I started my blogging journey at the end of May 2020. And boy oh boy have I learned a lot! Here, I’ll share with you five things I’ve learned so far!
Own Your Own Space
The MOST IMPORTANT lesson I’ve learned so far is to not focus on a platform that I do not own. I’ve heard that before, but it hit home in October. On October 4, 2020, I started a second Instagram page (onecomfymom) after I was locked out of my first account (onecomfymommy). Until this day, I’m not able to get into that account. To read more about my being deactivated, you can read Deactivation, Is that You?
So now, you’ll see me posting more blog posts here. Why? Because I own my website. It can’t be snatched from me. I pay for it so it’s mine! I’ve also started a YouTube channel to diversify. But, my goal will always be to bring people here to MY website.
Plan Ahead
Maybe this topic is obvious, but I didn’t realize how smoothly things run when you plan ahead. In December, I did a 12 Days of Christmas Style Challenge with my friend Sharon on Instagram. We had a theme for each day. So, there was no guessing what I would post for those twelve days. I just needed an outfit that fit the theme for those days. That made my life so much easier.
How does that translate now? I have started planning weekly themes for my Instagram posts. I also use an app called Planoly to see how my looks fit together. Another thing that has helped is that I started jotting down any ideas for Instagram, my website and my YouTube channel. In doing this, it gives me time and space to marinate on ideas before bringing them to fruition. But, how do I keep my ideas organized?
Find A Place to Jot Down Ideas
Some people use sticky notes. Some people write down ideas in notebooks. I’ve tried doing the latter. And it just doesn’t work for me. The notebook is usually in my room when I have an idea. But, you know what’s always with me? In every room? My phone!
That’s right people! Break out that phone! Use your Notes app to jot down ideas as they come to you. It’s so easy! The Notes app is nothing special, but it sure comes in handy! It takes off the pressure of having to remember your good idea! How many times have you had a great idea and forgot it? Using this app has been a game changer!
Here’s a snapshot of some of the apps I currently use, including Planoly which I referenced above!
Limit Your Time Online
I don’t know about you, but I stay looking at my phone. I’m obsessed! It’s even worse now that I’m trying to grow blogging into a full-time business. My godsister recently told me that I need to take a few days off because I usually look like I’m over it. She said what’s the point of having your own business if you don’t enjoy some time off. So, I’m planning to set a schedule.
Admittedly, I’m not doing well at scheduling my online time. As I type this sentence, it’s Sunday afternoon and I should be catching up on my Christmas movies. Yes y’all. I’m still catching up on them! Lol! My goal this week is to work on blog related activities from 8-12 and then maybe for an hour in the evening. I will set phone alarms to keep me on track. Hopefully, I’ll really stick to the schedule!
Be Genuine With Your Online Friends
People can feel if you’re real or faking it. I try my best to be authentic whether it’s opening up about things I’m struggling with or just showing my natural sense of humor. It’s important to me to show real life. Social media can be challenging because you only see the best of most people’s lives. I try to show the good, the bad and the in-between.
As my Comfy community grows, I’m having to be more intentional with commenting on my friends’ posts. So, I use an app called “Tasks” where I can virtually scratch out activities as I complete theme. Instead of listing activities, I list some of the accounts I want to reach out to daily. Here’s how the app looks.
As you can see, you can add a task by typing it at the bottom and pressing enter. When you’ve completed a task, just press on the circle to the left to mark it complete. You can make it incomplete again by pressing the circle again. This is what I do for a new day.
Well, that’s it! By using these techniques, I am hoping to stay more organized and more focused on the content I plan to present. I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope it helps you too! Until next time Comfies! Happy Blogging!