Hello out there! I'm back into the groove of working and thought I would get back to this blog! I did whip out a new painting the other night when a little burst of inspiration came to me and I really love it! Already working on more. I do have the original available, email if you're interested (laura(at)lauradrodesigns.com) or prints are available in the shop. What do you think!?
I have always used this blog as a way to share what I am working on, new artwork that I make and occasionally put together some home decor boards. There has never been a rhyme or reason to what I blog about. I'm not sure if I'm the only person out there that thinks a blog can be a headache sometimes, but recently I am so stuck how to move it forward!
I have made some amazing connections and friends and have done really great collaborations because of blogging, but overall my blogging presence is about the same as it was a few years ago! So, I wanted to ask you (if anyone has read this far) what you have done to improve your blog?...any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Being a one-woman-show is hard and you feel like you need to do everything out there socially. But, what about me actually making the artwork, when do I have time to do that if I'm blogging and trying to improve my FB page?? I have client work, patterns to make, orders to fill, blog posts to create, marketing to do, finances to keep track of...definitely not complaining (ok maybe a little) but, I would love to know from other small business owners and bloggers how you do it!
My biggest goal for this year is to make my blog a place that I love and make it flow with my personality. I want to make it more personal, more myself, more what I trying to do with my business and not just post something last minute. So, if you have the secret recipe....please send it to me!
Phew! Ok, I feel a little better.
I am right there with you! I am interested to see what others have to say. I was blogging for a while in 2011-2012, until I became pregnant and was trying to finish school before my baby came. Now I am starting fresh.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
The painting is beautiful by the way!
Thanks so much Erica! I will hop over to your blog:) I think that's part of my frustration with blogging...being 35 weeks puts a damper on doing anything productive!
DeleteAll the best!
Laura
I feel your pain! I have to constantly reevaluate where my time is spent and that changes based on the week. I think you have to first figure out if your goal is to be a blogger or painter (or cook, decorator, banker, mom, ...whatever you are blogging about). I know that my end goal is to decorate homes in real life so my blog comes second to that. I think of my blog as just a supplement to what I want to do in real life. That makes it easy for me to decide where my time is better spent...growing the business locally or building a readership on my blog. A blog is a great creative outlet and platform but unless you are trying to make money off of your blog I would just keep the goals simple...blog when you have something creative to share and only when it fits in and is enjoyable for you! But, I would try to be consistent in some form so that people don't forget about you. Ok that's my two cents...now better get off the blogs and get to work :) Ha ha it sucks you in!!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth! Thanks so much for the great response, it is very helpful. I think you're right about deciding what I want to talk about and just being consistent. There is just so much pressure to make it look super snazzy with unique and stylish photos! All that takes extra work too! I would love to just get in a rhythm with the blog and I think using it as a creative outlet, like you mentioned, is what I have in mind!
DeleteHopefully, over the next month or so I can figure this out! Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts:)
Best!
Laura
Also you get a complete pass on all things in the third trimester :)
DeleteIt takes me FOREVERRR to create a design board -hunting for products/ uploading/ sizing, etc & then blog it and THEN proofread! Aiy yai! Honestly, sometimes, I'd rather hang out with my pup and my husband!! I definitely feel ya! I need to brand and change my blog logo/design, too, but it's not happening right now. I love your boards, though! I think they're so cute. I do some interior design, so I look forward to hopefully using one of your canvases in a room, should I need to! I think prioritizing is great, though. Instagram is so much easier than blogging to me (not that my instafeed reflects design all the time, but?!) I think it certainly can stir up more traffic. Also, commenting and reaching out to fellow bloggers/artists/designers is another task that comes with blogging, and I'm guilty of not making that effort sometimes! Use that day designer, girl! You'll be golden!! :) xo-Megan
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I've been wondering the same thing. I'm in limbo-land with my art business. Beth, in the comments, left has some advice tho.
ReplyDelete