What makes a good blog? I’ve been asking myself this recently as I want to take mine to the next level. I feel like I’ve neglected it a bit recently – yes I know I have a 6 week old baby but that has motivated me even more. With a few recent collaborations I have realised that I could make it more of a professional venture around the kids and that’s very exciting.
I have been blogging for just over a year and learnt a lot in that time but know there are a few things that let me down. So I have been looking at some of my favourite blogs- Le Coin De Mel, Honest Mum, Pioneer Woman, A Mummy Too – and realised the things they all have in common are:
1. Open, honest insight
The blogs I love to read are written from the heart. You really feel like you are getting to know the person. They are honest, insightful and are not afraid to give you a slice of their life. I struggle with this sometimes as I’m not sure how much of myself or my family I want to share. But I know some of the best responses I have had are to very honest posts like my recent one about why giving birth wasn’t the best day of my life. I also like the little snapshots of people’s lives you get through images or social media. I have started doing this more on my Facebook page and it’s working well.
2. Great ideas
I like to think I have great ideas – who doesn’t?! And some of my recipes like my No Nuts Nutella have been extremely popular. The blogs I admire though, especially the food ones, seem to have idea after idea. I think this is partly about planning, which is something I need to work on, as if I just think of posts at the last minute I don’t have the time to develop them properly.
3. Beautiful photos
I think I am getting there on 1 & 2 but I really need to work on my photos. I have had a DSLR camera sat in the drawer but for some strange reason have just been snapping away on my phone. So finally I decided to dig it out, and what a difference it makes! I need to learn more about how to use it but here are some quick snaps of a few family members.
J looking pensive in the garden
Mia, our crazy Labrador, ready for her walk
Stinkeye, our former stray, looking unimpressed
Tomorrow is my first day without J since baby A arrived to I plan to be productive! I love blogging and really want to give this place a makeover – so stay tuned…
What do you think makes a good blog? What are your favourite ones?
I agree with your points!
I think you need to show that you enjoy blogging too. xxx
That’s so true as I think that makes people enjoy it too.
I agree with all three points, although I am guilty of using my phone for all my photos too! You’ve listed blogs that I love too, and they are certainly something to aspire to! For the first time, all three of my kids will be in school from next week… time for me to focus on all of this 🙂 #sharewithme
Oh wow, what a great time to focus on your blog. Enjoy!
Totally agree about the points you’ve made. That’s what draws me to blogs too. One thing I struggle with is putting more of ‘me’ into my blog. It’s mostly focused on my girl but I think people probably want to know who the person is behind the laptop. I hate photos of myself though so rarely do I feature on my own blog.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with on your blog. 🙂 xx
Yeah it’s definitely hard to put more ‘me’ into it. I’m going to try but I hardly have any photos of me on here either.
A very important question and one that some of those ‘bigger’ bloggers continue to ask themselves. I think I’d add to your list that the best blogs (or my favourites) are also not afraid to try new things — so a certain element of risk taking is necessary now and again, and that’s crucial in any form of creative practice.
I’m keen on upping my photo game over the coming year too so wishing both of us luck there (you do have beautiful subjects so that helps)!
That’s a great one. You’re right, the best blogs try new things and lead the way. That’s something I hope I can do one day. But there are so many things I still need to learn and work on, especially making better use of different social media platforms.
So honoured to be mentioned here darling, your blog is a breath of fresh air to me and I love it, along with the other’s mentioned, hope you are feeling better. Be kind to yourself xx
Thanks Vicki, that means a lot. I am beginning to believe I can make this blog into something bigger and your path is a great inspiration. I am slowly feeling better thanks. Making the most of all my baby snuggles! xx
You absolutely can and are, love your blog x
I totally agree with your points! I have a brilliant DSLR too but my iPhone is just so much more accessible when I’m out and about. Luckily it takes great pictures too 🙂 Looking forward to seeing the changes you make! #brilliantblogposts
That’s why I keep using my phone, and don’t think I’ll stop completely. Maybe I just need to treat myself to an iphone!
Stinkeye is a fantastic name for a cat. Our childhood cat was called Fleabag.
For me a good blog is well written and entertaining. Everything else is forgivable in my eyes.
#brilliantblogposts
Love the name Fleabag. A friend of ours has a dog called ‘Pig’s ear’….!
Love Fleabag!
Well done for being so assertive and driven about your blog with a 6 week old baby in tow! I totally agree with you about what makes a good blog but photography can evolve over time, and some of my best photos have come from my phone – capturing the mood or the moment (not saying I’m a great blogger or a fab photographer, I’m just saying!!)
I also think the social interaction between blogger and reader is very important,
Best of luck with it & I’ll pop back to see how you’re going
xx
#BrilliantBlogPost
Yeah sometimes there’s just not time to get the DSLR out to catch a moment. Social interaction iss definitely important which is why I try to reply to all my comments.
I’m also someone who keeps my DSLR firmly in the draw. I just find it so clumsy and not conducive to quick shots while trying to cook and do kids’ stuff. I agree thought that the quality of photos is much better.
Blogs I love reading most are well written and funny and not afraid to show the non-perfect side to life. I also love information blogs, where I can get a fantastic recipe so I can get cooking! Great post Emma and hope you’re all enjoying your larger family x
Funny always help and yes, showing the non-perfect side of life always makes us feel more normal I find.
Good luck with it all! I think your blog is fantastic. If you find out how to make it better let me know…I need all the help I can get! Feeling despondent with mine…being doing it nearly 3 years now, 18 months ‘properly’ but it doesn’t really grow. I am obviously doing something wrong and I think photos are a big thing! Still mine have improved a lot over time…much more needed though ;). How you do it with such tiny ones I dont know. My babies certainly took up all my time, either crying all the time or being sick!
Ah, thanks Vicki. Your photos are brilliant, I’d love mine to look like that. I think we all have blog envy!
Really good post and something I’ve been pondering over a lot too recently. I’ve just gone self-hosted and given my blog a makeover but I’m still struggling for time with an 8 month old and you often feel like you’re falling behind when you don’t keep on top of social media etc. I too have debates with myself about how much of my life/family I want to share – but you’re right, we do need to be honest and open. Thanks for sharing #brillblogposts
It’s hard with little ones and it’s definitely the social media that slips. I think scheduling it more helps, which I’m going to work on.
You seem to be in a similar place to me, blog wise. I’ve just got back from holiday and decided to think of it more as a business venture rather than just a hobby. I love my blog and with both my boys in full time school I have the time to put in to it. I know what you mean about trying harder but with 6 week old baby you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself. As long as you’re enjoying it that’s all that matters. Good luck hun, it sounds like you know what you want and know what you need to do to get it. xx #MMWBH
I do enjoy it and it’s a great creative outlet for me alongside the little ones. I hope you manage to turn yours into more of a business venture too.
I love having a blog and would love to grow it, to be able to make an income from it. I know consistency is key yet somehow I just don’t seem able to grow it. I also want to improve my photography. A few months ago I went on a course but since then my DSLR has pretty much remained in the drawer! x
Consistency is definitely key but so hard to manage around the rest of real life!
Firstly Emma, you’ve got a lot of the key ingredients here – the ‘look’ is fresh and simple and you write well (lots of people don’t!). Considering you’ve only been around for a year, I think you’re doing brilliantly. I love that other blogs inspire us to do better though. Isn’t the blogsphere great for that?
Thankyou, that’s really encouraging to hear. It really is great to learn from the other blogs out there and find the support that other bloggers offer.
For me a good personality behind the posts and beautiful photos are what keep me coming back to a blog. Good luck with your venture – I am coming back to blogging after having a baby too.. though I waited a bit longer haha. x
Thanks, yeah I think most people probably wait a bit longer!!
I love blogs with good photos. Blogging made me realized how much I love pictures and taking them. I am not as good as the others though and thats why I want to learn more =) #sharewithme
I think it’s a great skill to learn as it’s such a lovely way to document family life as well.
Lovely post! I agree with all of your points and I think I need to invest in a good camera myself as thats what Iam lacking at the moment 🙂
#brillblogposts
Thanks. I can’t believe I’ve had a good camera for so long and just not used it!
I know it’s a skill but a good camera definitely helps!
I agree with all of these. I think coming up with new ideas can be a habit that you get into; the more you do it the easier it becomes. I think my images are improving, but I still have a way to go. Like you, I don’t use the DSLR often enough. #brilliantblogposts
I have started keeping a book of ideas now instead of thinking them up as I go, which helps.
I am right there with you. I have to figure out how to be “good” and still stay me, still get my point of view out there. I am working at it, bit by bit.
I love the pics with your DSLR – I only have a point and shoot and this is on my future want list!!! I love the picture of your son, his eyes just pop!!
Can’t wait to follow and see where you go!
Still staying ‘me’ is so important both for authenticity but also just for feeling you’re being true to yourself.
I have to say I whole heartedly agree 🙂 That is a question I often ask myself too, and try to improve my blog based on what I think makes a good blog. Photography for me is a huge selling point, but so is good writing. Ideally, my “good blog” is one that has good photography and good writing, and innovation. So many skills to learn isn’t there 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
I think finding out what you love in other blogs is the best way to improve your own. Good luck!
Definitely agree on the insight into the bloggers life and good photos always easier on the eyes. I love sharing information, experiences and all around passions as much as I do my children. Those are the type of blogs I follow and then I have a separate love for food blogs too. lol 🙂 I love that we are all different so it’s all relative and interesting. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me. I hope to see you again soon. I apologize for my late commenting, just catching up on a hectic week. I appreciate all the blog support. Look forward to reading more of your SWM link ups. #sharewithme
Yeah I can spend she’s getting lost in a food blog! I’m trying to combine the two on here I guess but I admire people who can produce constant recipes and food inspiration.