Blog Self-Diagnosis

Let’s dig a bit deeper, shall we?

1. Are you writing the way you really want to write? 
I see lots of great writing on the internet and I see lots of less perfect but still heartfelt writing, too.  It’s really your call. Do you want to write in your own way? Or do you want to write better? I would recommend doing BOTH.  If you feel that your writing is letting you down, there is help at hand.  You could do a writing course. You could buy a great book about writing. You could get advice from another blogger. You could ask a trusted friend for tips.  Don’t be afraid to say your writing is a work in progress, because…. it IS!

Are you writing the way you want to write? Or are you just following the pack? Is your language the same as all the other bloggers in your genre? Or are you using your own voice, detailing your own point of view and running your own race?   Are you trying to ‘fit in’? Is it time to strike out?  Are you letting yourself be yourself?  Have a think about what you’re writing, who you’re writing as and where you are trying to slot in to the blogging world.  Make sure you are happy with your choices and reassess whenever you feel a bit lacklustre about blogging.

2. How are your readers?
Are you in touch with your readers? Are you commenting lots? Or not at all? Or just sometimes?  Think about where else your readers are. Are you chatting to them on Instagram? That counts as commenting! Are you talking on Twitter, perhaps? That’s PRACTICALLY a comment too!  Maybe they are just clicking through quietly and not saying anything? That’s as GOOD as a comment, sadly, in this bloggy day and age.  If chatty engagement is important to you, meet your readers on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter, the places where they are chatting.  Try not to let it break your heart if they don’t comment much on your blog . (EASIER SAID THAN DONE!)

Find other ways to engage your readers. The number one way to engage the bloggers who read YOUR blog is to go and read theirs and comment meaningfully on the things they are doing. The same goes for social media. Talk to your readers. Talk to the people you admire or relate to, too.  Push your links out to social media when you post on your blog and see what happens.

Another thing about readers… They are really busy. They are reading in all kinds of ways, often via mobile devices, and they don’t always have the ability to comment on your blog.  Keep going. Stick at it. Every click is someone who has something in common with you. Every click’s a pal!  (Some pals are very quiet, right?!)

3. Images
How are your images? Did you use some of the tips we’ve chatted about? Did you brush up on your skills, download any apps or rethink your camera choice? It’s a good idea to cast the occasional critical eye over your photos and think about how they look to you. If you are not happy with them, tweak them. Make some notes on what you want to do better and act on them.

4. Design
I think blogs are a bit like home renovations. There’s always something else to do.  Think about little improvements which could make a big difference. If there are BIG thing that you’d like to do, hire a lovely geek to help you achieve your bloggy dreams.  Make a list of your must-do to-dos and divide them up into things you can do yourself and things you need help with. Then ask for help.

Phew. Are you brim full of ideas now?!  What are you going to improve first?