A few weeks ago I hosted the #lbloggers chat because I wanted to talk about blogging trends and technologies. I’ve always been a bit of an ‘old-school’ blogger because I like to stick to basic posts with words and photos. I am working on upping my game with photography but I have no interest in adding video/moving to YouTube. I’m also quite generic with my social media. I have a Facebook page for my blog, plus Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest accounts (I have Google Plus too but I only schedule posts there in the hope that it helps my SEO?) but, again, it’s very much words and pictures. I don’t use stories or video on my Instagram account and I don’t use Snapchat. It got me thinking – can my blog survive without it?
It’s not just blogging but most industries which are moving towards multimedia; you really need to be a jack of all trades these days. When I started studying film and media I had very strong interests in theory and print production and avoided video work like the plague. Believe it or not, I studied film and media for six years in further and higher education and never once learned how to shoot or edit. I had a compulsory radio module in my final year though and surprisingly enjoyed it, so I may give podcasting a go yet.
I got to thinking about what we offer outside of our blogs and how that contributes to the overall experience too. If I really love a blog, I give it a follow on Bloglovin and also follow that person on all of the aforementioned social media platforms. I like to consume regular content and know that if someone is taking a break from their blog they’ll likely continue to update their social media accounts – although I’ve found that some just use their social media accounts to schedule links to their blog posts and nothing more. I like to offer something a bit different. On Facebook I share articles and bargains I’ve found online that might not otherwise get a mention on the blog, on Twitter I like to engage in chats and discussions, on Instagram I like to share what I’m up to and loving day-to-day (and not all pics make it onto blog round-ups) and Pinterest is a bit of a free for all where I simply pin things I love (recipes to try, things to buy for Jenson, etc).
With the chat I wanted to find out if my peers felt that bloggers need to follow trends and master new technologies in order to stay relevant. Here’s what I learned:
1. If you want to make blogging your career you might be left behind if you don’t adapt. But content you’re passionate about is key – do you!
I think as the industry moves on, bloggers have to go with it. Those who don’t accept it may be left behind! #lbloggers
— chloe 🦊 (@chloealr) July 16, 2017
A1. Yes and No, you need to do what suits you! Not everyone enjoys + can work with new technologies, that should be ok! #lbloggers 💛
— Emmie (@carpediememmie) July 16, 2017
Im very much the same, i think new technologies just add variation to how you can go about blogging #lbloggers
— Bethany Lauren (@bethinieta) July 16, 2017
Definitely agree, people who want to make it a career definitely try and stay ahead of the game with new tricks #lbloggers
— Gwennan Rees (@20sMeltdown) July 16, 2017
2. People engage with conversation. Give them something to talk about.
Exactly. I haven’t done a chatty Insta story yet where i haven’t had replies! It really works #lbloggers
— E.L (@imemmalouisee) July 16, 2017
I did an live video and not many people watched! So, probably not. On the plus side, the people who did watch asked questions. #lbloggers
— E.L (@imemmalouisee) July 16, 2017
3. I really need to hurry up and finish my ‘Pinterest for bloggers’ post.
I’d like to agree but I’ve been using Pinterest for years and still don’t get it 😂 #lbloggers
— Julia Day (@juliarachelday) July 16, 2017
4. You don’t necessarily need to use live video to keep readers/audiences engaged but they do expect more than ‘just’ a blog.
A2: I don’t think it’s a necessity to use live video at all, but you could be reaching a different type of audience #lbloggers
— Cat (@moreaboutcat) July 16, 2017
Q2: I personally never watch live content so I wouldn’t produce it either but things like insta stories I think are a bonus #lbloggers
— Gwennan Rees (@20sMeltdown) July 16, 2017
I’m sure at some stage, all readers expect more but as a blogger you should do what’s right for you ✌🏻. #lbloggers
— Emma Louise (@owlsandstags) July 16, 2017
5. Micro-blogging is key. Social media allows you to keep audiences up-to-date and engaged even when you’re ‘off-blog’.
Instastories are so helpful at improving engagement for me 🙌🏼 #lbloggers
— chloe 🦊 (@chloealr) July 16, 2017
I love using live video for my travel website + it does well. I think it depends what niche you are in really. #lbloggers
— Vikki 🎀🎮 Cuteek (@cuteek) July 16, 2017
I looooove insta stories! I feel like it’s the behind the scenes stuff to blogging! #lbloggers
— Gwennan Rees (@20sMeltdown) July 16, 2017
I prefer watching snapchats etc as you can get to know the blogger more and see what they are like just chatting away #lbloggers
— Chloe (@_chloehx_) July 16, 2017
6. Readers have evolved into audiences.
A3:I think it def is more ‘audience’ than ‘reader’ now as with all my fave blogs I follow them on multiple platforms #lbloggers
— Cat (@moreaboutcat) July 16, 2017
Yes, I would consider the term audience now, as we don’t just follow via one method anymore #lbloggers
— Laura King (@LauraBethKing) July 16, 2017
7. Audiences like to follow across platforms – but it’s best to do a few things well rather than try and spread yourself too thinly across everything.
A4: For my fave blogs I follow on Twitter + IG too, and occasionally FB and YT. The last 2 are rare though! #lbloggers
— Cat (@moreaboutcat) July 16, 2017
I follow on twitter and sometimes facebook. I like to leave comments on blogs too #lbloggers
— Kate (@appreciate_day) July 16, 2017
If I really enjoy their content, I follow across a range of platforms, & generally rely on finding out about new content there #lbloggers
— Soph🌸 (@Sophie_Lily__) July 16, 2017
I follow bloggers across platforms – you get to see a variety of things. #lbloggers
— Shee Wears Colour (@sheewearscolour) July 16, 2017
A4 As a reader I will start with the blog & be selective with the other platform, it depends on how well its curated & its value #lbloggers
— Trudy (@RendezvousEnNY) July 16, 2017
While I’d love to blog for a living one day, I’m realistic about it. I don’t think I can pay my rent with my blog but I would love to be able to branch out and use it as a launchpad for other freelance endeavors. If that’s the case, maybe I can get by focusing on what I love rather than trying to do everything?
Where do you want blogging to take you and what do you think you need to do to help you make that happen?
Ideally my blog would eventually earn an income of some sort. For now, though, it is definitely helping me to improve my idea and content development skills. I am slowly realizing what social media can do for a blog when used efficiently (and that I’m not quite there yet). Nice post!
I love the learning and growth opportunities too. Such a sense of achievement 🙂