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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / blog & handmade advice / State of the Biz: “How do you decide what to blog about?”

State of the Biz: “How do you decide what to blog about?”

May 19, 2014 · 11 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice

One topic in particular that seems to never bore me is on the business side of blogging and handmade shop ownership. And when I think about it, this topic goes back to the beginning roots of my blog. For this very reason I’m inspired to introduce a new series, State of the Biz: blog & handmade shop. Inside each post a reader question will be featured and answered. I’m really excited about this and how it will allow us to dive even deeper into a multitude of business topics. Yeow!

Every time I reflect on why I truly love blogging I come back to this: I thrive on community and the personal encouragement that swells from it. This is going to be a really fun series to write, no doubt. Do you have a topic suggestion for this series? Perfect. Either leave a comment below or send me an email.

state of the biz maggie whitley

Q: I think I want to start a blog. Of course I love to read other’s blogs, and I enjoy writing and taking photos. My problem is I’m not sure what my blog should be about. How did you decide when you first started blogging? And does your blog cover the same content as it did originally? –Jamie

A: Ahhh, this is a fantastic question! And one I have two ways of thinking to consider when deciding what exactly to blog about.

The first is to think of your blog as your dream job. If you could blog about any favorite topic(s), what would you pick to write about?

Some questions to ask yourself… What topics encourage you to continue learning? What topics do you already have a lot of knowledge on? What topics are underdeveloped, but you feel should be more developed? What topics are easy for you to share because you are passionate about them? One of the beauties about blogging is you are totally in charge of your blog. No one else is in charge — you’re the boss lady! :) Here are a couple other questions to consider… What don’t you want to blog about (what is off-limit, for any reason)? What topics drain your energy?

The second way of thinking is to grab a piece of paper and work through a simple brainstorming exercise. One you have some paper and a pen, write down all possible/realistic topics that come to mind. Be sure to leave a few spaces between every topic as you list them out on paper. Once you have exhausted all possible topics for your blog, review what you’ve written down. Consider the questions I’ve typed above as you review your topic list. Your goal is to have a list of master topis with subtopics written beneath. The more realistic subtopics you can write down the better, because you know you can cover that topic for many, many posts. You can either rearrange your original list to create subtopics or you can add subtopics under the topics you originally wrote down, whatever makes the most sense.

Something else to consider is creating a series (short or long term) on a specific topic. Creating a series can help you decide on whether a topic should stick around or get booted.

Spend some time defining your blog’s purpose. Is it to teach others, to encourage, to provide updates on a personal project, etc.)? Whatever you decide for your purpose know your blog is firstly for you. Don’t start a blog for anyone but yourself. I consider my blog a lifestyle blog and cover the topics of inspiration, adventures, family and blog/handmade encouragement. Also, when I write my posts I write as though I’m talking to a friend, since that matches my blog’s purpose the best. Maybe it is better for your written voice to have a more professional voice, but be sure to know and maintain your voice at all times when writing. Defining your purpose and knowing your voice will help you maintain momentum as the months and years pass.

If you need additional encouragement on what to blog about, consider asking your family and closest of friends — those that know you the best and you trust their feedback. But keep in mind, they may suggest a topic that you really don’t want to blog about (like baking, for example) — even if you are amazing at it and enjoy it very much. Maybe baking is something best reserved as a personal stress reliever instead of a “dream job blog topic”. If any topic suggested is going to exhaust you, like I mentioned above, kindly accept their suggestion but know you don’t have to consider it once the conversation is over.

Jamie’s last question asks whether my blog content is the same today as it was when I originally started blogging (in 2008), and I’d say “yes”. Although I have developed certain master topics over the years, and others have ebbed and flowed in frequency. There are a few particular life events that have helped shape my post content: starting a handmade business, traveling to Tanzania, Africa, and having a baby (with a second baby on the way!), and it’s been interesting to watch things unfold. I think I was personally most surprised that having a baby would encourage me to slow down with my work, because blogging has always fueled me in great ways. But I think what I’ve learned is to be OK with the seasons of life and how my work fits into all of that. I’ve recently decided to slow down with my work and being an owner of two handmade shops, but ironically it’s fueled me in grander ways with my blog — like better blog posts, consistent and long-standing inspiration, and greater overall personal satisfaction. Sometimes the less you put a limit or expectation on something the more it can (naturally) bless you.

So that’s my response! Kinda a bit to digest, but ultimately know you’re the boss lady (you can make any changes you want), maintain your momentum by writing about topics that inspire you, and think of your blog as your dream job — enjoy it! :)

Have a “State of the Biz” post question for me? Leave a comment below or send me an email!

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11 Comments
Filed Under: blog & handmade advice

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Comments

  1. Katy says

    May 19, 2014 at 7:49 am

    Maggie,
    Great question & a fab answer. I am looking forward to your series.
    Katy

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 19, 2014 at 8:19 pm

      Thanks dear!!!

      Reply
  2. Kelly @ DeBoopShop says

    May 19, 2014 at 10:08 am

    This series couldn’t come at a better time! We are about to launch our first Etsy shop and working on the whole blog thing to accompany it. Can’t wait to get all sorts of good knowledge from you, Maggie!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 19, 2014 at 8:20 pm

      How exciting!!! Be sure to let me know if any specific Qs you have arise :)

      Reply
  3. Laura says

    May 19, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    I love how you’re all about sharing in such a fun, encouraging way. Also love the part about keeping your voice, knowing what it is and how to use it. I, too, like to share like I’m talking to a good friend. Just wanna keep. it. real. ;)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 19, 2014 at 8:20 pm

      Thanks Laura :)

      Reply
  4. Laura Radniecki says

    May 20, 2014 at 8:16 am

    Sweeet! I’m excited for this series!!

    I personally have found it very refreshing to see you evolve as a person and in your role as a mama, and to watch your blog/work evolve with it.

    I think sometimes we can be afraid of change, especially when things are going well. But it’s really great to see you evolve and adapt and end up happier on the other side!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 23, 2014 at 1:16 pm

      Oddly, this has been a hard thing to translate from life to blog. So thank you very much for your encouraging comment! :)

      Reply
  5. Nikki says

    May 20, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    I’m excited for this series. I’m always having issues about what to blog about.

    Reply
  6. Sarah Milligan says

    May 23, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Jumping in late – but thank you for sharing this awesome advice about blogging. :)
    Some questions I would love to hear your take on:
    1. How/why did you choose your blogging platform, and which platform did you start with?
    2. How often did you blog initially?
    3. Have your boundaries changed since Maxwell entered your life – in terms of how much you share?
    I’m sure I’ll think of more – thanks as always for sharing with us!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 23, 2014 at 12:04 pm

      Thanks Sarah! Hope to provide an answer to some of these for you! xo

      Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
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It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
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Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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