BLOGGING MISTAKES I COULD HAVE AVOIDED (part 2) ::: NOT ASKING

We all know if we type in any queries into Google, we would find answers, correct right?

But there is this saying where I am from that says “you may have enough treasures/riches like the old but you can never have more rags/experience like them”. What this simply means is no matter how smart you are as a child, you can never be wiser/experienced like an adult.

If you like, look at it like no matter how experienced you are as a “New Blogger”, you can never have more experience like an “Older Blogger”. Believe it or not but that is the truth. Before I go on, check up Blogging mistakes I could have avoided (part 1) if you haven’t read it before.

When I was going to start the Moj in Touch out of passion, I did a lot of research and along the way, I started buying and reading books. While those 2 things are very good, following that adage I wrote above, I wrote to someone whose journey I have been following for a long time. She is Stella from Jadore Fashion. She is been blogging for more than 8 years. She may not know it but she is been some one I look up to.

I wrote to her with all my queries and concern and amazingly, she came back to me with helpful tips. Thanks Stella. I love and appreciate you. I used the same approach for my Youtube Channel where by I wrote to someone else. Now let me stick with the blog.

There is no day that passes by without me getting asked different questions about blogging and I do my best to reply to every one who sends me a mail only because of how I was supported myself. See below an example of such emails. For data protection, I have left out her contact but I have mine in there……….

I replied back with this simple response and words of encouragement………….

She wrote back saying………..

One of the biggest blogging mistakes you could make is not asking questions from REAL PEOPLE. Yes, Google can give you all the information you need but Google can never give you all of the experience you need. So ask.

It bothers me when Bloggers feel like they are in a competition with another. Just like any other field, shouldn’t we be colleagues and support ourselves? No body, I repeat, nobody is better than you. The fact that they started out before you doesn’t mean they are better than you so get that straight.

Some of them got lucky while at it, some of them have a strong support system and funding and some of those successful Bloggers just worked hard to be where they are right now. If you do not have access to the fist two, the three should be your focus. Trust me, if you keep at it, you will get where you want to be. Hard work pays off. Work hard but work smart. You will read more below……..

When you begin to do well in blogging, please don’t let it get into your head that you are better than anyone. No you are not.

I have another Stella in my life, she is Stella from Fashion & Style Police and the “Author of How to ‘cash in’ as a blogger”. I did the review of the book here.  I met Stella like one year into my blogging journey and we kind of clicked. I have meet so many more along the way by the way. I love all of you guys. Stella is been a Pro-Blogger for 3years + and she knows her stuff. Anytime I have any questions, I send her a mail and in no time, the girl replies and puts a smile on my face. She is another one I look up to. Check out her book. I highly recommend it.

You see while Google is good, you need to be able to ask real people questions. While a lot of Bloggers may be too big headed or too busy to answer you, there will always be some that will come back to you.

In Stella’s book, one of the secrets she shared was not asking the very big Bloggers when you have questions. They may not be able to attend to everyone because of their huge following but look for people who are not so busy to ask. While this is true, it takes humility for anyone to acknowledge you when you contact them.

One of the busiest people in the world in my opinion would be Victoria Beckham. When I tweeted at her, she favourited my tweet. Yes, she may have someone managing her Twitter account but we never can tell if she was just right there at that time.

The thing about asking is this; If you don’t ask, the answer is automatically NO. Ask and if you get a NO, you would at least be able to console yourself that you tried. So if you have any questions you want to ask your “Blogger Mentor”, ask them and you never can tell if they will respond. See my Tweet at Victoria and her acknowledgement………

Not asking could be killing your chances when it comes to blogging and working with brands. It is no secret that I was a cover girl for a magazine. I shared that with you and I thought it was my faith that brought it my way. On that occasion, I asked for it in prayers but I didn’t ask the people, they asked me. Read it here if you missed it and see my Cover girl photo below……….

While it may be difficult for Brands to be able to find you

1, because of “big bloggers” who have huge following

2, because you do not have a lot of audience, readers and influence

It is important to be able to ask for yourself. For example, I saw that a new eyelashes company / brand followed me on Twitter and they announced that they will be launching soon. When I saw that they followed me, I followed them back and tweeted right back at them.

It was an advantage to introduce myself to them and let them know that I am interested in working with them.  Why?

It will be a chance for me to try out their product, review them, host a give away on their behalf and probably use their product for a make up tutorial. Of course I can afford to by my own lashes but the exposure and experience I would get from that will be a money can’t buy one.

A lot of Bloggers hate to start small. Well, sorry to break it down to you, you may be waiting for a long time if you are waiting to start out by working with Tiffany. Everything is possible is one of the mottos i live by but nobody starts climbing a ladder from the top.

See below the approach I took to contact that brand almost immediately.

It isn’t desperate, it is taking advantage of the moment. In this blogging business, you have to be able to ask. Never, ever be shy!

Whether or not that brand will work with me, it is up to them but the most important thing is that I made my request known unto them. Trust me, when brand see you are passionate about your work by reaching out, they will come back to you.

Although I do not go knocking on every brands door, somehow, they find me. It may take time for them to begin to find you but trust me, they will eventually start finding you.  Put in the work. Use your social media wisely and don’t be intimidated by anybody. Run your race according to your goals and purpose. I am running mine with the help of God and people and your support and love. Thank you so much.

See, it is important to be able to ask. I do not know what your faith is but as far as I know, the scripture says ask and it shall be given unto you. You must be able to ask for you to be able to receive.

Those are simple blogging mistakes you could avoid. For my previous “blogging mistake I could have avoided”, check here. Also don’t forget that these are things I have done and my own story. It is best to figure out what works for you in your own journey. Most importantly, remember that my journey could be different from yours.

Whatever you do, ask so you can receive, amen somebody!

I want to thank you so much for stopping by today. I truly hope you found this post helpful. If you did, please share with your followers too. Don’t forget, share the little you know with others.

Much Love, Mojisola.

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