I was talking to two friends from my newspaper days this week about this blogging caper. One has started a blog and the other has one that I wish she wrote more on. In both cases they were picking my brain on all things blogging and social media.
The art of blogging is a continual learning curve. There’s the content, first and foremost. From there you need to find YOUR voice. You need to reach out and build your community. And you need to get your head around a certain degree of technical stuff.
When talking to my girlfriends, I realised that since stumbling into blogging just under three years ago, I’ve actually amassed a solid knowledge base that I owe to the Google gods and these five bloggers. Thank-you. I owe you big time.
Women in Business Manifesto. www.womeninbusiness.com.au
1. Clare Lancaster at Women in Business
Clare is a young Brisbane-based (soon to be London-based) business woman with a depth of knowledge about online business that continues to inspire me. Not only does she include posts that offer great advice for (online or offline) business women but her weekly e-news delivers even more useful information that she’s unearthed from Twitter and around the inter-webs. I have Clare’s Manifesto for Women in Business (see above) printed out in a frame on my desk.
2. Bree Lawson at The Blog Stylist
I “met” Bree via Twitter (as you do) and immediately bonded over her stylish ways of delivering advice to feed my inner geek. Bree interviews other successful bloggers plus includes tips and links for bloggers looking for new ideas and ways to better present their product. Rarely a week goes by that I don’t learn something from this talented young business woman. Check out her post this week on blog commenting.
3. Annabel Candy at Successful Blogging
My local regional paper last year included a feature about Sunshine Coast bloggers and Annabel was in it. She’d just returned from a trip to China courtesy of Coca Cola. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t “met” her via Twitter let alone in my local neighbourhood. The website developer started blogging as a travel blogger and now has branched out to this blog as demand for her blogging expertise grows. If you’re new to blogging, you really should invest in her e-book, Successful Blogging in 12 Simple Steps (disclaimer: I’m an affiliate). We’ve now finally met in real life.
4. Vahni Georgoulakos at Grit & Glamour
Vahni is a US fashion blogger whose “day job” involves working on web content for corporations. She not only does the most gorgeous fashion outfit posts but she shares bucket loads of her knowledge about blogging – and fashion blogging in particular – through her Build a Better Blog posts.
5. Joanne Faith at Joanne Faith
Joanne is to New Zealand fashion blogging what Vahni is to US fashion blogging. She knows her stuff and she’s extremely generous in sharing it. This post: Killer Fashion Blogging: 50 Ways to Take Your Fashion Blog to the Next Level has inspiring and practical information that you can implement in your blog. Now.
… but I know you want more
Yesterday, thanks to Problogger, I discovered another blog, Bloggers Domain. It’s an A-Z, if you like, of all things you might want to know or didn’t know you needed to know about blogging. What’s more, each section links to more information. I immediately bookmarked it and will be constantly referring back. I suggest you do the same.
Do you read any blogs that have helped or inspired your blogging journey? I’d love you to share them below.
This post was chosen to be included in Independent Fashion Bloggers Links a la Mode: Tech Weekly Roundup
Creativity & Productivity: Blogging Under The Influence
Edited by Christen Rochon
Us 21st Century girls have the best of both worlds, fashion and technology. We’re actively embracing the new trends, sharing the latest information and using social media to influence and further connect both the fashion and technology world into the same realm. Each week we share more information among each other for the better development of ourselves as bloggers as well as deeper insight into the fashion and tech industry that we all love. From the latest displays of fashion to specific tools that will help you become a better blogger, this week’s Links A La Mode: Tech has a variety of links that I’m sure will spark inspiration and give you ideas on how to improve your creativity and productivity. I’m looking forward to connecting further with each of you in this tech sisterhood and growing together…
LINKS À LA MODE: TECH – April 12th
- Divas and Dorks: Top iPad / iPhone Apps for Bloggers, Designers & Entrepreneurs!
- Gwen Vikkey Miao: Miss Sixty Rock Art!
- IFB: 5 Facebook Tips for Bloggers
- Juliette Maxwell: A Beginner’s Guide To HTML
- Mimosas In Bed: Organizing Your Closet On The Go
- Miss Viki: High Tech Fashion By The King Of Fashion
- Relatively Chic: Feed Your Readers: RSS, Email Subscriptions & Beyond
- Styling You: Five Bloggers Who Inspire Me To Be A Better Blogger
- Whereisharriet: Eight Steps To A Better Blogger Blog
Comments 44
Hi Nikki,
Thanks for sharing!
Great post Nikki – I’m familiar with some of these blogs but not all so am off to have a good long read.
Author
Enjoy, Al. I really do find something of use from all of them on a regular basis.
Mwah, thanks for the lovely shout out Nikki:) I’d say we’re co-inspirers in that case because I love to keep an eye on what you’re up to here too:)
Author
ha, ha! And I snuck this little link in while you were away!
Aw, this is sweet AND helpful!!
I’ve just discovered the Blog Stylist and I AM LOVING her site. Also loving the cute cheerleader situation in the comments here, lol- cute.
A blog that has helped me a lot and ADORE is Beautifully Invisible. Link Love with a Twist, is my most favorite idea ever and her 10 things about your blog that drive me crazy is a TRUE STORY!
Thank you so much for sharing all your resources. I can’t wait to have a looksie at all of them.
Author
Hi Jamillah, yes, I so agree, have just discovered Beautifully Invisible and LOVE her information. That 10 things blog post was spot on!
Great tips have also bookmarked the blogs you suggested x
Author
You won’t be disappointed, Bianca!
Hi Nikki,
Thanks for the useful tips, will certainly look at all of these sites.
Me? I love your site!
Andrea
Author
Oh, thanks so much, Andrea … and enjoy checking out these.
Thanks for this info! What a great post, will definitely check them out
Keep up the awesome work 😉
Author
Thanks Nat and hope you find some great ideas for your blog too.
Thank you for the feature; this is a great post and I think all the blogs that you’ve mentioned are fantastic too! There are some seriously great resources available for anyone looking to start blogging. 🙂
Author
Thanks Joanne. Even if you are already blogging, it’s worth following all of the above … there’s always more to learn.
Oh my goodness, I am so flattered! Thank you, Nikki! It’s so nice to know that others find my blog helpful and entertaining.
Author
I so do! See the wibiya bar below? That’s there because I saw yours and I also got more active in IFB thanks to your explanatory post on links a la mode. Thank-you, thank-you!
Nikki, I just discovered your site and I am hooked. I have put you on the front page of my blog as my new discovery for the day!! I am a journalism/public speaking teacher and as you can see in my title, been around communications for awhile…but I have much to learn about new technology and I so appreciate all of the information and places to go for assistance. After my daughter’s wedding coming up soon, I plan to kick this into a higher gear…I will be following and learning from you!! I also just tweeted this post!
Author
Oh, thanks so much, Pam – lovely to see you hear. Have headed over to your blog too. Love what you’re doing. I’m a former journalist and I wanted to keep writing when I started my business 3 years ago. Stumbled into blogging and LOVE it.
Thanks Nikki for your great post, I am in the process of starting my blog and these blog links will be so helpful!
Author
Good luck Cherie. I’m always learning about this blogging game – I think that’s what makes it so appealing for me.
I guess this is the side of blogging I don’t think about much, that is, the technical stuff. Thank you Nikki. x
Author
Some of it’s technical but some of the advice I’ve learned from these bloggers has helped me really discover and write for my particular niche. You can never stop learning.
You’ve compiled a great list – am particularly interested in the last suggestion. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge (as well as your fashion savvy advice, as always!)
Author
Thanks Donna, you’ll find Bloggers Domain an ongoing source for help. I know I’ll be checking it out frequently!
Thanks Nikki that list is great and I am off to check them all out!
Author
Enjoy – I suggest for the ones you like signing up to subscribe via email or RSS. This is how I keep a track of what new things they have to share.
Still so much to learn. Will be checking these blogs out. Thx Nikki.
Author
I’m always learning, Penny! Think that’s why I love blogging so much.
Great post Nikki! All the bloggers mentioned are definitely great.
I’d also like to say that you have been a huge inspiration to me. You are very talented and have a great style that engages your readers really well.
Keep up the great work and thanks for inspiring me!
Author
Oh, Dannii, that’s such a beautiful thing to say. I love that this blogging world can be a caring, sharing kind of place.
This is really interesting, i just blog what i’m thinking about children, stationery, markets, design, i don’t really think so much about how to describe my blog style or content. Where do you fit in if you’re a mummy of many, professional crafter & have a life no one else would want (raising children with your husband interstate & overseas in war zones for 3 years straight). I focus on being honest & genuine, whatever takes my fancy. I love fashion, more for my children than me these days, they can rock any style & love styling themselves, it’s amazing to watch. Love Posie
Author
Finding that blogging voice and groove is the most important, Posie. None of the other stuff means a thing if you haven’t got that. My hat goes off to you in all that you do.
Thank you lovely Nikki! This post has certainly brightened up my weekend 🙂 I still remember you being one of my earliest twitter followers, and perhaps my loudest cheerleader. Now it’s my turn: Gimme an N!
Author
Ha, ha, Bree. I remember seeing you back then on Twitter … you had me at “stylist”! I’ll be your Cheerio as long as you want me on the team.
Thanks for the links. I’m going to be checking out these blogs. I need to spruce mine up a bit. I’m generally so focused on the writing I neglect the rest!
Content is king, Kristin. Enjoy playing with the other stuff!