I always complain about how quickly time goes by, but it really did stun me that Pugs and Pearls is 1 year old! It started out as Pugs, Pearls and Positivity-which was a mouth full. Picking a name is the hardest part of starting a blog! I made the change in late December and have been Pugs and Pearls dot com since. I love this name and I think it fits me very nicely!
Fun Facts:
This was my very first post. Not terrible, not great either!
My most popular posts are: Funeral Sandwiches, Lilly Pulitzer DIY Hairbow Holder, and this one about the Myers Briggs Personality Test
But without a doubt my most popular post is The Good, The Bad and The Pugly of Owning a Pug, and I know that's what brought a lot of you to me! I am not surprised at all that a pug post takes the cake. Coincidentally that was also my favorite post to write.
Blogging has been a lot of fun, and I have definitely learned a ton. Blogging has forced me to get better photos, and also made me use my imagination a lot more. It's a great creative outlet, as well as a cool scrapbook. My thoughts on blogging have really evolved too. I don't feel pressured anymore to post just to post. I'm now concerned with quality over quantity and trying to share things I'd like to read myself! At the same time, I've balanced that with blogging for myself-and not just because I think it will be popular.
A few things I've picked up along the way:
one// Don't Center Your Text
This is one thing that irritates me so much! I started out centering my posts because I thought it looked nice. That may be, but it's incredibly difficult to read. I didn't realize that for several months. I changed it after I saw how difficult to read it was on other blogs.
two// Picture Are Everything
It's really daunting to look at a giant text post and think about how long it will take you to read it. Pictures are awesome to break up text and also to add to your story. I love looking at other people's pictures, so I can assume my readers do too! Make them big and high res!
three// Niche-Shmeesh
Every blogging advice article you will read says to find your niche, find your audience. The reality for me is I have such a variety of interests that I want to post about. I simply will not limit this blog in that way. I accept that might mean my subscribers aren't at a peak. Doesn't matter to me, I want to write about what I want to write about! I'm doing this blog thing for me, ya know?
four// Tell Your Friends You Blog!
I was like super quiet about starting this thing. Several of my good real life friends are such loyal readers and that makes me so happy! It also helps for your friends to know why you are suddenly picture happy and it will make them more patient with you as you document everything.
I look forward to another year of blogging! I hope I only get better at writing and sharing my life. And my main goal going forward is to post more things I'm really proud of, and passionate about. That includes way more pug posts! Which is what I know you guys want anyways! Another goal is to get a custom blog theme too! If you have a designer you recommend, let me know!
Leave me a comment: How long have you been reading Pugs and Pearls? If you are a blogger, what are somethings you've learned along the way?
xoxo Kristen
Yay for one year!! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteHappy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteI love this advice. I just started my blog and it's nice to hear that having a lot of interests can be a pro instead of a con.
http://hustleandwhoa.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for reading!
DeleteBlogging is so fun, and I know you will love doing it. I'm happily adding you to my blogroll!