I am back with the last segment of my three part series on The Ultimate Blogger FAQ. I shared Part 1 and Part 2 throughout the second half of the year last year. I hope these posts help provide insight into the world of blogging and provide a bit of support to those of you who are bloggers yourselves.
- What are your favorite apps right now as it pertains to blogging, photography, or productivity?
- Planoly: I use this app to plan out my Instagram posts for the week since it has a scheduling feature. This is really helpful for days where I may be busy during a time that I’d like to post. It’s also nice to use to ensure I don’t post too many of the same types of pictures back to back.
- Lightroom: This is great for editing pictures on the go. It’s also great to sync between my laptop and my phone. I have started to really nail down my lighting, so this helps with consistency.
- Focalmark: Hashtags are a huge driver on Instagram, so this helps with hashtags for certain types of content, but also for traveling.
- MileIQ: This is a great app to keep track of driving for tax time.
- Google Tasks: This app helps keep track of my to-do list if I am not able to have my planner out.
- What is an example of working with another blogger or brand increased your readers/followers? How does collaboration over competition work?
- This is a really important concept in life in general. Any time you work with someone else, you get better because you are constantly practicing communication and understanding. It also is a benefit because you get to show a different side of yourself, plus your content is in front of a different and bigger audience. However, it is important to make sure that there are clear guidelines on collaborations. For me, it is important that people I work with understand what my goals are with my content and also what I am passionate about. I like to work with other bloggers who have similar ideas and work ethic as me. There is a level of association that comes from blogger collaborations, so make sure the person is someone that you trust, but also that you can have an honest conversation if things go south. If a brand/visitor bureau is told that they’ll be getting a certain number of posts on blogs, social media channels, and Instastories, it’s also important that all collaborators provide that.
- Have you made friends through Instagram or another social media platform before? How did it start?
- Absolutely! Some of my first friends in blogging were Biana (in Boston) and Amanda (in Tampa). We actually became friends before blogging morphed into what it is today… back when blogging was more of a journal. To be honest, I’m not sure how we found each other, but it was a lot of fun and we still keep in touch. In fact, Amanda and I have met for dinner both times I was in Tampa for work. Other people I am friends with are because of their Instastories or their posts in general. By having conversations through DM or through email, it really creates an interesting network of friends!
- How do you combat negativity and spam accounts out in the social media world?
- This is really hard because people feel empowered to be negative when they don’t have to see you face to face. At some point, putting yourself out there opens it up to this. Knowing that people can be critical and cruel and having good friends, both in real life and in the blog world, makes it better. Also, recognize that people have bad days and not to take it personal.
- What is the best advice you’ve ever received about blogging and/or social media? What 1 piece of advice can you leave us with to grow our blog or business?
- Be yourself! The best thing you can do is find your niche and know that this is an evolving process. I think the most important factor is also knowing that everyone’s journey is different. My experience is different from other bloggers and will be different from yours. There isn’t a magic wand or secret to this other than creating an authentic space and being consistent. Know that there will be good days and bad days. The content that you created that you thought was surely going to be your best yet probably won’t get nearly the number of likes as you thought. That one post that you did that you were sure wasn’t, will probably be your most successful. I learned this with my NYC post!
- How can we find each of you on social media and what’s the best way to connect with you?
I hope you have found this series helpful and encouraging!
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