It’s my blogiversary!!! WOW, it’s such a relief to finally say that! To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d survive my first year of blogging.
Although I didn’t officially launch my blog until earlier this year, it was this time last year when I purchased my domain and nervously published my first article.
Writing has always been therapeutic for me, even as a child. And starting my own lifestyle blog has always been a goal of mine.
It took a while for me to gain enough confidence to commit to this journey. But I’m happy to finally be on this path. Today, I’m reflecting on my first year of blogging and sharing seven things I’ve learned along the way.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither are great blogs.
Margaret Bourne
1. The First Year of Blogging Requires Patience
Nothing flourishes overnight. And that’s especially true when it comes to blogging. The first thing I had to learn on this journey is patience. Even the most influential bloggers you know probably all have one thing in common… It took them a LOT of time to grow a successful blog.
Like most things in life, blogging requires time, consistency, and commitment. Finding your message and the right audience for your blog, writing content that resonates with your readers, gaining traction in search engines, promoting your work, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera… These are all key success factors that I’ve learned (and I’m STILL learning) within my first year of blogging.
2. It’s Safe to Be Seen and Heard
As an introvert, and someone who is naturally reserved, it took a while for me to feel safe in the online space. But sometimes, reaching our goals requires facing our discomforts head-on.
I started slow, by first sharing snippets of my thoughts on social media. And from there, I gradually built up the nerve to venture out.
Though hesitant at first, I’m truly grateful that I started this journey. Because I’ve been amazed by all the love and positive energy surrounding my blog.
Within my first year of blogging, I’ve learned not to let the fear of visibility stop me from pursuing my goals. Because putting ourselves “out there” is an act of vulnerability that is often necessary for growth.
3. You Have to Start Before You’re Ready
Pardon my language… but just do the damn thing! Seriously guys, if you wait until you’re ready, you may never get started. What I’ve learned in my first year of blogging, is that doing is the best teacher.
Before starting my blog, I knew very little about website formatting, search engine optimization (SEO), marketing, and general maintenance tasks. Basically, I had to start before I was ready, and allow myself to grow along the way.
Granted, I had previously written articles for online publications as a freelancer, so I wasn’t totally new to the blogging world. However, managing one’s own blog requires a different level of skills, knowledge, and expertise—skills that I never would’ve gained if I didn’t first take action.
4. Networking is Crucial During the First Year of Blogging and Beyond
One thing that has helped me grow as a person, and as a blogger, is building relationships with others on a similar path. Within this past year, networking has been a key contributor to my blog’s growth.
By connecting with other bloggers in my niche, I’ve gained helpful insights and feedback that have allowed me to improve my craft. Furthermore, networking has provided a sense of community—which has given me inspiration, motivation, and access to new professional opportunities.
You can effectively connect with other bloggers by attending writing conferences, joining social media groups, guest blogging on other sites, and more.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot
Like most new experiences, the first year of blogging is a process of trial and error. Knowing when to pivot or change strategies is essential.
For instance, when I first started this blog, I named it “Withered Blooms.” I really liked that name, plus it had a symbolic meaning. However, the name was a little confusing to my guests. Many people mistook my blog for an online flower shop, and some people simply didn’t have a clue what the name represented.
After several months of pondering, I changed my blog’s name to make it a little more self-explanatory to my readers. “Live Love & Blossom” better captures my overall theme and has proven to be more appreciated by my audience. This is just one of the many ways that I’ve had to change and adapt since starting my blog.
The truth is, life is a journey and a process. And it’s OK to make adjustments when things aren’t working out the way we hoped. Although I knew that changing my blog’s name could potentially hurt my SEO, I decided to take the risk. Sometimes pivoting causes a short-term inconvenience, but better long-term success.
The truth is, life is a journey and a process. And it’s OK to make adjustments when things aren’t working out the way we hoped.
6. Quality Over Quantity
Before I started my blog, I went back and forth between the number of posts I wanted to share on a monthly basis. After launching my blog, I decided to post once a month.
Honestly, I wrestle with this decision every day, as I’d like to publish multiple articles every month. But one thing I’ve learned on this journey is the importance of quality over quantity.
Posting less frequently allows me to put more into each piece, prioritize my life outside of blogging, and maintain a consistent flow.
The truth is, there’s so much that requires attention during the early stages of blogging. And focusing solely on output means ignoring other important aspects.
When starting something new, it’s important to set realistic goals. I’m not saying you should only post once a month, as frequency does matter. But in the beginning, it’s important to establish a sustainable routine that works for YOU and your blog.
7. Future Blogging Plans
Since launching my blog, I’ve learned so much about myself. I’m smarter, braver, and much more capable than I once thought.
As I look back on this journey, I’d say my first year of blogging was a success. My readership is growing, I’ve partnered with a great brand, and I’ve made beautiful connections with fellow writers.
Although I still have a long way to go, I’ve already accomplished more than I thought I was capable of on this journey.
Going forward, I intend to keep learning, growing, and developing my blog until my heart says otherwise. Now that I’ve found my rhythm, I’d also like to publish more content throughout the year… fingers crossed!
I hope this blog has inspired each of you in some small way. And I’m excited that you’re here!
71 responses to “My First Year of Blogging: 7 Tips for Growth and Success”
Congrats for this 1st Blogging Anniversary and best wishes for many years of happy blogging ahead. Great tips, and especially resonate with Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot and Quality Over Quantity. Nancy Andres at Colors 4 Health
I’m glad to hear that these tips resonate with you, Nancy. And I look forward to checking out your blog!
Congratulations! It is definitely something to be proud of!
Great article! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure. Thanks for reading!
Firstly, congrats on your 1st year of blogging anniversary. I totally agree that many things require our attention in the early days of blogging and having a consistent yet manageable posting schedule is critical. Awesome read!
Thanks for the Blogiversary wishes, Hari. And yes, a consistent (yet manageable) posting schedule is key. So glad you enjoyed this post!
Congratulations to you! Wishing you much success 🙏🏽❤
Thanks, Eunice!
Congrats on your journey.
Thank you, dear. ❤️
Enjoyed reading this and so encouraged. Blogging is hard work and when we first start there is so much to learn and so many mistakes. Congras on your first year. I am just starting my second year. I really love it and being in a community of other bloggers is so enriching.
Congrats on your second year, Ann! And thanks for reading this article. You said it perfectly, blogging is definitely hard work. Being patient with ourselves and being in a community of other bloggers is extremely helpful.
Congratulations on your 1st Blogiversary! ❤️👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Keep at it. It’s certainly a beautiful journey.
Thank you! And thanks so much for reading.
Congrats on your first year!! Just making it through a whole year is an accomplishment most bloggers don’t reach. I love your thoughts on pivoting because you’re so right – the first year is so much learning and it’s okay to change course.
Yes, giving ourselves permission to pivot when necessary is a must, Deanna!
I love this post! Very inspiring! I love the name you have chosen for your blog. It definitely fits! And you’re right: quality over quantity matters.
Thank you, Tiffany! And quality over quantity is so important. Glad you enjoyed this post.
Congratulation! I have my second blog anniversary. I agree that clear future plans are very important.
Congrats on your second year, Olga! Wishing you much success on your blog.
Happy Blogiversary! 🙂 My one is almost the same age and can totally relate to your findings! ❤️ Keep on going!
Thanks, Sophia. I appreciate it!
Great post!
Congrats on your Blogiversary! Also, it’s nice to know you you’ve learned so much about yourself in this year. I just restarted my blog after years since my previous one got hacked. I was anxious to build something back up, but here I am! I hope I’ll be as positive as you, one year from now.
Sanne, I’m so sorry to hear that your previous blog was hacked. I know how difficult starting over can be. Wishing you well on your continued journey. ❤️
Congratulations on your 1st year of blogging! It is an amazing accomplishment! Cheers to many, many more blogaversaries to you! I also understand the fear of visibility when starting a blog – it’s certainly something I work on overcoming everyday!
Thanks, Debbie! And yes, overcoming the fear of visibility is something I’m still working on as well. The introvert in me doesn’t like it… lol! But I know that it’s the only way to grow and I do enjoy sharing my craft with others.
The first year of blogging is really just a course, the second year you are actually working.
I couldn’t agree more, Eve!
Huge congrats on your blogiversary! 🥳
Patience is indeed a virtue in the blogging world, and your insights about time, consistency, and commitment are spot on. Keep thriving!
Happy blogiversary! I really like this post, I’ve just launched my blog a few weeks ago and was wondering how the first year will be, so I can totally relate to what you’ve written and it’s very helpful so thank you for sharing your experience!
Thanks for sharing! I’m just starting my blog and your insight is really valuable for someone like me who is just starting out ♥️
I can totally relate to all that you have said in this post. I will have a blogiversary in February. I have certainly learnt a lot this year. You have a great blog – you should be proud of yourself.
Congrats on your upcoming Blogiversary, Maryanne!
Congratulations on your first year of blogging! I found that the earlier years of blogging for me were where I learned the most, and it was a really interesting (at times challenging and stressful too). Here’s to many years ahead for your blogging life!
Lovely read! I support you on your continuing blogging journey!
I love reading about others’ journeys with blogging as well. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your journey, it’s an inspiration to me.
Networking and giving it time definitely helps. Hard work pays off though!
Loved this post. Great info here for your fellow bloggers. Congratulations!
🎉🎉👏🏽 Congrats.
Yeaaaa! Happy Anniversary! And thank you for taking the time to share these great tips!!! Definitely tips I will keep in mind along my journey! Looking forward to reading and growing with you!
I love this one “You Have to Start Before You’re Ready.” And I think it is a great advice, we are always waiting for the “right time” when in reality it never really comes, we created it!
Love this and congrats 😀
Great lessons! I totally identify with struggling to put myself out there as an introvert. It’s a great lesson to learn after a a year of blogging that doing so is okay!
Congrats on your first blogiversary!! I couldn’t agree more with everything you shared 🙂 Blogging is for sure a long-term game – but it’s totally worth it!
Happy first blogiversary! I think it’s definitely worth celebrating. As someone who’s still new to the world of blogging, there’s so much to it than just writing the words and I feel like it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Thanks for sharing the lessons you’ve learned, I resonate with every single one so much. It’s nice to have that reassurance that you don’t have to know everything or “get it” straightaway! Good luck for your future plans, I’m excited for you 🙂
I like this post a lot because you shared your honest opinion about blogging and I will take some advice from you: to slow down with weekly postings and focus more on quality. Thank you!
This resonated a lot. Specially, the fear of being seen and judges (being from a small Caribbean island). That is why I started blogging without sharing my post until I got used to the idea. Thank you for your insights.
Aww thank you so much I been trying so hard to get my blog off the ground .
Wow this was really motivational! Thank you for sharing your experience during your first year blogging!
Congrats on a year of blogging! The first year is always the hardest, as it’s where you are figuring everything out. I totally agree with all the things you learned in this time – especially the introvert part and just start the darn thing.
Congratulations on your first year!! My favorite saying this year is also one of your points, “Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot”. I can’t stress that enough how important it is to adapt to change when needed especially as we navigate the blogging flow. Thank you for sharing!
I always have to remind myself that it will take some time because I am new in blogging.
Thank you so much your blog helped a lot.
I find the frequency of posting the hardest thing to commit to and keep up with. Pillar content is so important to our blogs but so is our sanity! Great post! Keep blogging!
I’m about halfway through my first year, and I’m already seeing so many of things ringing true. Super excited to see where *I’m* at in 6 more months – and so many congratulations to *you* for not just making it through your first year, but crushing it while you do it!
It’s definitely a journey and a process, John. I wish you great success in your blogging endeavors. Glad you can relate to this post!
Congrats! Such an accomplishment! 🙂
Love these. As a new blogger there are so many great lessons here.
Congratulations on making it to your first year mark, that’s such an accomplishment! I started building my website about a year and a half ago & finally took the leap to launch it this fall. I love the ‘starting before you’re ready’, there’s so much truth to that & to just making the commitment to begin. Everything else will always fall into place.
Kudos on your first year of blogging! The insights you offer in this article are invaluable for anyone considering starting a blog. I wish I had read this a year ago but the info is still helpful moving forward.
Happy Blogiversary! That is an encouraging milestone! I like the way you impress your thoughts and share – that is precious. But liked the most the number 3. You got it so right: “… but just do the damn thing!”
Sonja
Blue Tea Tile
I really enjoyed reading your reflection on your first year of blogging. Most of what you shared resonates with me as a fellow blogger who is relatively new to the blogging world. Keep up the great work!
Happy blogiversary! May you reach your goals always!
Thank you for the tips and sharing your journey!
Your tips are fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your journey.
I think I am at about the same stage as you in that I am at the end of the first year. I find it quite wonderful just how much I have learnt in this first year. Several of the things you have mentioned in the post. I found myself nodding my head as I was reading.
Wow what great advice!
Whoop whoop, one year down! I started blogging just a couple of months before you and I agree with EVERYTHING you are saying. It takes time, but when you’re doing something you love, the time goes by so fast. Enjoy each step of the journey! Congratulations!
Congrats on blogging for over a year! I really connected with the part about being ok to be seen and heard. I have very strong opinions but usually only convey those to my close circles. I had to change my thought on being okay sharing opinions if I am doing it in an appropriate and respectful way.
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Cheers