186 Comments

  1. This is lovely to read, as someone who is still very much in the early days of “fling a lot around and see what sticks”. What has struck me most is how fast the blogging world moves, people who have absolutely zero experience one day can be hosting a linky a few months later and I find that incredible and motivational. Had you already written part of your novel before the blogging took off or did that come after? Either way, if the blogging has been a catalyst in you fulfilling a dream of being published, then that’s fantastic. What would I tell myself from a month ago…oh, turn off that auto DM from the Crowdfire app, you silly woman! Xx

    • Thank you 🙂 Yeah, it’s mental how fast everything moves in the blogosphere!
      I had an idea in mind of what I wanted the novel to be about. Then I started my blog, and the whole idea changed completely. I started it about 3 months into blogging. Lol, I hope you’ve turned it off now haha! x

  2. This all made me smile – I was so green when I started (and I’m still pretty green around the edges) My saving grace was that I never expected anyone would read my blog and I had nothing that identified me for a long time. Finding a blogging community, making friends, having people tell me they read my stuff and love it is SUCH a blessing and the icing on the cake. One day I might self host but in the meantime I’m really happy in my little world and just wish I’d started doing it sooner!

  3. This is a great post. There are quite a few things that you would have told yourself that I wish I could tell myself too, especially about using images. I still have a long way to go with my blog, but I have learned so much so far that I wish I had known before.

  4. Brilliant post! Interesting thought, what would I tell myself and would I change what happened. I wrote a post ages ago that you may have missed where I spoke about how I write under a pseudonym, my real name is Kylie if you missed that. I think if I went back I would have the courage to write under my real name, as sometimes I feel it creates a barrier. I did it for safety reasons at the time, and now I regret it in a way, even though I know I had strong reasons for doing it. Now I have such a large following and my ‘brand’ is known as mg, it feels hard to change all that, like starting over. Anyway I feel I am rambling. Thanks so much for the fav badge this week I was so surprised and excited xx #Anythinggoes

    • Thank you, I really enjoyed writing this. I did miss that one, I had no idea MacKenzie wasn’t your real name! I started out kind of anonymous, I didn’t use a pseudonym I just didn’t use a name at all, looking back, I don’t even know why really. I think changing now would be hard as people associate you with your brand. You’re not rambling, I love long comments 🙂 You’re really welcome x

  5. wendy

    Ohh love this and wouldn’t be great if you could get a letter form your future self to see if you’re still blogging in a year? I knew nothing when I started blogging either, I used Twitter from the start but it still took longer than I thought to get people reading. You’re so right about blogging should be fun, I’ve taken a few breaks from it all when it starts to feel hard work as it’s supposed to be a hobby not a chore after all.xx #anythinggoes

  6. This was so good to read and a clever format. I still feel so new to it all, that I probably can’t tell myself too much at the moment. I just know that I love writing! Actually, I would tell myself about linkys and the importance of Twitter – I loved your comment about Harry Potter, waving his wand, that’s so true! Alison #AnythingGoes

  7. This was a nice read. Its always nice to see how far you’ve came as a blogger. I’m 2 years in and i still feel like a newbie sometimes.

    Thanks for hosting #AnythingGoes xx

  8. Yvonne

    This is such a great post with great advice. I wrote a blog before I started my current one and always wondered why I had no readers, it was because I was not advertising it! Doh! I love your writing, I am glad you hit that publish button! Thanks for hosting #AnythingGoes xxx

  9. Kim (sisterkin)

    Great tips! I like the advice that blogging should be fun. I always have to bear in mind that this is my hobby and like you say if I don’t write or miss a linky the world won’t stop turning. Thanks for reminding me. #TwinklyTuesday

  10. Sarah Howe

    Ah what a tonne of achievements and you’re right no clue when you first start! I had no clue of the community, I just wanted to write! It’s so funny. The self hosted bit made me smile – what a stress! Xx #twinklytuesday

  11. Amy and Tots

    Lovely post, and very true! I think we all made the same mistakes when we first started out! I’m still getting the hang of blogging but I’ve definitely caught the bug already! Here’s to plenty more years! #TwinklyTuesday

  12. For what it’s worth, I think you should quit your job and its rude custommers and go for it 😉 You are very talented and I always enjoy reading your posts. So many good points in here. I am barely starting the blogging stuff and I am nodding when I read it.
    #TwinklyTuesday

  13. What a great letter Debbie, you have certainly inspired me. I’ve had so much going on in my personal life lately that blogging has taken a back seat but I’m determined to get back up and get joining all the linkies again! Well done on your books and achievements! Tor xx

  14. Such a great post, beautifully written but equally informative. I did laugh at the P.S, that sounds like something my Mum would have told me, people will hunt you down on social media!! #TwinklyTuesday

  15. Fran Back With a Bump

    This is great. I can’t even remember what prompted me to start blogging really other than I wanted to document Oliver’s progress and so my first blog was born. I was a complete novice and never cared about followers or hits! #anythinggoes

  16. I love this – I’m 9 months in and still finding my feet, I didn’t join twitter until a couple of months ago – what a mistake!!!

    I think I would tell myself to stop being so scared put yourself out there – I still don’t really know any other blogger. Great post.

    • Thank you 🙂 Don’t let fear stop you talking to people, the blogging community is lovely. Just hop right in on Twitter and blog comments. I remember wondering if I should leave comments and being in two minds. Bloggers love comments and chatting, never be worried about that 🙂

  17. Great post full of useful things! I used to blog about 12 years ago and really enjoyed it but gave it all up when I met my other half! Just started again now so funny starting from scratch again but lovely to have somewhere to write stuff down again! #twinklytuesday

  18. Lisa

    This what shocked me most. How fast this world moves!! Its great though when you get comments and tweets and realise people are actually reading what you blog about!
    Keep going! you are one of my favs 🙂
    Lx
    #TwinklyTuesday

  19. Kaye

    I love this idea, I would tell myself so much! I code for a living and I’d still warn myself about the dangers of messing around with it, haha, so you’re not the only one. #bloggerclubuk

  20. Sarah - Mum & Mor

    This is such a good idea for a blog post. There are quite a few things I’d tell my past blogging self. One would definitely be not to worry too much about stats. So many bloggers are obsessed by them. #BloggerClubUK

    • I’m sort of in the middle with stats. I like looking at them, I like knowing them, but I still post whatever I want. I usually have an idea what won’t do so well when I post it, but it goes out anyway – and sometimes, those posts surprise me!

  21. Squirmy Popple

    This should be required reading for every new blogger. Like you, I waited WAY too long to join Twitter (and even longer to join Facebook). I would have told myself to get social sooner – not to help my stats, but because social media is a great way to get involved with the fantastic blogging community. I’d also tell myself not to worry so much about page views and followers – as long as I’m proud of my writing and enjoy what I’m doing, then I’m totally winning. #BloggerClubUK

  22. I could write so many of these to myself about a number of things. Blogging wise I’m still just going with the flow, but I totally need to do this social links thing too. Not a bloody clue. Haha! #bloggerclubuk

  23. blabbermama

    I would have so much to tell myself and I only started out 2 months ago. The fear of self hosting is now upon me. Researching the life out of it! Ekkk. I think I’d cry if I lost a post- probably slightly obsessed with this blogging malarkey:) nice to read your tips to yourself #bloggerclubuk

  24. Debbie this is brilliant – what a great question from Mummy in a Tutu – I so agree about the twitter – I also waited 2 months – felt like too much to learn what with only just having learnt how to write a blog. Also good advice about social media buttons too! And I love that you write ‘enjoy it – every single day’ – I do and I feel so lucky to have joined the blogging club #BloggerClubUK

  25. Jane Taylor

    Hey Debbie! I loved this. Especially when you said ‘You will read so many posts telling you your blog needs a niche. Here I am over a year later telling you that’s not true at all. Your voice is, and always will be, your niche. You don’t need to limit yourself, talk about whatever you want to. That’s kind of the point.’

    The niche business has had me fretting for months. Trying to balance things. Problem is, there’s so much I like to write about.

    You’ve come so far!

    What social media sidebar plug in is this? I like it.

    Thanks for sharing. I really do like using the letter to self idea to look back on your blogging life. It makes it a really engaging post. ~BloggerBlubUK

    • Thank you 🙂 The niche was something that really scared me, I’m glad I didn’t give in and try to limit myself. It’s the first time I’ve written like this and I really enjoyed writing it.
      The sidebar: The sharing one on the left is SumoMe. The follow buttons on the right aren’t a plug in, it’s just a code in a widget box. If you mean that one, send me an email and I’ll send you the code to use.

  26. Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love)

    What a wonderful journey your blog has taken you on so far and so interesting to read what you would have said to yourself when you first started based on what you know now. In all honesty, I think there are many things we have to learn for ourselves along the way and that it what helps us grow as bloggers and as people. I do love your comment about your voice being your niche – that’s such a good reminder that you don’t have to fit within a certain box if you don’t want to, that you can just be yourself and write about the things you want to write about. #bloggerclubuk

    • Thank you 🙂 It’s funny because when it’s happening, you don’t see how far you’ve come, and writing this post made me see it. It took me a long time to see that my voice is my niche, when I did it was like a eureka moment!

  27. This post really made me smile, I can relate to so much of it – especially publishing my first post and thinking I’d get traffic. (and needing to get on social media, and not messing with the coding!) For me doing it all wrong is how I learned, so I wouldn’t change a thing – except maybe having more page views 🙂

  28. Oh reading this makes me realise there are so many things I need to tell my future self. One of them being just relax. I am only 6 months into blogging and rome wasn’t build in a day. I am doing this as a hobby. my full-time gig is my 4 kids. Sometimes i put myself under pressure to do more and get better and SEO and followers. All in good time……thanks for sharing this.

  29. I use blogger (I do love it though!!) and everytime I read a comment about leaving blogger for sh WordPress it makes me wonder if I am making a huge mistake by staying. Is it possible to be successful at blogging on blogger?? I know brummymummyof2 uses it and a few others, but definitely in the minority! I am coming up to a year of blogging in a couple of months and I’ve learnt an awful lot but still a long way t go!! #twinklytuesday

    • I wondered the same, which was a big part of the reason I moved. I know a fair few successful bloggers who are on Blogger. I think the main differences are on self hosted, you have complete control – you can post what you want and not risk getting shut down. On Blogger, Google own your content and can shut your blog down if they decide it’s broken a rule somewhere. Also, I find WP is easier to customise, but honestly, if you’re happy where you are, I definitely think you can be a successful blogger on Blogger.

      • Thanks for the reply – I’ve come back to your post via #bloggerclubuk so thought I’d have a read of the other comments and responses (that IS one thing that annoys me about blogger – no response notifications) I have signed up to WordPress just to be allowed to comment on some blogs, but I don’t use it – I logged in a few weeks ago just to have a look and noticed loads and loads of notifications where people had replied to comments of written Whilst logged in – oops!!

  30. I absolutely loved reading this! I am completely new to blogging and, yes!, I also made the mistake of starting off before even figuring out how to use Twitter (still figuring it out!). Themes and HTML-yep, still means not a lot at the moment but I’m hoping my site looks a LOT better by the end of the year-if I even get there! Maybe I should start writing a letter to my future self about…

  31. laughing mum

    haha.. its literally like reading a letter to me when I started 6 weeks ago lol – so many things you can do, will want to try, will get wrong etc etc but as long as you still love it and enjoy it, thats the main thing! I love reading your posts, so keep doing what your doing! Oh I need to get my social media on a side bar too… thanks fro reminding me 😉 #bloggerclubuk

  32. Laura @ Mama, Eden & Me

    I think I would have told myself not to lose sight of the fact that blogging is fun. Not to get too serious about it or caught up in stats and followers. Just write… because that’s why I started blogging #bloggerclubUK

  33. Mess and Merlot

    Aww really interesting to see your thoughts looking back, quite an emotional read! You’ve done way more than I can imagine ever doing in 5 or 10 years of blogging! 🙂 It’s great (and reassuring) to read that despite a few teething problems, blogging has brought you so much positivity. #BloggerClubUK

  34. What a fab letter your past self…to be honest I agree with most of the points you mentioned, but even though I have been blogging a year nearly sometimes I still have no clue what I am doing. Lol. I’m sure we will all get there one day. #BloggerClubUK

  35. I have been nodding along to your post, which is fab by the way. Out of everything, going self hosted is the thing that plagued me the most when I first started out and then realised that perhaps I should have gone self hosted from the beginning. But it all worked out in the end. A letter from me to me would be a brilliant series or tag post 🙂 #BloggerClubUK X

  36. I love this post! I would just love to receive a letter from my future self, to see if it’s all worth it in the end because I love blogging. I didn’t use Twitter straight away either, in fact I think I waited about 2/3 months before I got it which I regret. I found it all so scary to start with, especially the blogging community, it still scares me a littlr to connect since I don’t have anyone I really talk to in the blogging community. I think self hosting is a bit of a scare when you think about it but it’s not so bad once you do it. Great post! #BloggerClubUK

    Jordanne

  37. This is a wonderful post, what a great idea from Katie! I have only been blogging since February so I don’t have too much to tell myself yet other than how much I will enjoy it and how many fabulous people I will speak to. You’re not the first blogger I admire who has said not to worry about finding a niche which makes me happy! I am so happy that all these opportunities have opened up to you. #BloggerClubUK

  38. Laura: Adventures with J

    A great idea! I am only 5 months into blogging and have learnt so much already! I am hopefully that a post after a year would show how much I have learnt. #BloggerClubUK

  39. Marina Ilieva

    This is fab! I saw myself in the very first sentences – the newbie who had no idea what she was doing (and maybe still doesn’t). And yes, I thought I would never ever need Twitter or anything but FB. How naive. 😀 #BloggerClubUK

  40. I’m still in my early days but I would definitely say to myself be ready to get organised!! Self hosting is still a daunting prospect so I’m going to watch and learn!! Fab post 😊 #bloggerclubuk

  41. Great letter and great advice. I’ve only been blogging 4 months and can certainly relate to many of these anxieties and issues. I’ve still got the .wordpress.com at the end of my website as this just started out as a family diary and hobby. However, like you, the more I get hooked the more I’m looking at options to upgrade. I might make that a 1st blogging birthday wish haha.
    Potty Adventures
    #bloggerclubUK

  42. I can relate to so many of these so it’s nice to know that I’m not alone . I think the biggest one is stats I was so obsessed with checking mine but now I’m happy if only one person reads it ! #bloggerclubuk

    • That’s the beauty of blogging – whatever mistakes you make, someone somewhere has already made them and will be willing to help you fix them 🙂 I do like checking stats, but now I don’t worry over them, I just like to know what they are

  43. I can relate to so many of these so glad it’s not just me !. Especially stats I became a little obsessed with watching my stats but now I am happy if one person reads it !! #bloggerclubuk

  44. Love this! So good to hear where people have come from with their blog and how. There are so many points here that resonate with me. Except the scheduling bit, that’s way too organised for me! But the self hosting, writing and taking time off if it gets too much of a pressure- yes definitely! #BloggerClubUK X

  45. Brilliant! i think we’d all tell our earlier blogging selves a few things. I would tell myself to not use some random platform you’d never heard of and start on WordPress. What was I thinking. My whole site broke and I had to move anyway. Oh well. #BloggerClubUK

  46. Mum-Work-Repeat

    This is a great read for someone who only started out a few months ago…and opted for the self hosted route from Day 1 (what was I thinking?!).
    Pleased to hear that you think a niche isn’t the bee all and end all, I still keep thinking should I have one, when I throw out my random posts.
    And note to self – move my social media follow buttons! Thanks for the tip
    #BloggerClubUK

  47. It’s like you wrote this to me! Although I am not sure I will catch on as quickly as you did! I love a blogging guru! Thanks for having me!! #bloggerclubuk

  48. I think I would tell my past self “if you’re going to do it, be consistent and be ready to learn” but it’s never too late, I am learning, I am growing and I am loving blogging. #bloggerclubuk

  49. I would tell my past blogger self that the first year of blogging will go so quickly and you will feel that you haven’t achieved anything but actually you have achieved a lot! I would also advise myself past self to start a blogging schedule sooner rather than later! Thanks for sharing this fab post #bloggerclubuk

  50. I’m not sure I have anything I’d tell myself just yet…I’ve only been blogging 3 months and whilst I’m sure I have learned a hell of a lot in that time, I still feel like I’m totally clueless!

    #bloggerclubuk

  51. Love this letter, such great advice. I am still new and already I’m telling myself I should have started earlier as I really enjoy it. I have found the blogging community to be so helpful and supportive, you are all awesome. How do you fit it all in though?! #BloggerClubUK

  52. Charlene

    Thank you for your letter, I’m still thinking a lot of what past you was thinking, especially about going self hosted 🙂 #BloggerClubUK

  53. Great post! I may need to bookmark this for when I’m feeling blog beat 😂. Stay calm, blog what you know and don’t glue your eyes to the stats page! 😃

  54. Oh my word you hit the nail on the head…I over thought a lot before starting to blog and took long to start and when I did I was not sure what to write or what to expect and got caught up in…I am still not self hosted…But true to it I have made new friends as I decided not to limit myself and instead write what I feel. I also discovered Linkys and it has helped me a lot in growing organically and learning how to blog. Thank you for writing this post as I wish had read it last year…it will help many

  55. Oh, I love this Debbie! I’m glad you got on the Twitter bandwagon – it’s definitely the place to be for bloggers. I too used to sit nervously before hitting publish & I too had no idea how much blogging would change my life! And all of the wonderful friendships I would find. #BloggerClubUK

  56. I love this, and it’s good to hear your thoughts on blogging. It is so hard to begin with, and then gets harder and more time-consuming as your blog gets more successful. Definitely agree with you on self-hosting, I dily dallyed about for ages thinking it was hard, but actually pretty easy. Claire x #BloggerClubUK

  57. Love this! Its ok I only waited 4 years to go self-hosted (i too miss blogger occ), join twitter and actually stop flitting around and get on and take it seriously! LOL! Definitely agree just enjoy it – otherwise what is the point of blogging at all?! x

  58. Some great advice here and love the idea of writing back to your newbie blogger self! Looking back is always a good way of seeing how far we have come isn’t it? I hope this also gives you the confidence to realise how much more success you can have in the future too. x #BloggerClubUK

  59. A wonderful letter and all so true. I remember being so nervous when I hit that publish button for the first time thinking the whole world was going to see my words – little did I know how tricky it actually was to get them seen lol! Great advice, thank you x #bloggerclubuk

  60. Hi Debbie, I think you just about covered anything I would tell my old blogging self. I was slow off the mark too with social media, so if I could go back in time I would get acquainted with that first.

    As bloggers we could probably go back to our old self on a yearly basis as there is always so much to learn.

    xx

  61. Inspire and Flourish #1 – Over Heaven's Hill

    […] love My Random Musings, Debbie is an honest and interesting writer. This post, which is a letter to her younger blogging self, is perfect for would be bloggers and made me think about my current stance as a blogger. […]

  62. This is such an interesting thing to do, and an even more interesting one to read! I really enjoyed sharing some of your advice to yourself, I need as much as I can get!! #BloggerClubUK

  63. Silly Mummy

    Great post & great idea from Katie! It’s interesting to hear people’s journeys, and highlights just how much there is to learn in blogging! #anythinggoes

  64. This is great advice that I need to follow! Coding still scares the heck out of me but I need to sort other stuff out before then like my social media and making sure I include photos! I would love to give up my day job and write. Writing has always been my passion and my blog has totally reawaken that. I hope I can write a letter like this in a year’s time and list off writing successes like you. #bloggersclubuk

    • Thank you 🙂 Coding is scary lol! It does get easier once you learn a few of the basics, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend tweaking it too much until you’re confident. I love writing and giving up the day job and being paid to write all day would be the dream. I hope you can too, I would love to read it 🙂

  65. Oh if only we could really have told our mewbie blogging self just what it is like and things you need to know. Well done on all your achievements you’ve done amazingly well. #bloggerclubuk xx

  66. Emma

    Lovely letter! I really like what you say about knowing that blogging will change your life. It really has changed mine too, yet when I started I was completely clueless to the amazing effect it would have on my life #blogstorm

  67. Really well written, love it! I haven’t even attempted coding yet (18 months of earnest blogging down the line!) and totally for the reasons you outline here! I’m very glad I started out on wordpress but in hindsight wish I’d gone self-hosted much sooner… #bloggerclubuk

  68. Petite Pudding

    I love hearing about other peoples blogging journeys! Give me hope and inspiration for my own 😊 thanks for hosting #bloggerclubuk

  69. Inspire and Flourish #1 – Over Heaven’s Hill

    […] love My Random Musings, Debbie is an honest and interesting writer. This post, which is a letter to her younger blogging self, is perfect for would be bloggers and made me think about my current stance as a blogger. (Also […]

  70. Blogging Best #1 - A weekly round up of favorite parenting blogs

    […] love My Random Musings, Debbie is an honest and interesting writer. This post, which is a letter to her younger blogging self, is perfect for would be bloggers and made me think about my current stance as a blogger. (Also […]

  71. Laura @ Life with Baby Kicks

    I’ve read this a few times now Debbie and each time I love it a little bit more – it took me ages to join Twitter and other social media, I definitely thought if I built it they would come! (PS I think I’ve commented a few times now but I can’t find my others)

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