on May 1, 2013, discountthief.com celebrated its one year blogging anniversary. if you're new around these parts, here's the background on why this blog was started.
over the course of this first year, i've been observing and making notes as to what's going on in the style blogging space. to be quite frank: i don't see many bloggers keeping up with the ever-changing landscape.
blogs haven't been redesigned to accommodate mobile viewing, many bloggers are still relying on intrusive pop-up ads as a means of making money without regard to their readers' overall experience, and last but not least - veteran bloggers, who've been repeatedly shoved in our faces as the authorities on this subject, are offering the same blogging best practices they've been touting since 2008.
this video is the first in an installment where i share my perspective and advice. if your interest in blogging doesn't go beyond a hobby and/or receiving free products - click away now. this wasn't meant for you.
if you can't see the video CLICK HERE.
to clarify: when i stated sometimes i question why i even started a style blog, i say that from the point of view of me not being the typical glammed up style blogger you see on a daily basis. my core focus for this blog was and always will be about saving money. an "outfit of the day" and accompanying Instagram selfie aren't required.
now i want to know what YOU think. did you break any blogging rules or wish you had? how do you really feel about fashion blogging or blogging in general?
first, Happy Anniversary!! woo woo!
ReplyDeletesecond, I totally agree, if someone says be authentic I might just barf all over them and say excuse me. I can't blog like someone else, I don't know HOW, that takes a lot of time and effort.
I love that you are breaking all the so called rules, blogging is evolving by the day. There are new players, bigger opportunities, but the best part and the only part that keeps me coming back for more is the community. Its simply the best.
Congratulations on completing a year here! I agree with going against the rules. You are blogging very differently from your "niche" and the blog world loves you all the same. As far as trying to post a cute little fashion post everyday...YES too much work. I won't commit to posting daily until its worth it. I think so many small blogs like my own listen to huge bloggers with 100s of thousands of followers and truly believe posting daily is beneficial to them...it's not and creates WAY too much work! It works for them when only 25K readers stop by on any given day...makes no sense to m otherwise. I do think a challenge is fun, but not every day unless it's profitable..or you have nothing better to do.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day!
so you recognize it, huh?! THANK YOU! so many fashion bloggers get burned out (not to mention the loss of creativity) from trying to post every day.
Deleteand thank you for the Mother's Day wishes too...it was a treat, as usual.
Congratulations on a year of blogging!! Our company keeps me so busy that I am happy if I get one post a week up!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary, Miss Donna! I love your honesty and I can't wait to see what's in store for the second year with this blog.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary
ReplyDeleteBlogging is work and its changing all the time. I don't normally follow the advice given by "big bloggers" I listen to my regular peeps one of the reasons I don't want to pay for any conferences I can't spend 300 bucks and get the same info I have already heard. The community is wonderful though and I continue to blog for that reason. There are so many fashion bloggers omg I can't keep up its starting to look the same.
my first conference was Bloggy Boot Camp and it was only $99 for the conference ticket...well worth it. while some of the info was on the beginner/intermediate level (which i knew prior to going), i did get a few key pieces of info that i'm still using at this very moment. i totally understand where you're coming from though.
DeleteHappy Blogoversary! I agree with your advice. The blogosphere just seems over-saturated that sometimes I find myself disenchanted with the whole thing. I am currently re-evaluating my blog, and while I'm not a fashion blogger, you really got me thinking. Thanks miss donna!
ReplyDeleteanother blogger and i were having that same discussion regarding the over-saturation. go ahead and re-evaluate - - just don't quit - - i love your blog! you know i'm always here for you.
DeleteHappy Blogaversary! Yes, the blogosphere is seriously over saturated, especially the fashion and style niche. I re-evaluated my blog and I am starting to pull away from the outfit posts and to post more content that is more informational for my readers.
DeleteHappy Blogaversary! I loved watching your blog evolve. I love the break the rules advice and to give the box away. Blogging style is so unique to the blogger that there shouldn't be a set of rules. And the end of the day, it's about passion and having fun and what fun are rules?
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary!
ReplyDeleteSo I've taken on way too much sponsored content lately... I didn't realize it was kind of backing up. I've decided to turn down more of the opportunities I get, especially for brands that aren't sensitive to editorial calendars and that have majorly rushed deadlines!
Sometimes I do wonder if I'm adding any value to the internet at all. Ugh.
thank you!
Deletefinding the right mix of sponsored content is something i see bloggers struggle to manage quite a bit. and yes...their deadlines are always yesterday.
don't question it, Alex. you have readers who engage and share your content. if you weren't giving value, none of that would take place.
Congratulations on your milestone so far. Blogging in general is a great way to figure out what you want to do with yourself. It's a path to self-discovery. Happy blogiversary!
ReplyDelete-Honeybee
http://herweightlossdiary.blogspot.com
i love new readers...thank you!
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