How did you being blogging?
I started blogging in 2010. For several years, I had moderated a discussion board, and since that was getting ready to close, I felt like I needed a place to “talk”. After a couple of years, I found that I really liked blogging, so I decided to take it seriously. I closed my first blog and {enjoy the view} was born.
I’m very eclectic – I blog about DIY projects, product reviews, beauty, fashion, and travel – and I love them all!
What are you up to when not blogging?
I almost always have several DIY projects going at any given time. I also enjoy shopping, traveling with my husband, and spending time with my (adult) children. We just got back from a family trip to Gatlinburg, where we hiked and went ziplining. My daughter is in Pharmacy school, and lives about an hour away, so we try to visit her a couple of times a month.
What are your tips for balancing family life and blogging?
- Limit the time for blogging, and don’t let it consume you.
- Give yourself days off – everyone needs time off.
- Always carry a camera (or a phone with a camera) – you never know when something blog-worthy might happen.
- Don’t stress out over it. “It” being anything to do with your blog. If you lose followers, is it really a big deal in the grand scheme of things? If you only post 2-3 days/week, people will still read your blog.
Why and how do you use Sverve?
For the most part, I use Sverve as a way to connect and share with my fellow bloggers. I have done a few campaigns and attended webinars, but for me, it’s mostly about the connections and great tips.
Do you have any tips for your success on Sverve?
Try to do something on a daily basis – whether it be follow someone, endorse them, share posts, or just like someone’s contribution.
Can you share any blogging tips that have really helped you?
There are so many! But I think the ones that I really took to heart were these:
- Make sure your social media icons are at the top of your blog/sidebar! I can’t tell you how many blogs I’ve been to where I couldn’t find their social media. Most people (myself included) don’t have time to hunt them down – so you’re going to lose potential followers. Make it easy for others to find and follow you!
- Even if you don’t have a blog post every day, try to maintain contact with your followers and friends by being active on social media. That way you won’t be “forgotten”.
- Keep your blog “neat and clean” – make it easy for your readers to read posts and navigate your site.
What do you love most about blogging?
I like being able to be me. Sharing my life and my opinions, and having others enjoy reading about them. And even if they don’t – it’s okay. I’ve met some wonderful people – a lot of them just like me – and that’s awesome!
So nice to meet you Kim. I love DIY projects, so I’ll be visiting your blog soon to check out what you’re doing.