There are often two types of people when it comes to seeking and following expert advice from others. Some run from it all together, thinking they can do things on their own. This type of person is surely missing out. But there are others who perhaps take on too much outside advice which isn’t good either.
About a year ago, a SEO (search engine optimization for the non-bloggers out there!) expert advised me on some changes to make on my blog. One of those changes was to ditch our weekly “Weekend Reads” posts.
It was in those posts that I shared a round-up of my favorite blog posts from across the web from the week before, what books I was reading, and my favorite Instagram post (usually pics of my kids!) from that week.
In a nutshell? It was a peek into my real life.
There were two reasons why this blogging guru suggested I ditch this feature:
- Time: I was in the middle of writing my book, More Than Just Making It, and pregnant with my son. I needed to find more margin in my weekly schedule, and this feature was an easy thing to let go.
- SEO: We were in the process of trying to improve my blog’s search engine traffic. Again, for the non-bloggers, that means we wanted to up the chances that blog posts of mine would show up in a Google search–bringing in brand new readers. These super personal posts, the expert said, were really bad for SEO.
But here’s the thing: Those super personal posts are what built this blog in the first place. If I’m not real with you all, I’m not the blogger I want to be.
On the other hand, though, my time is even more limited now than it was a year ago.
Baby Boy turned our world upside down (in a good way!!), but caring for him, part-time homeschooling my three girls (now ages 5, 7, and 9), tending to my relationship with my husband, and keeping my home leave little room for weekly posts on what I’m reading.
(You can always find out what books I’m reading via my Goodreads profile.)
So, I’m compromising. I’m ditching the SEO expert’s advice on the personal posts. Several readers have told me these personal posts were their favorite features on the blog! So, I’m bringing them back.
But my compromise is that I’m not holding myself to posting them every single week. Instead, I will post a “What I’m Into” post each month (it’s something many bloggers have done over the years!), and I will, perhaps, occasionally post other things during the month when I feel inspired. The “What I’m Into” posts will include what I’m reading because, well, I love books.
(For a near-daily personal peek into my life, check out my Instagram feed. It’s very personal!)
There are many bloggers out there marketing themselves as the experts in this or that–and many of them are.
I’m not the woman I was when I started this blog 6 1/2 years ago. I’m not the overwhelmed homemaker drowning in her own laundry pile (ok–actually, I just launched a book so I am behind on laundry at the moment, but my 4-step laundry system usually keeps it all together!). We can say that I’ve grown up.
But at the same time, I’m super relational. And blogging is relational–or it should be. It’s one reason why I think I never gave this up.
I’ve literally built hundreds of relationships with both other bloggers and readers over the years. The best way to do that is to ditch the sterile, impersonal posts and get back to just being…me.
Because, really, I think you’ll relate so much better to seeing the real me anyway. And my goal of encouraging you and inspiring you with practical tips to lead a grace-filled, natural life? I think that’s the way it will happen.
The other day my husband and I were in a meeting with my pastor, and he mentioned that there are often two types of people when it comes to seeking and following advice from others.
Some run from it all together, thinking they can do things on their own.
This type of person is surely missing out.
But there are others who perhaps take on too much outside advice, which isn’t good either. That the person I tend to be.
So I’m ditching the expert advice, and I’m going back to my roots when it comes to blogging. I’m hoping it will be a pleasant change for both of us.
Have you ever ditched expert advice? How did it go? Did you feel good after it all was said and done?
p.s. My “What I’m Into” October 2017 edition will be up soon. Watch for it! <3
Angela
I’m happy that you’re going back to more personal posts. I have wondered lately as to what will become of the blogging world. The sterile, commercialism of the blogging world is diminishing my interest. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’m personally down to 3 or 4 blogs that I’ll give my time to. I want real person not market -driven posts.
Erin
Hi Angela! I know exactly how you feel. Everything feels so…staged, sterile, and inauthentic. 🙁 I hope I can combat that and breathe new life into THH! Thank you for reading!