Last week I brought up the idea of starting a Blogging Basics series. I struggled with writing today’s post because I just didn’t know where to start the series. And then it hit me.
Why don’t I start at the VERY beginning? I know some of you mentioned wanting to start a blog but you just haven’t made the leap. Let’s hope you leap away after today’s post! Post a link in the comments to your brand spanking new blog!
Should I start a blog? What would I write about? How do I come up with a name for my blog?
I am going to answer these questions from my perspective. I would love if those of you who have been blogging awhile would answer them in the comments. Please and thank you!
Should I start a blog?
Well of course! Blogging is such a fun hobby. It’s a great way to share your creativeness/hobbies/passions/thoughts with the world. My blog is like a little diary for my house. Blogging is also a great way to meet people who share similar interests.
I do recommend that you like writing. (I had forgotten how much I liked to write before I started this ol’ diary on the interweb. I always loved English in high school…so naturally I chose a career based on biology and math. Always the smart one.) You should have a decent understanding of grammar and spelling. Do you need to worry about an error in your grammar here or there? Nah. It’s a blog. But others should be able to read it without cringing………..like if Nate was to write a blog. The boy can build things and photograph things like none other but ask him to write you a photography post and you’ll be editing it all night.
What would I write about?
Anything you want. It’s your blog. You make the rules.
In the beginning I was writing about a bunch of different things..the house, books I had read, food, the weather. I have learned that my best posts are those related to my house and Ike…because I am most passionate about my house and that darn dog. I also think most of you read because of the house…….okay, fine…..because of Ike. I get it. How can you not love this fuzzy face?
Don’t touch that messy beard though….he gets grouchy.
How do I come up with a name for my blog?
I struggled with this one. I almost gave up on blogging before I even started because I couldn’t come up with a decent blog name.
My original thought was Drugs and Décor…because I am a pharmacist who likes decorating. And then I began to wonder what kind of readers a blog with drugs in the title would attract. I quickly went back to the drawing board. Even though I am a pharmacist, I didn’t plan (and still don’t) plan to blog about my career. I later decided on Décor and the Dog because I knew Ike would most definitely sneak his way into every house photo. I was right.
Who’s going to start blogging now? Get that first post ready. How’d you come up with your blog name? I think next week I’ll discuss finding your niche…unless I change my mind.
Last week I brought up the idea of starting a Blogging Basics series. I struggled with writing today’s post because I just didn’t know where to start the series. And then it hit me.
Why don’t I start at the VERY beginning? I know some of you mentioned wanting to start a blog but you just haven’t made the leap. Let’s hope you leap away after today’s post! Post a link in the comments to your brand spanking new blog!
Should I start a blog? What would I write about? How do I come up with a name for my blog?
I am going to answer these questions from my perspective. I would love if those of you who have been blogging awhile would answer them in the comments. Please and thank you!
Should I start a blog?
Well of course! Blogging is such a fun hobby. It’s a great way to share your creativeness/hobbies/passions/thoughts with the world. My blog is like a little diary for my house. Blogging is also a great way to meet people who share similar interests.
I do recommend that you like writing. (I had forgotten how much I liked to write before I started this ol’ diary on the interweb. I always loved English in high school…so naturally I chose a career based on biology and math. Always the smart one.) You should have a decent understanding of grammar and spelling. Do you need to worry about an error in your grammar here or there? Nah. It’s a blog. But others should be able to read it without cringing………..like if Nate was to write a blog. The boy can build things and photograph things like none other but ask him to write you a photography post and you’ll be editing it all night.
What would I write about?
Anything you want. It’s your blog. You make the rules.
In the beginning I was writing about a bunch of different things..the house, books I had read, food, the weather. I have learned that my best posts are those related to my house and Ike…because I am most passionate about my house and that darn dog. I also think most of you read because of the house…….okay, fine…..because of Ike. I get it. How can you not love this fuzzy face?
Don’t touch that messy beard though….he gets grouchy.
How do I come up with a name for my blog?
I struggled with this one. I almost gave up on blogging before I even started because I couldn’t come up with a decent blog name.
My original thought was Drugs and Décor…because I am a pharmacist who likes decorating. And then I began to wonder what kind of readers a blog with drugs in the title would attract. I quickly went back to the drawing board. Even though I am a pharmacist, I didn’t plan (and still don’t) plan to blog about my career. I later decided on Décor and the Dog because I knew Ike would most definitely sneak his way into every house photo. I was right.
Who’s going to start blogging now? Get that first post ready. How’d you come up with your blog name? I think next week I’ll discuss finding your niche…unless I change my mind.
Kind of off topic from your post, but the striped bag hanging in the last photo is so cute!! Cute enough for me to take my eyes off of Ike for a second :)
ReplyDeleteIt's from etsy. http://www.etsy.com/listing/60409703/black-white-denim-handbag
DeleteNate yelled at me because it wasn't American made. I don't care. It's lovely.
Should I start a blog? I probably shouldn't have but I was going through some stuff with my parents and it was my outlet.
ReplyDeleteWhat would I write about? I write about whatever comes to me. My blog does not have a particular style regardless of the name.
How do I come up with a name for my blog? I picked the first 3 letters of my first and last name and stuck style on the end of it since we are always working on stuff in our house.
Great post! I hope it brings out more bloggers :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up writing in a journal every night but gave it up in grad school (after a really bad breakup that caused me to burn them all). My new years resolution was to start up blogging. I have a couple of posts so far. But, I'm not sure what direction or topics I should stick to. I'm also not sure if I want to limit myself. The thing that makes this different than my old journals is I'm constantly thinking about what someone would think and how I don't want to offend or share what some would consider too much. It's hard to draw that line. I came up with the name at 4am one morning after several wakeups with the new baby.
ReplyDeleteI love finding new blogs...I hope this will jumpstart people and I can find them here. :-) My child started talking strangely early and I wanted to keep track and remember all the little things he said. I knew I wouldn't journal, and all my spare time was spent keeping up with other blogs, so starting my own was a way to do both! (Thus the name, Baylor Says...) Much more interested in decor, so I knew that would keep me going, and I just have a little Baylor anecdote at the end of most posts.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, the blog name, that was a though one for me as well. I still think I did not pick the right name, but it's too late now to change. I was very hesitant about this whole blogging thing, mainly because I thought no one would read it. Then, I realized, this is a great archive for pictures of my home, so even if no one comes and visits, I can go back and see the changes I have made.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, I think you picked a great name, and I also like that you don't just stick with the decorating thing.....I also love to see Ike....he is something else.
-Kristel
I came up with my blog name: Snap Happy Mom because I love snapping pics & I'm usually always happy.... :)
ReplyDeleteI'm stilling trying to find my niche...I too worry about how much I should write about...and what to write about! I'm still trying to find my way.....
Great Post! After my wedding I needed new blogs to fulfull the wedding ones I was regularly reading for inspiration. In popped 'the home and decor' blogs. I love to decorate and renovate our place, on a budget, and all these blogs have inspired me to actually undertake these things. Honestly, I wanted and should have started my blog during wedding planning. I DIYed it everywhere for that shindig. But I started my blog after the wedding and it has become a place to chronicle the wedding and provide advice, show off my home renovations and DIY decorating, and talk about our fur-baby. Check it out! www.knoticallife.blogspot.com . Hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, and the name is the most difficult hurdle. It took my about 4 weeks to come up with something that 'fit me'.
Don't forget - you also have to like photography! Hah. Because even if you're the best writer in the world people still need them some pictures.
ReplyDeleteI hope this post encourages more people to start blogs! Also, I answered two of the questions (but I think everyone should have a blog if they want one! Oops... I just answered all 3 questions!):
ReplyDeleteWhat would I write about? I started my blog while I was planning my wedding. With all of the little details & crafts & random projects, it became a great outlet for me. It still is because no matter how long my day is, I always want to come home and write.
How do I come up with a name for my blog? Hahah... well, for a while I was stuck. I came up with another blog name and soon after absolutely HATED it. While sitting down for dinner with Joe, I just started mashing up words together (basically anything I saw, like "table chair", "candle spoon", "sink flower"). Some (most) of them didn't even make sense but that didn't defer me. Eventually, I came up with Popcorn on the Stove and it stuck.
The name of my blog came from a life-long nickname I've had. I started blogging because I had a couple of friends that I liked their blogs. You can tell in the beginning that it was a bit rough. I've deleted a lot of the posts to clean up my blog. I didn't enjoy reading them, so they were gone, just kept the important stuff.
ReplyDeleteThen, I got engaged and my blog became an all out weddding blog. It was a great place (pre-pinterest) to keep all my ideas. My readership sky-rocketed and I was in this little community of wedding bloggers. Then I got married and never wanted to see another wedding idea again, so it changed as I changed. My blog as become more personal, and I've lost most of my readers, but I have no problem with that. My blog is mine now, and others are welcome to read it, but I realize that it's become extremely boring (to others)and I'm okay with that. It's never been about readers or ad dollars, it's about your passion.
People are intimidated becasue they think all blogs need to be a cup of jo and that's not true, just start and see where it goes, I say
Love your blog- keep it up!
I started my blog to keep friends and family from my Motherland (I'm from Russia) in the loop of what's going on in my new life. I started writing in Russian, then slowly switched to English. Just like you, I love English. Blooging has also helped me practice it more when I just moved here. It's still more of a personal blog for friends, but I'm branching out little by little: decor, DIY, photography...
ReplyDeleteMy blog is called Coffee Cat, because I'm a coffee nut who loves puns:)
I have been toying with starting a blog. I have a name picked out, just need to find time to start writing one. I don't even know how to physically start a blog. That would be great information. I love your blog. The variety is what keeps me coming back. I had two wire haired foxies and Ike looks a little like each of them. I don't know how anyone can resist those furry little faces and those big ol' noses. Gotta kiss that nose! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI started my blog when we moved aboard to Germany. A way to keep family and friends involved in our new live and adventures. And my blog name became West Family Adventures.....of coarse now we are back in US and still living away from family and friends so it continues...but the problem is our life was far more interesting living in Europe vs. rural western NY!!
ReplyDeleteI started mine as a hobby and my hubby (ha!) actually came up with the name! I think when you start blogging it's important not to lose sight of why you started it in the first place. You probably wont be famous and it's not the end of the world if you dont post every day. Relax and have fun!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate that you mentioned enjoying writing as a blogging requirement. There are so many blogs out there that I might be able to enjoy so much more . . . if the blogger loved to write. There are some blogs on my reading list whose content/style/creativity is fabulous, but I've trained myself not to even attempt to read the post itself because the spelling/grammar is too difficult to decipher, or the writing is just so boring or bland or filled with obnoxious LOLs and HAHAHAS! and OMGs and clearly not something the blogger put much thought into or found much pleasure in. It's obvious when a blogger doesn't like writing, and for me, I read blogs mostly for the writing. Content/topic, to me, almost always comes second . . . I'd rather read a well-written post about something I'm not 100% insanely passionate about than a poorly-written post about something I love. Three cheers for spelling, grammar, and lovely writing!
ReplyDeleteI actually just started a blog this week. I haven't had the time to get all the formatting figured out but I got a couple posts up. So far, I love it! I've been an avid blog reader for a couple years and have thought about starting a blog for a long time and finally bit the bullet over the weekend. It's really nice to release my feelings through writing since I don't like to talk about them very much. I still haven't figured out exactly what I am going to write about normally but I'll get there at some point.
ReplyDeleteI love your Q and A style posts lately! Good advice, chica.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I was super original and named my blog after our street address. Naming it something kitschy like "Butterflies and Balloons" or "Unicorns and Cream Puffs" isn't really my style.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Unicorns and Cream Puffs is growing on me...
DeleteI just started blogging this week after debating in my head whether or not to start one. I've been reading blogs for a few years already and finally decided to take the plunge. As far as picking a name, my top few choices were not available, but I picked a name that has words that mean a lot to me - family, love, home. I'm sure there will be a learning curve but so far so good :-)
ReplyDeleteMy advice would be THINK CAREFULLY about your blog name before you start. Like, don't just come up with a blog name that allows you to write about your whole life, then decide to gear your blog toward the home decor niche, but at that point no longer want to change your name and now you're stuck calling your blog View Along the Way. Not that I know personally.
ReplyDeleteIt's like you had a friend with this problem...
DeleteThank you for doing this series! I just recently started my blog the beginning of this month. I was, and am, an avid blog reader and when I would read I would think I can do that! And wanted to chronicle it. Oh, also I have cute dogs too! Come check me out!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with your blog (and your dog. ) He adds just that little personality. :) Your photographs are wonderful. My answers to your blogging questions: 1) Yes, definitely start a blog if you want to write and or share thoughts and/or photos. If you don't enjoy writing (or sharing) then maybe don't start a blog. 2) What to write about: Well, I write about different little episodes in my life that seem kind of funny or creative. I love to read blogs about decorating, so I've written a few pieces about my own home. But mostly I write about things that I consider fun. 3) Title? I came up with mine because it was like a catch phrase I often use. I feel the need to tell everyone what I think about this or that.
ReplyDeleteAgain, love your blog and your dog.
I can't wait to see the other posts in this series! I don't really have a niche. I'm kind of in my own little weird place, lol! I never really had one set clique in high school. I had my core group of buds, but hung out with everyone. I guess that pattern continues on.
ReplyDeleteI started blogging not expecting to have any readers except for my family ! My family is all in my business and everyone needed to know about changes in our house first. I put the in progress house photos on the blog to avoid getting in trouble and "picking favorites" with my crazy aunts!
I do blog about everything. I'm so A.D.D. and can't just commit to one thing. I'm passionate about becoming well-rounded in my life experience. I want to try everything. I'm passionate about food, family, trying new things, and finding inexpensive decorating soulutions.
People should start blogs to find friends that are into the same things as they are, get inspired, and as a great outlet.
I chose Finding Silver Linings after a few weeks of debate. I didn't want to limit myself by choosing a name that was strictly about our house or about our first year of marriage. Life expands & my interests are too scattered. I wanted the blog to reflect my personailty (which can be "annoyingly positive"--as my aunt Theresa puts it), about living passionately, and creatively finding the blessing in disguise in life's obstacles. Plus, it kinda rhymes, lol! So it's easy to remember and catchy.
Hi Michelle ~ Love your blog! I am a total novice, but so want to have my own blog! I am torn as someone recently told me there are a lot of costs initially as far as designing the blog and having a decent camera. Do you find this to be true? Did you design your own blog or hire someone else to do it? Should this be a concern? Questions, questions. Thanks for any help/direction you can give:)
ReplyDeleteLinda
Haha I'm reading this a little late, but I just found your Blog and LOVE IT. I recently started writing my own (recently as in like a week ago) and Struggled with the name for mine forever!
ReplyDeleteStill not sure if i'm satiisfied, but mine is going to be centered around my dogs and planning my wedding =) thanks for the tips!!!
This is great - even though I found it after I began :) I'm still a baby blogger though so I think it's okay.
ReplyDeleteI started my blog after stalking the YoungHouseLove blog for a week straight. I realized that I'll want to show off the changes we do to our new home and that a blog would be much better than just posting pictures on Facebook. I'd love to get more than a friends/family readership, but that's not my main goal.
The name got me so excited. My future married last name will be Humberstone so I thought the "HumberHome Project" was a cute spin on that ;) My fiance doesn't think its as brilliant as I do, but whatevs. That's a guy for ya, right?
Anyways - I'm soaking up everything you're offering up in this series of blog posts. Thanks for sharing! :)
Lovely Ike! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a marketing background mixed in with my interior design career. I really wanted to start writing a blog a year and a half ago but fretted over the name for nearly a month. When it came down to 2 I had alot of feedback. Most people liked my "other" option but my gut kept telling me to go with Ave-New.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm SO pleased I took the time to think it through since I don't believe the other name would have translated as well to my topics. It's just more ME. Therefore the blog feels more personal each time I sit down to write!
My advice for anyone getting started would be to narrow your options of subjects and titles and then start asking friends and family. Once you get going you just might find that you're consistently defending a specific name or returning to a common topic. Only time will tell- have patience!