Blogger First – Everything Else Second

Outfit Details 

jumpsuit // heels // purse // earrings (less expensive option)


There is something about blogging that has brought more joy to my life than I could ever imagine possible. It has given me a purpose beyond belief. But then at the same time, there is something about blogging that has brought a lot of heartache and stress.

Whether it is keeping up with every trend, competing for a campaign, keeping your readers engaged, attracting new ones or staying relevant enough by being interesting, you quickly learn it can be a lot.

Out of all of these stressors though, the one I found to cause the most headache is hands down, Instagram. Recently, because of the new algorithm, Instagram has made it very difficult for bloggers and small business to reach new audiences and gain new followers. Sometimes I find myself stressing more over my Instagram than I do my blog, and that’s where my probably lies. Before I get too far into this though, if you are an Instagram Rock Star who has had tremendous success on their Instagram, without having to have an actual blog or you are someone who does have a blog, but only has to post once or twice a week, then you do you girl friend. You are killing it!!!

 While I have had great success with Instagram, it’s still hard for me to not compare myself to other girls. It can be very discouraging.

Starting a blog was my dream. I wanted to inspire, create content and write every single day. I mean, I created and launched LifetoLauren first and then a week later started my Instagram Account. Probably not the smartest business tactic on my part, but I was so involved with starting my blog that the thought of my Instagram came second. 

A sweet girl who works at a place I frequent often, told me recently that she had no idea I had a blog! She just thought I was an “Instagram Star”. She had no idea that I poured my heart and soul into an actual website every day.

***Insert dagger to heart***

That right there is the problem with Instagram and, as a blogger, what is disheartening the most.

As someone who puts out content almost 5x a week (on top of having a full-time job), I would be lying if I said it wasn’t discouraging to see girls who do not even have a blog, have so much more success. I know girls who have over 100,000 followers on Instagram and post maybe (I mean, maybe) twice a week. Sometimes even less. It makes you sit back and think “Why am I putting so much work into this? These girls put in half of the hours I do and are doing way better than I am. Why do I even try?”

Especially when it comes to the #bachelornation bloggers. I’m bitter, I’ll admit it (lol)

Anyways, a few weeks ago, I had a total and complete meltdown. To the point where I had one of my lowest moments and almost threw in the towel. That’s until Colton and Dede convinced me not too. They made me think of you guys.

I really had to sit back and remind myself, why I started in the first place. I had to remind myself that I started a blog because I wanted to connect with like minded women. To encourage them, grow with them and grow a community. To have a creative outlet where I could express myself freely. I had to remind myself that I didn’t start a blog to have thousands of followers on Instagram. 

With that being said, at the end of the day, Instagram is a great (free) marketing tool that drives people to my blog every single day. It gives the world a small glimpse of what you can expect to see on my site. It’s almost like a mini portfolio. It allows me to reach a new audience that I wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise and instantly shows my style, my brand, and my interests. Also, as much as I hate it,  it’s what most brands will look at first before deciding if they want to work with me. While my numbers do matter, I have to remind myself that my numbers do not define me. 

I’m sharing this with you all today because I think it is important to let you guys know how I feel.  Like I mentioned above, I’ve had a really hard time recently and maybe it’s just the wedding stress (?) but none-less, I really needed to remind myself why I started LifetoLauren. I’m sure you guys would rather read about a new trend,  healthy recipe or anything other than me ranting, but I felt like a few of these things needed to be said. Especially since so many of you reading this have blogs of your own and are feeling as discouraged as I am. I also know that a lot of you reading this are girls who want to start a blog of your own. And if that is you, my advice to you is to work on building your blog and your brand. Work on your content and build your community there.

I don’t know if you guys know this or not, but my blog, this little space on the internet I like to call LifetoLauren, is the only thing I actually own. Any day my Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or even my Pinterest could be taken away from me but my blog is 100% mine.

On top of that, as every current blogger and small business owner will tell you, you cannot rely on Instagram alone. At one point maybe you could, but not anymore. When I first started (two years ago) you easily could have, but since Instagram changed their algorithm, they have made it very hard to grow. Basically, instead of showing you posts in chronological order, Instagram decides what they want you to see. That’s why when you’re scrolling through Instagram, you’ll notice posts from two days ago popping up at the top of your feed. Because of the algorithm, my posts will only reach 10% of my readers on average. Even some of my most favorite bloggers, who inspired me to start my own, are struggling with the new algorithm. Which is super hard to see because I’m like, “How could they be struggling?? They are perfect and everyone should love them as much as I do!” but at the same time, it also lets me know that it’s not just me.

So if you are a blogger, who is struggling because you’re letting Instagram control your happiness, then I encourage you to do what I did. Step back and think about why you started. While I understand Instagram is “king” and this change is causing a huge setback, it also a good learning lesson. It teaches you good business, in that you cannot put all of your eggs in one basket when it comes to marketing. You must diversify and concentrate on the things you actually can control, like your blog.

If you are a reader, who doesn’t have a blog, nor is looking to start one; Or heck, even if you are, idc (lol) I really want to say thank you, thank you for supporting me. Y’all are the reason I didn’t throw in the towel. You guys are the reason why on my “Blogiversary Giveaway”, I didn’t make it about gaining more Instagram followers. I strategically planned it so that a true reader would win.

With all of that being said, while I am not throwing in the towel, nor do I plan on it, I do ask you guys to bear with me on my posting schedule for the next few months up until our wedding.

I will try my hardest to post 5x a week, but if I only make it to three or four, please understand and love me anyway!

If you took the time to read all of this, then you are the real MVP and deserve a gold star (lol) Please know how much I appreciate you.

Any who, I hope you all have a great rest of your week!

xo,

Lauren

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16 Comments

  1. Taylor wrote:

    Thank you so much for sharing this, Lauren. I started my blog “Living Taylored” a little less than a year ago and while my blog is growing my Instagram is struggling (mostly because I also didn’t really use it before my blog) but I found it very discouraging. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Taylor | http://www.livingtaylored.com

    Posted 8.2.17
  2. Jessica wrote:

    I just adore your blog girl! Thanks for sharing this and for always being “real” 🙂

    Posted 8.2.17
  3. rmbmomma wrote:

    Good article missy!

    Posted 8.2.17
  4. Kelly wrote:

    Oh Lauren, thank you. These words speak to my little ol’ new blogging soul. Late last year when my Mom and close friends encouraged me to stop hand writing my recipes with delivered leftovers and begin to share them with other interested people, I thought they were crazy. However, I pondered and pondered and believe it or not, I came to your site for the first real time. Before that, I came only as a reader. Now, I come to your site for inspiration and direction. Without you even knowing, you have become a mentor. This summer I found myself wondering “What am I doing? No one cares about me or my recipes. This is all just really silly.” When I finally decided to “get back at it”, I watched 15 YouTube videos, joined random Facebook pages, and politely begged to be added to group Pinterest boards of random emails I came across. Not to mention, my thumb is sore from all of the double tapping of similar hashtags! You are so correct. Although not as successful as you, I didn’t begin Wholesome Joy for random likes and followers.. I began it in hopes that just one person may come across it and take something away with them. After reading this post, and realizing it all, I am so grateful for those repeated 4 likes and shares (thanks Mom and Cousin)!
    You are rocking this, Lauren. Though the market may be saturated, you have quite the true hearted following in which you should be proud of. Thank you for everything you have worked so hard to create and for being my little online mentor!

    Posted 8.2.17
  5. Lauren, I felt like this is ALL RELATABLE. I’m dealing with the same thing.
    Thanks for sharing. xoxoxo

    Posted 8.2.17
  6. natalia wrote:

    Thank you Lauren for sharing this heart to heart post! I believe lot of bloggers and Instagrammers feel the same way. I started my blog http://www.bhealthyyou.com only few months ago and hoping to grow my audience. Personally I feel that it’s always nice to read a post not just about he attest fashion, trend, recipe but connect with your audience on the persona level. Life isn’t all peaches and cream and this is real life. So keep up this great work.. it ain’t easy to put out a new post every single day.

    Posted 8.2.17
  7. Briana wrote:

    Such a real post, we all have to remember why we started. Thanks for this!

    Briana
    https://beyoutifulbrunette.com/

    Posted 8.2.17
  8. Anna wrote:

    Omg I have been feeling the exact same way! It rips me apart when I tell someone I’m a blogger and they immediately say “oh so you’re one of those Instagram girls” like NO. I’ve been feeling really discouraged lately and this honestly did help me to feel better about it all, thank you for posting!

    Posted 8.2.17
  9. Daresha wrote:

    Omgosh you have spoken to me! All of the feeling I have ever felt about blogging and Instagram wrapped all into this one post. I look up to you as a blogger and to see that you struggle with the same issues that I do makes me feel even more closer to you, and it shows you as an actual person not just an “Instagram star” , lol. I really appreciate this post and all your hard work with your blog and Instagram. Thank you again, so encouraging!

    Posted 8.3.17
    • LifetoLauren wrote:

      I’m so glad you were able to relate to this post! At one point when I was writing, I was like “people are going to think I am crazy lol” but I knew deep down it would touch or help someone else. Thank you so much for reading and supporting me, seriously it means the world. We’re all just trying to figure out this crazy world of blogging the best way that we can. BTW – you’re killing it! xo, Lauren

      Posted 8.3.17
  10. I love this post so so much, Lauren! You are one of the reasons I started blogging and it is so nice to hear how you are overcoming all the hardships that come with it! Thanks for not throwing in the towel and staying strong! Love ya!

    Posted 8.3.17
    • LifetoLauren wrote:

      Cassidy, oh my gosh! I love to hear that. I personally have a few bloggers that inspired me to start LifetoLauren so I love knowing that I could be that person for you. We’re all in this together! Thank you so much for being so sweet <3 xo, Lauren

      Posted 8.3.17
  11. Love you girl so much! The struggle is real, and I have felt the same feelings as you have many many times. It’s not the easiest of jobs but as you said it is so rewarding and as your friend I want you to know how amazing you are doing! Seriously, you are killing it! Thank you for being vulnerable and honest. That’s what community is all about, right? 🙂 Love you friend!

    XO,Tay

    Posted 8.3.17
    • LifetoLauren wrote:

      Love you so much, Tayler! I’m so thankful that the blogging community brought me your friendship. You’re the best <3

      Lauren

      Posted 8.3.17
  12. Keep at it, Lauren! I totally agree with everything you said, especially where you said the blog is the only thing that’s actually YOURS. Who knows what will happen to IG in 5, 10, 15 years? They could take away our ability to monetize there. The blog, in the long run, is going to be more important that anything else. XO

    Posted 8.4.17

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