I’ve been thinking a lot about houses lately. Houses and blogs. And, how blogs are kind of like houses…
Bear with me hear for a minute…
Have you ever noticed that some spaces never feel right, no matter how they’ve been upgraded, rearranged or remodeled? I think everyone has spent at least a moment or two considering the elusive qualities that make a an area comfortable. Welcoming.
It seems to be that the things that make a house a home are the same things that make a blog simply wonderful…
- Home is where your heart is. You’ve heard it so many times…The most successful bloggers share their passion.
- Remember even an ordinary apartment can look like a million-bucks with a little planning and some style. Though many bloggers have moved to WordPress (and I think it’s fabulous), you can be just as successful utilizing a free blogging platform like Blogger. Work with what is in your means. Who’s with me on this one?
- Decorate with white and neutrals. Neutrals never go out of style and they make things look clean. The most modern, easy to read sites contain a lot of white space. (They also don’t blast music. Just sayin’.)
- Flaunt your photographs. Nothing tells the story of your family (or blog) more than well placed photos. Though you may be tempted to only put out the professional shots, a snap shot here and there of something silly may be the most endearing. I love when Char’s kids are occasionally hanging out in pjs…Don’t you think it shows a little personality?
- Throw out the welcome mat and invite people in. Nothing makes a place more inviting people in than an invitation. Provide your readers with an invitation to comment.
- Smaller, more reasonably sized homes tend to be the most inviting. Does anyone really NEED 15,000 square feet or four million followers? And how easy is it to manage all that? I get lost on many of the “bigger” sites. Do you? Be happy with what you have. Your guests will love you for it.
- A big house requires help. There may come a point where your blog will grow to the point that you need to bring on some help. It happens. Hire blog help.
- Quality matters. There’s a reason that couch I invested in back in 1998 still looks like a million bucks. When you “remodel” be willing to pay for a quality job. Trust me. Whether you’ve got slow loading pages or broken code, poor quality will show.
- Know when to DIY and when to hire out the work. Seriously, would you consider re-plumbing your house? Blech. Me neither. Yet I used to think I could tinker with code…Hire a professional.
- Spring Cleaning. A couple of times a year make sure you step back and do a little housekeeping. Check those broken links, determine if you’re in need of an upgrade.
- There is always something that needs tweaking or fixing up. Enough said.
- Know your neighborhood. Your house is not an entity unto itself. You live next to other houses, and together, they create a neighborhood with character. And so it is with blogs. Get to know the other bloggers in your niche. Include them, share with them, credit them.
What do you think? Do you treat your blog like a home? Share some of the comparisons I’ve missed!
Tauni Everett
Creative Director at Tauni Everett
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How blogging is like a house
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Blogging Tips
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blogging is like a house
Last Updated:
October 12, 2011
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love LOVE this post! all of it is so true! I agree completely! 🙂
Kendra, I am glad you agree 🙂
BTW, we were talking just the other day and happen to think you are just darling. Thanks for all of your support!
xoxo
Tauni
great great post!!
Mandy, thanks for your sweet comment. Totally made my day 🙂
I don’t know what set me off, but I couldn’t get the whole house thing out of my head…
This is a great post – it all makes sense and can be easily implemented. I’m at the point where I want to branch out for a pro to update my blog layout, so I’ll be following your other links to read what you’ve written about that, too!
Taryn, I waited far, far too long to get someone to help me with the design. I didn’t realize what a big difference ot could make. Let me know if you have any questions 🙂
I love this post, I completely agree with all of your points.
Thanks Elizabeth! It was actually a fun post to write 🙂
xoxo
Wow, thanks for sharing! What a great comparison – and it’s so true! Also very motivating for a new blogger like me.
Thanks Emily! I am feeling motivated too..,to do a little “house” cleaning 🙂
Oh my gosh!!! I love this post!!! You’re such a good writer!
Thanks Shelley. I super appreciate it!
xoxo
what a great read! i don’t blog, but so many of these points apply to shop owners too! thanks for sharing!! xoxo
Kristi, It’s so fun to apply analogies to different areas of our life. And though you may not be a blogger, I agree many of these points can apply to a shop too 🙂
Thanks for leaving a comment it is very much appreciated.
xoxo
Tauni
Great article Tauni! So true! I loved the analogy! xoxo
Thanks so much Amy! I am really glad you liked today’s post. It means a lot. Truly.
xoxo
Tauni
GREAT post!!! I love this comparison. So true, so true 🙂
Stacy, I am now feeling a little bad that I have neglected my poor house so…it hasn’t really received the attention it deserves 🙂
Thanks for leaving a comment. It means a lot.
xoxo
Tauni
This is a great post! My blog is very new. I’m trying to build followers & make myself known with my tiny little rented house, but it’s hard getting your name out there. I tend to feel like I can’t offer as much since I rent & since out space is small, but I keep trying to remind myself that people also want to know what they can do in their own smaller rented spaces. I’m giving what I can offer from my own home. There are others out there like me too I’m sure of it!
Sarah, Thanks so much for your comment. It sound like this post was perfect for where you are at…There are scores of people that are interested in your particular niche…You’ll have to seek out and “get to know your neighbors (niche).” Appreciate your stopping by and leaving a note!
xoxo
Tauni
Thank you for posting this. I recently started an organization and redesign business, website and blog. I’m still learning all the tricks to making this successful. Now, if I could only get more readers!
Julie, I have to go with the 1989 classic Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.” Social media can be a lot of work, but it can also be very rewarding. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed.
xoxo
Tauni
I think I LOVE everything in this post. Perfect.
Karen,
Thank you so very much for stopping by the blog and leaving a comment. I am glad you like the analogy post…sometimes you’ve just got to get those ideas rolling around in your head down on paper, you know?
xoxo
Tauni
Love everything about this post. Good things to remind ourselves!
I am so glad you liked it! I have literally had analogies running through my head all week. Starting to thing I should have spit more out 🙂
xoxo
Tauni
Yep, gonna agree with everyone here that the analogy totally works. What’s funny is that as I look around my house, it’s a lot like my blog–pretty simple with lots of white space. And there are definitely things I’d like to tweak on both my blog and in my house 🙂
LOL Steph. I LOVE white space 🙂
I SO AGREE WITH ALL OF THIS. What a great analogy. I totally keep up house on my blog and my home HE! THANKS FOR SHARING. winks-jen
LOL Jennie, I love that you used CAPS in you comment for emphasis…I SO do this 🙂 I am really glad you enjoyed the house analogy.
Thanks for popping over to comment!
xoxo
Tauni
This is an awesome analogy Tauni! Made me realize that not only is my house in need of cleaning out, but I need to do some “housekeeping” on my blog as well. 🙂
LOL Kara. No one needs to do more “housekeeping” both around the house and online as I do!
xoxo
Tauni
Loved this analogy!! Totally hit “home.” 😉 I thinks it’s time for my spring…eh…fall cleaning! I need to get all my categories organized! Thanks for this post… I really loved it! You are amazingly brilliant! {{hugs}}
Jamielyn, I LOVE you. You always leave the sweetest comments. I super appreciate that you read the blog. Glad you enjoyed…
xoxo
Tauni
LOVE IT! Music should be banned (sorry) and all great points that are basic and anyone techy or not can follow. I could use a 15,000 sq foot house though!
Holly, I am SOOOO with you on the music thing! I hate going to blog only to have some annoying something blasting out at me…And like you I *think* I want a 15K sq foot house. That is, until I had to clean it!!!
xoxo
Tauni
Beautifully said! Love the idea of getting help when you need it for your blog. I am still in search of that maid for my physical house!
Oooh. I would love to have someone in to help me out a couple times a month. i just need to get my house organized enough to have them come over in the first place!
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
xoxo
Tauni