This is a tough one as there is a lot of responsibility that comes with homesteading. It’s hard work that demands your time and attention regardless of what you have else going on. It cares not of your plans, holidays, or feelings. Homesteading, even a small scale one like mine, is a commitment. To write blog posts about it takes even more time. Time away from your homesteading responsibilities.
So, right out of the gate know that– time is precious. And there’s not a ton of it. Intentional prioritizing of it will serve you well.
This blog here is mainly recipes because that’s what I find myself doing a lot of, testing new creations in the kitchen and getting good at them before writing them up to present here to you.
Writing how-tos for homestead projects and providing best practices and tips for growing the biggest tomato or how to get chickens to lay more eggs just isn’t in my wheelhouse yet. Why? Because I am a trial and error gardener with way more errors than successes.
I’m working mainly with chickens, laying hens and meat birds, with no space to raise other animals currently.
My gardens are growing mostly the same foods every season. And basically, I don’t feel I have much else to offer you on those topics that isn’t already out there at your fingertips via search engines.
Easier said than done
Blogging about homesteading can be difficult due to time and energy.
Folks these days love short and sweet. So if you’ve actually made it this far, I’d love nothing more than for you, right now, to scroll to the bottom and drop a short sentence in the comments. Just an emoji will do!
Folks want bullet points and pictures. Short video clips and numbered directions. Jump to Recipe features and the details are of no importance. How often do you scroll right past all that blogger’s hard work crafting the right words their blog server prefers? I know I do it!
I actually came into blogging with the idea of “my posts will be short, sweet, and to the point. I won’t use Jump to Recipe because my post will be the recipe”.
And then I took a blogging course by a super successful blogger in my same niche. That’s when I discovered search engine optimization. That led me to the red and green lights (literally!) of “good” blog post criteria. Then I almost quit and threw course money spent out the window before I even allowed myself to start.
But I’m giving myself 1 year (December 31, 2023 is the date) to make something of this blog. What that something is, I’ll know it when I see it, I guess.
Calling my elder millennials
In the land of short video clips and attention spans, reading feels like, homesteading– another dying skill. Perhaps it’s a generational thing.
These youngins today aren’t going to give this blog a chance. But perhaps I’m not speaking to them? Perhaps my audience is the elder millennial like myself born sometime between 1980 and 1989? Is that you too? Do you still read articles (even if you skim-read, it counts!)?
This probably isn’t what you came to this blog post for…
So, did I fully explain how to start a blog on homesteading? Absolutely not. This is more of a “you should know this first” approach.
When you’re in the routine of morning feedings… When you’re out in God’s creation admiring the sunset while watering your garden… When you’re deep in thought and in prayer while mucking stalls or coops… When you’re elbow deep in a bowl of sourdough…
…you’re not stopping to think of taking pictures or video to showcase later on your blog because you know how helpful visuals are to the learner. You’re doing the work. Then you, as a blogger, are regretting that you didn’t do those things then because now you have the time to blog about it. Only you don’t have the content to share. So you tell yourself you’ll do it again later and this time, capture it.
A vicious cycle for a homesteading blogger. Intention with your time and a well-thought out plan will take you far as a blogger; however, that excitement WILL wear off shortly, making the process you used to enjoy, which is why you started your blog, become another task on your to-do list.
Careful how you treat your hobbies
I heard once that if you turn your hobby into a job it becomes work and loses its wonder.
Be careful taking what hobbies you love and turning them into a paid job.
I’ve watched photographers cap their lenses. Woodworkers unplug their saws. Crafters close their craft room door. Painters put down their brushes. Chefs hang up their apron. All because what was once a fun hobby, an outlet, became work.
Trying to satisfy customers and their picky needs because we know word of mouth references is the best way to grow your brand and business. But tiring it is! A killjoy it is! Those are hard waters to navigate.
And the fun part for me? This blog doesn’t even make me money. Right now it’s costing me in precious time and blog server money.
Why continue blogging?
Why do I continue to do it, then?
My mission in sharing blog posts and social media content is to inspire others to take back lost traditional skills.
Skills that once were just every day living. Skills our elders just quit teaching us, showing us, involving us. When I remind myself of my mission to inspire, I can persevere on.
Well, now… how to blog about homesteading? Good question. One I’m seeking the answer to as well. Any tips? Any suggestions? Feel free to comment them below.
Best wishes on your endeavors, especially if it’s learning how to blog about homesteading. Keep your mission in the forefront and make sure it’s not primarily monetarily driven and you’ll stick with it longer.
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