Today marks my 5th Blogiversary! Which means, I’ve been blogging for Five. Whole. Years. On April 10, 2014, I decided that if I wanted to be a fashion journalist then I had to start showcasing my style and my writing. That’s when I started Kayla’s Chaos. So, I put my camera on a tripod and took outfit pictures in a leopard maxi dress in my parent’s driveway. If you look back at that post, it’s a little embarrassing, but it still makes me smile. I didn’t know one other person with a blog. I had no idea what I was doing. But, I went for it anyway.
Since then, I have learned a ton and I’m still learning and improving every day. I’m so excited to have reached this milestone and I’m so thankful for every single person who has ever read, liked or shared my content. Here are five things I’ve learned from blogging over the last five years.
1. Be authentic
It isn’t always easy to stay true to yourself when blogging is all about putting yourself out there for everyone to see. There is a lot of pressure to buy followers, FaceTune your body, or act happy when you’re really not. Everyone who uses social media frequently feels these pressures from time to time. However, I try to remember that there is nothing better than being real. Being real and authentic is not only better for your own mental health, but it is also a wonderful tool that can be used to empower others.
2. Don’t give up
This may sound like generic advice, but it’s SO important. I have had many times over the years when I think to myself, “What am I even doing this for?” Some people may be surprised to know that after five years of consistent blogging I still have less than 6,000 followers across my two Instagram accounts. It can be discouraging to compare your following or your likes or brand deals to other bloggers. But, just because you’re growing at a different rate than someone else does not mean that your content is any less valuable. I still have to remind myself that to this day.
3. Don’t be afraid to write about new things
Once you get used to your “formula” it can be hard to break out of it. Whether you write about fashion, beauty, travel, or entertainment, it’s important to try to explore new subjects or new ways of writing about certain things. It helps you and your readers stay interested. For example, I’ve always focused on fashion and beauty, but I love going to new places so I started incorporating travel posts more and more. As long as it makes sense with your blog’s style and voice, then I say go for it!
4. Build a community
Of course you will always have some friends and family that like your pictures and check out your posts, but it’s very important to build a network of other content creators. By connecting with other bloggers, writers, and photographers, you are opening yourself up to possible collaborations and exposure. It also helps you build relationships with people who get it and who can give you tips and advice. Building a community of other bloggers is also one of the best ways to grow your following because you can comment on each other’s posts, share each other on your stories, and even plan events together.
5. Find the balance between quality and consistency
Some people worry about posting to their blog or Instagram every single day. However, this can hurt you if you start to post content that isn’t up to your usual standards. It’s really important to put forth your best efforts with every post you put out into the universe. Don’t get sloppy and don’t feel the need to spam your followers. Quality over quantity, always. However, you do want to be consistent. You don’t want to second guess yourself so much that you’re not putting out any content for months. Then, your followers will forget about you and forget to check back when you do have new content. It’s all about balance. Just do your best, have fun, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!
These photos were taken by Kailena Sampson near the World Trade Center. Follow her photography Instagram account @leanwitpics.
– Outfit Details –
Hoodie: Forever 21 // Corduroy jacket: Forever 21 // Leggings: Victoria’s Secret PINK // Sesame Yeezy Boost 350 sneakers: Stock X
Cheers to the next 5 years!
