I took a step back from fashion blogging and StyleSociety to manage my time more efficiently. And with this change, I decided to join the slow blogging movement.
Slow Blogging has initiated a turning point for me as a style creative and content curator, and it’s something I’ve wanted to share with both new and aspiring bloggers.
I’ve decided to drastically cut down on StyleSociety’s published content during the past year. Since relocating to the beautiful Winelands in 2014, I’ve found myself intently focused and entirely absorbed by a monumental design and building project that has kept me busy for most of 2015. As a Project manager, planning, execution and overseeing projects are my strengths. Still, when it is your dream home – the pressure is on! They say everything happens for a reason, and I am so glad that this project initiated this turning point for me.
SLOW BLOGGING has initiated a turning point for me as a style creative and content curator, and it’s something I’ve wanted to share with both new and aspiring bloggers.
Before I proceed, let us tip our hats to the inimitable Todd Sieling. Tom predicted that blogging would eventually evolve into a rushed practice, executed with a sense of urgency and clockwork precision, when he wrote the “Slow Blog Manifesto,” in 2006. You can read his manifesto here: https://www.digitalmanifesto.net/manifestos/11/
What is Slow Blogging?
Slow Blogging promotes ‘Quality over Quantity’ – Sporadic writing that yields mindful, meaningful conversations. It’s about slowing down and taking the time to be more creative. It promotes the creation of valuable, impactful and engaging content with the hope of eradicating digital noise.
I thank Todd for influencing my ideas and ideals with his quality consciousness, which allows me to share quality content. And inspire meaningful conversations with my readers instead of mindless chatter.
Slow & Steady Wins the Race
I wish I could tell you that I wake up with the urge to whip open my laptop every morning and allow the nuggets of wisdom to stream forth. That is flooding my blog with persuasive arguments, out of the box perspectives and never seen before exposes to the fashion world!
For someone who lives and breathes fashion, such consistencies should come easy, right?! Hold that thought right there! Consistency is great. It is the tool of the trade and currency of success for many bloggers but not every blogger.
Blogging is a creative pursuit. Everyone has a blog these days, but not everyone’s pursuing a career in blogging! Most bloggers are indeed serious about monetising their blogs, but some blog merely to express and share their creativity.
We are all not about the hits, the followers, the keywords, the page ranks, etc. Some of us are more about the human connection – inspiring others and sharing ideas.
Having a large and engaged reader base who hang on to your words and share your posts with their networks, giving you social recognition is fantastic. Social proof is critical for bloggers who wish to pursue work offers, book deals, consultancy requests and a lot more.
But first and foremost, blogging is a CREATIVE PURSUIT.
Blogging yields real freedom of expression. If someone had the expertise and a desire to disseminate that into the world, here was a free and marvellously convenient platform to do it on. But at its core, blogging essentially starts with a ‘desire’ – a need to be heard and read!
My Advice for Budding Bloggers who would like to join the Slow Blogging Movement:
If you don’t feel compelled to share something with the world – don’t immediately hit the publish button instead invest your time absorbing inspiration and adding value to the content you’re about to share.
Life is unpredictable. Even the best-laid plans go awry. So when things are not conducive to blogging – just let it be. Allow yourself that freedom. If you are committed to pushing the boundaries of your creativity and if you offer engaging quality content, you will have a more extended and more rewarding association with your readers.
Slow Blog Manifesto, by Todd Sieling
Take a deep breath and start. It is your world, and you know when to push forward and when to retreat.
Till then write less, say more. Blog consciously and blog for quality!
To your fashionable career!
FOLLOW OUR FASHION BLOGGING 101 SERIES FOR MORE | PART I | PART II | PART III
Slow blogging promotes ‘Quality over Quantity’ Sporadic writing that yields mindful, meaningful conversations → https://t.co/Urys0RJEaz