Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Mistakes I've Made as a Blogger



I've been blogging seriously for just over a year, on-and-off for five and I can say that I've definitely been one to make a fair few mistakes in my time. As my left eyebrow likes to remind me, I'm not perfect shocker. We've all heard of 'Shadenfreude' right? The idea that someone can have pleasure from someone's misfortune. So here we go, some good old Shadenfreude for you all!

Posting blog posts 'Just Because'

I like to keep a regular schedule going, I post (mostly) every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. However with this I kind of build on the pressure for myself that I have to write and upload blog posts on that day. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I got really angry at myself, because I hadn't taken photos for a blog post and when the day came round, the lighting was absolute crap, and the photos were crap and I felt crap. Crap. So I didn't upload. Do you think anyone actually noticed? Probably not. It's not like I have a 'Zoella' following in which people are glued to their screens waiting for me to upload. I've come to the realization that now I'm going to only upload a blog post when I'm 100% happy with it. Whether that be the content, or the photos, (but let's be honest, it's mostly the photos - stupid blue lighting), I'm only posting when I'm happy with the content and hey, if that means the post goes up on a Monday not a Sunday, well, then that's how it will be.

 Letting blogging take priority over other important things

This kind of goes in with the first one. I can actually proudly say that during my dissertation I did manage to post without fail, but it was extra things like having a photo up on Instagram each day which took up so much time. As I was spending a lot of time in the library during the morning's and afternoon's I would miss out on the good sunlight  blogger problems hey? I don't want blogging to have to become a chore, and it may start to suddenly feel like that if I let it take over important things like my university workload. I've been very fortunate for it not to have affected me but there were times when I could see myself going "crap I forgot to blog" "forgot to take photos" "forgot to instagram" (first world problems hey?) and feel the need to rush home from coffee with my friends to get that last bit of sunlight. Like calm down Caroline. 

Accepting PR opportunities which are just way off brand for me

Yup I'm admitting it. I've done it. I can whole heartedly say, that perhaps this was me just getting a little bit overly excited at the prospect of publicity teams coming to me for work, but yes I've done it. I won't specifically say when or who but it's been done. I've started to make sure to look at my brand a lot more, what kind of companies I would want to work with, and more importantly which ones work with my blog. I have definitely turned down my fair share of PR opportunities too don't get me wrong, but I did probably start getting a little too enthusiastic, and now I'm determined to make sure I don't lose sight of that. 

Spending a lot of money on products 'for the sake of the blog' 

When a new product comes onto the market I almost feel inclined to buy it and review it solely because of the blog. There's without a doubt a correlation between the time I started beauty blogging to the decline in my bank account and the lack of space in my makeup storage. It's hard to not get caught up with buying new products once they come out, because you kind of want to be "in" on it, in on the hype, and also be one of the ones to let your fellow bloggers know what you think of the products. Don't get me wrong, I love makeup and that's probably the main reason why I buy it, but there is always a part of me that has in the back of my mind when I go into Superdrug or Boots where I go "I wonder what blog post I can make out of this".

Not Understanding the Power of Social Media 

To be fair, Instagram had only just been created the year I started this blog and I was that person who definitely did not have the most up-to-date phone and therefore was not on par with social media. I didn't realise the power of using Instagram, Twitter and Bloglovin to promote my blog posts. Instagram allows you to show off your photography skills, Twitter updating your followers on serious stuff (mine mostly talks about my love for peanut butter and halloumi) and blogloving is like a massive newsfeed of blog posts to read. I would seriously recommend using these all to help promote your blog, you'll be surprised what a difference they can make, I did!

So there we have it, a couple of the mistakes I've made over the 5 long years of blogging! I would love to know if you've made any mistakes or have written a similiar post? Apologies for the blunt honesty! 
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44 comments

  1. Babe, this post is so spot on!

    I get so annoyed with myself if I don't post regularly, but you're right, no one even notices & the stress it causes me is unreal.

    I'm also guilty of buying products for the sake of a review that I'll probably never use again, it's such a waste of money! xx

    www.hello-cat.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Haha so glad you can relate to all of these! thank you for reading xx

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  2. Great post! I get annoyed with myself if I miss a blog day too haha and the picture taking is so true the day I come to take blog photos is always the worst weather! x]

    Lotte | www.lottebeautybox.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. It's definitely frustrating but I'm learning to realise that my blog schedule doesn't really affect any one reading my posts hah! xx

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  3. This post is just too true. We all make mistakes as bloggers and I love that you're sharing your own experiences so that the rest of us can learn too. I definitely don't like viewing blogging as a chore either.

    thesixthdisneyprincess.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Jasmine! I think when you start working so much on blogging it can take over a little bit, just have to refind the joy in writing now! xx

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  4. I'm guilty of all of these but it can be sometimes very hard to admit. Great post!

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  5. Such a good blog post! Literally reading every one like, yep, agreed, totally! Thanks for such a lovely, and honest blog post!

    headlinedbyhannah.blogpost.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Hannah for reading! Glad you can relate to these haha! xx

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  6. Thanks for sharing these really great tips! I have fallen for so many for these especially buying things when I shouldn't just for the blog

    Candice | Beauty Candy Loves

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    1. I think the buying for the blog is definitely one of the hardest xx

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  7. I've made a lot of these mistakes too. I think they're important to make though and ultimately make us into better bloggers!

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

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    1. Exactly! we all learn from our mistakes (hopefully!) xx

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  8. I'm so with you on the stressing about not posting. It seems like we stress over it, but at the end of the day nobody notices. Great post! x

    http://luxuryblush.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Thanks Hannah! You're right no one probably will notice haha!

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  9. I've made a lot of these mistakes too, it's always nice to see others having similar problems! I seem to constantly have bad lighting so I feel like I'm never 100% happy with my blog photos. And I definitely get FOMO when it comes to new make-up products!

    www.beautyfromkatie.blogspot.com

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    1. Ugrh the bad lighting is actually the worst part - being in my uni room I don't get like any good lighting here! xx

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  10. I love this post - I've got one similar scheduled but it's so spot on. I've had the same kinds of problems myself, I've been blogging on and off for about 3 years and I'm really trying to get serious about it now and not keep making the same mistakes!

    Vickie | dearvictoria.co.uk

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    1. Can't wait to read it! It's hard but at least we learn from our mistakes! xx

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  11. I'm with you. I'm travelling in Madagascar right now, so it's really difficult to upload decent photos (that aren't of Mada!). I'm having a bit of an existential crisis about my blog!

    Beekeyper - Latest post - 6 steps to swoon-worthy skin

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    1. Travelling definitely makes it harder! Especially when you've got a certain instagram theme or something going on and if it doesn't match you feel like a total failure! xx

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  12. This is such a lovely post!! It was so good to read. Especially as a new blogger I've already made some of these mistakes! It's good to learn from them though!

    Amelia | http://amelia-g.blogspot.com.au

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    1. Thanks Amelia! Don't worry I'm sure even some of the most professional of bloggers make the same mistakes xx

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  13. I love this post - I also went through a phase of feeling like I 'had' to post but like you say, who's going to notice if you skip a few? It's all about doing it the way you want it xxx

    The perks of being a hipster – Arriving in Santorini!

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    1. Exactly! That's one of the beautiful things about blogging, it's your blog and your rules! xx

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  14. I think this things are really important to know, especially for new bloggers. Thank you for sharing :)
    https://youthfulblog.blogspot.com/

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  15. I completely understand where you're coming from, I don't know how some people find the time to post everyday, I run myself ragged just posting twice a week. I know I've definitely accepted pr samples in the past that maybe weren't right fit for me, but now I know that my blogs integrity is much more important than a few free things.
    xxx Claire
    http://www.claireellis.co.uk/

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    1. Thanks Claire! So glad you could relate, I have to say the PR sample thing is definitely something that I'm sure a lot of us are guilty of, but it's important that we ensure our blogs represent us and our personalities, not just some freebies! xx

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  16. Great post. As a new blogger I can see how all these things can happen. Thanks for sharing!


    JennyLovesBeauty


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  17. I can relate to a fair few of these - the PR one too, I find I get very overly excited when really I should have turned it down but you live and learn right!

    Lucy | Forever September

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    1. There's definitely an over excitement in it, but it is so important to make sure your blog still has it's integrity xx

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  18. Omg, spending money for the sake of the blog is sooo me, its getting really bad actually! I want all the lip products in the world, thank god I'm an okay student when it comes to overspending haha ♥



    tipscapsule.blogspot.com


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    1. Mine's ridiculous at the moment, I really need to stop spending and spending! xx

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  19. Don't even get me started on how many times I've redone photos so that I'm happy with the posts I publish! Loved reading this, it was so relatable!
    Charlotte // www.charlottespicks.com

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  20. I made the same mistakes. ALL the same mistakes. LOL XD
    www.fairymoonbeauty.com

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  21. I'm new to the blogging scene, this was so helpful to read! Thank you, lovely post :)

    Lauren x
    https://huggled.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. Welcome to the blogosphere! Glad this will help! xx

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