What I’ve learned in five years of blogging

Hi friends,

I haven’t written a ‘musings’ post in quite some time. I’m trying to find my voice as a blogger and my place in this ever-evolving industry. That said, this is Prairie Girl Musings, after all, so reflections are expected from time to time.

I wanted to share a few things I’ve learnt since starting Prairie Girl Musings. After several failed attempts at blogging, (I actually had a blog for a few weeks called, La Vie En Tie-Dye…don’t ask!) Prairie Girl Musings was born in 2012. I had just completed my university studies and needed a creative outlet whilst searching for a paid gig. Blogging allowed me to express my thoughts on the world around me. That’s all it was in the beginning and if you scroll back, you’ll see that my older posts were a lot more personal. As time went on, I realized that my diary entries were a bit of a snooze fest and if I wanted PGM to survive, I’d have to adopt a new strategy.

Useful and Relevant

The blogging landscape has changed since 2012. While personal posts give blogs context and personality, readers want practical, useful information. Writing about a topic you know a lot about is a great way to share that knowledge with your audience. Whether it’s a guide to the most Instagrammable cafés in New York City or advice on acing that job interview, make sure your blog is helpful.

Consistency Is Key

Stick to a posting schedule! If your readers are used to hearing from you on a weekly basis, don’t disappoint them with radio silence for months on end. This one is easier said than done and requires planning ahead, but your audience will thank you for it.

Be Unique or Be First

It’s all too easy to copy what everyone else is doing, but I urge you to find your own voice. If everyone’s writing about that new Yorkville eatery, write about a Corktown café instead. Or if you want to write about the latest spot that everyone will soon be frequenting, be the first to do it!

A Picture’s Worth A Thousand Words

As a writer, I’ve always prioritized copy over imagery. That said, we’re visual beings and your readers need a break from your beautiful prose, so supplement your words with gorgeous imagery. You don’t need to post galleries, three or four photographs will make a world of difference.

Short and Snappy

Nobody has time to read pages and pages of prose, no matter how well you write. With online platforms, it’s better to get to the point quickly.  On that note, I should probably wrap this up.

Thank you to Jillian Miller Photography for all images.