Want to see something embarrassing? Here’s the first post I ever wrote on my blog:
Oh my goodness. Housewife? My head is now on my desk. But there’s something to celebrate here, too. The date. That was eight years and 1,065 posts ago. I’m still here regularly writing in this space. Starting a blog was one of the best moves I’ve ever made and keeping it going was another.
But why? Why should you, or anyone, have a blog. And tied to this fundamental question is the equally important corollary: how do you hang in there.
Photo by Raul Hernandez Gonzalez on Flickr.
First the why. 9 reasons to write a blog:
Make space for reflection and self-examination. The process of sitting down and formulating my thoughts helps me see myself more clearly. Countless times I’ve come to the computer without knowing what I would write about and somehow ideas bubble up that I wasn’t aware of. Once they’re on the
surface I can act on them.
Keep a record of what you were thinking and what you’ve done. When I started blogging in the spring of 2005 I was going through a shift in my identity. I’d left the workforce and become a mother and was feeling rather useless (hence the “housewife”). Rereading is painfully embarrassing, but also such an incredible reminder of who I am and who I was.
Get motivated to finish the projects you start. I often describe my blog as a hungry mouth that needs to be fed. It’s hunger pains get me off the couch and into the studio to create something that will satiate it, at least for now.
Express yourself. My blog is my kingdom and I don’t need permission from anyone to say what I want, how I want, and when I want. There’s no editor here (although sometimes I wish there was). I go with my gut and explore what I find interesting.
Connect with people. I sew alone. I began sewing and blogging at the same time so for me the two have always been tied. This blog took something solitary and make it communal. There simply aren’t all that many people in Wellesley, Massachusetts who are really excited about designing sewing patterns for stuffed animals (ahem, I’m the only one). Hooray for the internet for making it easy to find likeminded people all over the world.
Create a living portfolio. When Charlie watches me as I come across a new blog he always laughs because I scroll through the first four or five pages of images saying, “What do you make? What do you make?” If I see something I like I’ll stick around. A blog is dynamic and ever changing. It’s what you’re producing today, last week, last month. In a glimpse I can see your creative life.
Show social proof. Comments, likes, tweets, and shares are evidence that what we’ve said matters to people. That evidence feels good as personal validation, but it is also a demonstration to other, more powerful people and institutions that our voice and our creative output is being noticed. Use the numbers as leverage to get whatever it is you’re seeking: a freelance job, a book deal, a licensing opportunity. Use your blog to put your work in front of the people who matter.
Get better at writing and taking photos. Nothing beats practice. I’ve certainly written more words here than in college and graduate school combined and I’ve become a better writer for it. A craft blog is a type of hyper visual media that demands good photography. Take a great photo and make even a crappy project look amazing. Take a poor one and you might as well have not made the project at all. My blog has made me into a photographer.
Be part of the larger conversation. I’m a keen observer of the craft industry as a whole and often find myself with something to say about what’s happening. On my blog I draw attention to what I think other people aren’t saying. I feel compelled to shine an honest and forthright light on what’s I see happening and I can do that here.
And now to the other vital piece: how to hang in there.
Realize that your blog can change as your life changes. You don’t have to start over, just shift directions and keep going. If you go back through my archives to the early years (Oh no! You’re not doing that now are you?) you’ll see I was decorating cakes for about six months, and making a crapload of origami, and
planning a flower garden that died. I was sewing tote bags and aprons and learning to be a mother. And then it became about softies.
Life isn’t a one-directional focused march and your blog doesn’t need to be either. Like with any healthy relationship, it’s okay to change.
I can say an amen to all of the above.
Thank you.
Thanks for this. I love reading blogs and just a few weeks ago I signed up for one. With the focus of homesteading and crafting. Life got in the way now ill get back and start her up just as the garden starts up. I just have to sit down and figure it all out
Thank you for showing it’s okay to evolve. Sometimes I think I have to have a pinpoint focus and can’t stray even though my interests do change and evolve from time to time.
Aww… you were so cute back then 😉
I totally agree… my blog is my motivation for finishing up projects… I think, “well, I already TOLD everyone I had started” 🙂
I love what you’ve shared here. I especially like hearing that as we evolve, our blogs can evolve too–and that there’s no need to start over! 🙂 I started my blog because I was smitten with plushies. After just over two years, I’m found my voice, I’ve found my personal aesthetic, I’ve grown my skills, and now I have a line of greeting cards that feature my own playful handmade plush characters, recycled and repurposed materials, and dollhouse miniatures. Who knew?! Before starting the blog, I hadn’t touched a camera in at least a decade, and now I’m a photographer (and much more)! Starting a blog is one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Thank you for the reminder! xo Jennifer
You have given me things to think about… I have often thought to begin a blog but felt that it would take too much of the little time that I do have left from working full time, raising a family, running a house, and quilting or creating. I am still not totally convinced tha I can pull it off yet, but thanks for your input!
I agree with Michele, lots to think about! Several of these I hadn’t thought of before. This post is encouraging. Thanks, Abby!
This is such a great post. I keep beating myself up about having lost momentum on my personal blog and I often feel “stuck” because I feel like I can’t and/or shouldn’t talk about certain things going on in my life (work, mainly, which is depressing because that really is where I feel I have something to offer). Thank you for saying I don’t need to start over somewhere else, just shift directions and keep going! That speaks to me right now so much.
I think if a blog cant change as you change it has no chance of survival. In the end, blogging has to fulfill some kind of inner need or purpose for you. Its a lot of work and pretty big time investment so theres got to be something about it that is satisfying. If your blog feels stale, reinvent it!
I kind of have the opposite problem. Youll rarely if ever see WIPs here because once Ive posted something instantly become done with it, even if its not done! No WIP Wednesday for me.
Absolutely true.
I think you have a gut feeling about whether or not you can take something new on. Im wrestling with beginning a podcast and totally relate to this feeling.
Blogging about a day job would be very tricky because you would never want to put your job in jeopardy. At the same time, I know that people feel they shouldnt blog about issues they care about because they are off topic from the focus of their blog. I would say dont censor yourself that way. Write about what you feel is important (in a safe way, of course) and dont worry that people will be thrown off. My bet is that new people will find you.
Great information Abby – thankyou!
Great post – thanks for that little bit of inspiration…and very brave of you to show us all your first post!!
I’ve been following your blog for several years and have been a witness to how it has developed over time. I have only been blogging for a few years and am still finding my way. Thanks to your blog and timely topics I’m feeling more and more comfortable about the direction I’m heading.
Thanks again for sharing your insights.
Thats so nice to hear! Thank you 🙂
I am getting inspired to start a blog to – if nothing else to keep track of all the different projects and crafts I don. Not sure how to start but will make it a goal to have one by the end of summer!
I am from the Philippines and I want to buy your book From Concept To Creation. How much would it cost me?
Hi Ronaldo,
The book(Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction) retails for $22.95, but international shipping has become quite expensive in the US. I recommend getting it from Amazon because you might be able to find it on sale there. Good luck and thank you!
Abby
On a bad week I came across this post and I must say THANK YOU because I felt that everything is going to be ok someday (maybe not so soon but someday… 🙂 ) I left the job I did for 12 years in May this year and I started a different one that I don’t love that much just to have time for my baby, I’m learning to be a mother, starting a blog about my life and my two loves, sewing and motherhood… so I could relate easily with your post. Once again, thanks!
You’re so welcome, Patricia. Good luck to you!
I’m coming back every week to read you! You are amazing for taking so much time to teach others!
Thank you!
I am enjoying your blog these past several hours, starting when I awoke at 2:30 this morning unable to get back to sleep. On Pinterest, I came across a cute bunny tutorial within which was a link to your round bunny (I’m afraid to leave this comment to be more precise, thinking it’ll disappear) and what a treasure trove! I have been seriously considering blogging; I have a blog, neglected, stale and not very inspiring. I have recently had a logo designed. Considering getting a real camera. Not sure how else to get started, but I can see your blog is going to help! Thank you for sharing so much.
You’re welcome, Holli. I’m so glad you found my blog and that the blogging posts have been helpful to you. Good luck with revitalizing your own blog!
Thanks for the post about why you should blog. I just started blogging two weeks ago. I’ve been thinking about starting one for a year or so, and finally just thought I have a voice why shouldn’t I use it. I laughed at your very first post because it looks a lot like my first post. Anyways, thanks for the tips and encouragement.
Hi Abby,
I am currently in the planning stages for creating a small handmade business of my own. Currently, I primarily work in the world of internet marketing (specifically, conversion rate optimization) and I have done a lot of research around content marketing. As you know, a blog is (or has been) a good tactic for B2C marketers and their content marketing strategies. I am wondering if, in your experience, you still believe this is the case. Are blogs (specifically, a company blog that supports the business as opposed to a general lifestyle blog that potentially *is* the business) still an important asset or are blogs dead? I see your post was written almost two years ago and I am curious to know how much of it you think still holds true from a business standpoint since internet trends are so rapidly changing.
Thanks for your advice!
Martha
I don’t think blogs are dead. Over the past year, for example, McCalls started a blog for the first time. It’s popular and engaging and I think is a real asset to their brand. Hallmark just started a blog recently and it’s incredibly well done and certainly serves to help consumers interact with and get to know the brand in a more personal way.
Abby – thank you for taking time to respond. I am happy to know a blog can still be an important asset to a brand.