It’s time for just a touch of real-life blogger talk.
It’s not often that bloggers talk honestly about the beginning, the behind the scenes, the flops, the late nights, and all the doughnuts.
Allow me to lay a tiny bit of truth speak on you.
I’m the boss of me… dig it.
10 Real-Talk Blog Tips
(in no particular order)
One: What’s the secret when it comes to successful blogging? What SEO trick will work magic? What recipe will make people swoon. What words will make people follow? Truth is, there is no secret. Bummer, right?
Here’s the deal…
Only blog if you LOVE it. Only make it if you want to eat it. Only photograph it if you think it looks pretty, sparkly, or otherwise awesome. Only write about it if you’re really into it. Only wear it if you think it’s major. When it comes to blogging… only do it if you love it.
Two: When it comes to photography there’s something you should know: find a camera that you’re comfortable with. You don’t need the biggest, baddest camera and lens to create a beautiful blog space. Know what I love to shoot with? My iPhone. All of the photos pictured here are from my phone. My blog started because of the photographs I was taking of food with my big, blocky TMobile phone. Seriously… It took me years to work up to a major camera, and even now I love to shoot with my cell phone.
Three: Let’s talk about real life. You have a day job because you totally have to pay your bills and buy cute shoes. By the time you get home at night it’s a) dark, b) you’re starving, c) you totally just want to order Thai food, d) you’re out of butter, and e) you have The Walking Dead on your DVR and you want to scare yourself with zombies. I totally understand this. When are you supposed to create content and work on your blog… right?
I have the answer: it’s not easy. You’re doing a hard thing. I know because I spent a lot of time doing the very same hard thing. Know what I would do… because I was totally nuts-o? I would wake up early in the morning and make and photograph an easy recipe. I’d then come home late at night and blog about it. On the weekend I would go nuts trying to create content that I would blog about during the week. My friend all thought I was bonkers… and I was. Most of my friends shrugged their shoulders. Some of my friends made fun of me. A few friends fell away because I wasn’t making the time for them. I was following the (incredibly dorky) thing that I loved the most… that’s it. I made sacrifices and I created time and… now I just sleep less.
Four: Make friends in the community because friends are awesome!!!! I think Twitter can be a magic/weirdo/Internet friend making machine. I also think Instagram is fun. Find people who do what you love and make friendship out of it. It’s really exciting to see where those connections can lead. Want to know a fact? I met Tracy at a blog conference two years ago… now we’re major.
Five: Make things pretty. Pretty things are important, and more simple than you might think. Layer plates and patterns. Use colorful napkins. Burlap is cheap and totally adds texture. Crinkle up some parchment paper and use it as a background. Buy a few nice pieces of silver from a thrift store. Raid the Anthropologie sale section. Add a glass of sparkling rose to the background of your shot… and definitely drink it later. When in doubt, add bacon and/or caramel. People like pretty things. It’s universal.
Know who is good at making things pretty? The Cuisinerd.
ps. Cheese plate preparation coming this week!
Six: Blogging with dedication isn’t easy. It’s not rocket science… but it takes time, effort, vision, and more time. But! I try to make it look easy and feel effortless. This blog isn’t about my heavy lifting, lack of sleep, or sweaty brow. This blog is about cinnamon rolls and cupcakes and boys. Keep it positive. Keep it pretty. If a recipe flops… and recipe always flop… move on, try something different, and add more chocolate. Work hard to make it look easy…. and just be ok with the fact that it’s totally not easy.
Seven: I don’t think this blog would work if you didn’t know how silly bonkers my life is. You know that there’s cat hair everywhere. You know that I burn toast. You know that I date boys and get dumped. You know that I crash my bike. You know that I occasionally eat my feelings. I think sharing is important. You know that weird thing you do with your sock drawer? Share that! Find you voice and be vulnerable. You’ll be surprised by how many people connect to your weirdness.
I admire Shauna of Gluten Free Girl for her disarmingly vulnerable writing.
Eight: Find people and blogs that you admire. Know them. Love them. Emulate them but add your own twist, voice, and style… then write them an email expressing your sincere affection.
I adore Heidi of 101 Cookbooks.
Nine: Start small and let yourself grow and learn. I started this blog with three readers. I was stoked. Three months in I had 32 readers. I was majorly stoked. 100 readers a day!? I was over the moon!! What I’m saying is, don’t sweat your numbers. Don’t worry about the amount of comments you get. Really. Leave all that mess alone. If you love it… just have a doughnut and keep going.
Ten: Buy yourself flowers, take yourself out to lunch, drink a lot of tea, find the time and make the time to blog… but only if you love it. If you don’t love it… that’s totally ok too. Be kind to yourself. For serious… it’s just a blog. No bigs.
Joy the Baker is fueled by:
WordPress. Butter. Flour. Black tea. Late nights. Flickr. Twitter. Facebook. Instagram. Canon EOSm. iPhone. Emails. Friendship. Aperture. Natural light. Michael Friedman. Kettle corn. Post-it notes. To-do lists. Deborah Lippman nail polish. Nesting bowls. And an irresponsible sweet tooth.
Nestor Paul
Thanks for sharing, enjoy reading this unique way of expressing and sharing your blogging tips, i also have blogging tips in my blog, if you want to have some ideas for your next blog post.
Namrata
Wow !! I know this is an old post, but I’m starting my blog this year only & was searching for tips… Amazing points you have, thank you so much for sharing! yeah, I love cooking and writing, so I will definitely do it! Just love, love, love the way you write…. U r awesome <3 :)
Dena Simoneaux
I love this!!! I am a new blogger and I have been so afraid to post because I have not found my voice and I am scared to screw up and post something stupid…I think i need to do exactly that… just post!!
Thanks for the inspiration!! I love your blog!!! :)
Anne
Great advice, really.
Miranda
I adored reading this post. I never knew your blog before finding a link to this post on pinterest, and I was really really happy I did follow the link. Reading this was not eye opening nor an aha moment, it was in fact confirmation of something that I have believed for quite a while. I love blogging. I’m on my 6th or 6th blog, since I started in 2003, 2004. I’ve NEVER blogged for likes or followers, and have dropped my former blogs due to life circumstances happening along the way of these 10 years – wow, have I been blogging for THAT long? My current blog is the biggest passion I’ve had in this “industry” – I hate calling it an industry, but oh well – and I do it because I really love it. I don’t have many followers, and even less page views a day, I don’t have many comments, nor do I have feedback from other bloggers whose work has inspired me so much and on whose blogs I tend to comment more often. But at the end of the day, I don’t really care about numbers – ok, sometimes I do and sometimes I do get frustrated that I get nowhere with my posts, but this is a rare moment when it does come around – because when I view my blog posts, I feel an inner sense of pride at what I see there, at how much I have evolved in my photography skills and how much I’m sure I will be evolving, at how my writing skills are a lot more honed from day to day, how my ideas seem to be coming so much easier in my head, how I’m managing to put to photos something that I have just glimpsed in my mind!!! Only do it if you love it is the best thing I have ever read about blogging, because everyday I am confronted with so many blogs that seem to have sprouted not for the love of blogging from their authors but because it’s a fad, because they crave notoriety, because they want to “become famous” and get goodies for free… and all the while I am coming across posts that teach us how to be more rentable in blogging, how to attract more followers, how to get more pageviews and more comments, focusing only on numbers and not on content, on genuinity, on honesty and on doing it for the love of it. THank you for this post, I felt vindicated ;)
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt/
Lindsey
oh my goodness. this is exactly what I needed. I absolutely adore number 3 and can relate to scaring myself with the walking dead and being too tired. I will blog more often and enjoy it for me! xo
Millie
Hi Joy! Thanks for writing these tips! They’ve really helped me as I’ve just started a food blog!
You really are inspiring and I love the way you photograph!!!
If you have a moment, do you mind checking out my blog? Thank you! :)
jenn chic
Yes! Inspiration, with a splash of “kick in the pants”. Thanks! Back to my blog…
Krystal
Best blogging advice I’ve heard in a long time! Thanks for sharing! :)
annie
so glad you linked this today to your twitter – I have been needing a little inspiration since I’m still in my early blogging stages. thank you, thank you, thank you for your inspiration! really!
Annie
anniereeves.com
joanne p
Joy, I totally heart you man! You rock. I love your #realtalk Thanks for your perspective, sometimes you just need to hear it. Now, I’m off to eat a doughnut :)
Rosa M Lillo
Inspiring and awesome and fun and awesome… Did I mention I think you do an awesome job with your blog?
xxooxx (bss ;) )
Rosa M Lillo
Rachel
I love your real talk on blogging. I finally built up the courage to real talk my thoughts on graduate school and my personal life on my blog Rogue Cheerios and I’ve been at it for almost a year. I don’t know what it’s going to be yet, but I love the journey. Thanks for a peek behind the curtain!
Elena @ Randomly Happy
Serious question: how’d you get so wise?
Because “Work hard to make it look easy…. and just be ok with the fact that it’s totally not easy” has got to be my new favourite mantra.
Such a happy day when you first decided to blog!
X Elena @ Randomly Happy
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
Thank you for this….you DO make it look so easy. I, on the other hand, feel like everyone knows I’m covered head to toe in peanut butter and chia seeds while sweating my falling stats.
Renee
Thank you!!! Always. :D
“Forget your perfect offering. there’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light get’s in. ” Leonard Cohen
Still think your blog is perfect.
Jessica
haha! Really, really love this! Glad you re-posted it!
Paola Domínguez
I just looove this post! I’ve read it so many times and it’s still so inspiring! :)
Peggy
It’s really very complex in this busy life to listen news on TV, therefore I just use the web for that purpose, and take the latest news.
Nastasja
This is the best post/article/combination of words I’ve read in a while. I’d like to use ‘encouraging’ as the word to describe it. Thank you so much for blogging. I’ve only recently started following you, but I’m here to stay!
Greetings from Sweden!
x
Cassandra
Thank you, Joy! Valuable tips taken to heart, I promise.
Julianne
Hi again! I clicked over here from your post today. I admire your writing style so much, it is just easy to read and makes me want to continue reading. I love that you said you like to shoot with your phone sometimes. I find that sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t get the lighting right on my camera, and then I take a picture with my Iphone and I love it so much more. I am using a simple point and shoot right now, but soon investing in a nice canon. Even though I studied graphic design in college, Photoshop was never my forte and it is already making me nervous to get back into it! Thanks for sharing your words of advice!
Helen
Great post! It ‘s great to hear that you went through the same struggles I am going through right now in the early months of my blog. I love your photos! Helen
Danny
Joy, I started blogging this past January and decided to take the plunge and self host because – I just love it! As I continually read to keep learning, I am so glad to have found this posting of yours. It is heartfelt, straight talk and refreshing to read from someone who has gained the success that you have achieved. So just a simple thank you for sharing a bit of yourself!
Tina @foodfortina
Great advice :) Thanks for sharing!
Jules
Such a fabulous post and echoes everything I believe about blogging, but written far better than I ever could!
Sally - My Custard Pie
As always you talk perfect sense Joy – and make it such fun to read.
Vanessa
Love this post. It’s refreshing to hear, as a new-ish blogger trying to find my voice and my place in the blogging world.
Thanks!
Kelli
You’re the best.
Bunnie
Wow! These are really fantastic. I often get so caught up in the ‘my blog is crappy and I need to try harder’ phase. I get all furrow-browed and it stops being fun for a bit, but I read lots of articles and blog posts like yours and get all inspired again. :)
I need to learn to take it easy on myself as a blogger, and stop trying to be a ‘superblogger’ until I’m out of college, yo! This shit’s hard work! XD
Thank you for this. It makes me feel much better/happier as a new-ish blogger about where I am. :)
Amy
Alright. Believe me when I say, you inspired my new blog. As in, the blog that just came to me, moments ago, and has yet to be created. Just the idea of going home to put it together [revamp my current blog so it fits this idea] has me all jittery. Thank you. THANK YOU THANK YOU.
Brooke @ Food Woolf
I just circled back to this post on a day when I just couldn’t get my ju ju going. Thank goodness for people like you. This post gave me the juice I needed today. Thanks!
Tracy Miller
hi Joy! I am taking advice #8 on your super rad blog article and writing to tell you that I love your site. Your style is so pretty and beautiful (another thing people like # 5) and easy-going. Love it. Have been a fan for awhile.
Heather
Joy,
This is my second time reading this post and I really love it. I have been reading your blog for awhile and it is super fantastic.
Thanks,
H
Heather Novak
I see a jajillion comments, why bother leaving another? BECAUSE YOU ARE AWESOME. My friend sent me your link and I was fed mightily. Thank you so very much. MWAH.
joythebaker
thanks for the love!
Molly
this was the best! and you’re so right – i have my days when i wish i had more of an audience, people that “get where i am going”, “picking up what im putting down”, but most of the time – i’m happy recording the things i do, the outfits i wear, and the stuff i find inspiring for myself!
your blog is great, girl! you have such down-to-earth voice! and i enjoy visiting on a daily basis :) keep up the EXCELLENT work :)!
Ashlee
I just discovered your blog through a post written by The Pioneer Woman and I’ve already got a huge blog crush! I started a blog because I love writing and I know how easy it is to be discouraged on a 3 page views kind of day… How awesome that you stuck with it!
You’ve got a new reader for sure… I’m pinning your recipes like crazy and making out grocery lists. Can’t wait to start cooking!
joythebaker
i’m so glad you found me and i’m so glad you’re here! seriously… that means a lot!
Mary Glutenfreespinner
I loved your post, thanks for being so candid and real…and suggesting the same when posting! Loved all your points. When you say, “follow a blogger you admire” well I’ll be following. : >
Modern Housewife
This is so helpful and just the kick in the pants I needed. Thanks!
Sandy
Awesome tips. Blog for the love it! Blog because it’s fun and something you are passionate about. As a new blogger, I do find it’s so much fun! Glad I found your blog Joy! You are fun, energetic, honest, funny and inspirational! Who knows? I may turn my oven on one day, and put something in it!
Mostly I blog about gardening, thrift store finds, DIY projects and just crazy stuff about my day. Your blog is so much fun now if I can figure out how to get your podcast to work on my Ipad2 I could listen to you at work. I’m a 50+ year old blogger and I find you delightful and a breathe of fresh air!
~Sandy
Elise
Hey Joy!
Thank you so much for your honesty. Lately I’ve been neglecting my food blog, it’s one of my new year’s resolutions to neglect it LESS!
I have a quick question for you, do you have a recommendation for a good lens to buy for food photography? I have a [slightly older] cannon digital slr, and a decent lens and know how to use it… but i was hoping to hear your insight? thanks!
Sandy Morris
Hi Joy:
I think I love you! Oh, not that kind of love, I am a woman too, but I love your frank honesty and glib manner and a kind of ftw attitude! I have a pretty new blog too and need to get over being such a perfectionist, redoing everything till I can’t stand looking at it any more before I hit the Publish button. I wish hope and pray every night that I get to be a big hit and pretty soon people want to advertise on my site etc., etc. Then I just take a deep breath. I just have something to say, that is all, and if someone reads it, yippee! I too love Shauna and her sweet and tender love for her family. I also appreciate that she works dang hard and lives the life. She is the real deal, as are you! Thanks for being here! Sandy
maggie
i was due for a catch-up on your blog, and I am so happy i did! I found this post and just got giddy..
I’m leaving my day job in February and will have more time to blog. Not sure about followers, since i don’t know who actually visits my site. But I guess that is not the point – if they connect with me they will surface, right?
;)
Debra
Just found you web-site. It just makes me feel good. Thanks! Had a hard day. Maybe I will bake some banana bread this weekend.
Jesselyn
Thank you so much for your tips, especially seven!
Susan M.
I read this months ago and it took me this long to comment. I have a blog that is about Diabetes. I am not a good photographer. Sometimes the dish is more important than the pic. It could be live-saving.
I disagree with you and think you could be more forgiving in your approach to food blogging and the pictures.
If I can help someone in their struggle with a life threatening disease, then I am all for posting even the lousy pics you say I should not post.
Susan
Wish Upon A Dish
Gingerskeeper
Thanks for your inspirational advice about blogging. Sarah from dailynibbles referred me to your site for blogging tips, and I am so happy that she did! I started blogging about three months ago, and I could relate to all of your tips. I’m totally raiding the Anthropologie section and drinking lots of black tea :)
Amy
Love this list. Some good reminders here (I blog for me!) but also some great new tips as well :)
Ampi Castano
Thanks for the inspirational post. This is something I definitely needed right now. I only started blogging in October and wasn’t sure how I should approach it. Now I know, I need to continue doing it because I LOVE it.
Megan
Inspirational post! The hardest part for me is making friends. How do you do it? I’m pretty shy and have a hard time making friends in “real” life too.
Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm
I followed Tsh’s link over…and I just had to say that I really like this post! I’ve pinned a lot of recipes from your site that are floating around Pinterest, although I have yet to try them (I think?) Maybe I have, and have just lost track. :)
Anyway, I like lots of your recipes and I appreciated this post, since I’m a newish blogger myself.
Reem | Simply Reem
Oh I love this post…
I am fairly new to the blogging world and trust me sometime I feel I am more crazy about my blog than about my husband…LOL
Its hard with madness of life sometime. But after reading your post honestly I feel relax and happy….
I Adore Adore Adore your blog!!!
You make everything look beautiful….
Wishing you and your family Happy Thanksgiving.
Easy Peasy
Awesome tips…even “awesomer” photos. Thanks for sharing. Are there any blogging tips you have specifically for food bloggers?
Andrea (Quest for Delish)
I am a huge believer that things happen for a reason. I just stumbled across this blog and found this entry. I just started a food blog last month and needed to read these words. I think about my blog all day every day. I have two kids, husband and a part time job so I try to cook and blog whenever I can find the time. You’ve inspired me to keep on going because I do love it. Thanks
Lily @ Sugar and Slice
this sounds like you are talking straight to me! thank you for these pearls of wisdom x
Deanne Fitzpatrick
great advice, you just blog because you want to blog, just like any art or passion, because you have to
Michelle Arnold
Your post reminded me why I love my blog.
I started it on Jan 1 of this year with the intention of doing it as a year-long project. As I think about giving it up, I realize I might just not…
Audrey J.
Thanks Joy for that wonderful post. You’re are actually to me one of those people you mention in your #8. Actually, I’m planning on blog post on my roommate recreating your biscuits & bacon recipe. Thanks for an inspiring reading.
Moya
What a great post and I know I have a long way to go but as you advise blog because you love to blog. Yes, friends that do not blog just do not see the point! Thanks for sharing.
Ashley Locklear
Just wanted to say y’all, Joy and Tracy, are great inspiration. Podcast is hilarious. The photos are awesome. And it is so true that you have to, simply HAVE TO, do what you love to do. Sometimes it falls by the wayside but y’all know how to deliver a swift kick in the pants on helping folks pull it together and keep on trucking. Thanks for being there!
Julia
Have I ever commented here? Not sure. But I’ve been reading your blog and following you on twitter for awhile. SO, in addition to all of this, then I go and have a kid. And now I’m suppossed to work my day job, attempt to exercise, eat, blog, and just maintain life in general AND raise a child. For.The.Love. Yep, less sleep. This is the only answer I have right now. I truly appreciate your honesty in this post. I think so many of us feel comfort knowing we’re all kinda going through some of the same stuff sometimes, so thank you! And I REALLY like your point about community..that’s a HUGE deal to me, like HUGE, love it!
Conna
Amazing post … so true !!!
Jenn
This is such a great post! I agree it is important to do what you love and only blog when you love/feel like it. You put it in such great words.
PS: I dig anthropologie as well :).
Liza Sheehy
Wow, thanks for the inspiration, and wisdom…you’r blog if fab!
pam
finally catching up on this post. you write so well. so simple and easy. i feel like we are friends when I read it. i think that helps. thanks for being a bloggy reading friend.
Lily
This was really inspirational, thank you for your kind encouragement and stellar advice!!
Oh – Fancy That.
Alicia Hall
Such great advice! I am new to blogging and am learning to find my voice; this has been a tremendous help, so thank you, thank you! :)
Myriah
Hi Joy! I have been a huge fan and loyal reader of your blog for over a year now, and I just wanted to let you know how much I love what you do. You make baking approachable, which is one of the hardest things to do, and you add charm, wit, and great advice to your awesome recipes. I have made at least 30 of your recipes now, a few of which are my go-to’s when it comes to dinner parties (or eating alone over my kitchen sink).
I’m part of a group that cooks gourmet meals for the homeless once a month, and I just wanted to let you know that your love (though food) is being spread each month. Last month we made your chicken pot pie (with chive biscuits) for 80 people, and the month before we served them gumbo, with your cornbread recipe, followed by your nectarine and cream cobbler.
Thanks for being you. I think you are the bee’s knees.
Kel
Just adding my two cents to the already full jar of pennies. Thank you for these words. Thank you. Inspiring.
Family Meals and Cooking Tips
Joy – you are so real!!
I agree – you can only do it if you love it. I am 3 months in to the blogosphere and do love it but yep it takes alot of time. I’m at that space you were when you started – trying to build a readership base over and above my 3 sisters and mum. I know I won’t quit because at the end of the day, food is my great passion and sharing great recipes makes me so happy.
Thanks Joy!
christine [the sugar apothecary]
Joy, I just love you to pieces.
aileen@kitchenkwento
Funny, honest, down-to-earth…I appreciate this post and your writing style. Before I started blogging a year ago I felt paralyzed by my lack of a nice camera and technical know-how. How could I even start without Photoshop or a Nikon? I still don’t have those things, but now I get it’s about using what you have, even if its a cameraphone and a love for the process. Thank you.
Libby
I proudly post flops in My Own Kitchen Disasters section on my blog. Sometimes those posts can be of more value than the perfect pretty stuff. On the cameras I totally agree. An expensive DSLR doesn’t benefit greatly unless you are willing to learn and fully explore the capabilities of the camera. It’s really all about the Light and much less about the camera anyway. My own favorite is a Leica point & shoot even though I own high end pro DSLRs. Great post!
Tahnee
Joy, you are a dream to read!! And I say ‘you’ because I feel like I am really reading YOU – every post you write. And this one in particular, fabulous. Just this month, I bit the bullet after far to much umming and arring and started blogging and am loving it, your post was so timely. Thanks for the inspiration!
Judi
Thanks for the permission to use my camera pics… I have a fancy camera that I barely know how to use and make myself crazy with trying to capture the perfect picture. I will relax, I will make it fun, thanks!
Evi
Fantastic blog post! It’s true- it’s hard and takes time, but there is no reason to do it unless you really want to do it! And it’s a wonderful experience in the process! =)
Love and Lollipops
awesome stuff…you really made me smile right now – I love your attitude and I absolutely am in agreement with it!
Have a super weekend,
Georgia :)
cheryl
I love every little thing about this.
There. I have nothing else to say.
The Doux Project
Love this. So true. I’m going to act on this advice right away! Thanks Joy :)
carla tomasi
good advice for a would be bloggerxx Carla
random cat
hey, joy!
i really loved this post. i recently started my blog after trying and failing before, i feel like i finally found my place and pace. and now in the morning i first wanna look at my own blog and then the others. i only put up the things i really like and i write in english which was my primary goal.
all the things you said are so true and the way to go is follow these and make up your own and just enjoy!
NomNomBlingBling
This was so informative and real. As a newbie to the world of blogging I love reading advice coming from blogger’s who can share insight as to what they learned thus far. Really love your blog.
Kimbercrafts
This was a great read – so much of this rings true to me. Thank you for sharing your insights with us!
Amanda - RunToTheFinish
fantastic post!! i agree really with everything, but it took me time to learn and accept a lot of it :)
Petit Elefant
you’re my fave. no bigs. it’s major. i die.
amelia from z tasty life
This post came JUST at the right time for me. I have been pondering so much about what my blog means to me and keeping a balance between real and virtual life.I completely subscribe to the “just do it because you love it” theory and don’t even know (or care) what SEO (or the rest of the tracking stuff is): all I care for is meaningful relationships with my readers!!!
(P.s. interesting: on the FB comments: I’d love to learn how to do that)
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List
Oh I love this post!! So happy to hear that I’m not the only one who thinks this is hard work!
Rachael @ FreshlyMinted
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I’m brand-spaking new at blogging, but love every moment of it. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I look up to so many of you “blog ladies” (as my husband calls them :), and it is awesome to get a glimpse into your world, and a little insight into your successes.
Thanks again!
Angela@veggievinyasa
Thanks for the honest advice!
Kajal
Joy! Thanks for being honest and bloggin honestly. really! i think that’s what makes you, well, you! :) I have such little time balancing everything out in my life, but i try! This post reinforces what i knew all along, it ain’t easy but we sure can make it look pretty by trying! right?
P.S: I totally relate to cat hair all around the place. I have a chocolate brown lab (who i LOVE to bits) who loves to watch me bake! So…! :)
Cheers,
Michelle W.
Joy,
Thanks for the honest and inspiring words. I’m sitting here, late at night, everyone’s asleep. I’m working on my own thing, which happens to have a blog attached, and I’m drinking tea- which is the way to go. I am learning that if there’s something I want, I have to make it happen, however it can happen. Right now, it’s with a lot of late nights, early mornings when I can get up after the late nights, and some soul searching.
Thanks for making it look easy, even if it’s not, and being honest about it. I check your blog (almost) everyday! (I have a wee one, so I get sidetracked!) It’s a lot of hard work to try and get your life together, but I believe the perseverance pays in the end! <3 <3
Michelle
Anna @ hiddenponies
Love this so much…especially the “do it because you love it” and “make it look easy”! I love upbeat, honest blogs and can’t imagine why I would do it if I didn’t love it!
Kelly
Great, helpful comments, Joy! And very timely for me, too. I just reached 100 posts on my blog…but it took me 4 years to get there. Recommitting lately with more passion, more posts, more ME. Just like you said.
Renae
I opened this post in a new tab 3 days ago and just got around to reading it – I don’t even know where I got it from, but I’ve added it to my google reader list based on this post alone. Have been struggling with blogging lately for many reasons, and am looking for inspiration to get back into it. Thanks for reminding me that it’s supposed to be fun, albeit hard work!!
Amy
Thanks for the wonderful words of advice and encouragement! I sleep a lot less now but really, really love blogging. Your blogs was one of the first ones I began reading so you’re definitely an inspiration to me.
Thanks Joy!
Gwen
Thank you for the inspiration Joy. You do indeed make it look easy, but that is what is so intriguing about the way you write and the beauty of your blog. I have been meditating on this post since it was published. Very delicious food for thought. Mahalo.
Frostine@ThatReallyFrostsMe.com
So glad that I read your post. It was very encouraging. I have such a small blog and it still takes so much time. You make it look so easy. Sometimes it’s nice to know that we are all in the same boat.
Stay-At-Home-Chef
LOVED reading this post! I stumbled upon it just at the right time too: pulling my hair out over late posts, unmet self-inflicted deadlines, lighting issues now that it’s started getting dark so much earlier…etc. You reminded me to think about why I started my blog: to have fun! Thank you :)
Meghan
Hey Joy,
Just wanted to say, I LOVED this post, like a lot a lot. So much helpful advice. And I’ve always admired your style. Thanks for the window into your fabulous methods.
Picked up a few photag tips (photography is not my greatest talent) and used them in my latest blog post. The parchment paper is genius. Thanks again!
Tiffany
You are definitely one of my No. 8’s! The only people who read my blog are my dad, my sister, my roommate (sometimes), and an old family friend who’s known me since I was a baby. Four people… not a lot but kind of a big deal to me, especially since my blog is totally nothing special (iPhone pics and everything…!). Anyway thanks for sharing your life with all of us. It’s been so fun keeping up with you this way. PS – some of your commenters have such nice blogs… it’s inspiring.
Deena@StayatHomeFOODIE
Love the advice…. I’m new to the food blogging world and I can use all of the help and insight I can get.
Thank you!
Nats
Thanks for posting this. It IS hard to keep up a blog, but hearing it from someone else is so encouraging!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
It’s posts like this that make me love your blog (even more) and keep me coming back. To respond to your #8, I admire you! But I know you get that a lot and yet you seem like such a cool and down to earth person. Keep rocking Joy because we all adore you and your blog.
Emma
Joy I had to write and say thank you for this blog, it’s a really refreshing read and I can’t thank you enough for telling me about Picnik, I went there today and it is an amazing tool….my BF says my pics look so much better too!! I love your blog and hoover up all veggie and vegan recipes. Look forward to seeing your book.
All the best..Emma x
Sydney
Seriously this is AMAZING!!! Your blog was one of the first ones that I found when I first started blogging and it has been such an inspiration to me! I love it! Thanks for sharing, for cereal!
Caitlin @ LiveLoveNYC
thank you for these great tips! i’m about 2 months into blogging and was starting to get a bit discouraged by my # of readers but i really do love doing it.
:)
Laurel
Love your raw honesty and tips! Truly inspirational and encouraging words for food bloggers (or just bloggers in general)! Thank you!
jordan
thanks for this joy. you’re right – if you love it, love it and do it, don’t worry about the numbers…just have fun. i needed the reminder!
robin
Wow, great advice. Thanks, Joy! I just started blogging, and your motivation is truly inspiring.
Helene
I hope you will have time to read all of these comments :)
You nailed it. We should blog because we love what we do, it should be a passion. Some people out there just want to be popular (I am not saying this in a mean way). The importance in all is to feel good about what you are doing.
I’m start doing it because I wanted my kids to have a souvenir when I am gone. At first they were the only followers that I had. It meant a lot to me.
joythebaker
reading all of these comments has been such a joy. thanks for taking the time to say hello!
Elizabeth @ Coppertop Kitchen
Picnik is blowing my mind. I love it!!!
The Healthy Hostess
It was so great to meet you! The tips are so true and it’s great that you practice what you say and are true to yourself! I think staying yourself across all medias was a great tip too!
Be your brand.
:) ali
Sarah
Thanks for the pep talk Joy. I’ve been blogging on and off for over a year and easily get discouraged that I’m not finding readers. But I love what I do, what I create, and how it looks. And while tricky to find time to get the content up there, it’s still fantastic to have a creative release. Thanks for putting everything into perspective. :)
Gateau Mistress
Wauow Joy loved that post! That really inspired me to keep going with my blog.
My Friend told me about your blog and everytime I check it out you inspire me in some weird way, in a good weird way obviously! I really like the way you do your pictures, not to happy about the cat hair but no worries it gives your blog life and I like that! Maybe I should think about nr 4 since I don’t spend much time on other peoples blogs.. Then I really wouldn’t get any sleep. But I can totally relate to you, i mean were do you find the time, but like you said bake in the morning and blog in the evening. I mostly bake when I get home and then its dark and the pictures are ugly. Thanks for being inspirational :-) PS 95% of the time I use my iphone to take pictures as well even though I have a fancy camera and know how to use it! Just so much easier. Thanks again..
Mara@ What's For Dinner?
I wish I’d been able to introduce myself this weekend… I’ve been a huge fan of your blog for ages, and LOVE this post. It’s real, honest, and not the average “help with blogging” list. Thank you for being fantastic, and having some of the best recipes around!
Holly W
You’re so amazing and inspirational! I’m just trying to get my new blog going, and you give me hope. I look at my stats all the time, and I really need to stop and just eat a doughnut and fogettaboutit!
Thank you for all your beautiful words. I do blog because i love it, and that’s what matters!
Sprigs of Rosemary
Wow! I don’t think you missed a thing! It’s wonderful to be reminded why it is I blog, even when things don’t go like I want. You’ve reminded me very well of all the things I sometimes forget.
Brooke@foodwoolf
Amen. What a great, straight forward essay. Telling the truth about the reason we all blog is important. If we aren’t doing it for the love of it, what then?
Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids
I absolutely loved every single word of this post. Thank you for sharing!
bambi
So real. So true! Love this post Joy! Great reminder that its not all that easy. But if you love something, go for it, doughnuts and all! Thanks for posting inspiring dishes and recipes. I’ve made your churros many times and gone through that cinnamon-sugar-pull-apart bread episode. <3
Lauren
Hey lady,
this is my favorite foodblog, other than Serious Eats. I love your voice – you sound like someone I’d be besties with. Thanks for doing what you do!
Rachel O
Oh this post made me so happy! I have been writing my blog for a while, but have been getting grand ideas of turning into something more, and it is so lovely to read a post like this. Such lovely pictures and witty, quirky writing! Consider this my foray into meeting other food bloggers and hopefully connecting. And now I really want a piece of chocolate…
Suzanne
I love baking and I love writing; thanks for the reminder that that’s what blogging is all about. When I started blogging a few months ago, I gave myself permission to make time for both. I haven’t had this much fun creating in a long time!
ana
I’ve been reading your blog for a long time but this is my first comment.
I’ve been your waitress a few times at the restaurant where I work. I just wanted to say hi and tell you how much I loved this post. I may even love it more than the poppyseed cake with blueberry glaze I made from one of your previous posts :)
Hannah
What a great post. I am just getting back into blogging ‘for me’ as I chart some new journeys in my life and it’s lovely to see that other bloggers find this hard no matter how much they love it…
Rachelle
Thank you for this blog post joy & thanks Shauna for RT! Sometimes things get in the way of blogging and life happens. It was refreshing to read your blog post and thank you for sharing your insight!
Rachelle
Jen
As always, thank you for keeping it real. I’m going to take a few of those myself and apply them to my own blog and blogging hobby.
Three-Cookies
Excellent list. You disclose your real name, post pictures of yourself etc and make it more personable. If instead you kept your identity confidential do you think it would have had a material impact?
The Starving Student
As an aspiring blogger, I loved this post. Very, very helpful. Thanks for the tips! I love reading your blog and it is guaranteed to make me laugh, no matter what. Thank you Joy!
marie yates
LOVE the post! Thank you for sharing.
Catherine Gewertz
Thanks a gazillion for this lyrical and inspired post! As a new pie blogger, it was totally recognizable and validating. Love it! Look forward to more! Blog on!
Randy
I just want to say that you summed up so many of my feelings about this blogging world we love. I only started my blog a few months ago and quickly have come to enjoy posting new material. As you mentioned in your post it does demand a lot of time and therefore I can only do it once a week unless I find myself with some superfluous time (not very frequently). I have been following your blog for sometime and use your images and recipes as inspiration for not only cooking but how to present my posts. I will admit originally I held back communicating personal information or feelings. However, it didn’t feel genuine and now I have so much more fun actually conveying what I really want to say. I have only a handful of people who actually follow my blog but aspire to have a tenth of your following as I would consider that a huge win! I would love to connect with you and possibly throw around some ideas about blogging, recipes or just to say hi. Don’t hesitate on responding, although I know this might simply fall on the pile of 300+ comments I see you have on this post.Regardless, thank you for doing what you do.
joythebaker
Thank you for the comment, Randy! Your site looks really cool on an iPad. FYI!
Kiera Gilhooly
I love this post and what rocks is that after hearing you discuss some of this stuff at the Foodbuzz panel, and then reading this blog…. I know that your writing and speaking voice are totally the same, which is relaxed, witty, and a little weird (but in the cool, confident way). Thanks for the real talk and I look forward to listening to you and Tracy on your Podcast!
Sarah-Anne
AMEN to that! girl, you have got the bloggy pep talks down to a science.
Vanessa
You are super super duper and I love your watch in that first pic!
Kristi
When I saw there were 300 comments ahead of mine, I almost didn’t leave one. But this is touching, timely, and I love you, so why not say so? =) You’re one of the six blogs on my favorites bar and I come see you everyday. I hope you don’t mind if I call you “friend”! *air kisses*
joythebaker
Thanks for saying hello! It means a lot to me!
Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth
Question about Picnik: I have now made a Flickr account and modified an image using Picnik, but my question is then how to I export that edited image from Picnik into a specific location in my blog post?
Thank you for your help!
emily
This post is pretty legit. Thanks!
Ashley @ Cooking for One
This post truly is amazing, as I’m sure you can tell by the 297 comments it has received (oh wait, backtrack, I’m not paying attention to the number of comments!)
But seriously, it’s always discouraging when I look at other people’s blogs and think to myself that I will never get there, no matter how much time/cooking/frantic recipe-making moments I spend. And then it’s a huge beacon of light when someone reveals their humble beginnings and encourages you to keep writing. Very inspiring, and I thank you my dear!
SS {Curries and Cakes}
Wow….I’ve been in such a blogging rut this week where I even have a recipe and pictures to blog about but I’ve been running around because of stupid exams and things and not just sitting down and writing….thank you so much for your advice! I do love it and now I want to blog again! I will make time for it. Yay. You are an inspiration.
The New Country Girl
I have not started blogging yet. But I have to say that you are my inspiration. Thank you so much for that post. It has giving me a whole lot to think about.
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds
Thanks for all these great truths about blogging. You’re so right!
The Food Hunter
Thank you for this!! Much needed good advice…
Living The Sweet Life
Before I make any other comments – – I need for you to know YOU ROCK!! … really you do! I’ve been reading your blog for more than a year – – and you always seem to brighten my day :) – – thank you.
My favourite advice of all in this post ( and it was all pretty wicked advice)
“Ten: Buy yourself flowers, take yourself out to lunch, drink a lot of tea, find the time and make the time to blog… but only if you love it. If you don’t love it… that’s totally ok too. Be kind to yourself. For serious… it’s just a blog. No bigs.”
You’re precious – – thanks for doing what you do
Jamie (Thrifty Veggie Mama)
Loved the post! Just what I needed right now! Thank you.
Sabrina
Thank you, thank you, thank you…you don’t know how much I needed this “real” talk!
I’m only a month and a half in so still hitting my stride but your tips are going to keep me going.
Did I say thank you yet? Thank you.
Kerstin
Love all your tips, especially the last one. I tend to be too hard on myself if I don’t post twice a week, which is silly, because it’s all for fun!
Morgansmenu
You are the best. Seriously. I loved getting to meet you this past weekend! And thank you for being so KIND – a quality that is sometimes hard to find.
Allison
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words. As I read your post I found myself thinking “these are life lessons” not just blog ideas. I needed some soothing, inspiring words this morning and your words were a feast for my soul!
Hannah
Joy the Baker….keepin it real. I love it. I don’t know how people keep up with a blog. I update once every week or so (if that) and I have no excuse, I am soooo not busy.
Willow
Great post! I love that you emphasize – ‘it isn’t easy, but your job is to make it look easy.’ Seems like that’s the hardest part.
Thanks for being awesome!
-Willow
Sandi
Thank you! Totally needed that right now, 6 months in & it’s a TON of work and a lot of self-talk of, “but you enjoy it, so keep doing it!”
Rachel (De Ma Cuisine)
#8 for me is you. You inspire me, Joy.
Kasey
Is it weird I just got goosebumps? I’m a girl. I get emotional. So what?
Thank you for this post, Miss Joy. In three days time I am getting a whisk tattoo on my right arm to remind myself where it all started. The beginning can be so much fun if we take time to pay attention to it. I’m in that beginning stage right now, and it’s scary and hard and I don’t sleep much… but I love it. Thank you for being you and posting this.
We adore you!
-Kasey in Indy
Lea--Gourmet Mommy
Read this at 5am after posting to my blog and before getting myself and my kids ready for our “real” day. Totally made my day. Thanks for the encouragement, and love your blog.
The Cozy Herbivore
Thank you so much for this. It’s so easy to feel isolated in the blogosphere, and so nice to be reminded that we all face the same doubts and worries and stress over the small stuff. Also, you have a LOVELY blog!
Emma Galloway
LOVE IT.
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
Love this post and loved seeing you on the panel at Foodbuzz. Thanks for the real advice. So sad I didn’t get a chance to meet you!
Mary Jeanette
what an encouragement! yep blog only if you love it and what’s with the small number? keep blogging! :) Joy, you should write a novel! Seriously!!
Elenore Bendel Zahn
Yeah! Let´s hold each other backs in good and in bad! I am seriously both laughing and sighing at the same time! You are hilarious, honest and above all — inspiring!! I wish you the very best of luck Joy!
Megan at Hold the Croutons
New food blogger here – thanks for the tips! I need all the advice I can get!
Jennifer M.
Thanks for the advice! I am doing many of those things, so I must be doing something right. I’ve always said that in the end, my blog is for me. Thanks for the reminder.
Artemis Tsipi
Well, I think this is it!
It’s time to express my feelings for you! Admiration and joy for meeting Joy! I completely identify myself with you and your writings and inspired to keep on blogging with passion and lots of love!
Thanks!
Zulejka
Great post, thank you! You’re awesome and inspiring. And I love your cat, too:)
Laya
I love you. Really.
Ann P.
Such great advice! You are a real inspiration :D
Leah
you. are. fabulous. thank you for this!
Sam
Hey Joy ! ! You are number 8 for me, super inspiring . . Thanks for sticking it out and cheering on those of us who want to make it happen! Also good to hear that reminder over and over again to take care of our sweet selves.
Storm
You inspire me Joy. You really, truly do.
Rie
I love your tips! I feel like this is the way I have been blogging since I started back in May, and it’s working out well for me. I may be a little sleep deprived, but I absolutely love my blog and I love the time I spend working on it. And my boyfriend attempts to be semi-interested in my nail polish collection so that’s always a plus. ~_^
Michelle
Joy, you are awesome, just like these 10 tips are awesome.
Veronica
Fantastic points and well worth reading and remembering the next time I am beating myself up die not being perfect in my recipes or blog posts. Thank you so much for your insight. It’s really helpful.
Jen @ Savory Simple
I just love this, I’m sharing it!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Loved all of the invaluable tips, Joy! Thanks for sharing your wisdom :)
Cupcake Kat
Thanks for all of the great tips Joy. I’ll love you forever!
Fuji Mama
A complete breath of fresh air. Amen sistah!
Kelly
Exactly what I needed to hear right now! Trying to get together a blog to help my freelance business but keep dragging my heels since I am not a writer. You’re so right about just being relatable though! I love reading your blog even when I’m not looking for recipes because it makes me smile. And thats pretty awesome.
Brooke
Thank you for the inspiration Joy. After a long day at work I came home and checked your blog. After reading #three, I decided to finish a very special post I have been working on for a while. It is done and posted now and I feel SO good. Thank you thank you!
christina @ ovenadventures
Wow Joy this was a great piece.
People ask me when I find the time between kids and work (which I should be doing right now) and everything else and I just make time. I love it and never in a million years would i have ever thought i would but i love the process, even when my pictures aren’t what i want them to be, i write about the failures but i would be lost without it.
thanks for putting that into better words than i could.
Stacy Brewer
I didn’t think I could heart you more, Joy, but now I do. Love, love, love this post!
Kristin
Love your blog! You truly are an inspiration. I have a 6 month old and work part time so I’ve been brainstorming fun and creative things I could do in my spare time (when my daughter naps or is entertained for 20 minutes on her playmat). I’ve been thinking about starting a cupcake business, I’m even taking a cake decorating class at michaels. Who knows if it will work out but I’m going to try something new! Maybe I’ll start my own blog, I’ll take your advice and roll with it! Gotta try :) thanks again!
Cassie
Joy,
There are so many things I love, including baking, taking pretty pictures, drawing, painting, writing, science, art, traveling, zombie movies and bike riding just to name a few. I’m about to graduate from college in six months and have no clue what I’m doing. I was thinking about pursuing a graduate degree in science journalism, but I don’t know I want to make that into a career. One of my dreams is to open up my own bakery or at least bake awesome goodies for a living. Another dream is to be a photojournalist and yet another is to work for rolling stone or spin interviewing bands. What is it that you do? Do you love it? Were you able to accomplish it without being as in debt as a wall street bank? I admire you very much. Your blog is what I wish I could do or be, if that even makes sense. This entry really struck a cord with me. Thank you for being you and sharing your thought nuggets with the world!
Lesley
I loved this!! Thank you for writing and sharing.
Wendy
You’re my favorite blogger, Joy. For serious.
what katie's baking
you are my favorite.
Mags@Thefullwoman.com
Preach it Joy! These really are good things to know
pure2raw twins
Love this post! And I needed to hear these tips! I love your style of writing and your blogging voice. I am so glad that I found her blog it makes me simple everyday :)
Jay
Thanks so much for these tips Joy, you are a smarty pants. I’ve just started a food blog a couple of weeks ago and it was very timely advice. You’re a gem and you crack me up. I often read your blog while I’m in a tutorial class and meant to be paying attention to something else … and I randomly burst out in laughter and get super weird looks from everyone else. So this is my ’email’ expressing my affection. Your blog is very inspiring! Love your work lady.
brynn
What a great post! I’m still learning all there is to know about this blogging thing but your tips and tricks are very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
TeriLyn [a foodie stays fit]
I’m so glad you posted this! I had great intentions of taking notes during your panel at the Foodbuzz Festival…and then left my pen at the hotel. And no one around me had a pen. Plenty of cameras and larabars to go around, but no pen. Thanks for sharing the best parts of the panel!
Jennifer
Lentil soup for my little blog soul. Vulnerability is right. Writing for the love of it, especially true. And, mostly, finding – devoting – my time to give to my little space on the web. There is so much I edit out, for the sake of appearances, to not sound down, to not sound proud, to not sound blah, blah, blather and blah. Thank you for the reality check, I don’t have to be everyone’s cup of tea, I have to be me. I think I need to go call myself out, now. :)
Jen
I think you’re awesome! Thanks so much for the real advice :)
Karyn - Pint Sized Baker
Perfect timing! I was bumming around Twitter and found you and then found your blog! This is like divine intervention! Started blogging a few months ago and still trying to figure it all out. Thanks so much for the positive encouragement. This is great! I just wish I could stay up all night and read all of your posts!
Clara
Ugh Joy. I LOVE you for this. I really needed this! I know all these things, but reading them again makes me keep going. Thank you thank you thank youuuu.
Anna
thank you for the inspiration and great tips! this is a wonderful post!
misschels
Thanks for the tips Joy! You and your blog are absolutely MAJOR in my life, you have inspired me to keep on trucking with my blog, eat some donuts, and not to stress the small stuff!
MANGIA!!!
Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth
I just wanted to say thank you for this wonderful and informative post! I have only been blogging since July and it is so great to have some practical and candid advice. I have been trying to figure out how to add text to images in Aperture for so long and I can’t wait to try Picnik!
Amy
You are awesome Joy!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
I read this post three times:)) not because I don’t understand but because I love it so much!:) Thank you!
Jenn
Seriously LOVE your blog and your writing :)
Megan
You impress me. I admire your vulnerability, love reading the blog, and feel like I’m hanging out with my girlfriends whilst listening to home fries at work.
You are doing all of this right.
Leslie Means @ Her View From Home
Love this!! Great tips… :)
Karen (Melbourne Australia)
Hi Joy,
‘Joy the Baker’ was the first blog I ever subscribed to. (I’m not entirely sure I actually knew what one was before that.) Between reading your blog and listening to your podcasts it wasn’t long before I just had to try blogging myself. It’s very early days for me so the advice you’ve given in this post is gold! Thanks SO much for being the funny, beautiful and totally inspiring person you are and most of all for sharing it all with us!
Cathy
I LOVE this post! I’m inspired I’ll work harder cause I love it! Thank you!
Becca
Joy, I really enjoyed reading this post; I enjoy reading all of your posts. You are one of the blogs that I absolutely have to read no matter what, even if the recipe doesn’t intregue me, so thank you. By the way, your style of blogging is really cute, I love the way you speak, er, type…write? Either way, I love you :)
Nicola @ unhip squirrel
Joy.. you are absolutely an inspiration. Your blog is a really big part of why I started to blog myself (that and being a barista with the lovely Jenn of Foodess.com when we were in university!).
I really, really loved this post. Thank you. For everything!
Le Man and Wife
Thanks so much for this, Joy. I was just talking to my husband yesterday about how you have to love blogging so much to make it worth it–you hit the nail on the head and spoke my thoughts exactly. I really appreciate your honesty and your vulnerability with this list. It’s good to hear encouraging words from some that has become so successful with what they love!
p.s. I have that watch, it’s great right?
p.p.s. I’m making a cheese plate for Thanksgiving and would love your thoughts! Can’t wait to see it!
Becky
Thanks Joy! Great advice for someone like me who is just starting out. It’s great to have inspiring women like you and Tracy around.
Celeste
Joy, you’re one of my favorite people in all of blogland.
Julie
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this advice. It’s honest, smart and to the point!
Ashley
You have just uplifted me! Its so hard not to get discouraged when I don’t get as many interactions or hits on my blog as I would like but your inspirational words have given me more drive. Thanks for always knowing what to say.
kim
wonderful! Your blog is one that inspires, thank you.
Christiana
This is such a great post! I recently started reading your blog and following your tweets. I love the idea of waking up early to cook. I sometimes blog about food, and when I do, I find that I have about 2 hours to cook my recipes on a week day before the sun goes down (before daylight savings). Great ideas! Thanks for being honest. It takes a great blogger to help other bloggers suceed!
Stephanie
You are a true gem, and posts like this are why I love your blog.
Miriam @ overtimecook
Thank you so much for this post, Joy! As a new blogger, it’s so important for me to read a post like this one.
Michelle Sexton
thanks for such an awesome post. i’ve blogged for several years, but off and on for a while after i had a baby. i’ve been working on bringing it back up.
Kelsey
Thank you Joy! I started blogging because after reading so many blogs (like yours!) I felt like checking my Google Reader was like catching up with friends every day and I wanted to contribute to the conversation. My blog has such a neat and creative outlet for me and I appreciate hearing your thoughts on blogging. xo
Deb in Indiana
Read the 10 points again — they all apply to most endeavors, not only to blogging. Joy, you are an overall genius.
Emily Elizabeth
Thank you Joy! You give me such great motivation to work on keeping a blog going. I love reading blogs, and have tons show up on my reader every day… but it’s really fun adding my own voice to the mix. I’ve found even just the fact that I have a blog (despite not posting frequently) has been great to keep me inspired to take more pictures.
Plus, my mom is so excited about it, even if she needs me to send her a link to get to it every time.
Thank you again. You and Tracy both inspire me, big time.
Wendy
i just want to tell you that i adore your blog – the spirit of it is positive…joyful i guess is the word. i don’t get much time to spend online or to bake these days but you give me something to look forward to. thanks for all the hard work that you persist in doing.
Bridget
These are such great reminders! I feel like it’s something everyone knows on some level but needs to be told occasionally anyway.
christi flaherty
Thanks for your info and for a blog that is completely fun to read! Saw you at FB session on Saturday morning. Though I’m completely overwhelmed with all the info there and looking at everyone’s blogs today, everything you guys shared was useful info. Listened to your podcast today, too. Very entertaining. Looking forward to more…Christi
shauna
“You’ll be surprised by how many people connect to your weirdness.”
You just described the last six years of my life, perfectly. And thank you, Joy. You are aptly named. Heart.
Luna
Now this is a great post! Thank you for a powerful reminder that it’s more than okay to just be ourselves!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
Thanks for the tips, Joy. Always interesting to hear your thoughts from behind the apron. Yep, I said it.
Sabrina Modelle
So, you just made me laugh and cry a little bit at my desk at work. I kind of love you a little bit more right now.
Thanks for writing my life in a blog post. Oh, and you have pretty great taste in bloggers, those chicks all rock.
X
Sabrina
Megan
Joy if you get any more awesome I don’t know what I’ll do. I just found your blog a few weeks ago and I totally tell everyone I know to read it because you’re vulnerability and humor completely make your blog. Keep up the good work!
Meg.
Kendall
Love your tips and LOVE your blog. Your vulnerability and honesty is so refreshing!
Cookin' Canuck
Yep, you said it all, Joy. Lesson of the day: you gotta love it.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
Love, love this post!
It was great to meet you this weekend. Thanks for your contributions on the panel – it was good food for thought. You all did a great job!
Irina G (Fit Flexitarian)
Joy, I have to be honest and tell you that this post almost has me crying. I couldn’t tell you why, but I was feeling SO down about, well, everything in life last night and all of today. I think it’s some kind of combination of being frustrated/overwhelmed/nervous/feeling like I’m not doing enough and generally freaking out about my career and my blog. Reading this today made me breathe a little easier. I take my blogging seriously but I think maybe lately I’ve taken it TOO seriously and not been giving myself enough of a break or time to just relax (who can relax when I have cooking to do, photos to take and posts to write?!). But your post and all of the amazing comments from everyone just reminded me that it’s hard work, but it’s work I love… And when I have a crazy weekend and (briefly) don’t love it, then I don’t have to do it today. Thanks so much for posting this. Xoxo, a huge fan of your relatable and up-front voice.
Alyssa Goodnight
Great post! Loved the ‘fueled by.’ :)
You help me remember not to sweat the small stuff AND to treat myself.
Sonia
Picnik! Amazing, Joy! Thanks for sharing. You inspired me to blog again and I am grateful for it! Thanks lady! You da bomb.
The Cuisinerd
Dang girl! You are so sweet. Thank you for the love tap… It’s mutual.
Trish
Thank you SO much for these tips! As a newbie to the blogosphere, it’s wonderful getting tips like this to make my own ventures better. Keep doing what you’re doing!
SamCyn
You are so the BOMB!
NerdyBaker
You are so right, Joy! I started my blog in the middle of the night in mid August when I realized, I didn’t have a recipe to share! I had finally found the angle I wanted to take and I just went for it. I try to post twice a week but have three kids, two with activities and finding the time just kills me! But when a recipe works (O the baking fails [in a row!]) or my own post can even make me laugh or I get a great comment, there is nothing like it. I am so proud of myself sometimes and yet so overwhelmed. O man, the new Twitter friends/fellow bloggers are more than I could have hoped for. This community is so amazing. You were the inspiration and my motivation, thank you!
Drisana
Thanks for the great advice, inspiration, and humor. Love reading your blog!
Rachel
Thanks so much for this post! Exams plus blogging is most definitely stressing me out right now! But great advice from the person who made me realise it was all possible is such a boost!
Maia
How gracious of you to share your thoughts with your gazillion readers so honestly, humbly, and constructively!
Maybe THAT’S your secret! (kidding…)
Mila @ loftyappetite
Wise words! Thanks for taking the time to share your tips, great post! I always love hearing the “behind the scenes” of blogs I enjoy, since we all share the same craziness to cook, make a mess, and shoot “pretty things” {without a mess} at the same time!
heartbreak pie
joy! you speak the truth. I’ve loved your blog for ages now, and I concur with eveything you say! keep it up, you’re awesome :)
natalie (the sweets life)
what a delightful post–i couldn’t get to foodbuzz last weekend so i’m glad i still got a taste of what i’m guessing you talked about here!
ps. are you coming to St. Louis? I heard a rumor..
Aimee@Clevermuffin
Hey Joy – what was the name of the iPhone App you use to take pics with? You mentioned it in a podcast and I can’t remember.
joythebaker
I use instagram and camera+
Mary
This just might be one my favorite posts that you have ever written. I think that blogging really should be fun. If it isn’t, figure out why and write what makes you happy instead!
Stephanie @ Mr and Meatless
Well said. And absolutely hilarious. Love reading your blog. Thanks for the fantabulous advice!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I really loved this post. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
I love the fact that you wrote this post. Hearing how one of my favorite bloggers does it, inspires me to keep on blogging for the love of it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! *^_^*v
Jenn
What a great post! I am a new blogger so it’s very inspiring to get some perspective from a blogger I very much admire (that’s you!)
Megan @CountryCleaver
All of these ring a little close to home – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
In a year and a half – things have definitely progressed for me. I may forget how far I’ve come in this amount of time, but when I look back – it’s been pretty effin’ awesome.
Thanks for putting it all into perspective.
Anne
LOVE that picture looking down on the kitchen! Are those huge squash?
megan
Oh, Joy, very timely advise. I have decided to take my blog (a little) more seriously, and its nerve-racking! But with time, thought and practice, I think it will be less so. Thanks for your confidence!
Long time reader, first time commenter,
Megan
lauren
so true joy! a blog should be a fun way to express yourself… like a personal diary-cookbook-photo album you’re doing for you. who cares if no one reads it or comments? if it’s fun and relaxes you amidst your busy-ness, that’s all that should matter :)
Jen of My Tiny Oven
I love your blog! It always feels real, and that makes me smile! Thank you so much for always being a huge source of inspiration for me!
Lauren
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Amanda Watson
Thank you sooo much for these wonderful words of advice. After avidly following many food blogs for years, I finally started my own a little more than a month ago and you just dished out some of the best real world advice that I’ve gotten. My new motto is ” Be kind to yourself. For serious… it’s just a blog. No bigs.” Love it!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)
You speak my language! <3
Bianca @ South Bay Rants n Raves
Thanks for keeping it real, and simple too! I like all the tips & never would’ve guessed you use your phone. Proof that you don’t have to get all fancy!
Josie
I’ve been trying so hard to start a blog and I think this just gave me the major inspiration I needed. Thanks for sharing your advice, life and food with people! I absolutely LOVE IT.
Helene
Joy, thank you so so so much for this post. This is totally what’s in my head. I love blogging but it stresses me out sometimes… Do I need to post everyday? Do I need a bigger and better camera? Do I this, do I that? How can I attract people to my blog… blablabla ;-) You’ve answered ALL the-in-my-head-questions with your incredible funny style. I love your blog! Thank you again for being on the blogosphere. This made my day…
Faye
Hi Joy,
Love the article! A friend and I (who are both passionate about food and baking) are trying to get our own blog off the ground. It’s frustrating to share these recipes and stories that we feel so passionate about and feel like we’re just talking to crickets…
I will keep doing it because I love it….at least until I’m broke and have no more money to spend on food. Hopefully one day it will turn into something bigger and better.
Smiles,
Faye
tsmom
Who needs to write my own stuff when I can read yours!
Annalise
Love this post. You’ve been a blogging inspiration for me since the beginning, Joy. I know it sounds weird, but I really do love you and what you do on this blog! xoxox
joythebaker
Glad you’re here!
Khushboo @ Two Megapixel Food
Oh how you bring me out of my momentary retirement. Honestly, coupled with work and the stress of marital life, it is SO hard to take pretty pictures of food. Most days, I just want to shove the food in my mouth, served in my battered plate.
Cate
This post is amazing, I guess I should probably branch out from white bowls on a wood table (not so pretty).
It was great to see you this weekend!
Stephanie
Yay, for pictures taken with your phone!
Now, I just need to figure out that everyday thing…
Jessica @ the Learning Curve
Thank you so much for sharing this! As usual, I love your honesty and your willingness to just be YOU. My blog is about to celebrate it’s first birthday, and it’s not anywhere close to having the reader-base that so many of my favorite blogs (like yours) have. But I do it because I love it. It motivates me to branch out and adapt… it keeps me fresh and happy and productive. And that’s all that matters, right?
Thanks for being an inspiration. :)
Sarah
Joy,
thank you, thank you, thank you! This was brimming with great advice. I’m still a novice blogger and found myself going through a lot of these tips like a check list. (Also, thank you for including 10 rather than 12 steps. 12 would indicate some sort of problem…) I find that as an eternal student, it is easy to slip into the mindset that blogging is part of my to-do list, just behind seminar papers and grading. This is craziness, because I began my blog as a place to reflect on my scholarship, cooking, and daily life. It helps to have reminders and sage advice from a baking/blogging mastermind.
-Sarah
Caz
Thanks so much for this Joy. My blog is only a month old and I’m really loving it. I’m cooking like crazy at weekends to get those photos in daylight as I have a full time 9-5 job during the week. I’m also loving shopping at car boot sales (British thing) and flea markets for pretty things! Thanks for the inspiration :-)
Kirsten @ Baxter & Main
Thank you for this post Joy! I have been frustrated with the state of my blog lately and feeling guilty for the lack of time and effort I’ve been able to put into it so your comments helped put things into perspective for me. I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now and you never fail to inspire!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
This is why I loved your FB presentation so much: do what you love, work hard at it, but don’t get caught up in the stuff that doesn’t matter. What matters is doing what you love, and working hard at it! :)
Thanks, Joy!
Annie@stronghealthyfit
Great post! Your blog is inspiring :)
Courtney
Oh, Joy, this is exactly what I needed to hear. Last week I made a goal to post on my blog more regularly which I’ve had since my first year in college (now in the 3rd year), but haven’t made the time to really promote or anything. Here I was feeling all discouraged because I can’t spring for a fancy camera or picture editing software or top-notch ingredients. But you’ve gotten to the essence of it all: I’m doing it because I love it, and because I want other people to know that I love it and just have love all around haha. Oh, and also because I want another excuse to eat raw cookie dough, but that’s a whole other story. Your blog was one of the first I read when I got into this whole food blog thing and I have to say, it’s still my favorite :)
Iris R.
Thanks, Joy! I’m trying to jumpstart blogging in the midst of also writing my honors thesis (I’ve never been one for good timing) and I’ve been torn between what I have to do (writing tons of pages for a grade/to graduate) and what I really just want to do (writing about about the gorgeous food I just want to make, photograph and eat all the time). Honest and positive – you are my hero.
Heidi
I love this post so much :D Perfect timing for me, just coming back from taking a month-ish off and trying to motivate myself even though I’m not feeling well all the time. Loving the food I make is HUGE. No one could do this if they didn’t love it :)
Jennifer Jo
Good points, good perspective. Thanks.
Lindsay
Thanks for the great advice Joy! You are such an inspiration and I just love your blog. Thanks for the many days you give me a well-needed break from my dissertation and a good laugh ;)
Ann from Sumptuous Spoonfuls
Have I mentioned how much I love your real-life voice? I totally admire the way you write. I love your blog. I sometimes feel like I talk too much about my personal life on my blog, so I really wanted to say thank you for telling me that’s okay. :)
Julie Anne Rhodes
I LOVE you for writing this. Non-bloggers will never understand the devotion needed to do what we do, and your advice is priceless – it is SO true! Only blog if you love it, only take photos if you love it (I may not be a master like you yet, but I love learning) etc. Thank you for being a constant inspiration, and adding a few pounds to my waistline in the process. Fondness from fellow blogging stranger – Jewels xo
Katie of Cabbage Ranch
This is great. That is all.
Anna R.
Gol, how inspiring. :) Thanks for the picnik tip.
Emily @ NewlyWife
Passion (and cake?) is fuel for bloggers. Great points!
Mavis
It was fun putting your face to the blog this weekend at Foodbuzz! I hope we’ll actually be able to speak next year. Love the blog tips—my friends think I’m crazy sometimes, but I just gotta do it. I’ve been a bit of a slacker lately, but Foodbuzz inspired me to get back to it. But hey, a girl only gets married once (hopefully!), so I’m sure my readers forgive me. Thanks for sharing your life with us :)
Jay Geneske
I’m so thrilled you wrote this post. This has helped me add some fuel to the fire! I identify most with #3. I mostly blog about local food that I make at dinner time. I’ve struggled with holding out to get the best photograph (usually with my phone..as my really cool camera collects dust). Have you ever dropped your camera/phone in your dish? Yep, did that last week. Potato soup covered Windows phone.
Bexx
Thanks Joy,
I know how to sing my ass off. Throw together a recipe on a whim, create a meal, prepare and serve it with ease, while making my guest feel at ease at at home but….. this whole blogging thing, is such a new world for me and I’m trying to find my voice & my way through it all!
Megan
Great way to continue your wisdom from the FB panel. I love how you have the same voice here, on your podcast, and at the tasting pavillion. Also, I’m still giggling over those giant squashes!
Dana @hotpinkapron
Awesome. Just awesome. This came across my screen just when I needed it the most. Thanks or being such a great voice to inspire.
Claire Maxwell
Joy, these are some excellent tips. Thanks so much for this post. It’s always encouraging to hear about your favourite bloggers in their early days!
Beckie@Cubicle57
“when in doubt, add bacon” — I couldn’t agree more, and I don’t even blog about food. Bacon makes everything better. I’ll put some in my next craft project just to prove it!
vanillasugarblog
well said Joy, well said.
i dig it :-)
Urban Wife
Love the insightful post! Thank you for keeping it real, as you always do.
colleen
Thank you. I’m a terrible photographer but boy do I love my blog. In toying with the idea to take the whole thing more seriously, I think you just became my voice of reason at the most opportune time.
Kristen
I heart you… such a great post!
Joelen
Joy, you’re awesome. Your points couldn’t have been more real and true! Rock on girlfriend, rock on…
Stefani
“Buy yourself flowers” Everybody should do this kind of thing. I have friends that keep waiting to get flowers, try that trendy restaurant, or go do that one thing, because they are single or don’t have someone else that is interested. I say don’t wait. Do it. Life is to be lived, not waited on. Love your blog!
Nikki @Pennies on a Platter
Thanks for this! (Along with the panel tips from this weekend’s fb fest.) I think you should add one more tip: If you’re ever feeling like giving up blogging, just look in the mirror and say to yourself “I’m smart enough, I’m wise enough, and I’m pretty major!” ;) Hugs!
marla
Super fun, positive and vibrant post Joy. Always love your honesty, wit and passion :) m
Carissa
Thank you for the words of advice. I love your blog, and I appreciate you taking the time to help out new bloggers! I’ve been blogging for about a year and it’s always a challenge for me to take the time to do it. This burst of inspiration came at just the right time for me! Thank you again!!
Nick (Macheesmo)
Such amazing tips Joy. By my count I could’ve gotten 2.5 law degrees with the time I’ve spent on my site over the last three years.
SO yea… do it for love… not money.
joythebaker
I get it… I really do.
bridget {bake at 350}
that ? was supposed to be a {heart}….didn’t work. darn it. :)
bridget {bake at 350}
LOVE this post! ?
Lori @ RecipeGirl
Bravo, Joy. You took words out of my mouth on this one. LOVE it, work hard & success will follow!!
Amy's Cooking Adventures
Thank you for a great post, Joy. I always enjoy reading your posts and think to myself, “How I wish I could write like her!” I’m still trying to find my writing voice and posts like this certainly help – thank you :)
Mary Garnes
Ahh Joy!
This post could not have come at a better time to my inbox. I’m going slightly nuts developing a blog so I can have some “me-time” from my mommy life. The beginning *is* hard and seems rather pointless- your excellent advice reminds me that oh, wait, it’s supposed to be fun!
Keep up the caramel and bacon. It’s got me drooling :)
Mary
Lisa @ Lisa's Dinnertime Dish
I love this post! I have been blogging since August and I absolutely love it but it is a lot of work and figuring it all out is definely a learning process! Your words are very encouraging to someone just starting out:)
Lora
Joy- thanks for this post! I have a blog, and lately I’ve been attempting to keep up on it and use it more frequently. It’s astounding to me that I suddenly have people reading it and telling me about it, and I love it! I don’t write to get readers, I write because I love it. Your tips are super inspiring, and I am thankful to have that to start my day with! p.s. I’m the same Lora who listened to you and Tracy at the oral surgeon while getting a tooth pulled. Definitely a fan of you guys- the oral surgeon… not so much.
Lauren @ Lawfully Wedded Wife
You’re awesome. This was just the post I needed to read right now. It’s so hard to stay dedicated and I’ve been in such a funk lately…sometimes I feel like blogging is taking over my life! But I do love it and it is worth it, so thank you for writing this to remind me of that.
keren
Awesome!!! great tips ,you made me laugh in your special way
Thank you,thank you,thank you!
Mariel Balderas @OriginalCinn
You’re honest! Most “Ten Tips for Bloggers” say the same exact thing. This is refreshing and I’m sure to use these tips. It is very nice to meet you, Im Mariel from OriginalCinn and I just found your blog. I am now a follower! I can’t wait to see what you have next. Although I must say, the bacon that is is my fridge will now for sure go to those bacon brown sugar biscuits! Cheers!
Erica
You are classy. 100%
Nico
Wow, I really loved this. It is definitely a good reminder for me that my blog needs to be taken seriously by me and the hard work needs to be put in even when I don’t have a lot of time on my hands, but at the same time there is no need to stress about it. Great tips :)
Taylor
I’m a new blogger, and this was a great pick me up to turn all those drafts I have into something publishable. I also think I’m gonna take you up on that doughnut.
Lauren @ hey, who cut the cheese?
Joy, you are awesome. Thank you so much for this post!
claudia
Thank you for such a great post! I took a break from blogging for a while because I was blogging for the sake of blogging, only truly enjoying half my posts. You’re right, taking a break does help, and after a few months, I’m hoping to be back on track.
julia { see you in the morning }
lovelovelovelovelove.
also i’m putting baking soda in my hair. muahahaha.
joythebaker
Loving you!
Food Coma
Love this post-I could not agree more. I would totally put you on my list of bloggers I admire. Just saying. xo. Emma
Brooke
OMGeez. I lurve it when you talk real.
LURVE IT!
Courtney @Bake.Eat.Repeat.
Thank you for posting this! I’ve struggled in the first year of blogging not to feel like a failure if I don’t post at least two new posts every week. But the fact is sometimes church potlucks, Halloween parties, and store bought ice cream and cookie dough win over a new blog post. And let’s face it, I’d rather have some less-than-grand pictures than a husband who’s grumpy because I spent an hour photographing his dinner. Baking, picture taking, writing…that’s all fun. Grumpy husbands are not fun. Sometimes grumpy husbands win. Thanks for making that okay.
Jodi
I LOVE this post. I LOVE blogging.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
I love this post. Blogging is definitely a lot of work and commitment, but I agree – do it if you love it! This, you, your blog – so awesome. I’m bookmarking this :)
Barbie
Thank you for the tips. Just what I needed. :)
Morgan
I have that watch! I love it! and wear it everyday….and will probably be getting another one with a different band soon. It ticks SO loud though.
Stacie (Foodie2Shoes)
Dear Joy,
You rock! This post is wonderful!
Sincerely,
The girl who is making your brown sugar bacon biscuits right now
DessertForTwo
Love this! Thank you for acknowledging how hard it is to blog. A lot of us work full time and still blog! Some even have kids! Wow! We are superstars!
Joy, I saw you @ Foodbuzz, made a decision to talk to you, you were busy, I moved on, looked up & you were gone :( So sad! Someday we will meet. Someday!
Kristi @ 30 Pounds of Apples
Joy, thank you so much for the post! I’ve been blogging now for a little under 6 months, and I do find it sooo hard to keep up with a more than full time job. I totally know that other bloggers probably experienced this at the beginning, but it’s still nice to hear it from someone with a crazy popular blog like yours. I’ve been looking for a little kick in the pants to get re-inspired, this just might be it! Thanks for your words and your yummies :)
Missy
Thanks for the tips. Great post.
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
“if you love it, just have a doughnut and move on” LOVE it!
Tamara
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really needed to read this today. I’m trying soooo hard to make my blog into this great big thing and it’s wearing the heck out of me! When I just sit down and write and not sweat the small stuff, then it’s fun again. I also love to bake and when I bake I want it to be fun, not a chore. I love the adventure of baking so thank you for sharing your tips and being super candid! You are one of my new favorite bloggers. :-)
Anna
You are a true inspiration. and I too love to take pictures with my phone, especially since Shouka the whale at Six Flags splashed or rather soaked my actual camera and it no longer works. Cheers
Anna
Joy, Joy, Joy.
This was so what I needed.
Thank you.
Love, Anna
Seanna Lea
I think the most important things you’ve said here are do what you love and be authentic. It’s just so easy to think, “No one wants to read about that!”
Bev Weidner
I freakin’ stinkin’ agree with 100% of what you just said. I needed to hear it too. Weird how that works.
You’ve made my diddly do day.
Muah!
Baking Holly
I loved this post, with all my heart. I was pondering whether or not to post, and you have inspired me to look deep within myself and make ANOTHER back of snicker doodles, kthanks. :) You’re the bomb.com.
Lisa [With Style and Grace]
Joy, you totes ROCK! I couldn’t agree more, especially the “it isn’t easy” – my sister thinks I’m crazy for JUST baking all day. Sure I’m crazy, but it’s more than that. You know. Anyways, thank YOU for doing what you do, I think you’re brilliant. I really do.
Alex @ fightcancerwithfood
This is nice! And useful too. Merci :)
s.
Beautifully said, Joy.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
Joy, you are a wise, wise, woman with a wonderful voice. Finally after 43 years I’ve found my passion and even though it’s later in life, I am very grateful because I knw some people never do.
Thank you for the remnder that it’s not about the numbers or the comments, it’s about doing something you love. Blogging definitely fuels my fire and I’m so thankfult to have this opportunity and to have made so many friends. I so look forward to what the future holds!
Hugs, Joy!
Sweettwist_Meg
Wonderful post! Lots of great lessons and advice.
Thanks!
Mother Ruckus
Totally loved this post! Thank you for giving me inspiration. It’s soooo hard to keep going and stay motivated!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
Thank you so much for this post! Totally what I needed today. I just started my food blog and am stoked about my 5 readers. :) And I totally blogged about The Walking Dead yesterday, too! Love it. This is my email of appreciation to you because you are super inspiring to me!
MaryAnn Phillipsfor the
Thanks for the support, yours was the blog that initially inspired me, I am still finding my voice (and learning to use my camera) but feel a little more empowered…thanks Joy! MaryAnn
Annie @ Annie's Cooking Lab
Thanks so much for this post! I’m a fairly new blogger, so posts like this are super helpful for me!
Patricia
Love this post & your site! And I’m just getting started myself so this was perfect timing for me!
Thank you!
Patricia
Mary Beth
Thank you for posting this. It’s definitely the inspiration that I need!
Magda
Thanks for this! I needed the reality check.
Allison
Thank you for the advice and words of encouragement!! I had a minor meltdown last evening when rushing to cook dinner at 4:30pm and trying to take quality photographs before all daylight was gone. I’d give up that extra hour of sleep if I could have an extra hour of daylight in the afternoon to cook/photograph! Anyway, your post this morning must have been sent from blog heaven because it was exactly what I needed to put things back in perspective and not get discouraged. Unbelievable timing! Thank you!
nancy@skinnykitchen.com
Joy, thank you so much for this incredible post. You say find your voice…You’ve done that so well for me. I totally agree with everything you said. I, like you, are so passionate about my blog. I just love creating, photographing and writing about a new skinny recipe! And yes, it does involve a lot of blood, sweat and even tears from time to time! Wishing you all the very best…
jen @ the baked life
thank you for this post. Thank you for your blog.
Your baking, cooking, kitten adventure are always a great treat to me and have taught me, to not take everything so seriously. So what if I burnt some of my croissants, I still rocked that shit out. So what if the only time I have to take photos is after work and I live in cold, dark Canada. Imma learn to take low-light photos.
thank you for posting glorious things like cinnamon pull apart bread and vegan mushroom soup, and not trying to stuff a cookie into a cookie using a cake mix and a box of pudding.
Rosanne
Simply put…….YOU ‘da Queen!
Thanks for this. Just what I needed. My husband says thanks too ’cause I thought I REALLY needed a BIG $$ camera for Christmas….now I’ll just pull out my iPhone :)
www.homebeccanomics.com
Thanks for this! I am a techtarded blogger who doesn’t know how to do the most basic of things on the computer and has to call my brother in law all the time for help. but i do love to cook and then talk about it after so i’m gonna keep it up!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
Joy. You’re the best! Great post! Xo
laura @foodsnobSTL
Thank you for this post. It is honest and real and gave me the push I needed to get back to blogging more regularly. I love everything about your blog and how your personality shines through! Also, I heard a rumor you might be in St. Louis??? I would love details!
Sarah
Great info! You do make it look effortless and amazing. I love that you are so open with your quirks and the way you write your blogs! You are amazing!!
Amanda at the red table
sigh. This just makes me happy in so many ways, Joy. Thank you. I’m not the only one :)
Val
Thanks for this! Question: have you ever printed up calling cards for the blog? Cute ones, of course…
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
I love “behind the scenes” posts every once in a while :) It’s good to know that even the best (which I consider you one of) have to put a ton of work into this behind the scenes. I’m also glad I’m not the only one whose family and friends think I’m nuts for it all! Keep doing what you’re doing, it’s fun to read along!
Courtney @ Sunday Soup
Wow, thanks so much for this post! It’s just what I needed today, and I am going to print it out and look at your tips often. I just recently started my blog and can certainly get caught up in comparison and self-doubt and uncertainty but your post gives me the motivation and “Joy” to keep going because I do LOVE it and that can be enough! Love your words Joy, they always lift me up. Have a beautiful day!
Megan
I just love this post! Finding your blog totally inspired me to start my own and now I’ve been doing it for 2 whole years. Thanks for being a G. <3
joythebaker
Love you major!
Rhyann @ CookingCollegeChick
Oh my goodness, Joy! This post really gave me a lot of hope for my little blog-y. I love all of your tips (and they gave me a giggle too). Thank you so much for just being you and filling my kitchen with crazy, awesome smells and baked goods. You Rock!
muddledmom
Thanks for the inspiration. I love to cook. But what draws me to your blog most is your writing. The whole package is great!
Priya Sreeram
oh joy- this was wonderful ; profound words indeed and so poetically written !! loveeeeeeeeee it
Nettie Moore
I feel like I just had a blog therapy session. I think you are wonderful!!
Nettie
Hannah @ Sparrow + Spark!
Thanks so much for this! As a fairly new blogger who has read and loved blogs for years, I totally appreciate all of the hard work that goes into making something great.
I love your blog- thanks for all of the cinnamon and hard work!
Cassidy
Awesome post! Thanks for all of the advice :)
sherri lynn @ life of a wife
Joy, I love this! Your blog does seem effortless, but I know it’s not. I’ve always loved the voice of your blog and how you remind us your life is real, too. Your blog helps inspire my blog! Thanks Joy :)
Kaylie
Thanks for this. My blog is slow but sure and things like this are highly motivational.
Maddy
thank you for this, Joy!
Cookie and Kate
Thank you, Joy! Excellent advice, every last bit of it. Blogging is hard, and I’ve always admired your blog for making it seem effortless. And real.
Jami
This is exactly what I needed at the start of my blogging journey. Thank you.
Kat
Great post, I tweeted it!
Kara
Joy, you’re my favorite and I think we could be best friends. Just saying.
Nicole, RD
Amazing tips, Joy! I learned so much this weekend at Foodbuzz and meeting you was a highlight, for sure. You are incredible and so down to earth. :) Get it, girl!
Lissa
Ahhh! ‘The Walking Dead’ is my newest obsession, even tho my zombie dreams terrify me.. We have something in common :-) Thank you for your blogs Joy, they’re so empowering!
sarah
Very good stuff. Plus, holy $16 nail polish.
Danielle @ Consumed: My Culinary Adventure
I loved reading this — it reminded me that I started blogging for me. I totally dedicate weekends to making and photographing as much as I can. And if I ate as many donuts as you’re recommending, I think I would be in trouble!! :)
Consumed: My Culinary Adventure
Danielle
PS: What’s your instagram user name? I’m obsessed w/IG myself and would love to follow your pics!
joythebaker
Joythebaker, of course.
Danielle @ Consumed: My Culinary Adventure
I swear I’m smarter than that…searched for it and it didn’t come up. Thanks. :)
renee@sweetsugarbean
oh man! you totally nailed it! love this post so much! you practically read my life out loud!!!
Jessica @ The Desert Abode
Thank you for this post, Joy! I’m new to blogging (my food blog is 1 month old today!!) and I am finding it incredibly rewarding and enjoyable. Seriously, what did I do before I blogged? I’m up early before work today to make sure I have time to publish my post (it involves LOTS of caramel so I must be on the right track!).
Your blog is such an inspiration. And your recipes never fail me. Keep up the good work!
Karen
Joy, I read your blog all the time and I love it! Not to mention how much I adore your recipes…sooo yummy! PS I love those shoes, where did you get them?
Calantha @ piecurious
I think I’ll go have a doughnut…
Lucia
Joy, thanks for talking real. Thanks for being helpful, and inspiring, and happy. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for your hardwork. Thanks for your doughnuts. Thanks for lighting our lives. Thanks for being there. Thanks for blogging, Joy.
mymonkfish
thanks for this brilliant blog post, the stand out point for me is ‘not stressing about the numbers’! if people want to read my blog they will, if not, their loss…people will find it eventually and usually they do… :)
NicoleD
Your passion for blogging comes through and you do totally make it look easy :) Wonderful tips, as always. I love this little spot where you share what’s in your sock drawer and try to change the slutty direction of Halloween.
Laura (The Writing Type)
Joy, everything you’ve said here is so true. All the things I’ve thought about recently, but you’ve said it all in the best way possible I think!
Keep up the great work!
@LauraFDay
KWeage@simplebakingmachines
Thanks so much for this post Joy! As a noobie to the food blog world it is just what I needed to hear!
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i loved chatting with you for a quick minute this weekend and LOVE what you said about doing it if you love it. but i think i love that you said “be kind to yourself” even more because that’s really what we should be doing anyway. LOVE!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
I love that you are nothing on your blog other than YOU! :) You are an inspiration to all of us!
Abby
Thank you!
Julia
Joy! Can’t tell you how much I loved reading this post, en route to work (as a baker!) and thinking constantly about the drafted blog posts I’m excited to (dying to-) finish! You’ve totally inspired me to get back into the groove of things! I love blogging, and I love your blog! You’re awesome!
Carol Egbert
What do you think about the Facebook comment option? Is it better than just a regular blog comment?
Carol
Kathryn
Excellent advice – I’ll be taking it to heart.
Nicole @ orwhateveryoudo.com
Great post Joy! I have a hard time with the whole “reaching out to other bloggers” thing. Blogging itself, as you said, takes a lot of time. As much as I’d like to make meaningful connections over conversations about cookies and what’s for dinner, it seems a bit overwhelming to just jump into the whole blogging social club head first. I was never very good at popularity contests. Twitter scares me! Time to step out of my little comfort zone, huh?
Sally
Many thanks for the tips from this newbie :) Navigating the path of starting a blog can be overwhelming, since there can be so many parts to “nail” down, so the tips are always welcomed. Now, if you can write a food blogger guide to Twitter, I would definitely worship you.
ellen
So true – sometimes it’s “blogging in the wilderness” when you don’t think anyone is listening and you slog ahead knowing it’s worthwhile even if it’s only you refreshing your own memory later.
Ron
Absolutely love this post! So glad I found it and your blog!
A. Sparkle
I so love this post. I think everyone wants a guide of sorts and its nice to know that other people struggle right along with you and have the same problems. Doing it because you love it is brilliant! It kinda helps put things in perspective instead of getting lost in the number of comments and readers. :) So THANKS!!
Ami @ parsnips and pears
as someone just starting out with a blog, I totally appreciate the REAL tips :)
Casey
Joy, this a really great post. One of the best parts of the blogging community is the supportiveness (totally not a word, but I totally think it should be!) of other bloggers. Thanks!
katie
i love the realness of your blog. thank you for being so real, and for really sharing it with us.
Anneke
Hey! Thanx for this inspiring post! It is time for me to do the things that I love. :)
tj
…Oh Joy, you are a godsend. Bless you for that. :o)
…These are all things each and every one here needed to hear and so perfectly said too I might add, I am taking heed to everything in this post. I even love your posts about boys and dating altho’ I’ve been married for 19 years now and even still would love to dump my husband every now and then but alas, such is love. *sigh*giggle*shrug*
…And btw, LOVE your shoes and LOVE the bowl with the chickens!
…Thank you Joy for sharing this – it is priceless advice!
…Blessings :o)
Gary
I’m so glad that someone else uses their iPhone to take pictures for a blog.
I also use GIMP, a image manipulation programme, to edit photos. It’s free and there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to help you along.
megan @ whatmegansmaking
Love this post!! I love the balance of only do it if you love it, but work hard at it. You are an inspiration. :)
Melanie
Dear Joy,
Hello and nice to meet you! All the way from Japan, where I’m an English teacher by day and reclusive baker by night :P In similar secretive fashion I’ve been following your blog with eagerness and awe–you are an incredible inspiration! It’s my first comment and I just wanted to say how much I value your advice and encouragement, and how relieved I was at knowing I’m not crazy after all for declining weekend parties in lieu of photographing my dinner ^_<
Sincerely,
Melanie
joythebaker
Thank you so much for your comment Melanie! It means a lot to me!
Vickie
it’s interesting to find out a bit about how you make it work. & also, your shoes are cute :)
Juls
I love this post. I have always adored how you share parts of your life with us. When I get a post in my mailbox telling me that there’s a new blogpost from you, I’ll read it, even if I I’m not digging the recipe, because you write in such a passionately honest and wonderful way – I love sharing about your cat and your nails and your social faux pas and, usually, somewhere along the way, I’ll start wanting to make the recipe I didn’t originally read the post for. And I do like that your blog and your and Tracy’s podcast IS all “real life” and there’s no sugar coating and pretending that you don;t do silly things or that everything you make and do is perfect with only the odd slip up. And it keeps me going with my own life and difficulties in ways that you don’t even know. Thank you for all of that.
Samantha Long
Hi Joy!
I have recently started a blog and hope to get loads of recipes on there to share with everyone my love of food and baking etc! However, I have just started a degree and living in shared accomodation isnt great for cooking!
Your blog is fab and really great to read. You have inspired me to get going and start blogging recipes like I want to and not just my day to day stuff, regardless of kitchen situation!
Archana
What you love show. Sincerity pays. Thanks.
Shushmi
I love your blog- i think you know that by now. :) I check it every day and I look forward to it. You always make me smile or inspire me to bake fun new things and your pics really are pretty.
you are pretty fabulous!
Mel Kettle
great post. I struggle to find time to blog but my goal for next year is to be more organised and focused. And to make it a greater priority with my time. Thanks for your advice – and such a great blog :)
Aine @ Something to Chew Over
What a great post! You’re so right – what’s the point of blogging if you aren’t enjoying the process? If it feels like an obligation, it’s lost its magic.
Rose
This makes me very happy. It’s so easy to get caught up in trying to desperately get more followers and write things people want to read, but in the end you’re very right- what’s the point unless you love it? Also your eighth point: you’re one of the bloggers that I follow to be inspired by :) and I know I’m one of many! xxx
galit
Thank you :-)
Ruth Crean
What a great article!I’ve been blogging for years but it’s only recently that I think that I’ve found my stride, Blogger made some changes which makes scheduling easier and I stopped worring about numbers and readership and concentrated on enjoying it more.
I’m a craft blogger which is a bit different, but all the tips apply, it’s very refreshing to hear the truth from an established blogger, thanks!
It’s so true about the photos, I’ve started using my Samsung Galaxy a lot for taking pics while I’m making new work, and at different stages, then whenever I have a free hour I can write up a good step by step guide, which makes for far better reading than ‘look at this thing I just made’.
Ps: I found this through the Irish food bloggers association facebook page(I’m always curious where randomers find my posts)
Sticky Penguin
So, there are blog posts you read and you think ‘yeah, I should really comment on that – it looks delectable or it sounds familiar or something’. And then you don’t. And there are blog posts like this, where you read it and think ‘thank heaven there are people who started this *way* before me, who know exactly what it feels like, what makes sense – ‘cos out there on your own, sense gets kinda wonky sometimes – and how to help the newer people want to keep going and remember why we started doing it in the first place’. And this post was really one of those ones, just when I needed it. I’ve loved stopping by here for a long time, but big, big thanks for keeping me on track today…
Dvora
I loved this post, Joy – thank you! So many lessons for life tucked away into blogging advice. Even wrote about it on my own blog. So you made me think, and got me to sit down and blog. Appreciate the inspiration and wisdom!
Natasha van Doorn
Thank you! ;)
Kirstin
Love this! Great advice and keep up the great blogging!
Rachel K
Wise words! This is a lovely piece and I found myself sitting here and nodding all the time! So true. Especially the bit about getting up early . . . me who is reknowned for being a night bird has been getting up at 5am to bake bread! And you right about losing some friends (sadly) but I suspect it is not because they are cross that you have less time for them but more that they are uncomfortable by your food and blogging passion!
Miskmask
I’m not sweating the fact that I have fewer readers than I’d like to see, but I would welcome a handful more after blogging for nearly 6 months. I started blogging as a way to archive family recipes for my daughter-in-law who admits herself that she can’t cook. She still can’t cook, orders take-away meals most evenings, and doesn’t really show any interest in learning to cook. Oddly, my son really can cook but prefers take-away because it’s easier. So I pretty much blog for a few friends that visit from time to time. As I said, I don’t sweat it but I wouldn’t mind filling a few seats in the audience.
glasgefluester
Dear Joy,
i write this with a tear in my eye…
This was so nicely said and I can read the passion you put into your blog in every line. I wish, I had this wonderful voice of yours or at least something comparable.
Well I just startet as a food blogger, and i do LOVE it! If I tell my friends and colleagues to visit me at my blog, they usually say: “when do you find the time for this?” And i often think, well if theres something you like, you always find the time!
Thank you for providing us with your wonderful personality!
Hugs.
Jean
Thank you for SUCH a motivational and inspirational post!
Love it so much, love you so much, love the blog so much! :)
Serea
A Great Post!! It makes me smile
Thanks for the ten tips!
Kathryn
Love this, I know I’ll return to it time and time again.
Silvia
I just love your blog, so beautiful and funny at the same time, besides, the photos are great!
Carl Legge
Hi Joy
I’m here due to twitter…
This is a really great piece of writing. Fun and reassuring for a new-ish blogger like me.
I’ll now just concentrate on having fun writing & taking pictures: no fussing about numbers.
Thanks for sharing :)
Anna
Oh wow! This post just blew my mind. I love your posts and I even baked some of your recipes but this writing totally kicked me in the butt to get up and do the things I am dreaming of doing. Thanks for the reminders and the honesty. Keep on the brilliant job you are doing.
multikulinaria
Thanks for that great post! Loved reading it!
Besides enjoying the cooking and writing, I very much love meeting new people online and in real life, through blogging. Food bloggers seem to be a very kind and helpful lot. I do my best, to use my blog and online services to connect and support foodies, many of whom are bloggers, too.
coffeeaddict
Number 1! So absolutely profoundly true. People can always spot a fake.
I love your blog, it has that perfect mix of cute, funny, weird, cat hair, chocolate that I look for in a blog.
Fruitful Fusion
Thanks for such a beautiful, honest post! And thanks for such a beautiful and honest blog!!! :)
leaf (the indolent cook)
This is a fantastic post. I too have found blogging to be a lot of work… but it is also very rewarding. I am still learning and trying new things constantly. It’s quite a journey, and I hope I’ll always enjoy it.
Mills
Great list! Thanks for the tips and the friendly encouragement to eat more doughnuts.
Natashia@foodonpaper
Reading this, I had a little “ahh” moment (the relaxed one, not the light bulb kind). It’s nice to hear this from you cos I really love your blog and your “voice”. It isn’t easy doing a food blog, people get annoyed with you because they are not allowed to eat until I’ve taken a photo. And if the photo looks crappy then I get upset, and make them wait even longer…
So thank you!
Jessica Lynn
this is a wonderful reminder for all bloggers (new, old, big and small) out there! I love how “real” you are! Thanks for sharing.
Amy
This post was just what i needed! thanks! xx
DJ
Great post! Thank you for your blog, it’s awesome!!! P.S. The Walking Dead totally distracts me from everything. You can never have enough zombies.
Amanda K.
What a refreshing post! Thank you for being so honest. I’ve started blogging only a few months ago, and it is so nice to hear somebody be honest about how hard it can be.It’s relieving to know others feel like that sometimes, especially when it comes from a beautiful blog like this!
-Amanda K.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
Congrats, first off, Joy on your Foodbuzz award! You rock, you deserve it.
Next, I have seen the pics of you giving the panel talk at the event and I wish I was there to hear it. I was at FB last year but not this year.
And finally, I adore this post. Love it. Love everything you said and thank you for saying it’s not easy, that you would wake up to make and photograph a recipe and then blog about it that night and spend tons of time on weekends with your blog. No one talks about this. But I can relate to it and it may resemble my life just a wee bit.
Pretty things, photography, finding people you admire, blogging with dedication. I love love love it all. Thank you for giving this gem to us all :)
Olga
Thanks SO much for this post.. It might just be a normal Monday morning for me, but I’m really touched and motivated.. Am going to bookmark this!
Jenny
Thanks. For just doing what you’re doing.
That’s all.