Vahni of Grit & Glamour
I started my blog in 2006—I’m a writer, so it felt like something that made sense to explore. Initially, my posts were sporadic and narrative, very personal. Then I went through a phase where they were cathartic and therapeutic (and even more personal). Eventually I married writing with my love of fashion, imagery, and technology; I decided to keep myself out there, but I stopped writing about my personal life and refocused on making it a perspective of a lifestyle.
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5 things I’ve learned about blogging:
- It takes a lot of time if you’re serious about it.
- People want original content and imagery, not your commentary on the same magazine images all of us see monthly.
- At some point, you have to decide whether you want to be big or if you want to keep a close-knit, highly interactive group of readers. The bigger you get, the harder it is to interact on a personal level, and that is often what builds (and keeps) a loyal, rewarding readership.
- It is better to post quality original content 2-3 times a week than a little something everyday. Quality always trumps quantity. Avid blog readers need time to get through their blog lists and make comments. Daily posts with “inspirational” images culled from the Internet are likely to be passed over for more compelling, unique content.
- Ugly, unrelated, and disorganized advertising detracts from a blog and annoys users. If you’re going to monetize your blog, have a strategy and make sure imagery and products match your own philosophy and aesthetic.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
God, yes yes yes to #4!
totally agree ashe…i think it follows from number 2 also – i’m getting tired honestly of all the uber-popular blogs that just repost “inspirational” images from other blogs.
You & me both! If I wanted to check out “inspirational” images, I’d just like… read a magazine.
AMEN, sister! I’m a little surprise that in this day and age (of a million blogs) that they garner so much steam. I don’t even bother reading those posts anymore. I’m a big fan of original content.
These 5 things probably explain why I am a FANATICAL reader of G&G. Her voice is heard loud and clear over the white noise of the fashion bloggerspere because she writes personably and originally, and maintains a direct contact with her readership. Some of the “big uns,” bloggers of renown, and for good reason, don’t seem to make time to acknowledge that they even have a readership much less stoop to leave a comment, and I tell you, more and more they lose my interest. There are so many amazing voices out there, I’d rather feel included in the dialogue, and not merely witness a diatribe. Great post, Gretchen, and great project!
Sage words as always from the fabulous V!
Hey everyone, thanks for your thoughts!
Bella, thank you for the kind things you wrote as well. Of course, I’m flattered and grateful, doll!