Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thought for Thursday {Finding My Voice}



Here's the thing. When I first started blogging, I had no earthly idea what I was doing. It just seemed like a fun thing to do. My posts were full of fluff and useless things - I'm surprised anyone read along back then! But I'm glad they did. Some of my good friends are from the early days of this blog. When I go back and read posts from the beginning, I actually cringe! But everything is a journey. And we grow and change and evolve along the way. And so it has been with blogging.

If you're anything like me, when you first started, you wanted to know if what you were doing was right. How to gain followers. How to network. How to grow your little space. Hell, I've worried about those same questions up till the last few weeks. There are tons of posts out there to 'guide' you through the blogging world: finding your niche, marketing and networking, how to use pictures in your posts... the list goes on and on.

And as of late, I say 'screw it' to all of that. I don't use a lot of pictures in my posts. I tend not to do posts that are just for the hell of it. I probably don't use Facebook and Twitter to their full advantage. 

I write. Sometimes I write lengthy posts. But that is what I love to do. It's my passion and the driving force behind why I have this blog. That, and to hopefully build some awesome friendships and maybe touch someones life along the way. Or to show others that they aren't alone in whatever struggle their facing.

So, the only 'rule' I've really been giving a lot of thought to lately is the one about 'finding my voice.' In the beginning, I was worried about saying certain things or using certain words. I didn't want to offend anyone or lose a follower (in the beginning, I was all about the numbers). And although those posts are a true reflection of me, they are only a portion of me. And that bothers me.

I want to allow my followers to see every side side of me, my life and my personality. The good, the bad and the ugly. I want my sarcasm and my wit to come through in my posts. I might cuss from time to time (I cuss quite a bit in my day to day life - hey, I'm no saint). My frustration or anger. The joy I feel. And so I've been working very hard to do that. My posts last week I was elated with. When I hit publish I was so proud of myself. I was finally letting all of my personality come through. And I just knew that everyone was going to respond so well.

And then that first day I got nothing but crickets. Dead silence. And I was disappointed.

The second day got more of the response I was hoping for along with a comment that showed me I was heading in the right direction. Janelle from Rellas Bellas said this to me (it's not the whole comment):

"ummm, i freaking love this post! Like I want to copy and paste it in my facebook feed!!!! This is probably one of my favorite posts from you because I feel like I really heard your voice, hehe."

She got it! She saw what I'm aiming for. And if you're reading this Janelle - you totally made my week and lifted my spirits. Because here's the thing, after I started writing those posts where I felt like more of 'me' was coming through - I started losing readers. And of course, that was discouraging.

But, once again, that's not the reason I'm here - for the number gain. I'm here to be who I am. I try to be as open and honest about my life as I can be. And everything you read on here is a little part of me. I have to realize that 'me' might not be for everyone. And that's okay. The people who appreciate this space and what I have to say will come, follow, comment and be a part of my community. And those are the people I set out to reach in the first place.

Elf House Chronicles

9 comments:

  1. This is a really good post, I am glad that we have been able to watch each other grow, I am so happy to have you as my blogging friend and that I am able to be part of your journey!!

    Claire x

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  2. Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love! Love!

    Can you tell that I think this is a great post? You are such an amazing gal & I'm so happy to see you not let the blog politics/business of things keep you from being you. I don't know if everyone else has the pleasure of chatting/emailing/texting you on an almost daily basis, but if they don't then they need to definitely see how awesome you are.

    Just so you know, you've really inspired me.

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  3. I love your redesign, Manda. It is so gorgeous!!
    Anywho I think you are a beautiful person, inside and out. I LOVE your blog. I love what you do. I love that you are truly blogging for YOU - no one else - just yourself. That's what matters. The right people will hear it and come around.
    You are amazing and you are so full of inspiration. I am happy that you have started blogging <3

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  4. I second the redesign love! This is a great post Manda! There is so much pressure to find a "niche" in blogging... but in truth the best blogs are the ones who were pioneers! You doing great Doll and can't wait to read more from you!

    Love & Lollies... Jessa

    Caked Vintage Blog

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  5. I've heard that one before, that people lose readers or at least get less comments on posts that are more authentic... but i'm glad you're not letting that discourage you. A blog where the real you is being seen is simply so much more interesting!!! Keep up the good work.

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  6. I love, love, love this post. Seriously. Blogging has always been and will always be a therapeutic way for me to process. The fact that people actually read my ramblings and add their own is just icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned. I prefer posts that are longer and so I was happy to hear you say that you do too. That's how I roll. See... I knew we were going to be good bloggin buddies. I'm linked up, thanks for hosting.

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  7. Love this post, Manda!!! You are an awesome blogger, and I love your voice, and I find your blog refreshing and great to read. I love reading blogs like yours where it doesn't sound pretentious and artificial...I know I'm really connecting to YOU when I read your blog! So, don't change a thing!

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  8. I read this last night and was so happy, and look at all the comments this morning. So awesome! Be proud of who you are, I'd rather have 10 people love the real me then have to be fake for 100s to love me. You are a rockstar girl and I'm so glad we've become friends! xoxo

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  9. Thank you. Yes, that's all...just thank you. This post made me smile. Love ya, Swappy:D

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