I’ve been pondering for weeks, trying to figure out what would be a suitable way to celebrate my 100th post. I even had a completely different idea prepared with links to posts (by other bloggers) that had a big impact on me (anyone interested in reading that one or shall I leave it in the cupboard for a dry spell?).

But finally on Monday it occurred to me. I should make a list of the things I’ve learned from the act of posting 100 times.

So here I share with you the things I’ve learned from blogging.

How to Harvest Ideas

When I first started blogging, everything was new. I was excited. I had a brain full of ideas on what to do.

A couple of months down the track, I began to panic. How would I keep posting twice a week? What would I write about? Was this my well running dry?

100 blog posts have taught me how to harvest ideas so I always have something to write about.

Here is what I’ve discovered:

• Always have a place to record your post ideas as they come to you – a notebook, Evernote, a spot on your phone. You never know when the ideas will strike but you can be guaranteed of forgetting them if you don’t record them quick smart.
• Read widely. Read books, follow other people’s blogs, set up Google Alerts for your keywords. Always be in search of great information. As you read, you’ll find connections and things to write about.
• Ensure you’re passionate about your subject. Your enthusiasm comes through in your words and dedication to what you’re writing. If you love your subject, your words will come. If you don’t love your subject, find another subject.
• If all else fails, be random. If you’re really stuck for ideas then listen to an interview (I love Desert Island Disks), take a suggestion from Ghostwriter Dad, read your favourite newspaper or hit the Random Article button on Wikipedia.

The Convenience of  Scheduling

Most blogs have a feature where you can schedule posts. In other words you write the post, get it all ready, tell your blog what day and time you want it to appear, then head off to do other things while your blog sits nervously watching the clock until the specified time.

This takes a lot of the stress out of blogging, because you can set up your week’s events and then get busy with other things without having to worry about scrambling around at the last minute.

Of course, for this to work, you need to have posts prepared in advance.

Notice above where I mentioned recording ideas when they come to you? I often start writing out my posts in the same area, perhaps even weeks ahead. That way I can add to them as ideas come to me and let them percolate through the grey matter until they form into something presentable.

There will always be those posts which are prepared the night before, or on the day (eek!), but that’s okay because blogging is supposed to be spontaneous (just don’t forget to proofread!).

Readers are Lovely People

I am blessed with really lovely people who comment on my blog and even e-mail me from time to time. (Thank you all!)

However, not everyone we come across in blogland will leave us feeling warm and fuzzy.

The internet provides us great connections to other people, but on a limited basis. We often only have words and a photograph to go by. No tone of voice, no expression. Sometimes those words can come across as curt or hurtful – leaving you affronted by what was said.

But in most of these cases it’s just a difference of opinion or a difficulty with the medium (words can be read many different ways).

If you assume these readers are nice people and treat them accordingly, even if they’re disagreeing with you (perhaps forcefully), then often times they’ll rise to the occasion and become nice in return.

Treat with respect and you will most likely receive respect. And even if you don’t receive it from that person, you will receive it from the rest of your readers…because they are lovely people.

Remember, each reader is someone who has spent their precious time running their eyes over your words. Whatever the outcome, you should be grateful for their time.

You Can Never Quite Predict Which Posts Will Take Off

The posts you’re hopelessly in love with, and positive other people will love too, often fall flat. That’s the way it is. On the other hand, posts you just dashed off and didn’t think would make that much impact spark conversations and retweets.

Maybe there’s a pattern. Maybe there isn’t. Roll with it.

Don’t get down about the posts that didn’t get a warm reception. It’s all content and, if nothing else, it can be re-purposed and sent out again in another format.

A lack of response isn’t a failure.

It’s More Important to be Read than to Have Page Views

When tallying stats, remember that if someone has subscribed to your blog, they’re likely reading your words in their inbox or their blog reader. You won’t see those stats as page views, but that doesn’t mean they’re not reading your work…

…unless you only send them a preview.

Some of you may have noticed that a couple of months ago I changed the settings on my blog to only send through previews. While this increased my page views, it also increased the hoops my readers had to jump through in order to read my content.

Great for me, because it boosted my stats (making me feel better) but annoying for my readers.

Once I realised this, I switched back to sending through the whole post. I figured what mattered most to me was that my content was being read. Even if the person never came to my blog, never posted a comment, they were still reading my content.

So I mentally added the number of subscribers to my page view stats and then ignored all the results.

Happy readers are what matters…because readers are lovely people.

You Don’t Have to do Everything at Once

There are heaps of posts out there about how to improve your blog. Each has great advice but the long to do lists are overwhelming. The good news is you can do each task at your own pace. There is no rule which says you have to finish the list in question by Sunday, or even at all.

Work on one aspect of your blog at a time. Be methodical and patient. You’re growing something here. It takes time and gentle watering.

I hope these points have been helpful. I’ve enjoyed learning them.

And once again, a special thank you to all you lovely people.

P.S. If you had trouble getting through to jessicabaverstock.com the other day then please try again. The problems with WordPress are all sorted now.