I have been blogging now for longer than I actually thought I had. I did it as a hobby and on the side but it turned into an obsession and now a full time job. I’m not complaining, I love sharing my stories with you and helping you to travel the world more savvy and with an open mind. But there are things I wish I had known before I started, it would have made things so much easier. And if I can help any other up and coming newbie bloggers with this, I would be very happy. So dear younger blogger me, you should know that…
- Practice makes perfect. I know you know but do you REALLY know? Just proof read it again and click publish.
- WordPress is bloody hard. And it will not really get much better. But here’s a little secret. Come closer. A little bit more. Yes, that’s it. There are things such as themes and plugins. Just saying.
- You are not alone. There are tons of fellow bloggers out there and it is not a walk in the park for them either.
- You are not alone. There are tons of fellow bloggers out there and it is not a walk in the park for them either.
- You are allowed to connect with and ask advice from said bloggers. Networking can be fun and educational!
- Don’t be afraid to go public. Your blog is so why aren’t you as well. Tell the world! And no, now just on twitter.
- Don’t be afraid to go public. Your blog is so why aren’t you as well. Tell the world! And no, now just on twitter.
- You have a personal life as well. Go out and catch that sunshine because, after all you know when you have super unproductive times and linger on youtube anyway. Every day at the same time. Just do different silly things and hopefully outdoors.
- Your working times are never the same and you will be tired all the time. It’s just like back at uni.
- Your working times are never the same and you will be tired all the time. It’s just like back at uni.
- You will have the best working hours between 11pm and 2am when the hostel is clear of conscious people and munching noises and you will think you are a brilliant writer. Please reread in the morning.
- Use bloglovin more often to take a look at what the travel bloggosphere is doing and get some inspiration on topics. Sometimes there are even blog posts on how to find new blog post topics.
- Use bloglovin more often to take a look at what the travel bloggosphere is doing and get some inspiration on topics. Sometimes there are even blog posts on how to find new blog post topics.
- Don’t be devastated when you see awesome blogs and for heaven’s sake do not compare to your blog! It’s like apples and pears and comparing a bicycle with a support wheel to a mountain bike.
- Don’t put yourself down for not being as productive when surrounded by a noisy hostel crowd. It really is much different to being locked up in a private room and working away.
- Don’t put yourself down for not being as productive when surrounded by a noisy hostel crowd. It really is much different to being locked up in a private room and working away.
- Keep it real. Is it really realistic to learn expert coding skills while photoshopping the night away and writing daily blog posts and trying to learn video editing? Really?!
- You have to get over your hate for phones. Calling contacts is more personal than sending out emails. After all, that’s what you got that sim card for. Might as well use it.
- You have to get over your hate for phones. Calling contacts is more personal than sending out emails. After all, that’s what you got that sim card for. Might as well use it.
- Don’t linger on your social media for things to happen. Followers don’t come when you blink. Do something useful.
- You are your own boss. And that’s both bad and good. Bad if you are too lenient and good if you know how to reward and push yourself.
- You are your own boss. And that’s both bad and good. Bad if you are too lenient and good if you know how to reward and push yourself.
- Don’t be afraid to talk directly to your audience. That’s the point, right? They don’t bite.
- Even if you are virtually unknown, there will be trolls. So far I only had one and that was a huge shock. But also interesting. In a way. No love for trolls, though.
- Even if you are virtually unknown, there will be trolls. So far I only had one and that was a huge shock. But also interesting. In a way. No love for trolls, though.
- It’s a good decision to switch from wordpress.com to .org. Congrats on making it!
- Yes, allow yourself some #selfiehighfive.
- Yes, allow yourself some #selfiehighfive.
- Dare to repost your old and new posts on your social media. That’s what social sharing platforms are meant to be and the chance for people to see your tweets and posts increases if they are posted in their own time zone – thus post a lot. But don’t spam.
- Join twitter chats but don’t overdo it. You need sleep. Really, you do.
- Join twitter chats but don’t overdo it. You need sleep. Really, you do.
- Speaking of sleep, staying up until sunrise when you are supposed to go on tour at 6am is not a good idea. And doing it twice is even worse.
- Taking a break is allowed. And necessary.
- Taking a break is allowed. And necessary.
- How about planning a fun day trip right now? See it as research and a holiday. When was the last time you allowed yourself a holiday? You know it’s illegal not to have any.
- Most of all, have fun! It is hard work and a 24/7 job but it is something you WANT to do. So don’t forget to enjoy the perks.
Kirstie says
Definitely agree with most of these! You don’t realize how much you’ve learned over the years until you really stop and think about it. Glad I’ve grown a lot since I started blogging!
Travel on the Brain says
True. Every now and then you need to sit back and think back on what has happened, how you’ve grown and what you’ve learn. Otherwise the learning process wouldn’t be quite there. Still have a long way to go but it’s been good so far. What main thing did surprise you now that you think back?