DRESS: ASOS - BAG: LOUIS VUITTON - SHOES: AQUAZZURA
This post was supposed to go up on the 15th May, as that's my official blog 'birthday', but I haven't been feeling well for a while so you'll have to excuse the delay! Yes, I have been blogging 'properly' ie. consistently for five whole years. This is the longest hobby I've ever had, the thing I love the most and the something I never, ever thought I'd make a part time career from - but here we are.
Of course not ever blogger does it as a job, but I have hoards of respect for each and every one who puts their thoughts, their photos and their lives online as some blogs are simply outstanding! You talented little bunch, you. Anyway, I thought I would share a few little words of 'wisdom' and the things I've learned during five years of thelovecatsinc.com (I still think it's a stupid name...)
ONE: BE GENUINE
Blogging has seriously took off in the last few years, but if you've been reading them since the 'beginning', you'll notice the ones that have stuck around and are killing it today. They're genuine, they stick to the content they want to produce, they work hard and they get places because of it. Being genuine and true to yourself if the best thing you can ever do!
TWO: WORK HARD
You can't start a blog, write one post and expect to be on every single PR list and be jetting off to the Maldives the next day. It's never, ever going to happen. Whether you're aiming for it to contribute to your wages, just want to improve your writing or photography, or you just want to have a space to share with the world - just work hard at it. The sense of accomplishment I've got through blogging, knowing that only I have contributed to it, is literally amazing.
THREE: YOU WILL IMPROVE
I don't know a single blogger who looks back on their first few posts and thinks they peaked. My first few years of blogging consisted of the worst photos - think bedroom outfit snaps with horrible collages, terrible yellow lighting and blurry pics - yet I was pleased with them at the time. Looking back, I can see how far I've come with photography (something I thought I'd never understand!) and that makes me so happy. I've still got a long way to go, but I love this constant learning curve and skill development that blogging brings!
FOUR: DON'T BE A DRAMA LLAMA
As with everything these days, sometimes blogging and the social media world can come with its fair share of drama. It was people buying followers (don't do that, literally every one can see through it and you'll look like an untrustworthy jerk) and a while back it was hate forums - but try to stay out of it. The internet never forgets. As RuPaul says, good luck and don't fuck it up.
FIVE: ENJOY IT
It may take you a while to decide what you want to post, or what you photography style is or how you want to write, but that's ok. Experiment with styles and posts, go out of your comfort zone, say hey to other bloggers and get inspiration and ultimately, enjoy it! It's a wonderfully creative hobby to have and you'll be super proud once you hit publish (hopefully every time, too).
Helen x
