Every time I got to a blogging conference or read an article on expanding readership, I always hear the same thing: exploit social media, cross promote, brand! brand! brand!. And frankly, that’s just not for me.
When I started blogging in 2008, I never envisioned a world in which bloggers would create quasi-cults of personality with millions of social followers watching their every move. And, over the past few years, I’ve tried to embrace social media in a way that feels authentic to me. I don’t want to be in the business of selling my life to people, but I like that blogging is a more personal medium than magazine editing. And I love interacting with you ladies on Instagram and Facebook.
So in case you want to follow my social channels, I thought I would show you how. And if you don’t want to, I will not beg or harangue you to follow me. There are plenty of blogs and celebs that I love, but don’t need their constant presence in my online social life, so I get it.
Pinterest is my favorite social medium. I love sharing recipes, fashion ideas, new nail polish colors, and home decor. I’m really glad Pinterest is making a comeback because, for me, it’s a great way to consume a lot of content in a short amount of time. Plus, I love all the tips and tricks I learn from other bloggers (did you know
You can follow me on my page, @abrabelke.
I am slowly breathing life back into my Instagram. And I hope that over time, I can get to a place where I share things that I love or that inspire me without feeling like my life is on display for the comment of others. I adore Instastories, and I loved the AMA we did a few weeks ago, which you can view here.
I don’t post very often, so you don’t have to worry about me blowing up your feed if you follow. And I also don’t use LiketoKnowIt, because who needs another app to follow? Find me here, @abrabelke.
Facebook is the medium I probably use the least (but if I ever get around to hiring a social media manager– hello, back burner). The main reason to like the Capitol Hill Style Facebook page, is so you can have access to our Thirtyish Community Group and Thirtyish Fit Club Group. Both groups are safe, vibrant communities for women that try to bring supportive-feminism, community, and calm to the tumult of social media.
Find the main Capitol Hill Style page, here, and join the Thirtyish Community Group and Fit Club Group.
I appreciate your more relaxed social media presence – I like your instagram posts and really like that you don’t use likeittoknowit. All the postings by some other bloggers make me trust their recs a little less b/c it seems to just be there to generate content, likes, etc.
Your first paragraph cut off abrubtly!
I also appreciate your lack of like it to know it! It must generate revenue for bloggers but its really annoying for readers.
Very much seconded! That app confuses me and irritates me that there is no other way to just find out where a sweater is from, for example.
It’s annoying for me. I assume it’s more annoying for you.
I love your approach. I’ve been really turned off by other bloggers that I used to enjoy reading/following because everything reads as a commercial. They’ll promote anything so I have no trust in their opinions since they are all bought and paid for. I don’t always agree with you or like what you like but I love your voice and honesty.
Side note – It especially drives me nuts when you can tell when a brand is doing a promotion, all of a sudden “everyone” is loving the same hair curler?? Really….c’mon.
That bothers me too. Oh, you all discovered the same face wash at the EXACT SAME TIME!
UGH. Pet peeve. It’s why I keep my instagram feed to as few people as possible (including Abra, but that’s because her posts are always relatable for me). I do not need everyone promoting the same workouts, shakes, face wash, curler, etc. No thanks.
That said, I do really enjoy both the Thirtyish Fit Club & Cap Hill Style on facebook, so I just requested to join the other community, since I think I’ll enjoy that too. 🙂 Thanks for creating safe spaces, Abra!
Would you be willing to do a “how to” post on pinterest? I’ve never figured out how to use it effectively/efficiently. It feels confusing and overwhelming. I’m in the midst of purchasing a house and suspect pinterest would be a great tool for figuring out my style and getting decorating ideas, but I’m not sure where to start.
Step 1) Figure out who to follow. Bloggers you like, friends who have the same interests, companies you enjoy that have a strong brand presence.
Step 2) This will give you a more limited number of pins to follow and save.
Step 3) Create a few boards for your needs or interests (healthy recipes, home decor, etc.). This way you can save pins when the people you follow pin things you like. I love it for recipes and makeup tips.
Step 4) Use it to search for recipes, organizing tips, etc. instead of Google.
Just wanted to chime in to say i love pinterest. don’t do insta or twitter; facebook mainly to keep up on family friends (& thirtyish…even though I am more like fiftyishJ)
Stay true to you!