When you decide to start a blog, you might have a clear idea of what you want to write about, but, have you really found our blogging voice?
I have recently read back on some of my earlier blog posts and realised that it took a while to find my blogging voice.
It is important to figure out what it is you want to blog about and to find your blogging voice. This is what is going to make your blog popular and have people returning to read your posts on a regular basis.
My mission, a year after starting my blog was to find out what was working and what wasn’t. Because I love statistics this was my first stop. I had a look at my stats on Google Analytics and on Jetpack which is a WordPress plug-in. I also had a look at my comments and which posts had the most feedback.
If I had to describe myself I would say that I am a storyteller. I tell stories about my quest to feel fabulous despite the curveballs that life throws at us. I am a plus size lady, who has passed the age of 50 who loves life and is determined to find the positive. I have a good few health issues, that really are curveballs for me. Over the past few years I have learnt that in order to feel fabulous I need to consider my health and wellness holistically. I look to my own experiences and to others to find out what it is that gives is that positive kick to overcome the stumbling blocks of life.
I would say that it took me from about 13 to 30 to find myself – to find my style and the things that I would be passionate about most of my life. I have some pretty frightening and clear memories of some fashion disasters that followed me through my twenties, not to mention hair styles including the spiral perm on very blond hair. I think I must have looked quite odd, and yet I didn’t think so at the time.
By the time I had hit my forties I had found my personal style. I do still indulge in some fashion purchases and some of these are less advisable, but generally speaking I now know what suits me and what doesn’t.
Finding your blogging voice is similar I think. In an effort to find mine I have looked for advice.
I was given a fabulous book The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Blogging, and it devotes a full chapter to finding your voice.
‘Great bloggers all share one virtue in common: They infuse their writing with a triple shot of personality. Let your personality flow into your blogging and your readers will find you.’
Jeffrey Feldman, editor in chief of Frameshop and Huffpost blogger.
Verena von Pfetten, Living Editor at Huffington Post advises you to use the voice you have.
‘The best and easiest way to find your voice is to use the one you have. Sounds too easy? It’s not. That is why blogging is so popular! First think about blogging as writing an email to a friend. Better yet, and email to a really cool clever friend with whom you have a great and witty rapport’ says Verena.
She also advises to simply start writing. You don’t spend hours hemming and hawing over how you are going to draft an email, so don’t spend hours hemming and hawing over a blog post. It is not worth the effort.
Her final piece of advice is not to try too hard. Don’t try to be anything other than exactly who you are. It is your voice you are trying to find.
I have been blogging for over a year now, and I want to thank everyone who has read my blog, and an extra thanks for the comments and feedback. Thanks for helping me find my voice.
I also want to do a quick thank you to the ladies at ITWBN who run fabulous events and give bloggers support. Being part of a blogging network and reading lots of other blogs is really important and certainly helps to find your blogging voice.
I am proud to say I am a health, wellness and positivity blogger. Here is to another year writing about finding the fabulous especially for those who are a little older and those who are facing some curveballs themselves.
If you are thinking of starting a blog – do it! If you want any help or advise please feel free to get in touch.
Thanks for reading.
Kerry xx
Great post. I was surprised when I read bloggers posting that it took them a couple of days to write a post. When I questioned it I was shot down fairly quickly.
I think it is wise to walk away and come back to check for spelling and grammer, but the most natural writing flows easily. I write my posts and then come back check and then work a little on the links and SEO