Personal Blogging – The personal touch

The ‘Personal blogging‘ series here on this little blog o’mine affords me THE perfect opportunity to tell you, my readers and the rest of the world my views on blogging (aka: the why, and how and when of it). It’s not a ‘how-to‘ blog manual in any sense of the word, although I do hope it provides some insight and possible tips and tricks for those interested in venturing into the world of blogging (and the ‘personal’ blogging niche). Mostly, though, it’s just the way I look at it. Because I can.

When it comes to blogging – the question I am asked most often is really quite simple (although it comes in a lot of different variations):

‘How the hell do you manage to write a blog every day, you maniac?!’

First of all – let me tell you: that is an utter coincidence! There’s no method to the madness. I write when I feel like it, if I feel like it, at such times that I feel like it and/or it is convenient. Which, so far, happens to be daily. But it’s not a goal or must in any way. And yet, routine somehow seems to be the golden rule when it comes to blogging (which I can’t deal with, because then it’d become a chore and I’d start procrastinating, as I do with all my ‘have-to’s)

Every day my feed of blogs features at least one (but usually more like 4 or 5) blogs that outline THE best factors to successful blogging. Which, in reality, is pretty much every blogger rehashing the same age-old tips and tricks for blogging, generating traffic and gaining followers:

Post. Consistently. Interestingly. Cleanly and correctly. Openly. Interactively and fitting-to-a-niche-y.

None of which will (I hope) ever really be a surprise to anyone. Yet somehow, most days, when I do open one of these posts – I usually have to conclude that I’m doing a lot of things wrong (where my stats kinda suggest that that’s not the case).

The reason for that is simple: There is NO ‘one twue way‘. There’s no formula for success. No steps you HAVE to follow. Although, obviously, most of these tips hold merit and are so often repeated for a reason. They do work. But they’re not perfect or infallible. Especially the ‘niche‘ thing. Ya gotta (apparently) pick a niche and stick with it. No posting book reviews on beauty blogs. Or discussing personal insights on poetry blogs. And deeeeefinitely no posting fluffy unicorn memes on dark and deep personal distress blogs. Which, in my eyes, is complete and utter bullshit. So the beauty of choosing personal blogging as a ‘niche’ (still not convinced it even IS one, I think I mighta just made it up)? You’re not bound to any one topic. Anything that matters to me, goes around here. Tada!

So when it comes to that question:
‘How the hell do you manage to write a blog every day, you maniac?!’

It’s because I’m obsessed with myself and NEED to let the world know that. Just kidding (ok, maybe a little true).

But on the whole topic of writing daily: I don’t. Not on purpose, anyway. I write because I feel like it. And THAT (at least, I feel like) is THE main factor in keeping up a ‘personal‘ blog. When you choose to journal online, when you choose to share your life with the world (and virtual strangers) and when you choose to go into things that are actually happening in your day-to-day life and matter to YOU – you have to do it at your own pace. Your own time. And your own terms.

A lot of blogging tips (for other niches) focus on writing things your audience might find interesting. Or relate to. Or feel a part of. They go into writing for interaction, pulling in readers with questions or polls. They suggest picking topics that are ‘hype‘ or ‘happening‘ or that will speak to the broadest possible group of people. And well, honestly, none of that really works for genuine personal blogging, if you ask me.

When it comes to writing – I write about me. In some way, shape or form all my blogs are connected to who I am, what I do or (mostly) what I feel and struggle with. As a person. Not as a writer trying to grip an audience. Interaction is bonus. Relatability a plus. But never a goal. So when it comes to blogging – I blog about (my) life.

And coincidentally – I happen to do a lot of living every day of mine. Which, as you probably understand, means that most days that I draw breath, I also do, experience and find things that are (to me, at least) interesting to write about. Life, as said in the famous words of Anne (obviously with an E) – holds a LOT of scope for the imagination. They’re not always big topics (as proven by me blogging about cows in pastures, or contact lenses or simple things like cleaning the house) but they’re all relevant to me and my brain. And thus, in my wonky perception, also worthy to be shared. Which I do. Here. Because I can.

The entire beauty of being a ‘personal’ blogger? All I gotta do is tell you about me and I can’t really go wrong. All this blog needs is a personal touch. And boy, do I luv me sum (rulefree) touchin’!

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<sub>PS. Wanna read more about the ins and outs and hows and whys of personal blogging round here? Click on, brave warrior, click on!
<sup>* Personal blogging – Risky Business
* Personal blogging – Dirty little secret
* Personal blogging – To be recognisable or to be unique?
* Personal blogging – Out for the count
* Personal blogging – Listless
* Personal blogging – The science of stars
* Personal blogging – The personal touch
* Personal blogging – The Voice
* Personal blogging – Patterns
* Personal blogging – Art of repetition
* Personal blogging – Choices</sup></sub>