This is a Guest Post by Phillip Gibb. He can be found blogging at SynapticLight.com. Some great thoughts here on Maturing as a Blogger.
We are constantly developing unique ways to develop our language and communication skills in terms of the written and spoken word, beyond just grammar and spelling. There is little difference here when it comes to blogging, because blogging is just another form of that expression.
Yet while some bloggers make the transition to that expression seamlessly, others struggle. Although there are a number of contributing factors, there is an element of simply maturing, just as children mature in their language development and learn to express themselves.
When I first arrived into the blogging scene I was all gung-ho, jabbering and yakking with gay abandon like a 1 year old testing his vocal cords. I can’t say that I don’t do that any more (well not as much) but I can say that I have learned a lot and am still learning.
Here are a few principles that I’ve learned in my endeavors to mature as a blogger:
Keep it real. Only the wannabes fake it and before long they will be found out. Keeping it real is a sign of maturity, but can really only be established over time.
Keep Trying. No sense in giving up. Even if you make mistakes you will constantly be learning. So no one comments on your posts or engages with you on your comments. Soon you will start establishing relationships where that engagement will be common place. Patience.
Read other blogs, comments etc. There are expert out there that know what they are talking about. They have learnt the lessons already. If you can learn from them then you will avoid a few bumps. Besides, learning from others is wise and hence mature.
Participate and Engage. Get out there and do what you want done unto you. You can’t sit and wait for people to participate and engage in your blog if you are not willing to go out yourself.
take advise and apply it
Know that it takes time. Patience. patience, patience. I also hate that word. But maturity takes time. Better to be a strong willow tree that can withstand much than a quick growing mushroom that will be trampled in a day.
Are there any additional things that you’ve learned that have helped you as you’ve matured as a blogger?
[Image from Varf]
Amanda_Sims says
This was really great – I needed to "hear" a lot of this! Thanks Phillip
Phillip Gibb says
Thanks.
🙂
One thing is certain – I am still maturing.
Jim says
Yeah, you are…LOL!
Ron_Tuffin says
Great thought Phil. I have stumbled onto some of these in my short life as a blogger, and still need to learn some of them 🙂
Joe Chavez says
I'm just over the second month of my blog. I've gone through the experiences of "What was I thinking" to "What good do you think you're doing," etc. Most of this is spiritual warfare and I'm committed to pushing through it. Still these points were great and I'll definitely keep them in mind.
Thanks for a great post.
Phillip Gibb says
Yeah, I have had those thoughts a few times.
Ancoti says
Sound advice. Most of us are works in progress and need to be reminded of that from time to time.
Kevin_Martineau says
Awesome thoughts! Your fourth principle: Participate and Engage resonated the most with me. To me, this is what blogging and reading blogs is all about.
Jim says
The keep trying and patience parts are hard, the engaging, commenting and interacting has been fun.Great post.
Phillip Gibb says
🙂 I love the commenting part, it like a whole new blogging style.
beside I get to interact with so many people.
Jim says
It's like free-style blogging, a new olympic sport!Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: IntenseDebate Notifications
Jim says
We should go on tour one night (I'll stay up) and go ninja on 10 different blogs that we chose the day before! We'll call it The Commenting Ninja Tour
Jason Taylor says
I'm a babe at this, but it's very helpful to continue to see and read snippits of small simple core ideas on what to do with blogging. After a while it all seems to reinforce the fundamentals. #1: Love and serve people. #2: Use the strength God's given you, your particular "voice" and do it authentically.
Phillip Gibb says
right on
Phillip Gibb says
wicked dude
Jim says
EPIC Olympic Moments from @grayzhouse (or EOM?)
Phillip Gibb says
he he he,
sounds like a plan 🙂