tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post4157966093471299894..comments2023-12-29T11:18:24.454-05:00Comments on Down and Out Chic: Overcoming Blogging InsecuritiesChristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05183231711425591135noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-45381737884956785542012-04-22T19:14:29.867-04:002012-04-22T19:14:29.867-04:00Boy, I am telling you - that finding this post was...Boy, I am telling you - that finding this post was a breath of fresh air. Thank you for this honest post.<br /><br />I have been blogging for awhile, but only seriously since last December or so. I have been discouraged sometimes - like when I create a beautiful ceiling design in my dining room (and I get a lot of great comments) - but then I will be on some one else's blog and they rubbed two sticks together - and got 299 comments!!<br /><br />I know that I do beautiful work - and that's what I want to show on my blog. It's wonderful to get responses - it keep me creating more and writing more (and trying and learning to become a better photographer). So - I try to hold on to the purest reasons why I started to blog. <br /><br />I don't have any advertisers or sponsors yet - I will wait until me and my blog are more seasoned. For me - number of advertisers equaling success is not a factor. <br /><br />Thanks for posting - and I am going to read some more of your blog. Great work - great content - thank you...thank you!<br /><br />LindaLinda Leyblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03345437844014740242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-66203769585296755992012-03-23T10:04:06.884-04:002012-03-23T10:04:06.884-04:00thank you for your blog questions. it is very hel...thank you for your blog questions. it is very helpful. i really like your blog too.Lana @ Eclectic Leveragehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05868948361964379618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-89959937220929029862011-02-26T15:32:42.733-05:002011-02-26T15:32:42.733-05:00I just found you blog and will add it to my list o...I just found you blog and will add it to my list of daily reads. I just started a blog and I was beginning to feel as if I was wasting my time. But after reading your blog tips I asked myself some questions. Does it make you happy? YES. Are you having fun with it? YES. <br /><br />Thank you! <br /><br />http://heytherecarole.blogspot.com/Hey There Carole!https://www.blogger.com/profile/13835830007160849932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-30072027536988222192011-02-26T15:26:00.334-05:002011-02-26T15:26:00.334-05:00I just found your blog and will be adding it to my...I just found your blog and will be adding it to my list of reads. I just started mine and I was being to wonder if I'm wasting my time. But after reading your blog I asked myself... Do you like your blog? Are you having fun with it? And, the answer is YES. <br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />http://heytherecarole.blogspot.com/Hey There Carole!https://www.blogger.com/profile/13835830007160849932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-89574832848746309352011-02-22T15:13:32.211-05:002011-02-22T15:13:32.211-05:00Great post - my blog (usually say 'little blog...Great post - my blog (usually say 'little blog'...clearly insecure!!!)<br />is still in it's infancy and sometimes i do finding myself checking the stats as though it's the only measure of success.<br /><br />Then I will get a lovely comment from someone on the other side of the world and it makes me smile inside.<br /><br />I frequently remind myself that my reason for blogging was as a way to share my days with friends and family (my Mum often reads it twice, and she sees us most days!!)<br />as well as connect with some of my customers - who love to see where the inspirations for certain products come from.<br /><br />Your post (and the one on Papernstitch) really made me think...thanks!<br />fee ♥<br /><br />www.chippernelly.blogspot.comfee @ chipper nellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03413221467666029415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-26470152964257629292011-02-11T01:39:22.094-05:002011-02-11T01:39:22.094-05:00I know you sent me this ages ago but i remember I ...I know you sent me this ages ago but i remember I said to myself i'll read it when i can fully inhale it all.<br /><br />Wow, this should be a how-to for all bloggers. 10, 100 or 10,000 readers, this is something all bloggers deal with. This is exactly what blogging is at times, we post what we want the world to read but forbid the idea of what we're really feeling at times.<br /><br />Vulnerability is a scary thing, and very few people (including yourself) are able to balance a sense of personalization and privacy at once. I really enjoyed reading this, Christina. Thank you.Diana https://www.blogger.com/profile/17224404867214558821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-86921866352015249022011-02-03T16:10:39.373-05:002011-02-03T16:10:39.373-05:00wow, I don't know how I missed this, but I wis...wow, I don't know how I missed this, but I wish I had read it a few days ago. I had a major blogging meltdown two days ago when I had two more people unfollow my blog (it's been like a massive exodus lately .. those 2 brought the total to around 20 in just a matter of weeks) and my blogging confidence just plummeted. It really is hard to put yourself out there and stay confident when so many forces are conspiring against you .. people un-following, leaving mean comments, stats dropping, competition, etc. As someone who went through hell in high school, I think the analogy you made is spot on -- it really is all tied to insecurity and feeling inferior to other people (popular girls in high school or bloggers now) who are more successful and don't seem to be nagged by the same self-doubt that we feel. <br /><br />I'm copying those questions you have at the end & saving them on my computer so I can remind myself whenever I'm having a blog-low that I really do it for myself, and because I love the people I've met through blogging. You're completely right - the numbers and statistics don't matter! One thing that keeps me blogging is the idea that my blog is a sort of online diary. I love the idea that if I keep at it, years from now I'll have a daily account of my life, what interested me, what I loved, what music I liked, what I looked like, etc. Even if everyone unfollowed my blog and nobody read it.. that alone should be reason enough to keep forging on :)<br /><br />For what it's worth, your blog has been one of my favorites for almost two years now and I hope that your answer to "Are you OK with quitting the blog" is always "no!" :)kate gabriellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16613714423917702757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-29180867369277817192011-02-01T23:03:12.634-05:002011-02-01T23:03:12.634-05:00I'm late to the conversation, but just wanted ...I'm late to the conversation, but just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed this post and completely agree! And I feel the same way, the same insecurities, still- after 5 years of doing this. Because I was never the popular kid in high school, I was too shy- and now I feel so open, on my blog. And it's hard to be so open and still not feel totally accepted, or acknowledged. <br /><br />But then there are those days, like with this post that you wrote, where I'll write something that seems to really connects with people, that encourages a conversation like you've done here- and that is such a big reward, that moment of understanding and recognition. <br /><br />And that helps me realize, that even if I'm not the most "popular" one or don't feel like I fit in with the "cool kids", there are people who understand and connect with the real, open me, and that's all I can ask for. And I think that's what keeps me blogging everyday, even when those insecurities start creepin.jenahttp://www.modishblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-90246067368906271902011-01-30T10:30:09.506-05:002011-01-30T10:30:09.506-05:00You are the kind of person I would have wanted to ...You are the kind of person I would have wanted to hang around with in high school.Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452627115206030781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-72210429785307037532011-01-29T16:16:10.626-05:002011-01-29T16:16:10.626-05:00Great post and not to mention the comments. I post...Great post and not to mention the comments. I post because I needed a place for me to place all of my recipes, thoughts and daily inspirations.<br /><br />Not to sound vain but I kind of knew I would have at least SOMEONE like it and for me that was enough. The support helped me stick through and not to mention I love to help and just share things I feel are unique to me and will help others become unique in their own ways.<br /><br />I tend to be a litle naive sometimes so I guess the cliques really don't even exist sometimes. Overall I'm stilllooking for my niche but withno pressure just going witht the flow.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12286994167822577439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-40135736103569176712011-01-28T20:47:36.601-05:002011-01-28T20:47:36.601-05:00really truly enjoyed this post. thank you so much!...really truly enjoyed this post. thank you so much!! i love how real it is and i know that a lot of people struggle with these issues--me included! i find myself constantly having to check myself...making sure i am staying true to who i am! it is so easy to be "swayed" but what is popular in the blog world. the most beneficial thing for me a lot of the time is to step back (sometimes this involves taking a blog break--whether it be breaking from reading or breaking from posting) and re-evaluating my inspirations and reasons why i blog!<br /><br />again...thank you for this post christina!!<br />j.Jennifer Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283808161039798078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-83323532231096785782011-01-28T13:46:49.992-05:002011-01-28T13:46:49.992-05:00You are so right and I've been thinking about ...You are so right and I've been thinking about this a lot to. One thing I noticed I find myself doing is that there might be a blog post with 100 or more comments and I think to myself in a sea of that who would ever even think to read my comment. I find I am more likely to comment on someone with less comments. <br /><br />and I think that stems from what you are saying in this post.Kelly's Adventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18214407489952996861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-77180709798651177432011-01-28T12:43:49.312-05:002011-01-28T12:43:49.312-05:00What a great post, thank you!
I'm a supernoob ...What a great post, thank you!<br />I'm a supernoob to blogging but I went in with this hunch that there is something inside that wants to come out and if I just keep writing, i'll find my voice & whatever that something is will come spilling out. I would like to expand into an etsy store for the little things I normally make for friends... a chance for some extra income of course and to see where it goes from there (if anywhere).<br /><br />I've had some difficulty with letting people know I even have one to be read but I know I need to just tell my inner Polly Perfectionist to cram it. :)bgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-62477435767157909652011-01-27T15:04:59.781-05:002011-01-27T15:04:59.781-05:00flynn- yes, i do! grace from design*sponge has a ...flynn- yes, i do! grace from design*sponge has a lot of great things to say on the subject http://www.designspongeonline.com/2011/01/biz-ladies-online-ethics-etiquette-part-1.html<br /><br />that particular link is part 1 and there will be more posts on the subject from d*s.<br /><br />i think that citing the name as opposed to just linking a photo is good practice because with re-blogging, sources tend to get lost. email me though and we can discuss more. xoChristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05183231711425591135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-58262227066619767962011-01-27T15:00:16.428-05:002011-01-27T15:00:16.428-05:00I'm a little late on this bandwagon, but do yo...I'm a little late on this bandwagon, but do you know a good link for web etiquette? Like, is it more appropriate to cite someone's site's name, or is it better form to have the picture link back to their site, etc.? I've just started blogging, and sometimes I'm not sure if I'm the guy typing in all caps who doesn't know he's "yelling." Any advice is appreciated :)Flynnhttp://pegeens-commitments.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-45944737200123283932011-01-27T00:18:03.925-05:002011-01-27T00:18:03.925-05:00In a past life, I had a blog - it was a personal o...In a past life, I had a blog - it was a personal one, but it was updated regularly and had a fair number of readers. My current blog has a small number of readers and I struggle to find time to post. <br /><br />But I want to improve. And I think that knowing there is room for improvement - and what needs to be worked on - is a big step. The next challenge is finding time to implement the changes...something I'm sure will take some time :)Staceyhttp://nisseworks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-3195026033026495752011-01-26T16:54:07.528-05:002011-01-26T16:54:07.528-05:00Thanks for sharing this Christina!
I think part o...Thanks for sharing this Christina!<br /><br />I think part of what creates the high school feeling is exactly what you were pointing out - numbers. When before social media (and I'm counting blogging in that) were you able to quantify how many people liked you?? The numbers are out there for everyone to see, so comparison is so so easy.<br /><br />Really we're all coming from our own perspective. I definitely can feel left out and left behind and "why aren't my posts getting X number of hits" and "why hasn't so-and-so emailed me back" but then I get a comment from someone else asking how I have such great connections, how to boost their traffic, etc. To one person, I'm just a puny blog trying to get noticed, to another, I'm livin the life! <br /><br />It is also helpful to know that there are so many others who share this feeling!Maggie Rosehttp://www.maggieroseonline.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-69480791428159434482011-01-26T14:38:53.886-05:002011-01-26T14:38:53.886-05:00emily@merrypad - i just want to clarify that my po...emily@merrypad - i just want to clarify that my post was not meant to call out any conferences or bloggers that attend conferences. in fact, i hope to be able to attend something like ALT one day if the opportunity arises. <br />i point out at the end of the post that my insecurities often come from how i THINK others are perceiving me and/or the blog. i also point out that cliques exist in all facets of our lives and this is natural. i don't think bloggers mean to be exclusive but i think the jargon used can sometimes sound elitist. of course, there are egomaniacs out there as well, but i'm certain the majority of bloggers are normal people who, overall, tend to be quite kind. <br /><br />thank you for your comment!Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05183231711425591135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-34349155276545641512011-01-26T13:35:04.995-05:002011-01-26T13:35:04.995-05:00Hello, I think I am late to join this discussion b...Hello, I think I am late to join this discussion but I came to your blog post from Gathering Spriggs and a thought-provoking post. I just wanted to say, I too spend an inordinate amount of time trying to work out what I want to achieve through blogging and why I do it. Unlike many I am not selling anything...so it really is just me and my thoughts. In some way if I were selling a product I think it would validate the exercise of blogging. I do track stats and then wonder why. I put my thoughts out there and then find a stack of people read them and a handful comment and I wonder if that seems a little strange? If I read something that touches me I comment and acknowledge that the blog post meant something to me. But clearly there is alot of popularity wrangling and that is a bizarre side effect of blogging that I never anticipated. I just posted today on something about this topic...anyway - your post was very thought-provoking :-) Lou xxLouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13457538074763854583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-6296726785464048232011-01-26T13:31:44.502-05:002011-01-26T13:31:44.502-05:00It was so nice to read this post and realize that ...It was so nice to read this post and realize that I'm not alone with the insecurities and being outside of the clique. I've read some very elitist comments from groupies of ALT and other conferences, and I've been looking in on that world and thinking either that I'll never be a part of it, or if I am a part of it, I'll have to have conformed to be "one of them". <br /><br />Let's put those worries aside and do what WE each perceive is great work. One of my biggest worries (maybe only worries) is losing readership if I can't maintain high post volume (like, 25-40/month). If you like me, and I miss posting on a Thursday because you felt more like watching reruns of Renovation Realities on Wednesday instead of drafting something crafty, don't hold it against me too much, ok?<br /><br />In the meantime, one of my biggest hurdles is trying to figure out how to make this a full-time thing. I'm not over-zealous, I know stuff takes time, and I'd like to work hard to get it, but it's hard to find truly objective help when it comes to identifying prospective companies who might want to advertise with you. Any advice available would be wonderful, so that 3, 6, 12 months down the road, maybe I'll be lucky enough to employ some best practices. Until then, I'll be thinking and willing to share my own ideas.<br /><br />Let's be friends? <br /><br />Much love, and thanks again for posting something so pure for us all to identify with. <br /><br />Emily.Emily @ Merrypadhttp://www.merrypad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-49337913351999858332011-01-26T12:58:13.866-05:002011-01-26T12:58:13.866-05:00This may sound counter-intuitive, but when I'm...This may sound counter-intuitive, but when I'm insecure I try to push outside of my comfort zone by reaching out to another blogger that I consider to be a level above me, either to pitch a guest post, say hello or request an interview. I do this because the first time I reached out to a big blogger, I received such a warm response. It totally brought home the point that we're all humans on the other end of the screen.<br /><br />Even when I've been turned down, it's always with such class. <br /><br />It's one of the few areas in my life where I am brave. But it helps soooo much to have tangible proof that we're all human and we're all busy.<br /><br />And if I'm really too down to do that, I call one of my very trusted blog friends to share the experience. It helps an immeasurable amount to just talk to a girlfriend.Brigittehttp://www.covetchicago.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-12593067374429617622011-01-26T12:52:30.952-05:002011-01-26T12:52:30.952-05:00i have a personal blog that i started for friends ...i have a personal blog that i started for friends and family. i quickly became intimidated by all of those other, more "professional" and "better" blogs out there, and i noticed that i felt self-conscious each time i posted. <br /><br />i've realized,though, that my blog can be what i want it to be - which is just a fun way to share things with friends. <br /><br />thank you for this thoughtful post!heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14490705338641854653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-80991933174811296392011-01-26T09:04:25.471-05:002011-01-26T09:04:25.471-05:00lillian- thank you for stopping by. i hope that yo...lillian- thank you for stopping by. i hope that you do start your blog as i believe you have something valuable to offer- experience and creativity. craft/design/lifestyle bloggers come in all ages and i can think of a few bloggers that i follow who's ages range from 16yrs old to 50+. i hope you'll start something and let me know if you do. xoChristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05183231711425591135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-77996078571124929682011-01-26T05:19:20.432-05:002011-01-26T05:19:20.432-05:00I just want to thank you for this post. I'm ve...I just want to thank you for this post. I'm very insecure about a lot of stuff in my real and blog life. But I try to make it better. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing this.Laura.Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05618302372371242233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4711916785635061879.post-4884261719709551362011-01-26T00:39:58.694-05:002011-01-26T00:39:58.694-05:00I have never read your blog until today, arrived h...I have never read your blog until today, arrived here from a link from Jessica Van Den. I have been considering beginning a craft blog for quite awhile now. Your post clarified some of my fears, however I think my biggest fear is my age - I am old enough to be your's, and the majority of your reader's, mother at least, if not grandmother! I am quite creative and know I have something to offer - I just need to get over my fear of rejection. Your post certainly helped me see that.Granny Made Ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01218694594874212148noreply@blogger.com