Since its early days, Second Life has had a vibrant and active Blogging Community. Bloggers have provided a valuable service that has been crucial to marketing Second Life content. That is why we wanted to put this “Got Blog! Bloggers Challenge” out there and hope that you will join us in sharing a bit about yourself and your experience on blogging.

Photolog style posting, also known as posting images with credits only, has become popular in the last few years, using platforms like Flickr or Social Media to provide exposure to content. For myself, and many others, it is a Blog/Website that engages with the public, both within Second Life, and outside of it in a more tangible way. With the number of changes occurring on Social Media and places like Flickr, we are seeing a return to the idea of Blogger having Blogs… and we are here for it. We encourage it, we applaud it, and we are excited about it… so we wanted to get those that have been Blogging that way all along to engage with their community and show us, what, where and why.

The Questions for this challenge vary, and you can feel free to answer all, or just a select few that you feel best show yourself to your readers. I refer to we in this introduction, the other part of that we is Gorgeous Aurelia, she has successfully run her own Blog Juicybomb since 2007, and is the owner and sole operator of the IheartSL Feed, which if you are not a part of, you definitely should be.

If you want to join us on this challenge please do the following:

• Title your post – Got Blog! (Your Name/Blog Name)
• Insert the Banner image somewhere in your post (you can save from flickr, or the post with right click copy)
• Copy paste an introduction to this challenge.
  
  “I am participating in the Got Blog! Bloggers Challenge, you can find more information on this at https://sasyscarborough.com/2024/08/09/got-blog-bloggers-challenge/.”
• Copy paste the questions into your post, all or some – how many you wish to answer is up to you.
• Tag other Bloggers who you want to join in – include links to their Blogs – this gives us the chance to get to know them as Bloggers too. (notify them that you have).

Questions: (answer as many as you feel comfortable with)

• When did you start your Second Life Blog? It feels like forever! I kicked things off with just a few photos and basic posts. The real magic happened when I started exploring other blogs and Flickr. That’s when I dove into tutorials, Photoshop tips, and started asking tons of questions. Big thanks (and a little apology) to everyone who answered my queries!
  Why did you start Blogging in Second Life? I was hooked on Second Life’s dynamic fashion, vibrant styles, and buzzing clubs. Eager to dive deep, I researched everything—sims, stores, key players—and when I had a treasure trove of discoveries, I had to share! Even when I got called out for posting old news, I kept going because sharing, learning, and developing experiences mattered most.
• Do you feel the Blogging community in Second Life has changed since you started Blogging, and if so, in what ways? Totally! It’s gone from competitive to collaborative. Early on, it was all about outdoing each other, but now it’s more about support and inclusivity, thanks to tech advances and social media. It is such a joy to see the hard work paying off, especially for the newcomers.
• Do you think that Bloggers have a positive impact on Second Life culture and community, and if so, do you have any stories about that? Absolutely! Bloggers boost creativity, share diverse experiences, and connect people. Events like Hair Fair, a great example of how bloggers post how every item purchased contributes a portion of its proceeds to a worthy cause, and Relay for Life, an ongoing event hosted by the American Cancer Society, where avatars from all walks of life come together to support cancer research. These are two examples of many that show how bloggers raise awareness for great causes. After all, every blog post that gets someone involved makes a difference.
• Are you approachable as a Blogger by content creators that may have interest in you as a Blogger for their Brand/Store? I hope so! I love connecting with content creators and exploring new opportunities. I’m always open to discussing collaborations that fit my blog’s style and bring value to the community.
• Do you have any tips or tricks that help you with the Blogging process that you would like to share? Engage with your audience, use social media to expand reach, keep learning about new tools, and stay consistent. Respond to comments, share across platforms, and keep updating your skills! There is no ceiling on how far you can go!
• Have you yourself ever benefited from another Blogger’s post, such as learning a new skill for Blogging, or Second Life functions that you may not have known about? I’ve learned everything from photo editing to writing from other bloggers and media sites. Shoutout to Juicybomb for inspiring my shape phase and exposing me to windlights and Sasy Scarborough for being an amazing mentor and offering tutorials and fun tidbits. Their blogs are gold! Check them out!
• What kind of Blogs appeal to you as a reader, and what would you like to see more of in the Second Life Blogging world? Detailed reviews, tutorials, and community spotlights are my jam. I love blogs that showcase diverse voices and offer practical tips or highlight lesser-known creators.
• Do you Blog content that you yourself would wear/use always, or do you blog content that is expected of you to blog due to commitments to stores/events? I balance personal style with commitments. I feature items I genuinely enjoy, but I also honor my commitments to stores and events with enthusiasm, ensuring the content stays engaging and authentic.
• Do you use Social Media, and/or other platforms outside of your Blog/Website to promote the content you have shared?
  – please list your links so that others can perhaps follow you in other locations.
  Blog
• Flickr
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter/X
• Primfeed
  
• Do you pay for any aspect of your blogging other than the clothing or items in your images, such as Website Hosting, Photoshop etc?
  – please list the things that you spend money on so that you can function as a Blogger.
  I invest in Photoshop Creative Cloud, Flickr Pro, WordPress, domain registration, and a premium SL account tier for studio space. I’m excited to learn tablet use in Second Life—anyone up for teaching?
• Do you think that Stores/Content Creators should have a Website/Blog for their Brand?
  – please expand on your answer if you have reasons why. As it is an added expense, I think it is a judgement call but a website or blog does provide a comprehensive platform for stores and content creators to build their brand, engage with their audience, and effectively manage their online presence. It’s a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to establish and grow their brand in today’s digital landscape.
• Do you have any suggestions for Content Creators/Stores to consider, when it comes to their Bloggers, and Bloggers that they may want to have Blog for them? Pick bloggers whose style matches your brand and check their engagement levels. Authentic alignment ensures better reach and relevance. Trust your gut.
• Do you have any advice that you can give other Bloggers that may be new to the experience, or even advice/wisdom that you want to share with the Blogging community as a whole, new or old? Follow your passion, research your audience, create engaging posts, invest in visuals, stay authentic, and avoid copying others. Originality and genuine enthusiasm make a blog stand out.
• Do you have suggestions for which Blogging Platform to use, and why you chose it over others?
  – WordPress, Blogspot, Wix, Tumblr, etc. I use WordPress for its ease and excellent themes. It’s user-friendly and handles hosting and maintenance, making it ideal for beginners.
• What do you enjoy and are most passionate about when it comes to Blogging? I’m passionate about creative expression, whether it’s crafting content, designing visuals, or engaging with readers. Blogging helps me connect with others, grow personally, and tackle challenges with creativity and resilience.
  
  I want to tag the following.
  Sophie Harlow
  Maria Felisimo