s only blogging. Personal home blogging (and almost any other type of blogging, actually) is loosey-goosey in a great way – whether it’s your full time job or just a hobby. Either way, the goal is to be real and share “yourself and the way you live” – whatever that might be. We truly believe it’s why we’ve loved doing it pretty much nonstop since 2007 (with no more than a few days off in a row). It’s definitely our job and we are hugely devoted to it, but it was born from a passion, so we gotta keep that passion going. If we only wanted to talk about step by step tutorials every day we’d hire a staff of people to churn out seven projects a week or start a business-y website without “us” in it – but we’re just not into that. That’s why we call this our DIY diary, and not an e-zine or a home improvement database. It’s just life through our lens. Our little rose colored DIY glasses, if you will. Or our Photoshop plastic wrapped glasses…
#8. Do. Your. Thang. The truth is that every post that you write will probably be enjoyed by some folks and some people will just scroll on by or click over to another blog that happens to catch their eye a bit more that day. Heck, that’s how we read blogs (skimming or skipping things that aren’t our style and stopping to soak up the posts that call our name). I think getting comfortable with that is really one of the keys to blogging, since it’s impossible to even attempt to make every last post appeal to every last person who stops in (you entire blog will end up being so generic/safe due to Trying-To-Please-Everyone Syndrome or it’ll be so infrequently updated since your standards for posts will be impossibly high). So just do your thing! That’s hopefully why people read your blog – for what YOU bring to the table. Even if it’s photos of yourself in airbrushed jeans that make your butt wink.
#9. You can’t win ’em all. If there’s one thing we’ve learned in five years of doing this, it’s that no matter how hard you try, you can’t please everyone. In fact trying to please everyone can lead to a slow painful blog death. There’s just always going to be someone who wants you to go slower so they can keep up or faster so they’re more entertained, or to post about more giant projects since they want to see something major while someone else might want more small/free projects since their budget is lower. One person’s least favorite post will be someone else’s favorite. Heck, we’ve even gotten requests for more family/Burger/Clara stuff within days of getting requests for less of it. Everyone is different, so you just have to “do you” as $herdog likes to say (third person $herdog = jackpot).
Let’s get mathy for a second. Usually once every 10,000 comments or so we get someone saying they’re not into a certain post (here’s a post about how we deal with criticism in case that helps). Thankfully when you do the math, that works out to less than .01% of comments being in that vein. Those odds aren’t that bad, right? By sharing your life with the internet at large, there’s so much encouragement and good that comes from it. And while there are definitely a very small percentage of people who might take the time to say “this post was so boring” or “I think you’re running out of things to do” – just know that someone has been sporadically saying that to us for years. Yet we’re still here blogging our pants off, following the exact same “formula” that we always have, and gratefully soaking up words of appreciation and encouragement from the vast majority of our readers.
#10. A happy blogger = happy readers. They can usually sense when you’re upset or nervous – and your blog is a lot more magnetic when you’re just being your happy-go-lucky self. So throw caution into the wind and blog to your little heart’s content! When in doubt, try picturing an imaginary bumper sticker that says:
I like that Burger weaseled his way in there. Such a ham. Anyway, that’s my brain dump. I hope it helps at least one or two of you out there who might be starting a blog or struggling with what to post about. And I’d love to hear from you guys on the subject of post subjects! Any advice for Nina? Is there anyone else out there who feels pressure before clicking that “publish” button? Do you have a mental checklist that you go through before you write about something or just share whatever’s banging around in your head? Tell $herdog all about it.
Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job.
Erika says
I only read blogs, don’t have one, but my advice would be to post consistently – whether that be daily, weekly, etc.
As a reader, I like to know when I can expect new content. I think posting less often, but on a consistent basis, is more appealing to readers (at least this one!) than sporadic postings :)
Good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Great advice everyone! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Steph says
I get that everyone is entitled to their own opinion (about how some people want more big projects, more smaller ones, move at a slower/faster pace, etc) and that one one’s opinion is wrong, but I’m here to tell you that whoever is requesting less Burger and Clara is wrong, end of story ;)
In all seriousness, this is great advice! I don’t have a blog yet (thinking of starting one soon!) so my advice may not be the best, but I just wanted to add that you have to think of reasons why you want to blog in the first place! I definitely don’t plan on my blog ever paying my bills (I know you guys didn’t either but I don’t think I’ll ever have it in me to do a blog like this!) so I’m realistic about my goals. The idea of me starting a blog would be to connect with people who have the same interests as me and what my blog is about! I feel like it shows when people write about things for the sake of writing about it vs actually wanting to write about it!
Karen says
I look forward to reading your posts every morning while I eat breakfast at work. It’s the best way to start my day! :) Keep up the great work and thanks for letting us all into your lives!
Pam says
You totally inspired me to paint a couple of my rooms grey. Although I did not use the exact same color as you, it was a great starting point and I appreciate that you shared your paint color information. I love your topics and photos of Clara and Burger.
Elizabeth Burton says
Thanks for this post! I really needed this as I am new to blogging as well. I think of things all the time, but then decide….Nah…no one is interested in this. I will rethink things from now on. Your blog was one of the first 2 I ever started reading and I look forward to it every day. Have a greay week!
liz says
About your point “#9. You can’t win ‘em all.” In the wedding photography industry (which my husband and I dabble in!) you know you’ve made it when you have haters! We’re constantly reminding ourselves that “Haters gonna hate” (as evidenced by this little guy: http://knowyourmeme.com/photos/39080).
Keep at it, I love your blog!!
Caitlin @ Desert Domicile says
Great advice! I’ve been blogging for two years now and I still hear the crickets haha
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I totally read your blog. I should comment sometime. Sorry for contributing to the cricket noise. I’m totally guilty!
xo,
s
Kelli Fox says
This is an awesome post! I’m always worried about my posts! haha! so dumb, I know.. but you put it in a clear context. I really enjoy reading your blog, you guys are so much fun and down to earth :o) Thanks!
Ally says
Thanks guys, this is just what I needed to read. Sounds very encouraging for a fresh blogger.
Erica Schott says
I stumbled upon your blog last month when i was google-ing decorating tips for my new condo. I now read ya’ll religiously and have started a blog of my own so that I, too, can chronicle the progress of my new lil’ place.
I appreciated this post, but in my opinion the topics are the easy part… I have the most trouble with the technical stuff. For example, I wish I knew how to make a cool collage for my header like the one you have. It’s great!
Anyway, thanks for being awesome and keep up the good work! Will definitely be picking up a copy of your book for my new coffee table :-)
YoungHouseLove says
The tip for that header? We just took a bunch of items outside and laid them on a large white sheet of paper (change, a dog treat, pictures, etc). Then we snapped a picture from above! That’s it. We uploaded it and added the words and we had our header!
xo,
s
Emily says
Such great advice!!!
Hannah says
Thanks for the advice, I just started a blog and get overwhelmed at times about what to share. I love your blog it’s always so fresh and fun to read.
katalina says
I read your blog every day. very inspiring and nicely written…even if you do not have a handy man husband it inspires you to try things.
someone has probably commented on this already…
I read it ironic in the land of pillows that Burger decided to use you for a pillow!
love that picture!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I know, right?!
xo,
s
Megan says
Such great advice! I took up blogging as a writing outlet and to share the crafty stuff that I make. It was fun immediately and then I started to overthink it. BIG MISTAKE. Started to feel pressured to post something all the time, felt like my scope of work was too broad, ohmygoodness everyone hates this and no one will ever read it and why on earth did I pick that blog name, etc. Now, I’m attempting to take a more relaxed approach to the whole thing. I also pretend that no one is ever going to read it because how can I be worried about what I write if no one ever sees it.
Alicia @ The Creative Vault says
Thanks for the advice. I have two main blogs a private family blog and a creative tutorials blog. On my private blog I am hilarious, mostly because my kids are hilarious and make it easy. But as for my creative blog it is harder to share my “voice” when it comes to blogging about inanimate objects like clothes, crafts and food. I’ve known this is a problem for some time and I’ve been trying to fix it by adding little bits of me and family life here and there like I did on my post today. You’ve just inspired me to add even more of me. So watch out world cause this B is crazy!!! The B of course stands for blogger. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you go girl! Hilarious.
xo,
s
Trista says
So after reading the “accidentally selling our washer” post again, I have to ask…who is in the lead now? the blue store or the orange one?
YoungHouseLove says
It’s so hard! It’s pretty much a tie since each one has strengths and weaknesses. It usually depends what we need and what side of town we’re on. Haha.
xo,
s
Amber says
Very helpful advice! I definitely feel pressure when I post (what I’m posting about, how often I post, if it’s appealing to my readers, etc.). I am getting better about getting out of my own head though, after nearly a year of blogging, so I think it just takes time and getting comfortable with your voice and your audience, no matter how large or small. What I find most helpful about this post is reading that so many other bloggers feel the same way- it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one struggling at times.
Kim W Rily says
I actually saw some of your posts way back during your wedding over on the Nest and then some more later on Baby Center, I think. Then my mom (friends with John’s parents & family through church) told me, “Oh, have you heard? John Petersik and his wife make their living blogging! How do you do that?” I have no idea how you really do it (other than the writing the post and hitting “publish” part) and how you built up your readership and how you get ads and such.
But I love reading it. And sometimes, if I’m the one person who doesn’t love painting over wood or if our tastes don’t mesh, hope you don’t take it personally. (I’m still reading.) PS. Do you use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and all sorts of marketing ideas from your NYC days?
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kim! We actually have an SEO plugin that we installed but always forget to use. Haha. Although I do think it helps SEO just to post regularly and to blog for a long time (I think the longer you’ve posted regularly, it can help up your SEO).
xo,
s
Kamaila says
Thanks, this post was soo helpful. I have played with the idea of starting a blog but I am always nervous on where to start, being gramatically correct, and how to write something that will be interesting to more than me and my parents. I have been reading your blog for more than 2 years, i check in everyday and still haven’t grown bored of you guys. If only I can build up the courage I hope to be as half as interesting as you. Please continue to entertain us and give great advice.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kamaila, you’re so sweet!
xo,
s
Ellen says
Unrelated question: do you guys have any local plumber recommendations?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I think we once used Mr Plumber or RotoRooter and it was actually a good experience. Anyone have a local RVA guy to recommend to Ellen?
xo,
s
Megan says
My blogging philosophy exactly :)
Mabell Fernandez says
I just wanted to share that I think you have just described why YHL is the first blog I HAVE EVER FOLLOWED! Its because you can post about painting deck furniture and write about the post you’ll have up tomorrow (too funny by the way) and then that same afternoon have a post about blogging, which I might add I read to its entirety and I don’t have a blog or considering starting one.
One of the things I like most about your page is how REAL it all feels. How we can read about you failing an inspection, washing cloth diapers, and finishing a kitchen all on the same page.
Never know what to expect – always so exciting, and the very reason I am thrilled to see your post in the morning = what will it be about now?
SO THANK YOU for being the perfect side to my morning TEA!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Mebell. You’re so sweet. Got a little teary over that. Man I’m lame. Haha.
xo,
s
Jen@The Decor Scene says
What a great post YHL!!! Very well said. You guys always keep it real which I like. When I don’t know what to blog about, I just don’t blog for a few days. I would rather write about something I’m passionate about then about something I don’t really care about. I’ve also learned to slow down and do posts when I can. I was stressing myself out for no reason. I blog for me. :)
Brooks_25Years says
My blog is about to turn 1 {!} and I have just recently had to make the decision to leave my part time work and find a full time job {boo.} Do you have any tips on what it was like for you & John before you both quit your jobs? I am trying to work out a schedule so that I can keep growing my blog while working a nine-to-fiver. Love you guys!
Brooks
YoungHouseLove says
When we both worked full time we posted every day, but we each took turns writing posts so John would post Tues, Thurs, and Sat and I would post on Mon, Wed, and Fri. That helped because it felt a bit less demanding and we just sat on the sofa each night and took turns with the laptop. Of course not every post was a project (not even close) so a lot of it was just sharing funny stories, some small item we purchased, a conversation about baseboards, etc. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
NinaE {ninasquared} says
I, like probably 100 other folks, used you and Katie B as inspiration for my own blog. I absolutely loved the idea of having a way to keep track of our lives – and I wanted to a link to my own best friend (whose name is also Nina – hence NinaSquared) so that when our kids read through one day, they’d get a sense of who we were before we became “Mom.” Thanks so much for taking the time to write this -although I know deep down that I’m doing it for me, I still can’t deny the excitement of having blog visitors, you know? Anyhow, just wanted to share in on the love!
Katie says
Thanks for the advice. I’m in the process of starting a blog, and well, I want to be y’all when I grow up (though I’m already older than you, but you know…) — I mean, your style and ease — not necessarily blogging as my job, though that would be awesome, too :)
Sam says
I think you hit all the important points, Sherry! I’m certainly not a blogger with lots of readers (I think I have about 3?) but I’ve been blogging on-and-off for 10 years and I’ve always been the happiest when I’m recording whatever I love via my blog. If other people get something from that then it’s awesome, but I try to avoid that whole ‘I want lots of readers’ trap which is what I feel Nina might be in.
Most kinds of blogs are best served when the focus is first on what the blogger likes to write, to experience and to share. Even if that means you have to completely ignore your stats and comment totals in order to keep your head in a good space. Validation is so much sweeter when it comes from within yourself rather than from readers, because you’re able to be free to write what you love.
Another tip for Nina is to remember it takes awhile for a blog to get ‘comfortable’ – basically, to a point where you know what you like to write about and what you don’t. So, in the meantime, just write whatever you think you might like and don’t worry if it turns out that you’re not so keen on it in a few months or whatever. E.g, I absolutely do not enjoy writing about fashion or what I wore – it bores me to death because I don’t care much about it. It took me about two posts before I realised this. So, use your interests to guide you in picking content and don’t worry about changing it up if you aren’t feeling something any more. Give yourself time to break the blog in. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips Sam! Thanks for sharing them!
xo,
s
Monica says
I don’t normally comment-but keep doing what you all are doing! THIS blog is one of the first things I check every morning! On the west coast.. so your daily post is always up! I am so inspired by you guys! Love both family and house related posts!! SO basically what I’m saying is you all must go on a book tour and visit SEATTLE!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! We’d love to make it out to Seattle! Will keep you posted for sure!
xo,
s
Jenn says
You’re my girl, $herdog! Thanks for this post. I just started blogging this month (newbie status over here) and I can definitely relate to Nina. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my favorite, established blogs (aka YHL) that I forget not to be bummed out when I see the low activity on my own blog. Thanks for the little new blog cheer!
Monica says
PS you guys are the only reason I’ve taken SUCH a love to decorating!!
Dail says
I start so many sentences with “John & Sherry” that my husband has started saying stuff like “here we go”! Can’t wait to get your book that I have pre-ordered! It will be my b-day gift to myself!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- John read this comment out loud to me while laughing so much I couldn’t understand him. Hilarious. Just picturing your husband saying “here we go” has us cracking up.
xo,
s
Kate says
THANK YOU so much for posting this. It’s been such a huge boost of confidence, and also is great to read everyone else’s common experience in the comments. When I first started my blog back in March, it seemed like everyone I knew had an opinion about what I was doing wrong, and less of what I was doing right…which got discouraging pretty quickly. The more I just decided I wanted to post what I was excited about, the more I was able to get back on track with why I wanted to start posting in the first place.
So in short, thank you. You guys are awesome, for sharing so much of yourselves, for being honest, and for keeping it fun (for yourselves, and all of us!). <3 Kate
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Kate! You’re so sweet. Happy blogging!
xo,
s
Joy Franks says
When my father refinished the natural wood on our boat, he used Spar Varnish. I was raised with the understanding that Spar Varnish was the best. When it came time to refinish our maple gate-leg dining table, my father used Spar varnish. That had been 40 years ago and the finish looked like it had just been done. I think you’ll be very happy with your choice. Congratulations with your finished deck! It looks awesome.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s awesome!
xo,
s
Caroline says
I love this post, and all of the great advice – especially the part about finding the right pace for writing posts. That’s so important! I think one thing to add to the “share more of yourself” and “blog without rules” advice is WITHIN REASON. Within the public domain, there are parts of your personal and professional life that it’s not wise to share on the internet – and I think you guys are a nice example of a blogging duo who keep to the sunny side (no badmouthing of others) and who do keep some things private (like your home address – that’s wise, but I don’t know if everyone intuitively grasps that when they start blogging). I’d love to see a post about those common sense parts of blogging sometime!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that’s great advice as well Caroline! Thanks for sharing it!
xo,
s
Andrea says
Great post! I’ve been reading your blog off and on for a few years now. And I love it for it’s personal/open posts. I’ve read your anniversary posts and about the business of your blog. I know you started your blog as a hobby, as your personal journal. But I was wondering… at what point did you realize you could make it a business? Was it a certain amount of time? Was it when you started getting a certain number of comments? Early on did you try to get more traffic by commenting on other blogs or spreading the word other ways? Did you try to track your traffic? Try to get advertisers? I do not have a blog, so I’m just wondering when did the light go off to say “this could be a business!”?
YoungHouseLove says
We entered this contest that rated folks on blogging and renovations (each got 50% of the scoring) and we just did it to hopefully get more readers while being among all the other bloggers in their big list of entrants (never had any dreams of winning it). The crazy thing is that we won! We had only been blogging about half a year so it really was this jolt of “maybe we should focus more on this and see where this thing goes!” We put up a little “want to sponsor us?” button on our sidebar and very slowly over the years a few people agreed to sponsor our little blog and our traffic grew as we kept on chattering away. There really wasn’t one magic thing we did other than try to stay true to ourselves and our writing/decorating style and just stick with it for a long time! Our advice is always to focus on content (not networking or advertising) since that’s what draws people and the rest should hopefully follow. Hope it helps :)
xo,
s
Andrea says
You guys are so great, thanks for being so open. My biggest hurdle in starting a blog isn’t the DIY, ideas, etc, it’s the actual blog/computer-y stuff. When I have looked into blogs before they seem like so much work. I wish blogging where as easy as Facebook, take a pic, post, write a caption… But it seems so much harder with code, SEO, organizing posts, customizing pages, etc. I sound like an old lady who never uses a computer. :) But I haven’t been able to figure all of that stuff out.
Jenny says
Sherry! Omg seeing the winking jeans pic the second time around I saw something new: a certain painted cloud looks like the face on your butt is blowing smoke! Haha!
I think one of the greatest parts of your blog is how transparent you are about your business and all that goes into it. And I cannot BELIEVE people actually comment to say they don’t like a post. If you don’t have something nice to say…
xox
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah- that’s hilarious about that old pic! Never noticed it either!
xo,
s
tess says
thank you for this! I am trying to figure all of this out as my ‘wedding’ blog is in transition. It’s so hard sometimes! and I look back and remember that I had the most fun when no one was reading (I mean like absolutely 2 followers no one, barely at 200 now) because I wasnt thinking about what to post really. Just doing the damn thang. thank you!
Liliana says
Wow guys, great post, and perfect timing too, I’ve been extremely unmotivated about writing.
I often read that a blog should have a focused subject. Well, when I decided to start blogging it was with no focus at all. It was with the intention of improving my writing skills, writing about whatever was going on in my life, with our dogs, etc. However, the more I talked about it, the more advice I got on it being more ‘focused’. I don’t think that works for me, but if I continue to write however I want to write, I haven’t a clue how to attract readers.
It is interesting to read all the comments that say, “share more of yourself.” That is probably the scariest! thing for me. I want to write well – I want to have good/fun/interesting content – I want to be liked – I want my dogs to be liked – etc.
Right now there are a few (literally) readers and it’s because both Carlos and I have been sharing Sasha’s (our dog) story of fighting bone cancer. She is enrolled in a bone cancer study, and the doctor heading it has shared our blog with other dog owners either enrolled or trying to enroll in the clinical study, as well with people wanting follow Sasha’s progress. So, I owe my readership to my sweet Sasha.
I guess I have to look at it like what my husband says, “keep writing and sharing, if nothing else, it’s a journal that you can look back on”, especially when our furry companions are no longer with us.
Anyway, thanks for sharing these tips, they are great advice.
And by the way, I am very motivated by your success. I highly doubt if you stopped blogging for any period of time, that you would not come back, I think you guys love doing this A LOT = )
~ Liliana
Deidre says
I wished I would have read this sooner as Ive so been struggeling to find my niche in this bloggyland.Just when I think Ive got a handle on things I read another post that talks about what turns bloggers off about other bloggers posts.No personal talk, no pics of kids ,bad spelling,no religon.Im sorry but Im feeling like whats the use then? Im not gonna pump out projects at the speed of light AND my blog IS about ALL things home…WHEW!Sorry,lol Im just feeling a tad confused I guess.Didnt mean to vent:)
Lee Ann says
I want you to know that I Absolutely Love Your Blog! You guys are just so funny and I am totally in love with Clara (and Burger too). My most relaxing part of the day is reading YHL after work. Thanks guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Lee Ann!
xo,
s
Meghan says
Thanks for the inspiration. I started a little blog months ago, but feel out of practice. It’s hard work to keep up with a blog! Maybe, I’ll hope on the ‘ol blogging express once more.
Tracey says
I too love you guys. I often dream of bumping into you on the boardwalk in DE. And I always do a shout out on I95 when passing through Richmond. I love your randomness. Is that even a word? I enjoy reading about your DIY projects big or small. I love watching Clara grow. She’s so cute. And ya can’t forget the dog! You write with such honesty and down to earth feelings. You handle the haters with grace and the doubters with style. You are so right, you can’t please everyone all the time. Those who are interested will continue to enjoy reading and those who aren’t hopefully will move on to other blogs. Obviously, you are doing something right to have such a following. Bloggers take note. We have a winner here!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Tracey! I’m willing to bet an ice cream cone that we’ll meet on the boardwalk in DE sometime! We love it there!
xo,
s
Jude says
Thank you Sherry. I too will probably reread this one from time to time. It helps to have an adorable child and pup to add to the mix of your awesome decor stuff, oh, I almost forgot you & your husband are cute too :)
Sammy says
I’ve only been blogging for about 4 months but the possibility of running out of ideas to write about goes through my head everytime I’m writing up a post or planning a future one. This is great advice to keep in mind whenever I feel nervous about it. Thanks!!
xx
Kathryn says
I love the part about sharing a small part of your life/self…. we as readers love that sort of thing :) Because, in essence, your house is an extension of who you are, right? (P.S. This is super random, but Sherry, has anyone ever told you that you look like Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones?)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes! I actually see it when I watch that show. I love it except when she’s naked (awkwaaaard) – haha.
xo,
s
Kate says
Positive comment! Q&A posts like these are fun, it’s great to see behind the scenes stuff. And congrats on the deck!
Jenni says
I seriously almost cried reading this post. I started blogging 3 short months ago as a way to cope with unimaginable feelings of failure in my job and home life. DIYing and decor is my #1 love, and I still can’t belive how much money and time I have wasted in my life ignoring those loves. For now, if almost no one is reading the blog,it’s okay, because I love seeing my home, my ideas, my words out there and knowing that they can be seen at all…a small victory in a world where nothing else seems under my control. Thank you for being an inspiration. I’m always amazed at how personal you all remain even though you are professionals. Keep up the excellant work, and please answer this one question–when did you know that you could turn this into a career?
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jenni! You’re so sweet! As for how we knew this might be something more than a hobby, we entered this bloggin/DIY contest back in 2008 and we did it just to hopefully get more readers while being nestled among all the other bloggers in their big list of entrants (never had any dreams of winning it). The crazy thing is that we won! We had only been blogging about half a year so it really was this jolt of “maybe we should focus more on this and see where this thing goes!” We put up a little “want to sponsor us?” button on our sidebar and very slowly over the years a few people agreed to sponsor our little blog and our traffic grew and we kept on chattering away. There really wasn’t one magic thing we did other than try to stay true to ourselves and our writing/decorating style and just stick with it for a long time! Our advice is always to focus on content (not networking or advertising) since that’s what draws people and the rest should hopefully follow. Hope it helps :)
xo,
s
Koliti says
As a YHL blog reader, when I read the title of your post today, guess what the “stupid part” of my brain said…it said “What?! No project?! Shouldn’t this just be a email response to someone’s question?”(Boo! Stupid Brain)
Luckily the “SMART part” of my brain quickly spoke up and said “Just quit your crying and shut up and read it!” (YAY! Smart Brain)
Because you know what??? If anyone takes out the word “blog” and replaces it with whatever is important to them, then this wonderful advice is UNIVERSAL for how anyone can approach their day/week/life/fill-in-the-blank!
Sherry, thank you so much for this reminder! (YAY! Smart trumps stupid for the day!)
As a suggestion to all the bloggers, maybe if you had a little mantra to get you out of your head…
when I get “nervous” at work, I like to say “work it, work it, work iiiiittttt” (to the tune of “Rawhide”) – it usually gets me out of my head and back in the groove :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I love it!
xo,
s
Allison says
Thank you so much for writing this today! My daughter and I are in the beginning stages of starting a blog with our unique (and often differing!) viewpoints as a mother and daughter. We need all the advice we can get right now. You two are inspiration for us like you wouldn’t believe! Thanks again!
YoungHouseLove says
Good luck! I love the mom/daughter blog thing! Happy blogging!
xo,
s
Jaye @ Just Trying to Make Cents of it All says
Over the past few days I’ve been reading posts about what people “readers” prefer to read, etc. and it’s put me in blog breakdown mode worrying about what to post, what people are going to like, etc.! To the point that I haven’t posted ANYTHING in over a week in a half. Your post couldn’t have come at a better time for me! I’ve been worried about the fact that I’m not being “crafty” enough or not posting good tutorials, etc. Reading your post allowed me to get back to being me and endorsed the reason I started blogging. I am a DIY’ER, plain and simple! I am in the middle of putting in 1000 square feet of laminate and have been fretting over getting it done so I can “really” blog about stuff people want to read. Well, not any more. I will be posting about what I am doing in my DIY life and not feel bad about it. I appreciate Burger’s endorsement, also!!! Thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s so sweet Jaye! I’m so happy for you. Burger sends a giant wet kiss.
xo,
s