Every Sunday at 8pm UK time, we host an hour long Twitter chat to discuss a topic related to blogging and social media. We ask four-six questions around the subject throughout the hour and you can use the hashtag #BlogosphereChat on your tweets to take part.
Last week’s Twitter chat was all about the return of blogging in 2020.
Q1: When did you originally start your blog and why?
We’ve seen a lot of people hitting their ten year blog anniversaries lately, so we wanted to know how long you’ve been blogging. It’s great to see the range from 2009 to 2020!
A1: I started my blog in 2015 because I saw @GemmaPranita‘s blog & couldn’t help but be inspired and overwhelmed by how cool it looked to be able to travel, talk about things you love and just create content. I wanted that for myself, a chance to express who I am #BlogosphereChat
— Not Vicarious (@Not_Vicarious) January 19, 2020
I started my blog in 2014 as an outlet for my creativity – I liked to visit places and take photos so it was a natural progression into travel blogging. #BlogosphereChat
— Jamie | Explore With Ed (@ExploreWithEd) January 19, 2020
October 2011, It started as an outlet for the #ootd, and evolved to include my travels, career and blogging tips and photography. Back until about 2017 I blogged every single day!! I miss those days & always having tons to read and share #BlogosphereChat
— MediaMarmalade (@mediamarmalade) January 19, 2020
I started mine in November 2016 and I did so I could just write down my thoughts online and I used to love writing in school, so what better way to keep up with that passion by starting a blog?! #BlogosphereChat
— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) January 19, 2020
Started in 2009 and I can’t believe it’s lasted this long! Genuinely one of the things I’m most proud of for starting 🥰 Need to keep it up better than I have done recently #blogospherechat
— Pippa Grace Artus | Blogger | Podcaster | Networks (@clashingtime_) January 19, 2020
#BlogosphereChat A1. I started my blog in 2016 because it was something I wanted to write in my spare time while I was studying for my animation MA at university.
— April Dawn Slocombe (@Stompgal_87) January 19, 2020
Sorry I’m late!! I’m louna, blogger, influencer and mental health advocate.
— Louna P.Fox (Autumn Witch)🍁🌙 (@BurstsOfAutumn) January 19, 2020
I started my blog officially last year because I had to leave my hostess job due to bad anxiety and low mood. I’ve had some really tough times and writing and inspiring helped me through #blogospherechat
A1. I started my first blog in December 2011 to rant about sports. #Blogospherechat
— Bill Fonda (@a_silly_place) January 19, 2020
I started a couple of years ago as I used to be a journalist and I wanted to get back into the creative challenge of writing regularly #blogospherechat
— Craig Wilson (@craigaw1969) January 19, 2020
12th March 2018! Since about 13, I had loved the blogging and YouTube world and I loved the idea of having a platform to not only have a video diary of life but also (and most importantly to me) speak about topics that are important to me and could help others ♥️ #BlogosphereChat
— Eve Martha (@Eve_Martha_) January 19, 2020
Back about 11years ago, to share my passion for makeup and all things beauty. I started with Zoella, Fleur, Gemma etc & we all had the same goal to just share and talk about stuff we loved. It’s crazy thinking back to then how it’s all changed, none of us thought it’d take off!
— MakeupLoveer/Louise (@MakeupLoveer) January 19, 2020
2017, I actually started it because I really wanted to get into digital marketing and learn WordPress, google analytics etc. It seemed that the easiest way to do that was to just start my own blog and learn along the way.
— Aaron Dowler (@Aldowler) January 19, 2020
I started 12 years ago when I needed to lose weight after a health issue, I wanted somewhere to rant and share my dieting experience but it’s grown lots since then!
— Emma Shilton (@mrsshilts) January 19, 2020
I had a couple of blogs before, but I started Clem Loves in 2012. I love writing and photography and wanted to create my own little online space where I could share my love for those. 😊#BlogosphereChat
— Clementine Rose (@clemloves) January 19, 2020
I started October 2015 I wanted a place to share my opinion about beauty products etc. Also people suggested I’d be ‘good’ at blogging so I decided to try it. 5 years later I’m still doing it #BlogosphereChat
— Chloe (@_chloehx_) January 19, 2020
I started with the Travel Diary but then I decided to move onto my own blog, in summer 2018. I always loved writing, travelling and photography so I kind of merged all together 🙂
— Karina (@karina_escaping) January 19, 2020
Started in 2009 as a creative outlet during a difficult time, just a couple of months after discovering the blogging community #blogospherechat
— Elaine Malone (@XOmisse) January 19, 2020
5 years ago on 7th Feb. Started to share the #booklove
— Linda Hill (@Lindahill50Hill) January 19, 2020
I started 9 years ago. I was a bookseller and kept forgetting what I’d read so starting blogging about books
— The Tattooed Book (@TheTattooedBook) January 19, 2020
I started my blog 9 years ago in January 2011, I’m an OG blogger. I applied to be a blogger for a magazine, didn’t get accepted, heard bad things about the magazine experience anyway and so decided why not just start one off my own back #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
I originally started in 2015 with Somethin Different and i just changed the name to Katy Mackenzie
— KitKat✨ (@KatyMackenzie19) January 19, 2020
I started as it was an outlet for me to pour my feelings out
In 2017 i took it more seriously and have been posting every week since! #BlogosphereChat
I started blogging in 2009! Makes me kind of old now!
— Emma Bradley (@emmaand3) January 19, 2020
I started my blog on April 16th 2017, I had been reading a lot of popular bloggers at the time (zoella, Tanya burr, Anna Sacconne Joly) and their blogs inspired me to give it a try, I’ve now been doing it for nearly 3 years 😊 #BlogosphereChat
— Hanna (@hannamaixo) January 19, 2020
A1. My blog only went live on 6th January 2019 💁🏼♀️ #BlogosphereChat
— The Smiling Food Journal (@smiling_food) January 19, 2020
I started two weeks ago. I wanted a platform to share what the cultures I’ve experienced and just how I tackle life is general #BlogosphereChat
— Pumza Thomas (@pumzathomas) January 19, 2020
Q2. Did anyone inspire you to start your blog?
We always enjoy learning about why someone started on their blogging journey, and that usually involves being inspired or encouraged by someone else.
A2: Answered this in the previous one but @GemmaPranita was genuinely the person to help me feel like this was something that I would LOOOVE to do and I’m so grateful to her for it #BlogosphereChat
— Not Vicarious (@Not_Vicarious) January 19, 2020
I remember talking to @MissNicklin about starting a blog and she thought it was a great idea. My interest in the online world began by watching YouTubers like @JimChapman while I was at Uni 😁 #BlogosphereChat
— Jamie | Explore With Ed (@ExploreWithEd) January 19, 2020
#BlogosphereChat A2. Nobody in particular inspired me to start my blog. It’s just an idea I decided to come up with myself.
— April Dawn Slocombe (@Stompgal_87) January 19, 2020
@whatjosiedidnxt inspired me to start my blog! As we have the same illness (Cystic Fibrosis) , she inspired me to talk more about my illness online! #BlogosphereChat
— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) January 19, 2020
A2. Not really. I wasn’t reading a lot of blogs when I started mine. I read a lot more now. #Blogospherechat
— Bill Fonda (@a_silly_place) January 19, 2020
I used to love so many people and now loads of them don’t blog anymore! #blogospherechat
— Pippa Grace Artus | Blogger | Podcaster | Networks (@clashingtime_) January 19, 2020
In terms of people in the online space, it would definitely be Zoe Sugg! She was the first blogger and YouTuber I came across at 13 and I love her content. She is a big part of the reason I ever thought about starting a blog and YouTube channel ♥️ @Zoella
— Eve Martha (@Eve_Martha_) January 19, 2020
I’ve made lots of friends over the years through my blog and social media including @lucybishop2012 who’s a very good friend now!
— Emma Shilton (@mrsshilts) January 19, 2020
A2. My family encouraged me to set up an Instagram to start @Sammy_Hall7 then I got the confidence to start my blog #Blogospherechat
— The Smiling Food Journal (@smiling_food) January 19, 2020
Yessss a Spanish friend here who was amazed at how we moved abroad and transitioned our family of five so easily, quickly! She said you need to start a blog about your journey! And so it began…
— Travel Blogger – The Expat Chronicle (@lauren24027251) January 20, 2020
I don’t remember anyone in particular who inspired me but from the word go I’ve followed @LouisePentland and loved her blogging style #blogospherechat
— GIRL UP NORTH (@Girl_UpNorth) January 19, 2020
Definitely @UrbanBushBabes for their content that focuses on black women, inspiring me for content that focuses on African women #BlogosphereChat
— Pumza Thomas (@pumzathomas) January 19, 2020
My mum died in 2013 and that really inspired to write more. She was always making me happy and with that, she helped me to write. I remember my first post taking blogging seriously and it was about body confidence as i kept seeing body positive posts so i remember seeing them
— KitKat✨ (@KatyMackenzie19) January 19, 2020
A few popular youtubers/bloggers inspired me at the time to start, mostly Zoe (@ZoeSugg @Zoella) though, I loved and still love her website and I thought it looked fun, I also thought it was a good start before starting youtube too to build confidence first 😊 #BlogosphereChat
— Hanna (@hannamaixo) January 19, 2020
Blogging was really a big thing when I first started so I can’t say I was particularly inspired by anyone to actually start it but I have since found blogging inspiration throughout the years #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
@TheAnnaEdit ❤️
— Emily-rose (@Emily42731256) January 20, 2020
I wasn’t inspired by anyone in particular, I just noticed that people were promoting their blogs on social media and it seemed like a good idea to start one #BlogosphereChat
— Chelsey Prentice (@ChelseyPrentice) January 19, 2020
Probably @MikhilaMcDaid and @buynowbloglater aka Lollipop26. As I’ve followed them for years before I started my own blog. I like the honesty in blog posts (and videos) and bought many products because of them which I love #BlogosphereChat
— Chloe (@_chloehx_) January 19, 2020
Q3. Do you have a niche? How did you go about developing it?
We love reading a multitude of blogs, from fashion and fitness to books and business! It’s great having so many topics to choose from…
I started with a lifestyle and fashion niche, now I mainly base my content around lifestyle #BlogosphereChat
— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) January 19, 2020
My niche is positive lifestyle, mental health and ethical products etc. I have struggled intensely throughout school and life and have been through many hardships and this made me want to turn things around and inspire others positively with my content! #blogospherechat
— Louna P.Fox (Autumn Witch)🍁🌙 (@BurstsOfAutumn) January 19, 2020
A3: I feel that there are bloggers who see what others are doing and want to replicate that in their own work but my blog is more about the importance of not living vicariously through others but taking inspiration and making each piece your own, blog or no blog #BlogosphereChat
— Not Vicarious (@Not_Vicarious) January 19, 2020
I think it’s something you realise as you go, and it will change over times as you get older and have new interests #blogospherechat
— Elaine Malone (@XOmisse) January 19, 2020
Travel, my niche is cruising – I went on a new ship for a holiday not long after starting my blog and YouTube in 2014. The feedback and views I had was amazing and it lead me to working with cruise lines 😃 #BlogosphereChat
— Jamie | Explore With Ed (@ExploreWithEd) January 19, 2020
#BlogosphereChat A3. My blog’s niches are autism and general lifestyle. I developed them by writing about how my autism affects my day-to-day life and writing reviews of the Degusta Box, a monthly grocery subscription box for example.
— April Dawn Slocombe (@Stompgal_87) January 19, 2020
Yes, my main niche is travel, I tall about places I visited, places to eat, etc. I am currently redesigning my blog and created a content plan, as until now I struggled with the posting. It will be much easier when the new design is launched 😁
— Karina (@karina_escaping) January 19, 2020
My niche is beauty and lifestyle. I started just posting lifestyle posts and then I got really obsessed with makeup and 3 years on beauty is my main niche!
— KitKat✨ (@KatyMackenzie19) January 19, 2020
A3. I specialise in food and travel. I am always eating and planning my next adventure 💁🏼♀️ #BlogosphereChat
— The Smiling Food Journal (@smiling_food) January 19, 2020
Travel lifestyle but I’m not rigid about it #BlogosphereChat
— Pumza Thomas (@pumzathomas) January 19, 2020
I’m not really sure to be honest, I don’t know completely which ‘category’ my blog would come under, I’ve posted makeup and beauty posts, fashion posts, day out posts etc so I’m not really sure haha #BlogosphereChat
— Hanna (@hannamaixo) January 19, 2020
I don’t know if it’s niche, but I just focus on being honest and realistic about my running. I don’t try and sugar coat it. It can be tough and I want to reflect the lows and the highs #blogospherechat
— Craig Wilson (@craigaw1969) January 19, 2020
At first I started off purely as beauty whereas now I blog about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, theatre, food & drink etc. My niche has developed as my audience grew and people wanted to see more of a variety on my blog. It also makes me more creative with ideas #BlogosphereChat
— Chloe (@_chloehx_) January 19, 2020
A3. No. I don’t feel like enough of an expert (or do anything enough) to turn it into a niche, so mostly I write about things I find interesting in my life! #Blogospherechat
— Bill Fonda (@a_silly_place) January 19, 2020
I have a solid niche on my second site @TheLiveReview1 which is London Events and Entertainment. I think it’s easier to develop a location niche and it gives you a bit more space to play with different things to post about #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
I’ve always been quite random in my posting but this year I have decided to tailor my blog towards the travel sector. I want to travel more this year and I enjoy talking about my travel experiences so Im excited to move more in that direction #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
Q4. Let’s get techy! Do you have any must-have tools or resources? Where do you recommend getting themes, plugins and hosting?
While content is the most important factor (quality over quantity, content is king!) there’s no denying the impact of having an excellent hosting company and an aesthetically pleasing, beautifully coded theme…
#BlogosphereChat A4. I recommend WordPress for hosting my blog because I already used it to write a few post for my university’s blog in my first year, so I decided to use it for writing my own blog in my fourth year/MA year.
— April Dawn Slocombe (@Stompgal_87) January 19, 2020
Must have tools – reports for Instagram, Planoly, tweetdeck
— KitKat✨ (@KatyMackenzie19) January 19, 2020
I host with WordPress and use a free theme but I definitely reccomend having a theme built for you
Of course, and I have plenty of blog posts about all of those things 😉 #blogospherechat
— Elaine Malone (@XOmisse) January 19, 2020
My current theme is from @KotrynaBass and I love it! I don’t use many tools or plugins to be honest! #BlogosphereChat
— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) January 19, 2020
A4. Arghh I was not techy at all to start so it has taken a lot of patience and perseverance! WordPress and Sitegeound for hosting. Canva, Planoly, Snapseed are great apps. #Blogospherechat
— The Smiling Food Journal (@smiling_food) January 19, 2020
WordPress, WPBakery, Custom CSS, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Freepik, Canva, Google Analytics… the list can go on and on and on 😂
— Karina (@karina_escaping) January 19, 2020
I use wordpress for my main site and Elementor for editing and blog post writing. I use photoshop and snapseed for editing #blogospherechat
— Louna P.Fox (Autumn Witch)🍁🌙 (@BurstsOfAutumn) January 19, 2020
WordPress and LyricalHost for hosting. Preview, Tailwind, StoriesEdit and A Design Kit for Instagram. Etsy for themes #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
One of my must have tools for blogging is a notebook or I write blog post ideas in my phone, I’m also using google docs to write out a list of blog posts I want to post each month so I’m more prepared
— Hanna (@hannamaixo) January 19, 2020
As for my theme I just use the ones on blogger at the moment #BlogosphereChat
Q5. What is your content strategy for your blog in 2020?
It’s great to see so many people focusing on their blog’s again, and creating more content for us to read. We can’t wait to see what you create this year!
A5: Mine mainly focuses on producing more content consistently and more in tune with who I am as a person now. I feel that I’ve always been authentic but I want to share more about who I am as sometimes this can get missed when publishing one post after another #BlogosphereChat
— Not Vicarious (@Not_Vicarious) January 19, 2020
I’m going to focus on creating content that I truly enjoy making throughout 2020, get creative and continue to enjoy the process. As a part of that I want to continue making content about topics that are important to me ♥️ #BlogosphereChat
— Eve Martha (@Eve_Martha_) January 19, 2020
A5. I’m going to try and write more fully developed, thought-out blog posts, as opposed to stuff just to blog something. It’ll probably mean fewer posts, but I want to look back on them later and say they were really good. #Blogospherechat
— Bill Fonda (@a_silly_place) January 19, 2020
I’m going to create content that I enjoy creating, not conform to all the trends and just continue to be myself! #BlogosphereChat
— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) January 19, 2020
I’d like to post weekly again this year, though I do feel quality over quantity and inspiration can strike at any time 😁 #BlogosphereChat
— Jamie | Explore With Ed (@ExploreWithEd) January 19, 2020
A5. I am determined to get 4 posts written a month this year and invest in my blog over and above lawyer life (which for the last 3 months of 2019 consumed all my hours). #Blogosherechat
— The Smiling Food Journal (@smiling_food) January 19, 2020
Plan & post content regularly on my social media, learn the best format & aesthetic for each media for the best way to show who I am & what my brand is. My key is focusing on what I love doing & building my own empire & enjoying every second whilst helping others #blogospherechat
— Louna P.Fox (Autumn Witch)🍁🌙 (@BurstsOfAutumn) January 19, 2020
#BlogosphereChat A5. To write about topics I haven’t written about before such as my physical health struggles and an alphabetical list of facts about me.
— April Dawn Slocombe (@Stompgal_87) January 19, 2020
I’m trying to get back to posting once a week on my blog, twice a month on my newsletter and making Pinterest more of a priority over Instagram #blogospherechat
— Elaine Malone (@XOmisse) January 19, 2020
Post twice every week and get better at my flatlay photography so my blog looks more interesting
— KitKat✨ (@KatyMackenzie19) January 19, 2020
I have a completely new strategy for this year including themes for each day, I want to bulk write and photograph when I get the chance. I want to improve my photography and each month I plan to break my goals down to become more achievable and keep me on track #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
I’m really trying to focus more on blogging this year and balancing my blog and YouTube channel
— Hanna (@hannamaixo) January 19, 2020
At this point my aim is to get at least two blog posts up a month and two videos but if I want to post more then maybe an extra here or there#BlogosphereChat
I actually wrote a post about my goals for my blog this year so that I can feel a bit more focused and I feel like planned out goals will keep me on track 😊 #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
Q6. Why do you think there’s been a revival of blogs this year?
As we mentioned in our latest newsletter, we have heard from many of you about your frustrations with Instagram. This seems to be the reason why lots of people are investing time back into their own blogs…
I think social media changes have impacted reach and engagement and has made people take more time to blog again and use it as their main platform #blogospherechat
— Louna P.Fox (Autumn Witch)🍁🌙 (@BurstsOfAutumn) January 19, 2020
I think with Instagram being a pain in the backside, I think it’s drawn more people to focus more on their blogs and writing! #BlogosphereChat
— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) January 19, 2020
A6: Not too sure, I feel for awhile the term ‘blog’ or ‘blogger’ has been mixed up with Instagrammers identifying as a blogger but lacking the blog itself. I think there is this realisation that there’s actually great creativity in having your own unique platform #BlogosphereChat
— Not Vicarious (@Not_Vicarious) January 19, 2020
I think people are sick of algorithms on social platforms. Blogging is a long-term investment in terms of post lifespan and seo, plus you have control 👌 #blogospherechat
— Elaine Malone (@XOmisse) January 19, 2020
Having total creative control? Apps go down, algorithms and trends change 😁#BlogosphereChat
— Jamie | Explore With Ed (@ExploreWithEd) January 19, 2020
I think that people have realised that you are in a better position with your blog, especially if you self host as it’s something that you own and is easier to promote. Instagram is now reducing people’s viewing, and could delete an account at any moment #BlogosphereChat
— Tanya 🥂 Glam Glitz Gloss (@GlamGlitzGloss) January 19, 2020
A6. I have seen some instagrammers starting blogs in 2020. I think they have realised that by only having content on one platform you are fairly limited and if Instagram goes down that’s it. #Blogospherechat
— The Smiling Food Journal (@smiling_food) January 19, 2020
Continue the conversation in the comments below. We’ll see you over on Twitter next Sunday (26/01/20) for a chat about Podcasting!
We’d love to know what you want to chat about – so if you have an idea for #BlogosphereChat, then please let us know!