So for my second Friend Friday, the topic is
Blogging
1. How has your blog changed over the months/years you've been
blogging?
Well, this is my second blog. The first is the one that I don't update very regularly and is available here: Cositas Así. That blog and this one are quite different. I've been writing on Cositas Así off and on since 2007 - you can read the first post here. That blog is basically a space for me to ramble on and talk about the big and little things that make me think. Or just to record bits and pieces of my life. But when I started getting into style blogs, I decided there was a definite benefit to have a specific focus. Not that I don't love writing on Cositas Así when I'm considering issues of identity, travel experiences, and bits of poetry begging to be shared with the world (I've got a soft spot for this one) - but there's something simple and refreshing about knowing that the focus of this blog is the pictures and my closet. No need to get too much deeper.
Over here, I've changed the way I list the items I wear and how I indicate what's remixed. And I added a search bar. Oh, and a couple pages - I felt so fancy. I kinda feel like this blog hasn't been in existence long enough to change too drastically, but my blogging in general HAS changed a lot in the past three years.
I would also like to say that I believe the quality of pictures has improved a bit on this blog. Maybe one day my posing will catch up. Keep your fingers crossed.
2. What was one thing you did wrong in the beginning and how have you changed that?
I guess I addressed some of this in the previous answer. While I wouldn't say that what I've got going on over at Cositas Así is "wrong", there's not really an audience for my life; I'm just not that interesting. But that's fine with me. This blog, I think, is a bit more accessible. I think I've reined myself in over here, kept it focused on what I wear and what I think about clothes - though I do share a bit about my life. As I'm thinking more about this, I think one of the things that I did at the beginning was to stay isolated. I didn't feel like I could comment on others' blogs for a long time - like I wasn't part of the club. But then I forced myself into the club and started commenting. And that's been one of those things that has helped to build a bit of community around the whole blogging experience. Did I say one of those things? I meant THE thing. That's been pretty much it.
3. When you visit a blog what's the greatest turn off? The thing that makes you close the tab?
MUSIC! Hands down, this is the worst thing for me. I don't want to click on a page and have it start playing music right away. I'm usually listening to something when I'm on the computer and I don't want something else interrupting. Gah, that's annoying. Also, I have TERRIBLE eyesight - like, can't see the big E on the eye chart without my contacts terrible - so I can't handle dark backgrounds with tiny white letters or color combinations that make it hard to see the text.
4. How did you find your voice?
Again, my blog is fairly new. I've only been blogging here since April 6th; in some ways I'm still finding my voice here on the blog. That said, I've been writing since I was five. I process by writing and all of that processing has helped me to develop my voice as a writer. I think it's one of those lifelong tasks, but I could not tell anyone how it's happened other than saying I've written a lot. A hecka lot. Not just that, but I know who I am and who I'm not. That's the kind of thing that makes it difficult to do the thing where you're imitating another person's style of blogging or whatever.
5. If you had three pieces of advice to give to a new blogger what would those be?
Seeing that I'm a relatively new blogger in the world of style/fashion/beauty blogging, I don't know how qualified I am to give the greatest advice. But y'all know I'm going to do it anyway, right?
So, here goes:
1. Do it only if it's fun. There are some days when the blog feels like a chore. At first I didn't want to skip it EVER, and then I had to be like, "No, Frances. You have a life and a job and this is supposed to be fun. So be a big girl and have fun/go to sleep/read a book. The blog will be just fine tomorrow. Or on Monday. Whatever." No one wants to read your post when it's all about how you'd rather be doing something else - or when you can't even put the effort in to write something that makes sense.
2. Try some challenges. Whether they're hosted by other bloggers or things that you make up for yourself and invite others to do, try something different. Why? It gives you some built-in focus and is an amazing community builder. I seriously don't know what I would've done when I wasn't working this summer if I hadn't dressed to support my World Cup favorites (yes, I'm ridiculous). Also when I was starting out, I participated in a challenge sponsored by academichic - that was also when my readership suddenly increased. Coincidence? I think not.
3. Comment. This is the most important one to me. You're a member of the club. Don't be shy; feel free to comment when you find something that amazes you. Answer questions, tell someone that their outfit made your jaw hit the floor, confess your love for their shoe collection. Make blogger friends. No one likes those "Love your blog! Follow me!" comments, but I can't even tell you how much I appreciate the encouragement and advice that I get from the community. A well thought out comment is always appreciated. I'm pretty certain that this is how I find most of the bloggers whose blogs I frequent: well thought out comments both here and on other sites.
