Friday, April 13, 2012

Blogging | Matters

BloggingMatters

I've been blogging in this space for over 4 years now. It started as a public declaration of me and him - Jeremy & Kathleen (because it was still so weird and novel to see our names together like that) - on an adventure to make a house a home. Since then I've found my voice. Telling very intentional stories, large and small, every single day has taught me that I can design my life. That I have control over the narrative, the setting and the plot. I unabashedly love this space and can't imagine what my life would be like without. In fact, I jokingly told Jeremy on our 3 year anniversary that the best thing I ever did for our marriage was brand it. But it's kind of true.

THE REDESIGN
When I first designed my blog I was really into hand drawn type and vintage banners. I adopted the ampersand as my own. But I've grown up a little since then. I found my aesthetic (through designing the Nepal series, shooting Anatomy of an Outfit and writing about freelancing). So the redesign reflects my organic growth and evolving style as a designer. I've also made my posts a bit wider and the sidebar a bit more narrow. Even though some of the elements are bright I wanted to give the actual content some breathing room. Because that's what it's about, right? The content.

NOTE: You do not have to have a professionally designed blog in order to blog. Start with a simple Blogger or WordPress template. If you can write in your space consistently for a year (with or without readers) then invest in a design. Or perhaps at that time you'll decide you don't need it.

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THE CONTENT AND FREQUENCY
While I don't have an editorial calendar I typically stick to a few topics:
Anatomy of an Outfit
Freelance Matters
What We Eat
• Adventures (big & small)

In between those kinds of posts I like to write about life. I spend as little as 15 minutes on a post but more often than not I'll spend an entire morning (and on rare occasions an entire day) working on a post. But it's never a burden - blogging is what I love to do. My content will change as I change but in general, you can expect more of the same here.

ON KEEPING IT REAL
It's in my most vulnerable posts that you guys commend me for keeping it real. And I appreciate that. I love that I can choose the right words and images to accurately convey authenticity in a way that resonates with you. But more recently a friend of mine who I see a few times a year asked me how real my blog really is. He was genuinely curious if I was painting this picture perfect life that isn't entirely accurate.

The truth is this: It's all real. I carefully craft and color adjust what I show & tell around here. It's all original content but I'm curating the bits and pieces in my life that I want to share. But get this - by choosing to blog about mostly positive things my life has become more positive. I've intentionally created adventure in my life because I wanted something to write about - I wanted a good story to tell. But guess what - by choosing to blog about adventure my life has become more adventurous. Through my blog I've come to learn that I can design my life. It's real and it's powerful.

NOTE: When you want to call bullshit on someone's blog think about your own perceptions you're bringing to the narrative. Is there a disconnect between what you believe to be true against the words and images (told from someone else's point of view) you're digesting? If so, is it any less real just because it's not your reality?

Braid

BRAID CREATIVE
I also blog once a week over at Braid Creative. It's kind of like Freelance Matters - but grown up. If you are a creative entrepreneur (or want to be) you should subscribe to those posts too.

At first I thought Braid and J&K would be very separate. Braid would be for work and J&K would be more personal. But that kind of goes against everything I believe in - which is intentionally blurring the lines between work and life. Tara and I are working to bring more of our personal style into Braid. We're also choosing to work, exclusively, with people like us - creatives, the independent, artistpreneurs and small start ups. We'll be featuring creative entrepreneurs like you. So just like J&K is going through an update so will Braid.

MAKING A LIVING OFF BLOGGING
I believe you should be compensated for the amount of time you put into your blog - whether it feeds your soul or puts food on the table (for me, J&K does both). Some bloggers choose to have banner ads and sponsorships - that's okay. But for me I make a living off blogging because it's my readers who are hiring me (thank you, a million times thank you). Over the next week or two I will be updating this blog with a new page called "HIRE ME" - it will detail the ways in which I would love to work with you. But the majority of people are not really here to hire me - and that's okay too - I like sharing my life here regardless of the financial outcome.

Recently I was pushing a workshop (it's not happening, by the way - more on that later). Every time I posted about it I felt a little funny about it. Like I was marring this space by pitching to you guys in it. So while I will continue to share my work with you I never want to feel like a sales person. I am currently developing an online eCourse and in-person workshops over at Braid - at some point I will ask you for permission to pitch those things to you by allowing you to opt in to receive emails from me to tell you more. That doesn't mean I won't ever talk about it here (because I will) - I'll just do it in an integrated way - where it feels less like a loud commercial interrupting the regular broadcasting that you all are here for.

NOTE: I talk extensively about my thoughts on peppering business into a personal blog here. But ultimately, I would encourage anyone wanting to blog to A) write original content (if I see those Pantone tarts reblogged one more time I might puke - or simply stop following your blog) B) find your voice through exploration but be consistent C) grow organically and D) write for the sake of sharing - not making money or scoring free things to review - but if money follows, great.


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BUT WHAT ABOUT JEREMY?
I tell people all the time "Had I known what this blog was going to turn into I wouldn't have named it something as cheesy as Jeremy & Kathleen." But that's not entirely true. I've had people encourage me to rebrand and ditch "Jeremy" altogether. But as my life evolves and changes Jeremy is the constant. He might be the silent partner but he's a key component to what goes on around here.

So phew! All of that to say - I love blogging. And I love you guys. Thank you for being here.

38 comments:

  1. I love the new look around here. So refreshing :) I enjoyed reading this post, and again, love your honesty. I feel it's something most bloggers are definitely lacking lately, so kudos to you ;)

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  2. you're one of my faves. sending you a cocktail and a hug.

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  3. Kathleen, the redesign looks GREAT. I love the simplicity, style and organization of it all, and it is very YOU.

    I've found that writing about the good things, the travel, the excitement, and the challenges in life – putting it out into the universe, has a way of compounding and growing these things. Like expressing intention makes it more real, brings things to you, and builds bridges. So keep doing what you're doing, because it's great!

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  4. It looks great! You do such a phenomenal job on this blog. Thanks for sharing all that you do.

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  5. YOU are fantastic. I have grown to love your blog so much that I genuinely feel a sense of anticipation when I click on the bookmark and wait for your blog to pull up. Fantastic job going on right here.

    I am so excited about the possibility of an e-course. Definitely interested, please keep us posted.

    Rock on, Kathleen (and Jeremy).

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  6. I definitely agree. Being positive and adventurous on my blog has made my life more positive and adventurous.

    And putting a bit of my life (not all of it - which again, doesn't make it any less real) out there in the universe has resulted in meeting some fantastic people and making real life - not Internet life - friends.

    Win-win.

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  7. The redesign looks great, and this post was very inspiring. I especially love your line about your life becoming more positive and adventurous because of your blog. I feel the exact same way.
    Thank you as always for your insights.

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  8. I like your redesign, because it matches your theme, and i like yellow.
    I think this is an interesting post, because I've seen how your blog has evolved in only the 2 years that I've been following. It has helped me realize the importance of some aspects over others, and to mentally and actually reorganize my blog, and create new plans for the future.
    I connect through your stories because I find them extremely relatable and see a lot of who I am, similar to who you are. I really respect you as a designer and person.
    I don't think that you ever marred your space by pitching your workshop at all. I think most would agree that it seemed more like you were just trying to get the word out and how excited you were for having a new endeavor.

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  9. The redesign is great. You've kept your brand but built refined it. polished and original. Thank you for opening up about blogging + professional stuff + money. It's where I'd like to be sooner than later.

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  10. I adore this comment, "by choosing to blog about mostly positive things my life has become more positive." I started my blog to just document a little online knitting shop, but realized very quickly that I really just wanted to share.. something. In order to have stories to share, I've tried new things, taken more pride in our home, and been more productive than ever. The blog is somehow driving us to create a better life and, even if no one reads it, that's AWESOME.

    The new space looks great and I love hearing your stories. I'll be reading as long as you're writing.

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  11. Great post, great new freshened up look :) Man, Kathleen, if I had known you (or your blog) back when I lived in OKC (ten years ago!) I would have demanded that we hang out. Seriously. Love what you have to say and share.

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  12. 1) Jeremy has a rad tattoo and nice hair.
    2) HELLO, bicep (peeking out of the photo you took in the mirror)! I see you, girl.
    3) I love the new design. Clean and simple (with a pop of color) is right up my alley. It's making me think I'm in need of a redesign, too..

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  13. Great post.

    I stopped blogging for the summer because I wanted to do other things. One of those things got me knocked up and I don't know if I can share everything about it such as ultrasound photos, etc. Ugh, does that make sense?

    Regardless, I love your blog.

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  14. It's funny, I got caught up on the blog this morning and right away I noticed the vibrant yellow jump right off the page. I was going to msg you about it, but decided not to in case I embarrassed myself about a change that may or may not have been made a while ago.. haha so let’s just say I’m glad you brought it up! I love it!

    I've been keeping up with your adventures for what seems like forever now, and I love that the blog stays fresh and goes through some kind of evolution when you do. And this is why I keep reading. You know we love you too. :)

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  15. I love the redesign a lot. It's so happy and bold. I feel like, from what I know of you through this blog, it suits you.

    I always make efforts to be positive on my blog, and I feel that it has helped me to retain a positive spin on my life, and to make people laugh and smile, too (I hope!). I love seeing people evolve, and really can't understand the people who don't, so I am all for watching more evolution as it comes. Yay!

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  16. "..Jeremy is the constant.." love that:P

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  17. Hey now, "feeling" like a sales person isn't all that "bad".

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  18. Faithful reader, rare commenter but just to say that I love everything about this post. The yellow color is perfectly 'you'.

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  19. This was good. I think you've made some smart decissions!

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  20. I think you keep it real while also being enjoyable, and I totally appreciate it. And I like how you put that your life became more adventurous bc you wanted a story to tell. Some people would interpret that as you "needed" something to blog about, but I think you hit it right on when you said it helped you be more adventurous. Nailed it.

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  21. Beautiful, honest, thoughtful post Kathleen. The new design does feel like you, the you of today. Its an evolution, isn't it? Figuring out not only who you are and growing into your voice, but mothering your blog too. What does it want to be? When I first started reading here, things were new and romantic and young (you were a newlywed, after all!) and now things have a nice rhythm and it feels familiar.

    I have to agree with Jennie Bee. I never felt like you were pitching your workshop. I felt like it was just as much part of your reality as Braid or picking an outfit. I'm interested to hear about how you feel about the outcome.

    And, just my opinion, but Kathleen without Jeremy is only half the story. And its a GREAT story.

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  22. As usual, you've given me another reason to like you more. Your real posts keep me real and inspire me to be a better all around person too, and keep it real. Sorry about your non-course, but excited to hear its leading to something that will be all about you. And pitch away, we're here because we want more of you no matter what form.

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  23. This is a wonderful post and great advice on many parts of blogging. I wish I would've read this months ago. It's hard to strike the balance between letting the blog (readersship) grow organically and wanting to share some of my posts with the whole world. You have a wonderful blog. :)

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  24. What a great post. I've been reading your blog, faithfully, for nearly two years. I don't say much, but I do enjoy it. I hope you continue doing what you're doing. I love the genuine-nature of your writing, and I've never questioned whether or not I'm getting the 'real' you.

    Kudos on finding your voice through your writing and creating a space that people love.

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  25. Hi Kathleen,

    These sentences really resonated with me: "But get this - by choosing to blog about mostly positive things my life has become more positive. I've intentionally created adventure in my life because I wanted something to write about - I wanted a good story to tell. But guess what - by choosing to blog about adventure my life has become more adventurous. Through my blog I've come to learn that I can design my life. It's real and it's powerful."


    I heard about things where if you put positive out in the world, you get positive back. Karma, I guess?

    It's awesome that you posted about this. I was actually going to email you (a follow up to my domain question, I guess), and ask you your advice on blogging, and lo and behold, you make it a Matters. I've kept a blog of some sort for nearly 10 years now. Only this incarnation, however, have I thought something of it (previously it had been a more personal style.. almost like a non-paper journal). I recently got my first "professional" redesign of my blog, and it feels really good.

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  26. I've actually been thinking about how your blog has been evolving recently... Since I've been reading I've witnessed three major renovations (not including your house!) - you're like Madonna but with blogging :D

    With your awesome new sis-business Braid I can only imagine how flat out you must be! And yet you still find time to blog here for all of us who just like to loiter and pretend to hang out with you from the other side of the world.

    I love that you share what you do with all of us on teh interwebs, those tidbits are precious little windows into what makes Jeremy&Kathleen - and Braid - work so amazingly well.

    The way you weave your life and work together is perfect - because you know what, EVERYONE does it! It is simply not possible to lead two completely separate lives... I think because you are so open about it it makes the rest of us feel like we're OK because we do it too.

    And I think that knowing that you have your Jeremy& to go with your &Kathleen at the end of the day makes me feel all warm and cosy for you - I mean come on, who doesn't want a Jeremy& to help keep you sane and to cuddle up to.

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  27. I've been reading your blog for over three years. I can't remember now how it was that I discovered it, but it has been such an inspiration for me to go after everything that I want to be and to do.

    I've never left a comment in all of those years (I'm pretty shy). However, now I want to be a part of the conversation. Reading blogs is important to me and, since I've been working on my shyness, I want to start saying thank you!

    Thanks Kathleen!

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  28. One of the most well-conceived and -written posts I've read on a blog in...ever? Hi Kathleen, I'm Amber. And I like you.

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  29. Seriously Kathleen, this post could not be MORE relevant to my thoughts on blogging as of late. Love the redesign. Love this post. Love your work.

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  30. Aesophia - Ha! I am a fan of reinvention and regeneration. It's funny that you say that though because people from year to year, even close friends and ex boyfriends, don't recognize me. I think it's not just a change in looks but energy.

    ............ - You're welcome to join the conversation any time. xo!

    Amber - Wow, thank you! I like you too.

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  31. I totally think you should keep blurring the lines of work and life. It's always the space between definitions that seems to, at the very least, make a person pause their otherwise happy trekking, to tilt their head in curious consideration.

    AND- because I totally need you to teach me this Cataan business! Seriously? THREE. INSTRUCTION. BOOKS.

    Klaus obviously never heard of Steve Jobs and his "No Manual" rule.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE the new look. It's clean, yet Kathleen!! : D

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  32. Thank you so much for sharing and being open about yourself and your life. I feel encouraged!

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  33. I loved reading this post. I love the concept of keeping it real. And I absolutely agree with you about the concept of blogging about positive things make life itself more positive. I like to blog about things that make me happy - so even after what seems like the worst day in the world - I think to myself, but still SOMETHING has to be going right, and then I start to think about things in a more positive light. Also, I agree with your Pantone tarts comment (times ten). This was my first time over here, I ended up here from Dutch. British. Love. I'm excited to come back :)

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  34. Kim from Yellow Brick Home pointed me in your direction. I already know I love your blog. The comment about the positivity that is brought by mostly or only blogging about the positive things really speaks to me. What a wonderful point!

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  35. i get it about the lines blurring at times...when you love what you do, and what you do is so personal, lines will blur.
    great post!

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  36. do you know the name of the green in your dining room...it's perfect!

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  37. I just want everyone to know that while I didn't respond to each comment I read and appreciate them all! I'm so glad this post was meaningful for you guys.

    Alicia - The green is Sherwin Williams Shagreen in matte finish. Check out this post here:
    http://jeremyandkathleen.blogspot.com/2010/02/faq-paint-swatches.html

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