Normally I follow the old adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” If I read something online or on someone else’s blog and I don’t like it, I just ignore it and move on. I don’t usually like to rant about things and I don’t waste time commenting or saying anything negative on someone else’s blog because truthfully, that is not very graceful. {However, if there is an actual social injustice going on, I will stand up for what is right, but that’s another story}.
But the other day, I was reading a post on someone’s blog that really annoyed me. I took to Twitter and expressed that I was getting a little sick of self-proclaimed “expert bloggers” {cough, know-it-alls} who at least once a week are spouting “advice” and “how-tos” for blogging.
I don’t know about you but I find that there are two different types of experts when it comes to blogging:
1 // Individuals who have created amazing, content-based blogs about their lives, loves, style, brand, business, etc. They have created a great blogging space which draws you in and keeps you coming back. They rarely share advice on how to blog successfully, but instead lead by example and share what works for them. They say, hey I do it this way and that has worked for me, but feel free to do it your way too!
Or,
2 // Individuals who constantly tell you what to do or what not to do for blogging to draw in more readers, get sponsors, increase blog traffic, etc. Instead of offering insight on what has worked for them, they try to put out a cookie-cutter guide for what makes a “successful” blog. Their tone is often condescending and makes you second guess your own blogging voice. They say, if you don’t blog this way or if your blog doesn’t look this way, I won’t want to read it.
{You can probably assume which type of expert to whom I tend to listen and which type to whom I roll my eyes.}
This lead me to thinking about why I blog and how important it is to just go with your gut and ignore the “experts”.
I have the Fleetwood Mac song, Go Your Own Way playing in my head.
Now, I don’t have thousands of readers or have people knocking down my door for sponsorships, but I do have a few loyal readers and fellow bloggers whom I have come to consider friends. To me, blogging is all about self-expression and finding your voice. My blog is a place to share my life, my loves, my interests, what inspires me, and glimpses into my crazy head. I try to go with my gut when it comes to what I post, how I post, and when I post.
I congratulate all of you who are able to grow your blog into something that allows you to make an income as well as share your blogging voice, you rock! I look up to bloggers who have great content, have unique and personal blogging styles, are passionate about their readers, have an honest voice, and clearly just go with their guts.
I will continue read blogs that offer personal insights into blogging. I will continue to read blogs that say, this is what works for me and I want to share that with you. I will continue to read blogs from people who are clearly passionate about what they are blogging about. You are all my inspiration.
Okay, mini-rant over.
Do you ever get annoyed with the self-proclaimed experts? What do you do to follow your blogging gut?
Happy Friday!