Blogger 101: Refresh Your Blogging Attitude

This year marks the 3rd year that I've had this blog. The thought inspired nostalgia. It has been fascinating to look back on the past years that I've had this blog; looking back on my earlier posts, I often cringe and maybe feel slightly embarrassed with some of my posts. But then I give myself a pat in the back because looking back also made me realize how far I've gone. Hey, we all had to start somewhere!

At the same time, the earlier years of blogging provided a wonderful insight into my blogging attitude. I was blogging for me. I wasn't out to impress anyone. There was no inherent pressure at all. Today, the growth of the blog has added pressure of trying to "maintain" the integrity of the brand. There is also an added pressure of coming up with regular posts. Although this pressure has not pushed me to the point of having to take a blog break, it is no doubt a lot of work! 

It is therefore important to constantly refresh your blogging attitude. It makes the experience of blogging novel. It also fights any boredom that might arise from having to constantly brainstorm ideas. 

Step Outside the Comfort Zone. Weariness from blogging can often arise from doing the same thing over and over again. Introduce novelty in your blog, not just in terms of the posts you write but also in the processes you use. Read other fashion bloggers who exhibit style that is totally different from yours or the ones you normally read. This could spark up a new idea that will inspire you to try something different in yours. Your readers will appreciate your effort to change things up.

Share Blogger Love. One of the things I loved about blogging is the opportunity to meet new people outside of geographical boundaries. This is the best thing about the world wide web - I can talk and be friends with someone from halfway across the globe where I live! In fact, there are a few bloggers that I have gotten close to such as Janine from A Blissful Blog (who is based in Cebu), or Lauren from Exploring My Style. I love both of these ladies' styles and the fact that we've had conversations online. I would love to meet them one day!

Stop Comparing. According to a quote I once read, "comparison is the thief of joy". Therefore, do not discredit your own blog success by comparing yourself to another blogger. We all have different timelines to follow in our blog journey. Just because someone got to where you want to be first, it does not mean that you haven't made any progress. Give yourself credit where credit is due. If you look back, you will be inspired to keep pushing forward. 

What other tips can you add to refresh blogging attitude? How do you keep yourself motivated?

 

Blogger 101: How I Used Twitter to Grow My Blog

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Twitter is one of my favorite places to "hang out" when I am not working on my blog. It is also the best place to promote my new or old posts due to the interactive nature of the website. Aside from being able to share your links or posts, you can discuss trending topics using hashtags, and also reach out to a wider audience that you probably haven't connected to before. The concept of using hashtags, specifically, started off on Twitter that makes it easier to interact with other users around the same topic. The use of hashtag became so popular that it has now been adapted by other social media sites including Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. 

I do not have a major following on Twitter, although I have come a long way with almost 900 followers. If you want to follow me there, you can check it here. 

Here are some of the strategies I've used for growing my blog following with the help of Twitter:

I use hashtags when updating my tweets. This is important. Unless you have a huge Twitter following, you have to leverage hashtags for other Twitter users to see the content you're sharing. 

Research on the most relevant hashtags. The tip above will provide futile if you do not use the right hashtags. It is best to look around the website in search of the top hashtags that authority accounts are using. That way, you can use the same hashtags for when you update your tweets. 

Time your posts well. Just like any other social media sites, you need to know the best times to update your tweets. There are certain times within the day wherein people tend to check their social media accounts or are active on these sites. 

Introduce variety in your posts. When you keep tweeting posts with blog links, people will become disinterested in your feed. Try to vary it up by posting images or retweeting other interesting content you find on your own feed. The more varied your posts are, the more interested others will become because they do not know what to expect from you.

Connect with tweet sharing accounts. There are several Twitter accounts created mainly for sharing tweets focused on a particular niche. Make sure to connect with these accounts and mention them on your posts so you can get retweeted. The more retweets you can get, the higher the possibility of your posts gaining exposure on the site. 

Have you used Twitter for promoting your blog? You can find out other Blogging 101 posts here. 

 

Style Crush: Blogger Faves #6

I'm back! This week has been very stylish in the fashion blogosphere it seems like every new outfit I see is a favorite. Then again, it's such a fun hobby to check out new looks that I can (hopefully) try, too. Thank you ladies for the inspiration!

Meanwhile, here are the top five looks that I've seen over the past week or so. A couple of these ladies I've stumbled onto just recently. But I've been a regular reader of Lauren's blog Explore My Style. I mean, if you had the chance to visit her blog, I'm sure you'd be hooked too. Jessica of Afternoon Style is also a long time favorite. Her style is the epitome of simple sophistication.

The three other bloggers I've featured here (Kristin, Kimberly, Christina) are new blogger favorites. I've known most of them through the linkups I've joined in and I would recommend that you join in, too, because you will have lots of opportunities to meet new blogger friends and be inspired at the same time!

Kimberly of Mascara Melodies | Christina of Style Storm | Lauren of Exploring My Style | Kristin of Wild One Forever | Jessica of Afternoon Style

Which of my picks are your favorite/s too?

My Week in Photos

This week has been crazy busy for me. I also commemorated my blog's first anniversary at the start of this week so maybe I can use that excuse to take some time off blogging? But there hasn't been a single day that I did not check comments or wonder about my next outfit post. LOL. Before I creep you out, I want to share some of the highlights for me this past week. Can you believe August is almost over? Time flies, cliche as it sounds, has been the story of my life.

1.) Started the week with my dad's birthday celebration. My mom and I were planning this weeks ahead and were more than happy with how the event turned out. Lots of relatives from both sides came over to join us in the celebration. Food + family = FUN!!!

2.) Indulged in some foodie treats at a local food festival, aka Davao Gourmet Collective. The boyf and I both love food so on our free time we try to explore new foodie destinations in town. This food festival was a convenient way for us to sample several local and artisan food treats in one place.

3.) Added a new set of bracelets to my growing accessories collection. Got these white and aqua crystal bracelets from boyf's mom. Love that they're simple, easy to style, and goes with basically anything!

4.) This isn't an entirely freshly manicured set of nails. But I can't stop staring at my nails. Haha! When in doubt... go for French tip!

 
5.) Got a text from a friend in the middle of the week for a meetup. I was more than happy to oblige. We caught up over Middle Eastern cuisine.

What were you up to this past week?

Linked up with Amber and these ladies!
 

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