Inspire Me Series: Successful Blogs

Ashley of Adventures of Newlyweds is sharing with us today
what makes a successful blog in her opinion.
If you don't know about Ashley's blog, here is a little something about her.
She travels the country with her husband for work and takes beautiful pictures too.
Ashley also initiated an awesome link up called: Friday Letters!
Please check her out when you get an opportunity.

 How did you begin blogging?

I started blogging to document my new "newlywed" life! 

 I started out writing about our everyday lives for our friends and family. 

 It started growing and I discovered just how big the blog world was!  

I had no idea at the time!  From there my blog has involved and grown with me! 

What do you believe makes your blog a success?

 I believe my blog, and any blog for that matter, 

is successful when the writer blogs for themselves and stays true 

to why they started in the first place. 

 I am sure we have all gotten caught ip in the thrill of having followers,

 and growing our blogs but now more than ever I realize that its not about that in the slightest.  

Even if no one were to come to my blog ever again I would continue doing 

it so my husband and our family can look back and remember these special moments. 

 How do you maintain a balance between living and keeping up with your readers/followers?

 Great question!  At first it was easy to comment back to 

every single person and do every guest post requested 

but once I got a little more traffic I couldn't keep up!  

These days I comment back when I can but spend more time reading other blogs.  

I have also made great real life friends who I keep up with every day! 

 I always answer e-mails but I think its important to remind ourselves 

that this blog thing is great so we can make some really great friends--- 

not so you can get thousands of followers. 

 How realistic is it that you can connect with all of those people anyways?!  

Inspire Me Series: Successful Blog

I wanted to continue the theme of Mom's Week with the

Inspire Me Series: Successful Blogs?

I wanted to share with you what Mommy Mimi of Lipgloss and Binky 

has to say about having a successful blog. 

If you have not visited Mimi's blog, please do so!

She does an amazing job of infusing her roles as  

mother/woman/entrepreneur/community advocate while looking fabulous! 

Here's how Mimi answered the three questions.

How did you begin blogging?

I began blogging on a fluke.

After being thrown into my roles as a pregnant housewife turned SAHM

I was longing for an outlet to the outside world

as I adjusted to my life with two children.

A very good friend of mine Erika who blogs at Blulabel Bungalow

had just started her blog and I thought I would give it a whirl and she was more than supportive and even felt pity on me and did my blog header!

 

What do you believe makes your blog a success?

I'm not really sure if I consider my blog to be successful,

but I think its real and I think that is what keeps people coming back and reading.

 I blog my life and my reality. The good and most of the bad.

I'm an open book but there are a few things I will never blog about.

I also think the amount of interaction that I do with my readers helps.

If its not responding to comments left on the blog its engaging on Twitter or on FB.

I truly feel like I know my readers and in some cases

I would go the lengths to help them in their personal life if I can.

The blogging community is amazing if you are genuine and connected.

How do you maintain a balance between living

and keeping up with your readers/followers?

Balance? Call me Janelle Monae I'm always on the tightrope.

There are times when I can't balance and blogging has to chill.

I try to blog on Sundays and schedule my posts and peek in during the week

to respond to comments and read other blogs.

Recently as I am trying to grow a business and keep up with a

busy 2 year old it has been hard. I take the time when I need to.

I never want blogging to not be fun so I don't force it.

I make time, but if it gets hectic I have to put my family first.

I always let my readers know what is going on with me. I hope they understand,

that I'll catch them when things calm down.

I think my track record and my word is good.

At least I hope so!