What I’ve learnt from running a music blog

For four years I’ve kept a music blog, Ekaya.nl,  up and running. I was a publisher, graphic designer, web developer, marketeer and editor at the same time. Last year I called it quits. But I still benefit from everything I’ve learned.

I think every blogger or online publisher might gain value out of my experiences. That’s why in this blogpost, I will list the most important lessons.

My goal was to discover, share and enjoy indie music. That simple…

Set your goals. Get real!

Determine why you want to blog. If you want to be discovered and get famous, or if you’re in it to get rich, you should probably think again or make a very solid businessplan. If it’s about sharing your passion or for personal branding matters. you might be on to something.
My goal was to discover, share and enjoy indie music. That simple…

Make sure your goal comes from the heart. Use your imagination to picture what it should be like. Use your mind to make it happen.

Claim your own domain. Or are you writing just for friends and family?

Blogger and WordPress are great platforms to start a blog. But if want to be taken seriously, you should at least own on your own domain. It’s a small investment which makes you look trustworthy and professional.

Know your language. Don’t get misunderstood.

As a blogger you focus on writing. Online writing. Always ask someone to check your writings for spelling mistakes. (Thanks Marjon!). Show people you take things seriously. One or two errors are bearable. Three or more is just amateurish.

HTML. The most important language

Online writing is more than just the language you communicate in. You should be aware of the fact that you’re actually writing in HTML. Learn the basics of this coding language. It is easy to learn and it will help you to understand the possibilities of the web.

Do you have the looks? Because you’re worth it.

Pay a lot of attention to the graphic design of your website. Make sure it’s easy to navigate, readable and easy on the eyes. Try to make it look recognizable.

Don’t settle for standard looks, you deserve a unique lay out. If you can’t design it yourself, ask me! It will help people remember you. Or would you rather be just another face in the crowd?

Offline is important. Make sure you meet the right people

Great things can happen online. But offline is just as important. Make sure people in the field know your face. They have to see you to notice you.

For my blog I had a lot of contact with pluggers and labels. I found that it’s a lot easier to get invited to a gig or arrange an interview with a great band when you talk to people instead of emailing them. Emails disappear, promises don’t.

Tell everyone
Not everyone will understand why you blog. Tell them. They will recognize passion when they see it! And maybe they’ll even write for you or tell others about your blog.
Share your story on social media, job applications, party’s, everywhere! (Well, maybe not on funerals…)
Get ready to be criticized though. Make use of it. Don’t take it personally. Except when people try to pull you down. They are probably jealous of you. Take it as a compliment, it means you are rocking!

Act professionally Blogging is behaving…

As a music blogger, I got to see a lot of gigs and a lot of free music was sent to me. Except that it wasn’t free at all. Bands, pluggers, labels and readers wanted me to write about it.
So when you write about people, let them know!

Don’t settle for standard looks, you deserve a unique lay out.

Keep your promises
I always made sure I kept my promises. I always tried to arrive at least half an hour before my interview was scheduled. I published my live reviews a day after the gig was played.
People notice these things. They appreciate it. Next thing you know, you will be asked to interview the coolest bands there are at the moment!

It never stops! Your website is permanently under construction

Your blog is never finished. You have to post on a regular basis, keep your website up to date, improve the way people navigate through your website…
Dive in Google Analytics, join discussion groups on Linkedin. Stay in the game.

Video by Anne Runia.

Enjoy the ride. But remember why you’re driving in the first place

I sometimes got lost in trying to get as much visitors as possible. Every now and then I had to remind myself why I was blogging in the first place. It takes a lot of time to build a blog from scratch. The one thing that gets you going, is your passion. Stay in tune with your true motivation and enjoy all the good things that happen to you.

It’s not a hobby…
As I mentioned before, I’ve quitted Ekaya. I was not able to create room for it anymore. The thing is, a blog is not just a hobby. Not if it means anything to at least 4000 Dutch speaking people a month.
It became a job. A job I liked a lot, but it didn’t bring in any money. I just couldn’t afford to make time for it anymore. I’m glad I took the ride though, it was a blast!

Tags: blogging, music, passion, sharing
Geplaatst op: februari 4, 2014