I am not a major food blogger, I haven't won any awards and I don't think I am the BEST! but I do feel after blogging for a few years that I have noticed a few things and this blog post is a pep talk to me for the days I feel like Im just not cutting it!
1) Your Blog matters
Even if you only reach one person it IS OK! (If I only effect the life of one person then my blog has done its job...) Your writing mattered to someone out there
2) You are cool enough
There will ALWAYS be someone bigger than you. Suck it up. And Always be kind to someone smaller than you (blog wise or twitter wise) you were once there too.
3) Stats suck but look how far you've come
Don't judge yourself against Mr or Mrs big blogger, take a step back and go look at your stats from a year ago - really do it!
4) Pictures are worth a thousand words...
ALWAYS work on your picture taking. We live in a media based world where graphics and photos are throw at us daily.. just think of blogs, facebook, twitter, pinterest... etc... photos, photos - this is what people judge your blog in seconds flat so make it pretty for them. This includes your layout *(note to self - declutter blog layout)
5) Sometimes you post won't be perfect
Sometimes they just won't be - and thats ok. We all have creative slumps - its about the keeping at it! GO GO GO - you can do. Go for a walk and go photograph something... It WILL help.
6) Not everyone will be kind...
People will steal your photos or your content or both! fight for your stuff - YOU ARE WORTH IT!
and likewise don't steal people stuff - ITS NOT COOL!
7) Your regular readers count
Its not only about getting new readers and more numbers. Think on the kind readers that keep coming back. They are sometimes more important than some fly by night follow and unfollowers.
8) Don't over tweet or facebook your links
Its not cool to keep repeatedly tweeting or updating your time line saying look at my post! its ok to remind people but air on the side of caution. You will put them off and they may even unfollow you
9) Comment
This goes both ways: comment on the blogs that you visit = Every blogger loves to know there is someone on the other end reading.
Comments on your blog: Reply to peoples comments = its polite and lets your readers know you care that they read your work and took the time to write something to you.
10) Copyright
Don't steal people recipes or content (even magazines) EVER - it doesn't matter if others are doing it. Clearly give credit where credit is due. Link, state and thank your source and even drop them an email or comment on their blog stating you would like to use their work with credit etc...
Hope this has made you feel a little better about your blog... I shall be back to read this again next week when I need a pep talk ;)
Remember YOU ARE SPECIAL AND YOUR BLOG MATTERS!
Would you add anything to this?

Great list, beanie - I have one thing to add: People should stay authentic and honest. Pushing products you would never use or saying how much you love a place when you don't is just a bit of a sell-out really.
ReplyDeleteagreed - blogging about products for free stuff that isn't true to your blog style sucks!!!
DeleteI completely agree with point 8. I have unfollowed many people on twitter, whose blogs I enjoy, due to this reason. 2 to 3 times a day max is fine.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and motivating post though :)
thank you Jess. yes over tweeting is not cool!
Deletethanks for the comment - Im off to look at your blog :)
You are right and you're near to perfection, thanks for being on the web.
ReplyDeletethank you Kindly :)
DeleteGreat post, Betty!
ReplyDeletethank you Elizabeth
Deletehugs
Great, Betty - just great advice and reminders.
ReplyDeletethanks Jennifer - thanks for stopping by
DeleteI completely agree with every point! So glad you've posted this!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsay - so glad I am not alone :)
DeleteThanks for the great advice! :)
ReplyDeletethanks for reading :)
Deletelove your post! so true...
ReplyDeleteyay! thank you
DeleteRight on time Betty, thank you. I will read this often.
ReplyDeleteawww thank you Sandra :) *hugs*
DeleteBetty, great tips! especially uplifting on slow days :)I love reading that, I will save it for a nice refreshing reminder here and there, Thank you :)
ReplyDeletethat is so great to know Aneta :)
Deletehugs and happiness
BB
love this Betty ... thank you sooo much !!!
ReplyDeletemoodylicious childrens spa !!
awww thanks Stacie - that is so kind!
DeleteFantastic post :)
ReplyDeletethanks Monique :) *hugs*
DeleteGReat post Betty!
ReplyDeletethanks so much Alison :)
DeleteGreat advice Betty!! A well thought out post...and beautiful photography as always :)
ReplyDeletethank you Courtney :)
DeleteI have just visited your blog and your chairs are so cool!
hugs
BB
Could not agree more! YOUR blog matters to me, it is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThank you nina
Deletethat is so kind and made me SMILE
hugs
BB
Excellent and true advice!! Thank you!
ReplyDeletethank you :)
DeleteGreat post with some excellent advice...thanks Betty Bake!!!
ReplyDeletethanks Leonie :) much appreciated
Deletehave a great day
BB
THANK you Betty, for the gutsy post. I have been a loud and proud advocate for sincere, transparent, honest and responsible blogging for a long time and have perservered in spite of loud denials and attack from those who do not blog for the same reasons. My business owns and provides content for a website that exists 100% due to advertiser suport but we have never, ever abused my blog on FOOD24 or misused our private Facebook pages for self-promotion or fame. Keep up the integrity and good work while I continue to hope and pray that more food bloggers will 'come out' like you did. You are great!
ReplyDeleteDear Anne
Deletefirst off - THANK YOU :)
congrats on your business ethics and for standing tall *thumbs up*
I really appreciate the comment and time you took to write it
Have a great day
Betty Bake
Very cool post ! Thanks. First time visiting your blog, and just what I needed to read when I am having a blog-confidence-crises about my blog.
ReplyDeleteI'll be back.x
hey Taryne
DeleteI follow you on twitter - thank you so much for visiting and commenting :)
your blog is beautiful by the way
BB
*hugs*
So happy you left a comment so i could find your blog! I loooove it!!!! I am agreeing on all the points above, though i dont mind too much if people copy my things, imitation is still the highest form of flattery:-)
ReplyDeleteHey - yay! thank you so much for visiting my blog :)
DeleteI love your blog :)
yes copying can be a form of flattery but if they blatantly steal your photos and give no links... thats not cool!
thank you for commenting :)
hugs
Betty Bake x
Hi there, I'm new to the world of blogging and this was so refreshing to read as I really look up to your blog, there are so many bloggers with you on their blog roll, so I just knew I had to have you on my blogroll.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this and really needed to read this today, of all days...thanks for the tip of the tweeting, I do about 1 for every post and then maby another in the latter part of the day, now I know...don't get crazy
Thanks for keeping it real,
Serene Motherhood
hi there tweeting twice a day is fine about your blog post :)
DeleteI am so glad you enjoyed the blog post - that make me happy :)
I am on so many peoples blog roll? I am? thank you and yay! I am so glad to hear that :)
have a super rest of the week
Betty Bake x
It 's very useful, thanks you!
ReplyDeleteI started a blog a few months ago, and I needed these tips!! :)
thats so Great Angie - good luck on your new blog :)
DeleteThanks for commenting
Betty Bake
This is a very encouraging post for new bloggers.(me) Thank you for sharing!:)
ReplyDeleteSame here - I especially love point 2 - you are cool enough. Really helps when you're looking at superstar bloggers and wishing you were them!
DeleteTo Eleanor - Enjoy your new blog - you can do it! yay!
DeleteThanks for visiting and commenting
hugs BB
To Jo Way
You are cool enough ;)
every super star blogger was once a newby
hugs
BB
Thanks for the great tips! Just started a 'green'blog recently and need all the advice I can get! Keep up the great blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rochelle :) keep up the new blog ... practice and enjoy it :)
DeleteBB
GREAT post!! I needed these words of wisdom today, thank you! : )
ReplyDeleteaww Heather - thank you for commenting:)
Deleteyou have a beautiful blog
hugs
BB