5 things to consider before (and after) you start blogging

1. whether you like it or not, publicizing your opinions automatically leaves you open to criticism. the world is a melting pot of different views and cultures and controversial topics will often bring those to a head. blog your opinions knowing that people will not agree with you, even if you target a niche demographic where similar opinion is frequent.
2. as popularity of your blog grows, a character check is imminent. the ‘high’ of seeing your statistics and subscriber count grow is something that doesn’t last. soon your opinion ‘automatically’ reaches x amount of hundreds of readers that all interpret your writing differently. if another blog decides to quote you or borrow content, you will eventually get a commenter who will say hurtful things, either on your blog or another site. you have to know how to ’shake it off’ or learn very quickly. i also cross-post some of our articles on topix.net in the afam section. needless to say, there are a few haters:
   

   Why is this person allowed to continually SPAM this board with this contemptible self seeking YBPguide nonsense?

   and

   Who F-ing cares? This is yet another justification for my utter contempt of that insipid ybp guide, and especially for that A-hole Caramelson who keeps SPAMING this board in an attempt to drive traffic to it.

3. niche blogs are just that…for a particular niche. i pride our blog on the demographic it targets. while i’ve never felt that it was only for young black professional americans as if in some secret society, the title and topics discussed often alienate those who stumble upon it. while my personal opinion of people who disregard something because they aren’t of a particular culture is more of a personal problem, it is a reality. blogging black, blogging as a woman, or even blogging as an american will always make someone else feel like an outsider. get used to it.
4. you will be wrong. get over yourself and keep moving forward. give your hat tip, correct your mistake, and in the words of janelle monae, ‘let it go’.
5. remember to have fun. a successful blog will yield popularity and maybe a few bucks. it will take up your time and even leave you a little frazzled from the constant opinions. in the end, it should provide some comfort and purpose. if you take it in stride and always remember to have fun, good things will come.

(pic from sethlevine)