How long have I been blogging? Since 2016 so almost three years now, as 2019 is looming on the horizon. Three years are a lot and full of lessons. Lessons that allowed me to grow as a blogger, improve my content, juggle multiple projects at once but also to establish a few blogging rules for myself. Some, I established a long time ago. Some others are more recent. Anyway, here they come…
Five Blogging Rules I Have Established For Myself
1. No Instagram posting at the weekend
For long, I was convinced that if I did not post every single day, my Instagram growth and engagement would really suffer. Turns out, not so much. I consider blogging and everything that goes with it, work. Blog posts, social media, photo editing, etc. If I can avoid it, I won’t do it at the weekend. The same applies to Instagram. I am also trying to spend time away from social media but I know that if I post, I will be closely monitoring likes and engagement, thus, spending ages on Instagram. As a consequence, I have decided to stop posting on Instagram at the weekend. Except for very rare and particular occasions such as a deadline for a campaign. But otherwise, no Instagramming at the weekend!
2. No blog posting for the sake of posting
I established early on a posting schedule for my blog – two posts a week. For a long time, I was convinced I’d jeopardize my blog stats or look inconsistent if I did not stick to that schedule. I could not imagine a week without those two articles, even less having a week gap between two posts. So I forced myself to post. Event though I did not have anything to write about. Even though what I produced was not my usual quality standards. Which in the end, sort of damaged my brand. No one wants to read something that was rushed or that is poor quality. Hence why, I have decided that if inspiration is not there, I’ll wait for it to come back before posting again.
3. No posting content I don’t like
This rule applies to both collaborations and my Instagram content. Before my shift to fashion and baking blogging, I was doing a lot of beauty content and sponsored posts for back link campaigns. How can I be credible if I know nothing about makeup nor have I skills in the matter? I am also not so comfortable writing about something I have not tried and trialled before. As per my photos, if I am not 100% satisfied, I won’t post it, even though it means that my next photo will come up later. I want to really like my grid and content. As a general rule now, if I don’t feel like writing about something, if I have hesitations about a collaboration, I won’t accept the collaboration. If I am not sure about a photo, I will not post it on my grid.
4. No comparing myself to other bloggers
This topic comes up very often in blogging. I have talked about very briefly in a previous post and I am mentioning it again. Not comparing yourself to others is very hard. Whether it is for inspiration or as frame of reference, we always look up to others. Which often ends up in comparing. As many said, your chapter 1 cannot be compared to someone’s chapter 10. Good things come to those who wait and work for. We all grow at a different pace but it does not mean we are not doing well. Also, I believe that when you compare too much, you end up obsessing over what others do and eventually, you do not go anywhere.
5. No saying yes all the time
Another topic I have touched in a previous post. When I started blogging and started to get collaborations, I felt like I had to say yes to everything in order to carry on getting more work. As a matter of fact, I was so afraid I would not be considered for any other collaborations if I’d say no, that I was always saying yes. Even though I already had too much going on or was not able to post on time. Sometimes when I had no interested in or use of the products. Not good you might say. And you’d be right. As extensively explained in this post, saying no does not mean you wont get any more collaborations. Just that right now is not the right time, the right brand for you, the right fit, etc. But it might change, and when it does, you’ll be ready.
I believe establishing rules for yourself is a way to guarantee you’ll always enjoy what you are doing. Overloading yourself with work, forcing yourself to post, writing on things you don’t like will just have the opposite effect. Eventually, you might start disliking blogging. And you, what blogging rules did you establish for yourself?
Shop the outfit
Biker Jacket – LOTD*
Cropped Top – Parisian via Rubino Roo*
Studded Jeans – Parisian via Rubino Roo*
Low Boots – Vionic UK*
Woven Bag – Skinnydip London
What about you? What blogging rules do you establish for yourself? Do you have any? What is the most important to you in blogging?
Thanks a lot for stopping by. I hope you liked this post.
I have just started an Instagram for my baking! Wanna give it a cheeky follow?!
See you soon,
Love,
Corinne
*Pieces featured in the post are gifts from brands.
God, Corinne, I love your outfit and would just die for your stomach! This is a great post – I’ve been blogging 6 years next year and I’ve definitely set some blogging rules over the years and changed and adapted my blog, what I blog about and the way I blog to suit me and my needs at that particular time a bit better. That’s the great thing, we can always chop and change our rules as we please 🙂 A rule of mine at the moment is to just simply spend less time on my phone!
I loved reading this! Number two was something I really struggled with a couple of months ago. I was losing motivation to write and I think this really showed in the content I was putting out. Not comparing myself to others is another one I definitely need to work on. Comparison is definitely the thief of joy.
Absolutely great post! I love your rules, you have to set yourself some sort of boundaries and I definitely agree that you shouldn’t post for the sake of posting! I’ve done it in the past, and almost every time gone back and deleted the post because I don’t feel 100% happy with it! ♥︎
“Overloading yourself with work, forcing yourself to post, writing on things you don’t like will just have the opposite effect.” This happened to me a few months ago, and you’re right….. I started to dislike blogging. I learned a lot from this experience, so I guess my no.1 rule now is also not to post just for the sake of posting.
I really need to do this for myself as sometimes I really do feel like I’m going to run myself and my love for blogging into the ground. I have my content up until Christmas completely planned out but after then I am definitely going to slow down as my schedule is just too much for me currently!
Alice Xx
I LOVE point number 4! x
I could relate to this post so much! I agree with all of these especially posting posts just for the sake of posting because I get so pressured that in the end my content isn’t as great as I would like it to be due to the rush I am in. Great post!
Oh my gosh! Am totally stealing this idea ?? What not to do versus always talking about what we have to get done. Bravo!
Number 3 and 4 are so relevant to me, sometimes i’ll force myself to post content so im still consistent in my uploads but i really need to try harder to stop posting content im not 100% happy with. I also compare myself to others way too often!
This is such a great post and some of these points are ones I’ve also come to realise quite recently. I used to try and post content which I didn’t really connect with thinking it’s what I ‘had’ to do but now I’ve found myself posting what I love and it’s made me much happier. Thanks for sharing your rules x
I think your comment about schedule vs rushed content is very true. I have two separate threads on my blog – my reviews, and then my blogs. My reviews I’m able to do ahead of time and schedule, so they come regularly, but I’ve learned not to try to force other posts.
Thanks for this!
The pressure to post a certain number of times is very real. I used to force myself to post even if I didn’t have a great idea and I’m really glad I stopped doing that. I agree with every single one of these! x
Sophie
www,glowsteady.co.uk
This is such a relatable post! It’s such a good idea to have rules that relate to your own blog. It’s so important to find what works for you, I rarely ever stick to a schedule!
This was a great post and I loved reading your self-set rules. I especially liked this – “your chapter 1 cannot be compared to someone’s chapter 10” – definitely solid advice! I work full time so really struggle with blogging at times as it isn’t just what you post on there, it’s all the follow ups too e.g. twitter, instagram etc. My only two rules are that I try to do one new post a week and that I’ll only post about stuff that I’m genuinely interested in. Lastly, love your outfit ?
http://www.missblogsabit.com
I love this! I really do. I especially relate to point number 1 – I find it so hard to switch off, no matter the day or time – and sometimes a girl just needs a break! Thank you for sharing this post 🙂
All very true points! I normally post once a day (I have a schedule so I have content for every day) but I used to beat myself up if I didn’t get stuff done. Life happens, even for bloggers 🙂
I actually do a lot of blogging work during the weekends, as that’s when I feel I can work better on posts, without distractions. I don’t care about Instagram to be honest, but my blog is very important. I do say no to a lot of campaigns as well, mostly because they don’t fit my audience.
This is such a good idea to create some rules and boundaries, otherwise it becomes too blurred and overwhelming!
My recent post: https://lifeofellabella.blogspot.com/2018/11/my-5-tips-on-getting-dog.html
I have pretty much the same rules, but once in a while I do post on IG on the weekends. It is so important to say no sometimes and to enjoy the blog and your own content.
This post is honestly spot on. It can be so scary to say no and not do what everyone else is doing, but it’s *so* freeing too, and I really think it makes a difference.
You look FIERCE in that outfit!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Firstly I love your outfit! I need that jacket, looks like it could be dressed up or down. This was such a great post to read and I also follow some of these rules myself too. I usually try to get out 2-3 posts a week but I really. Try not to rush anything to get it up on the exact time! X
It’s always great to have some consistent rules for yourself. And these 5 are really great. I bet that you grew more because of them.
This is so so true! The minute I stopped forcing myself to upload posts that I didn’t like, I swear I became much more enthusiastic about my blog! xx
https://www.chloexlizabeth.com
I love your rules and I agree with many of them. I no longer compare myself to others and I only share content I like. I’ve had companies ask if I’d talk about their product and if I don’t like it, I won’t! I just politely decline.
These are all fab, comparing oneself to others is usually the downfall of many. You never know someone’s journey so it’s better to just do you.
These are great five blogging rules. I love hearing more from experienced bloggers. And I also agree never comparing yourself to other bloggers because everyone is different niche and style!
These are such great rules that can really help when it comes to creating quality content that you love. I too told myself very early on that I wouldn’t post anything that I didn’t think was my best and so far — I’ve stuck with it.
Thanks for sharing! x
Michelle
dressingwithstyle-s.com
The hardest part is not comparing to other bloggers in the same space! I struggle with that as a new blogger! These are great tips!
You look amazing – I love the first picture especially! Definitely agree with all of these. I try not to post on the weekends either – engagement is usually awful on those days anyway haha
http://www.theemeralddove.co.uk
Great article that I read end to end. Your boundary examples are a great point of reference for my blog at PromGuide.
Such an great article about the blog rules. I have rules too and I follow them from 2016. And after reading your blog I need to do some changes in my rules so I can do better. Thanks for sharing the article
I actually really needed to read this right now. I put so much pressure on myself to reach goals which probably aren’t as realistic as i hope they would be and wearing thin. Im feeling more confident in saying no and and blocking time away from the blog to increase the quality of content. Thank you so much for sharing.
Super cute outfit! Loving how your personality comes out in the photoshoot. What was the turning point that made you know what you wanted to blog about it.
I feel like the odd one out maybe because I have a good mentor who publishes 25 new blog posts a day, yes a day. He thought me a lot about blogging so I have content for the 52 weeks so I know what to write about. Yes, having rules is great and helps you to enjoy the experience as opposed to stressing about blogging.
Good job setting boundaries ! We often think we have to do everything … and that’s just not true.
I’ve limited myself to just a couple social media platforms and work really hard to compare myself with only me … and nobody else.
Love these rules. Makes you put boundaries so that you don’t overstress yourself. Might have to steal some of your rules and use it as a reminder.
Good for you that you started this early on. Just today, I said no to a paid post because it does not go well with the theme of my blog. I am happy to let it go. NO regrets.
I’ll have to agree with your five rules too. I would not post something I myself doesn’t like and also posting just for the sake of posting. It usually looks so crude when at a time, you don’t have that inspiration.
Wow relate with almost all the points. I have stopped posting frequently in insta as I didn’t have the energy to grow that and my blog. Initially I too was excited when people wanted to collaborate, etc. But I simply don’t have the time. I have also given myself the space to write only when inspired rather than always follow the schedule. Thanks for sharing.
What great tips! I really like the one about not posting for the sake of posting – it’s the content that makes people want to come back again and again! Thanks for sharing.
Really love that you’ve set these rules for yourself lovely! ?✨
With love, Alisha Valerie x
I love your rule and I also follow that I don’t post something I don’t just to be able to publish for the week. It can difficult, but it’s important!
I love your blog layout and design! This post really resonated with me. We all know not to compare ourselves but it is so easily done. We are all working on a different unique blog so really there is no rest to compare! Thank you for sharing with me <3
I have been blogging for 2 years and it’s going well. It always bothered me because I have no niche as such, but I just write random stuff. It’s a hobby and I don’t take blogging too seriously. I love your layout