10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Blogging

Sure, we are all committed bloggers. But sometimes maintaining a blog is more of a slog. After nearly five years of sticking with it, we can say blogging is ultimately fun. And rewarding. And you meet lots of great people. Especially at conferences.

Still, there are those moments when we look back and think, “if we’d known then what we know now….” Here are a few things we wish someone would’ve warned us about:

ALEXANDRA:

1. There are places to get photos for the blog that don’t cost money and are legal to use for free.

Who wants to go to jail for Photo Theft? Just imagine the “Orange is the New Black” conversation:

“Whatcha in fer?”

“Bank robbery.”

“Murder.”

“Stabbings, maimings.”

“Bad Monty Python Quotes.”

“Illegal photo download.”

Really, I’d get laughed out of the girl gang.

2. I’d be mainlining Instagram.

No matter where I go or what I do, I’m always thinking, “Is there a good IG photo to be taken?” But please, no pics of your coffee cup from a certain famous company, or I will stab you, and maim you. Then I can go to jail for Psychotic Instagram Episode.

3. Not all your family and close personal friends will subscribe to your blog.

Even after the blackmail pictures. And especially not after they ask you a question that you answer FOR THEM on your blog. As a matter of fact, they won’t ever comment either. They’ll just email you with their “insights” every so often.

4. Some people will write mean, snarky stuff.

But enough about my family and friends. (Except my amazing, talented, smart, fun, superlative sister, Kymberly. PS. Who is writing this for Alexandra).

5. Having mean or snarky comments actually means you’re successful.

Think about it. If you are so bland and mild-mannered that no-one ever disagrees with you, then your blog is probably about oatmeal. Even then, someone will comment that you are cooking it wrong.

6. It’s possible to get your local newspaper or a big syndicated website to print your stuff.

Just ask…

… If your writing’s good…

… And you relentlessly hound them…

If they say no, ask what they need. Then decide if you want to do those things. But just know: seeing your name in print is pretty cool.

7. It’s a waste of energy to be jealous of others’ success.

There’s always room for more talent. Or you can kneecap them.

KYMBERLY:

8. A certain irony exists in sitting too many hours at a computer in order to blog about being active and fit.

“No, I can’t work out with you today, I have a post to finish. Sheesh!” Not the best line of my professional fitness career.

9. I wish I’d known that my knees would get stiff from sitting at the computer for too long at a stretch and for hours on end.

Or is that “hours on my end that I need to stretch?”

10. You will have to stay vigilant forever in order not to get sucked into the time-frittering social media vortex.

The rabbit hole opens up daily and is so easy to faaaaallllllllllll

in ……

……….

to…

…….

SSSSSssssssuuuccckkkk

There we go!