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In her contribution to Tara’s popular “What I Wished I Knew When I Started Blogging” series, Lara (aka “Ellie G”) of Less Cake {more frosting} distills five years of trial-and-error into six bite-sized lessons. Whether you’re just opening a WordPress account or looking to refine your workflow, her hard-won advice will help you stay inspired, stay sane, and keep your blog growing.
Key Takeaways
• You set your own deadlines—don’t let them rule your life.
• Feed your creativity daily so you never run dry of fresh ideas.
• Replace negative assumptions with empowering ones.
• Embrace online learning: Google is your best friend.
• Find your people—real friends may not “get” blogging, but your peers will.
• Genuine kindness in comments builds relationships that last.
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1. Own Your Deadlines
Lara’s golden rule: you’re the only one who knows exactly what your ideal posting schedule looks like. If a sick kid, an unexpected houseguest or an impromptu dinner invite throws you off track, cut yourself some slack. Learning to balance “real life” and blog commitments early on prevents burnout once sponsorships and brand partnerships start adding external deadlines to your plate.
2. Stay Inspired, Even When Ideas Run Dry
It’s thrilling to launch a blog brimming with original DIY projects and hilarious anecdotes—but that well will dry up fast if you don’t actively nurture your creativity. Keep a note-taking app handy for 2 a.m. sparks of genius. Wander through art galleries or crafting supply aisles, belt out a tune in the shower, or read inspiring articles elsewhere on the web. Fresh input means fresh output.
3. Reframe Your Assumptions
It’s all too easy to assume that “Big Blogger Betty” left your email unanswered because she’s too important for you, or that the post you spent weeks perfecting must be a flop because it hasn’t gone viral. Flip those thoughts around. Assume that top bloggers are flattered by every outreach—and that your work is every bit as brilliant as you envisioned it, regardless of immediate feedback.
4. Google It—Then Experiment
When Lara started, terms like HTML, CSS and “screen resolution” sounded like alien alphabets. Today she credits Google—and a healthy dose of trial and error—for making her a self-taught design ninja. Break things, back up your files, troubleshoot, and watch YouTube tutorials. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you pick up new skills once you stop fearing the “code.”
5. Seek Out Your Blogging Tribe
Family and friends might nod politely when you talk about permalink structures or Linky Parties—but fellow bloggers will geek out right alongside you. Cultivate relationships with peers who share your interests: they’ll become your sounding board, source of moral support and (sometimes) lifelong friends. After all, a vibrant community is one of blogging’s greatest rewards.
6. Be Genuinely Kind
Commenting “Cute!” on every post might pad your page-view numbers, but it won’t win hearts. Instead, pick a post you truly loved—perhaps a clever home décor hack or an honest personal confession—and craft a thoughtful note. Tell the author exactly why their work resonated with you. Genuine encouragement stands out in an overcrowded comment section and often sparks deeper connections.
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“Blogging is SO. MUCH. FUN!” Lara concludes, urging newcomers to remember why they started: passion, creativity and the joy of sharing. “You HAVE to blog because you love it. And you don’t care if one single other person loves it the same way you do. Guess what? A bunch of people probably do—and they’ll love you for it.”
Follow Lara’s adventures on Twitter @LaraEllieG and Facebook at Less Cake {more frosting}.
