The Number One Thing I Wish I Knew Before I Started Blogging

Not all of us took blogging seriously when we first started. For me, I just needed a platform where I could share my hair journey and review beauty products that I was interested in. I remember having only 14 followers after months of blogging. Nothing serious, right?  It was very discouraging, but I kept going. Along the way, I fell in love with photography. I also fell in love with the support that I got from many, many fashion bloggers. So, I started sharing my personal style on the blog. I also shared my weight loss journey, which included some fitness tips and food recipes. Well, let’s just say I was all over the place. What I failed to realize was that I was not focusing on the things that really mattered to me. I lost my focus down the road. I was not even interested in some of the things that I blogged about in the past.  I struggle with knowing who my audience was. I knew that I was blogging for myself. But who else was I blogging for?

The Number One Thing I Wish I Knew Before I Started Blogging + A Giveaway Winner

I wish somebody had told me to blog about my passion before I started blogging.

That would’ve saved me a lot of time and energy.

See, it doesn’t matter what you blog about. What matters is how much you love what it is that you blog about. When you write about something that you are passionate about, you do not get discouraged. You have a topic to focus on, even if you share other random posts on the blog once in a while. You write more meaningful articles because you know who your audience is and what they expect from you on a regular basis. Your audience may not be the bloggers who stop by your blog and comment. But they are as interested as these bloggers are. They are passionate about the same things that you are passionate about. They want answers to the same questions that you have.

Blogging about what you love is also a great way for you to polish your craft. To get better at what you do. It feels good because you are doing something that helps both you and others around you.
Are you blogging about your passion? Do you know who your audience is? Please share with us!

Our giveaway winner!

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Congratulations, Veronica! The winner will be contacted via email to collect her prize. A big thanks to ALL of you who participated. It means the world to me.

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Nerline Germain
Nerline Germain

I am a content writer and Amazon influencer, but I am first a wife and mother. When I am not writing, I enjoy reading a good book while having a nice glass of Merlot or Pinot close by. My goal here is to share my experiences with you. Hopefully, you will learn from my mistakes.

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook

31 Comments

  1. April 24, 2017 / 8:29 am

    Yes!! I didn't really take blogging seriously either & I think I'm just now sort of finding my way after these years. But, I love doing it. And it's helped me gain some confidence as well :)) I hope you have a great week doll xx

    • April 25, 2017 / 3:49 pm

      Thanks Kizzy,
      I have gained some confidence too. And it has made my writing skills so much better.

  2. Jackie Harrison
    April 24, 2017 / 9:49 am

    I do know my audience from day one know what they like to read and which one like to communicate with me in general not because they want a like or for me to go to their blog. Some of my follower look forward to beauty Monday while some prefer fashion and other my recipes so their its category of my followers that have a preference in what they like. Great post doll.

    • April 25, 2017 / 3:51 pm

      I agree with you Jackie. Your recipes are so detailed. And I love your beauty finds. Thanks doll.

  3. Veronica Lee
    April 24, 2017 / 11:49 am

    I blog to meet friends online and to share with bloggy pallies about life in Malaysia. I am so glad I did, otherwise I would never have met you, Nerline. I love, love, love your blog. I've learned so much about fashion style from my daily visits to your blog. Have I mentioned before I love your giveaways too!!!

    • April 25, 2017 / 3:52 pm

      Thanks Veronica,
      You are a great pal!

  4. April 25, 2017 / 2:49 am

    When I first started blogging as Kurves, I was trying to keep busy and it was really my online journal. Then I met some bloggyfriends who gave me the confidence to incorporate my style and my closet doors were opened. I'm still blogging for fun and maybe down the road it may take me places. Thanks for your friendship my Sista. Enjoy every moment. .

    • April 25, 2017 / 3:53 pm

      Thanks sis. I have learned so much from you and your confidence. Thanks for being a great inspiration.

  5. Fashionably Idu
    April 25, 2017 / 3:27 am

    I started cos styling was fun for me, has always been. I'd come back from work, complain about how tired I was and them start trying clothes for the next 3 hours. Didn't make a lot of sense to my family that just listened to me complain and say I felt like i was run over by a truck. But I loved it, I literally came alive as I matched things up and switched things up. Then I wanted to reach a bigger audience than my home and work and my fb page and the rest is history. But I love your blog and love my blog family. Sometimes when I think of quitting (yes I do) I think of everyone and I don't want to miss them. I think you're doing a fabulous job Nerline. Be it hair or sharing your styling, this space has become one of my favorite places to visit!

    http://www.fashionablyidu.com/

    • April 25, 2017 / 3:56 pm

      Awwww,
      It means so much to me doll. I love and appreciate your support. I understand what you mean about putting outfits together. It does make you forget about being tired. You know how much I love your blog and your sense of humor.

  6. April 25, 2017 / 4:49 am

    Indeed, blogging is a unique experience and for me, it was the love for writing and fashion that kept me going with my blog for years with no particular care for readership or followership. The mere act of publishing a blog post was very therapeutic for me.

    However, I have decided to take a long break from blogging despite my love for it and I just changed my settings to Private. Social networking/blogging has become a little overwhelming for me and I sometimes feel like I'm sharing too much personal information. Maybe, I'll start to write a book instead; Lol.

    I'll still stop by your blog to read and comment because you are one of those amazing bloggers out there that really make blogging so much fun.

    • April 25, 2017 / 4:03 pm

      I understand what you mean about that overwhelming feeling, Beauty. I was just telling my husband about it the other day. You are a great friend. And I will support you in whatever you want to do. You deserve it.

  7. April 25, 2017 / 5:29 am

    I'm with you on all of this, Nerline. I definitely didn't take blogging as serious when I first started. But because I was writing about things I was most passionate about in the beginning, I now know that's what I should have consistently focused on. There was a time when I got caught up producing posts that I believed my audience would like because many bloggers were writing about the same things, but now I know to stay in my own lane. I think I have found my way and am really looking forward to sharing more content that I am truly passionate about. Thank you so much for sharing this, Nerline. I really needed to read it. (:

    • April 25, 2017 / 4:04 pm

      I am glad you found your way, Dre! Now let's focus on what matters to us.

  8. April 25, 2017 / 10:56 am

    I was all over the place at the beginning too, but one thing I know is that I love blogging and I enjoy it. I've met and learnt a lot through it. I blog about anything and everything that interests me. I know my audience. Great post Nerline dear.

    • April 25, 2017 / 3:57 pm

      I thank God for sisters like you Missy. You make blogging worth it.

  9. Pilar
    April 26, 2017 / 12:33 am

    Great post Nerline! I have to admit I was confused on what I wanted to discuss on my blog when I first started lol. I truly love blogging and I feel that I've connected with my audience in the almost four years I've been blogging!

    • April 26, 2017 / 2:29 pm

      Thank you. I have made a lot of connections too. Thanks for your support, Pilar.

  10. Alyssa B.
    April 26, 2017 / 9:50 am

    So cute I agree

    Aly In Wanderland | <3 | New Post

    • April 29, 2017 / 2:14 pm

      Thanks doll!

  11. robincharmagne
    April 26, 2017 / 4:44 pm

    Such a good post Nerline. I blog about three 3 things I love, fashion, home decor, and travel. I have to admit, I am not sure I know who my audience is exactly. I have met some very cool people, like you and that has made blogging a whole lot of fun!
    https://www.robincharmagne.com/blog

    • April 29, 2017 / 2:20 pm

      Yes, support from other bloggers does make it fun. Thank you so much!

  12. Lenya
    April 28, 2017 / 11:31 pm

    Great post, Nerline. I started blogging for fun and finally got back to it, doing it for fun and for me. I met some very nice people and I before I knew it I had two sista's, and that's means the world to me. Maybe one day, we'll meet in person, wouldn't that be cool, sis, you, me and Neti. Happy Friday, babe.
    xox
    Lenya
    New update: A Cheerful Gift From My Knitting Pals

    • April 29, 2017 / 2:23 pm

      You, Neti, and I will definitely have so much fun together. We would have to meet in Florida or Vegas. LOL! Happy weekend babe!

    • Lenya
      May 1, 2017 / 11:08 pm

      I am all for Vegas 😉 Happy May, my cute lil sis. MUAH!!!

  13. Alyssa B.
    May 1, 2017 / 9:04 am

    I'm bored about blogging now I don't know..

    Aly In Wanderland | <3 | New Post

  14. May 1, 2017 / 11:46 am

    What you say is so important! As long as you blog about your passion, you never lose interest. Congrats to Veronica! Baci, Valeria – Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY

  15. Sonya K
    May 2, 2017 / 2:50 am

    Great post!!! I've been struggling to blog lately and it's probably because I lack a real focus on my blog. One day I'll find my focus 🙂

  16. Tania Franco
    May 4, 2017 / 7:52 pm

    So true, I blog about what I feel inspired by. I've done some wedding fashion posts that were really not my thing because they were paid, but I hated it. You are so right about loving what you write about. So I really try to focus on what really inspires me, and feel close to my heart, which is style and positive life experiences. In this way I feel happy because I feel good to be putting my thoughts, and life experiences in hopes of helping other people who may be going through the same struggles and things. :))

    xo,
    Tania
    http://inspiremyfancy.blogspot.com/

  17. Stacie Raye
    May 10, 2017 / 9:17 pm

    This is really speaking to me. I've been blogging for years and I know how it feels to be discouraged and feel like you don't know what your doing. Such good reminders!

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