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It’s a question that’s been going through my head a lot lately, especially in the last few weeks. Primarily because of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. To sum quickly, a lot of bloggers like to promote it highly because it’s a great way for them to make a larger sum of there commission. But I’ve also seen a lot of girls this year making comments about how they aren’t going to shove it down your throats like other bloggers. They may only have one or two posts, but that’s it. There have also been a lot of other comments in regards to how girls run their social media accounts and are cheating the system. Basically, bloggers telling other bloggers the ways that they need to be a better blogger. It’s gotten more negative than I like and after doing a blogging interview last week, it really raised a question for me.
Is it my responsibility to teach you how to be a better blogger?
J.Crew Factory Cami
AEO Jegging
T-Strap Sandals
Coach Classic City Bag (Old, Similar)
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J.Crew Factory Cami
AEO Jegging
T-Strap Sandals
Coach Classic City Bag (Old, Similar)
Is it my responsibility to teach you how to be a better blogger?
In short, no. Why?
First, is a pretty simple answer: That’s not what I focus the blog on
I create a blog about style, that has evolved to be about books, personal style, and budgeting. There are a lot of great blogs that were started specifically to teach you about blogging and different practices. Those women (and men) have studied and figure out some pretty amazing tips and tricks. Their blogs have some really good advice that can help you move your blog forward.
I don’t declare myself to be an expert.
I do declare (said in my best southern belle accent) to know a lot, but I don’t know what your readers like! Your readers might love your 7 posts about your Nordstrom hauls! So then who am I to tell you that posting them is shoving them down your readers throats? I do my shopping reviews because I know my readers love to know why my real opinion is about the clothes I try on, so I’m going to keep doing that. If you know your readers love something, then keep on doing it! Your audience is YOUR audience because they love what you do. Not because they love what someone else does.
I’m not here to tell you that you’re doing something wrong.
I follow my google analytics. Not yours. I look at my numbers, not yours. I know what works for me. Not you. This goes back to what I just said, but again, I didn’t come into blogging to tell other bloggers that they were doing something wrong. Honestly, that sounds terrible and a waste of my time. If someone is “cheating the system,” it may not be fair, but life isn’t fair. I could complain about it, but that’ll get me nowhere. It’s easier to just keep my head down and focus on my own work.
But does everything I just said mean I’m going to shut you down if you ask for help with blogging?
NEVER.
Is it my responsibility to teach you how to be a better blogger? No. It’s my pleasure.
Part of one of the wonderful things I discovered about blogging is that by blogging, I’m now part of a community. When I discover something that can be helpful to other bloggers and make their lives easier, I love finding ways to share it with them (like my post about Tailwind for Pinterest and the follow up post I’m publishing tomorrow). I believe that helping each other, we’re helping the entire community to become better, and we’re advancing the industry as a whole.
I’m not here to compete with other bloggers.
I’m here to get my work done and help grow my blog. But will I always be willing to help you if you ask? Always. Will I always support collaborating with you over competing with you? Always.
Photos by Kimberly Graydon
