Hi everyone! Today I have blogger Felicia of Thoughtful Minds United over for a visit. Please help me welcome her! I hope you enjoy her advice for how to get your blogging spark back. Her words are inspirational and ones you can start to apply today in your own writing, if you feel it needs a bit of a boost. Let’s get to it! :) Here’s Felicia:
Since you are most likely a writer, author, or both, by now, you may have heard this spiel- “Tell your story, your voice is important!”
Actually, this may be one of the reasons why you blog here on WordPress. But sometimes, even on this platform, it can be hard to remember that, right?
The longer we blog, the harder it can be to remember why you started doing it in the first place. It can be hard to remember that you aren’t doing it for the likes or comments but because you like connecting and having your voice heard. Maybe exposure for your projects came second for you.
Or maybe it’s just me.
Around 2014, I began Thoughtful Minds United (TMU) which became a community for writers.
However, as time progressed and my blog began to grow, I forgot the romance and became incredibly selfish.
I became more concerned with the amount of views or writers we had on board than with voices being heard and the quality of work we produced. All I knew was that we had to push content and get writers now.
Gone was the excitement of getting a new writer. Gone was the excitement of a simple comment. I even lost the concern to inspire others in my space which is what I set out to do in the first place.
All I cared about was how many viewers we had and how can we repeat that. Slowly, but surely, I lost the passion that I had for TMU and began taking more time off from blogging and working on the site.
Eventually, I decided to shut the site down. We had a following of a little over 800 people following and approximately 13 monthly writers. But I lost the drive to run it.
While I do believe that leaving was the right thing to do, had I kept my motives in the right place, I might not have shut it down. TMU would probably be much larger now as I begin the process of re-opening it.
So, who cares? Why does this even matter?
As I have recently returned to the blogging scene, I’ve noticed that more bloggers have left and for good reason, I’m
But if we leave, we can miss a huge opportunity that is unique to us on this platform.
Do you remember why you started your blog? Did it have something to do with using your voice, sharing your opinions, or even sharing your life with others? Maybe it included promoting your newest creations and receiving the support of others.
The things is, a lot of new (and older) bloggers have started their blogs for the same reasons! This means that our opportunity to positively impact them as well as each other is limitless!
It doesn’t always take money or a bunch of time. Sometimes the options are simple!
Check out this small list of ways you can inspire and help someone in the blogging space:
- Writing honest posts about your life and what you learned (fiction or nonfiction): These posts that outline the journey of your life, can allow others to insert themselves and see where the path they are taking leads. Or your perspective can prompt others to seek to understand the lives of others. This leads to less fear or maybe even hostility because people begin to understand the “human-ness” of those they once did not understand.
- Giving others a shout out or a place to speak in your space (examples: thoughtful re-blogs and shares, awards, guest blogging, permanent writing space on your blog): By giving them a piece of your place, even for a moment, you can lift up their spirits and encourage someone to keep at their craft and at their dream.
- Go to them directly and be involved or leave comments: Although I have talked about this issue, I will continue to share on this issue.
Maybe you’ve noticed someone’s touching story or awesome writing that has no recognition. And although we don’t write for the recognition, wouldn’t it brighten you day to have at least one person recognize your hard work and passion?
*steps off of soapbox*
—
Now, I’m not trying to guilt you into doing anything. What I’m simply encouraging is community.
I mean, building communities is what I do! I know that we do an excellent job of supporting some bloggers but what I would love to see is a more cohesive support and gathering place for all bloggers.
That’s exactly what we are trying to do at TMU. I know that sometimes, this platform is the only outlet people have because that that’s the way it was for me.
We want to build, connect, and inspire the blogging community because we all have stories and ways in which we can help one another.
It doesn’t always take money, education or a ton of time just the lessons of your life.
So what is the agenda?
Where do I come in?
We would love to have you share a little bit of yourself with us via story (fiction or non-fiction). We simply want you to share a piece of your life story or experience with us.
This includes:
- What happened?
- How did it affect you?
- What did you learn from it?
Or you can get creative with it! What matters is that we come together, encourage, and help one another to grow.
Please click here if you are interested!
Want to support without sharing your personal story?:
- Check out other ways to contribute to TMU here
What do you think? What do you say are some ways that we can impact the community, positively?
Top photo by Justin from Pexels
Great post girls! Great ideas and advice here. The ‘why we blog’ should always come from our desire to share our thoughts or work, and not because we’re obligated to. I follow many blogs and newsletters and read so much about SEO stats and how to get readership up. And still, I hardly ever check those things on my blog because I write because I like to write, and what I feel is current at the moment. Those who follow my blog do so because they like reading what I post. I’m not caught up in numbers and viewers, and I don’t need to put that pressure on myself. We need to enjoy what we do, or don’t do it. :)
I agree! I did the same thing as far as following other sites. This time, I’m following my own rules and instincts and seeing how that works out. Glad to meet you!
Nice to meet you too Felicia. :)
I liked TMU! All good advice & thoughts.
I appreciate that! Hopefully we’ll see you soon☺
It’s heartwarming to hear other bloggers run out of steam. I began blogging to broaden my horizons, improve my writing, and find like-minded people. Great post Christy and Felicia.
There can certainly be comfort in numbers. Thanks for the support!
You are more than welcome. XX
An extremely helpful post. Thanks, Christy and Felicia.
Thanks!!😊
This is such an inspiring article on finding your blogging spark and keeping it. I started my blog three and a half years ago, and on it I share my thoughts on culture and life in Australia. Back then, I got a thrill from publishing my work on the internet – so many publications I wrote to in the past rejected my writing. I’ve kept the blog going but recently I’ve hit a brick wall. As you mentioned, it always is a good idea to reflect on why we blogged in the first place – and perhaps today we want to achieve different things with our blogs. For some of us, it may be because of the views but for others, it could be because we have been bored of writing and posting the same things over and over.
For me, I’ve included my photography within my posts, and that has made blogging a bit more exciting for me. I also think that I’ve been blogging for a while now, and I need a break from it :D
Thank you! I loved the involvement on your blog. Spicing your blog is awesome and so is taking a break. But I will tell you that it is hard to blog with less traffic when you come back but the support has been great!
Excellent and very helpful post!
Thank you :D
Great post! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Thank you for your support!
Lovely post, Felicia and Christy. Hugs.
Thank you :)
Thank you, kindly, for the re-blog!
With enormous pleasure. Thanks for writing it