BLOGGING | WHAT'S WORTH THE INVESTMENT

Blogging is one of those things where there’s no ceiling – you could just keep spending money on things for it. There’s always a better camera, or another blogger essential handbag that’s got to be added to your OOTDs. When it comes down to it though, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to produce good content.

Over the years, I have made a couple of investments – most of which I’ve found to be really useful. Admittedly there have been things I didn’t need (a white backdrop which I’ve yet to unfold – no shock it doesn’t quite fit in my current childhood bedroom), but I’ve mostly sussed where it’s worth putting my time and money.  If you are looking to make a bit of an investment without going crayyyyzy, then these are the areas I’ve found to be worthwhile.

Time.

Okay, time in general is worth your investment. I think to an extent you get out what you put in, especially when you first start out blogging… The more hours I put into working on it the more I get back. Whether it’s getting social on Twitter or taking some extra blog pictures, if you’ve got the time to spare then eventually you’ll see the benefits.  

Cameras/Lenses

I’m a firm believer that you don’t need an amazing camera to be an amazing blogger. It helps, but it isn’t a huge deal. I’m influenced by just as many bloggers that take pictures on iPhones as I am by those taking them on the fanciest of DSLRs.

If you’re looking for a little investment though, I’d say a camera is the first worthwhile blogging purchase. I started out with the most basic DSLR, which I could still happily use. I would say that lenses are where you’re better spending your money after that though. I’ve bought a couple of different cameras since my first, when really I’d have probably been better updating my lens collection. A different lens can make a whopping difference to the shot you take.

Canon EOS 1100D / Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

Lighting

This is one thing I wouldn’t want to be without when it comes to blogging, mainly because it makes life so much easier.  Natural light is always unpredictable, so lighting solutions can alleviate the blogger probs. It’s also something you can pick up really cheap – you can get basic soft boxes for about £40 on eBay. I went for an inexpensive soft box for product shots and recently purchased the Neewer ring light for portraits – one or the other works just fine though.

Soft Boxes / Neewer Dimmable Ring Light

Blog Design

Not an essential, but again basic blog design is relatively inexpensive and has a big effect. God only knows what I’d have done to my blog if I’d carried on with my basic knowledge of HTML. There are loads of blog designers out there that offer templates for less than I spend on an average trip to Topshop. I remember when I first updated my blog ‘look’ and felt like I’d suddenly got this professional little space on the Internet! In the past I’ve used Pipdig and always loved how things turned out.

Blogger ‘Knowledge’

Lol. I didn’t really know how to describe this one – I guess it goes hand in hand with ‘Time’. Basically, I think it’s really worthwhile to soak up as much info about blogging as possible. From getting the odd book on photography (‘Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs is a goodie) to sussing out Twitter analytics, I don’t think you can learn enough about all this blogging stuff. It’s something that can be beneficial in the future too – I work in social media now, and that’s essentially as a result of what I picked up through blogging.  

So – nothing I’m saying you’ve got to go out and buy, but if you are wanting to invest in blogging then that’s what I’d say is a good start. If the gods of DSLR cameras would like to drop down with a schmancy-pants, top notch model then that’s great, but I think I’ve managed quite well so far. If you have got any other essentials you want to share definitely let me know! 

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