Friend Friday: What Have Been Your Five Hardest Blogging Lessons?

Today's Friend Friday with Modly Chic asks the question, "So far, what have been the five hardest blogging lessons you've learned during this process that have helped make you a better blogger as a result?"

I am a newborn in terms of fashion blogging.  I started Thrifty Girl Vintage on January 16, 2011.  I planned to talk about thrifting, post photos of clothes I bought and give tips on having style without spending a lot of money.  Then came Kendi's 30 for 30 Remix and without really knowing what it was all about I signed up, bought a tripod and starting posting my daily outfits. I've put a lot of time into it, too much really, because I enjoy it so much and things have progressed rather quickly.  I am sure a lot of the hard lessons are in front of me, but I would like to share what I've learned so far. So here's the answers from a beginner's point of view.

Lesson # 1:   Blogging is not my life!   I am in the process of learning this one.  Having a blog is so creatively satisfying and so much fun that it's hard to not spend too much time on it. The challenge I'm working on now is how to make it a part of my life and not the main focus.  The best ideas I've  gotten on how to do this came from last week's Friend Friday post on "Finding the Balance".  I bookmarked the page so I can take my time and read everyone's answers on how they balance blogging with real life.  I have tried a couple of tips such as preparing rough drafts ahead of time and photographing several outfits when the lighting is right.

 Lesson #2:  My real life friends won't think I'm weird or self absorbed if I tell them I have a fashion blog.  I didn't keep my blog a secret.  Maybe it's because I'm over 50 or maybe I just don't have any shame!  Whatever, I've been very open with my real life friends that I've started a fashion blog.  During the 30 for 30 Remix, I posted my daily outfit on Facebook and I was surprised at the positive comments I got and also surprised that people would see me out somewhere and tell me they enjoyed my blog.  Now that the remix is over, I don't link to Facebook because I don't want to overdo it, but I may link again during the next 30 for 30.

 Lesson #3:  Your real life friends love you, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they'll follow your blog.  I've found that while your real life friends might enjoy checking out your blog if it's easy for them to access, like on Facebook, you needn't  expect them to become followers.  Fashion blogging is either your obsession or it's not.  If it is, then most likely you've got a blog or a Google account where you can follow your favorite blogs.  It's so much fun to meet others who share your passions, and for me, I've found those others online.  Join ifb.  Comment in polls and in groups.  Comment on posts of other bloggers.  Try different challenges and links like Friend Friday.  Just be genuine and you'll find your online friends and they'll fine you!

Lesson #4:  I'm not going to be stuck in a box writing only about fashion.  What kinds of topics can you write about in a fashion blog?  The answer to this is anything you want to!  I've discovered that writing about fashion is not limiting at all.  In fact, I can write about any topic I want and there will be a way to slant it to fit my blog.  Writing a blog on thrifting?  Talk about the role serendipity plays in finding that one special item.  Snapping an outfit photo in front of your bookshelf?  Give your readers some book recommendations.  It's fun to throw in a few random things, too, like your easy blueberry smoothie recipe or your favorite quotes.  And good writing is welcome anywhere.  We all recognize it when we read a post that's clear and almost poetic in its delivery.

Lesson #5:  It's not just about the blog.  Maybe this isn't a hard lesson, but it's a good one.  When you first start out, you're excited about your blog.  You get to name it and create your own little world.  Each day, you get to people it with new photos and insights and all the things you're thinking about.  Then gradually you discover some of the other worlds floating around in the blogging universe.  And guess what...they're pretty cool!  So you end up commenting and following and looking forward to see what they do next.  And some of these other people find you and your little world and they start commenting and following you.  And maybe one day, you meet at a bloggers conference or a style council and then you can be friends in real life, too.  So blogging is about more than just your blog.  It's about the relationships you make in the blogging world.

What do you think about it?  What have been your five hardest blogging lessons that have ultimately made you a better blogger?

Join Friend Friday with  Modly Chic. 

What I'm Wearing:

Black top, Bargains & More, $2.50
Turquoise/black skirt, Goodwill, $3
Heart charm necklace, Gabriel Brothers, $7
Pearl ring, Glitter, $1
Silver shoes, Shoe Show, $10

Total:  $23.50