Friend Friday #26: Creating a unique blog



Adapted from this pic


As I mentioned in my 30 for 30 Challenge post earlier this week, the launch of the winter edition of Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge has not been embraced by all bloggers. Many seem to have commented that events or challenges like this are full of people just jumping on the bandwagon and trying to garner a little more fame/hits out of it. *Adapted from Katy's own words about this week's topic.


So this week, Katy is asking us, how do we decide what content works for our blog and what doesn't? How do we maintain our voice while being part of the larger blogger community? What makes a blog unique and how do we are bloggers differentiate ourselves and our blogs from the thousands out there?
 
1. With all the blogging events out there how do you determine which ones to participate in and which ones to avoid?

If a blogging event fits in with the ethos of my blog then I am happy to participate. Often blogging events, like the 30 for 30 Challenge, aid the planning of my blog which can sometimes get difficult to keep up with. I like to have themes on my blog on a monthly basis anyway. Obviously some blogging events don't particularly appeal to me or fit in with my blogging schedule.

2. Be honest, have you ever jumped on the bandwagon of some blogging movement/event for the wrong reasons? How did that turn out?

Last summer I jumped on the 30 for 30 bandwagon but it didn't work out for me. I was still discovering blogging and what I wanted from it. At the time I was desperate for more hits and so thought it would be an "easy" was to garner more readers. But that was so the wrong approach. This time around I am doing the challenge for my own reasons and I think that this will help me to keep focussed and I will finish it this time around.

we heart it

3. How do you give your own flair to a blog event while still maintaining the general mission and purpose?

Again, taking the 30 for 30 Challenge as an example: I have taken Kendi's rules and then added my own rules and reasons for undertaking the challenge. As I said on Wednesday, After I detoxed my wardrobe last month, I want this month to learn to appreciate everything that survived the detox. I think the key to ensuring that you are not just another blogger taking part in just another blog event, is to keep in mind the ethos behind your blog and to keep true to that ethos. My blog is a style blog for anyone on a budget. The current 30 for 30 Challenge has coincided perfectly with my wardrobe detox series and I am continuing to demonstrate that you don't have to spend a fortune to put together stylish outfits.

4. When determining the best content for your blog what criterion do you keep in mind?

My blog is for those on a similar limited budget to me, who are looking for ways to make that budget go further and to keep stylish. My outfits and style are suited to a young woman, like me, who works in an office and no matter what my post, I try to keep this in mind. I like to think that anyone coming back to my blog has a fairly good idea of what to expect.
5. While everything will not suit your blog, how do you try and support your fellow bloggers who are participating in something worthwhile but not your style?

we heart it

Each blog is different and that is what makes them all relevant. If someone is undertaking a challenge or event that I am not, I would continue to visit their blog and to leave comments to show my support. I think that is the strong suit of the blogging community, to come behind those who are trying something new, or different, or challenging, or worthwhile, or whatever!!

What do you think makes a blog unique? Are you bored of all of the 30 for 30 posts or do you enjoy seeing how other bloggers re-mix their wardrobes?

Remember to check out the other contributions to this week's discussion over at ModlyChic. And if you would like to be a part of the Friend Friday Group, you can find all of the details here.

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