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Today I thought I would mix it up a bit just thought and tell you a little bit about my blog and how I got started, essentially why I started blogging…
I started this blog in November 2010 right before I had a breast reduction. I had been reading blogs for a while and knew I was going to get really bored really fast during my six weeks off work post-surgery so I decided to start a blog!
I started out on the Blogger platform because that’s what everyone else was using at the time. I have been through several different blog names, designs, logos, color schemes, etc.
At the beginning I joined a lot of linkups and I just started commenting on other blogs that I found interesting or that were in a similar niche as me (single, late 20’s, lifestyle, beauty lovers, etc). I made some blogging friends and then joined Twitter and Instagram and started following and talking to my fellow bloggers on there too.
My old blog posts were written much like a journal or diary. It was mostly just stuff for me and things I was doing at the time. I documented vacations I went on, daily life stuff, the building process of my house, my dog, just about everything! Those posts are really fun to look back on, even if the photography is absolutely terrible, and bring back some really good memories.
A few years in I decided to go to a my first blog conference for the sole purpose to meet my new bloggy friends and found out that I really wanted to learn more about blogging and get serious about it. It was during that trip that I decided to go back to school and get another bachelor’s degree, this one in E-Commerce.
I have since completed my degree (this past May!) and I learned a LOT about blogging, WordPress, website building, website design, marketing and so much more!!
I have also been to a few more blog conferences, upgraded my point and shoot to a DSLR, taken a photography course, upgraded my computer and have really just worked my butt off trying to get where I am today.
Now I realize that my numbers may not be as big as the “big bloggers” and I used to really care about that and think that I wasn’t enough or that I didn’t have it (whatever it is). But now that I am looking back to where I started I am really proud of myself and I realize that I have a lot to offer someone who is just starting out in this huge blogging community.
This past year I have tripled my previous year’s blog income, I have gotten the opportunity to work with some pretty big brands, I have seen huge leaps in my readers and social media followings and I really feel like I am finding my stride as a blogger. Now I can’t guarantee that I will post 5 days a week, hello life, but I will be here at least three days a week and I will gladly answer any questions you have for me blogging or whatever!!
Why did you start your blog??
It’s amazing how far blogging has come over the last 5 years. When we first started it was definitely more of an online diary!
I’ve been blogging for 5 years now and I cringe when I look back at those first few posts with those tiny little photos. Then I used my daughter’s DSLR camera for the first three years and finally got my own big-boy DSLR. I also took several photography courses and now I love taking photos. Thankfully, I started out on self-hosted WordPress from the get go. It’s kinda fun to look back and see where we were and how far we’ve come. I’m really looking forward to your series of bloggy posts.
Wow woman you are diligent about learning everything there is to blogging. I like how you remind everyone that they have something to share. Seems like sometimes it turns into a race out there in the blogging world. You have learned so much and are willing to share that knowledge. Will look forward to learning what you have to share.
I think your story is pretty representative of many bloggers. I know I began purely to document my travels and to keep in touch with my friends spread around the globe. But you are so right that there is just so much to learn. There is far more to blogging than I ever imagined. But I love that I can continue to learn, grow, and expand what I want out of blogging.
I’ve been blogging about 9 years now. I originally started when I was going back to school, working full time, being a single mom and starting to date again. I had one follower and I didn’t care. I was writing for me. I then started another blog and got into doing reviews and giveaways. I got to work with great companies such as eBay and Chevrolet. I stopped for a year and rebranded myself and am trying to get back into working with companies. I love blogging, but, once you get out of it? It’s hard to come back into.
I have to believe that blogging is a labor of love. A lot of people don’t realize the work or time it takes to get a blog to take off. Also, they have to understand that there is a learning curve, but if they stay with it, it will grow.
I started several years ago then lost my blog site when e-rice crashed. Since then I have an even better one. Love hearing how others got started!
I have been blogging in one form or another for over 15 years. Started out on Live Journal, Blogger and then WordPress. It’s been a journey for sure.
When my husband was stationed overseas, a friend of mine encouraged me to blog, that was my start. It has been 6 years now and I still love it. I also started with blogger and stick with it because my teeny tiny brain can’t handle wordpress lol.
I used to have a regular 9-5 job but retired early to follow my passion for writing. I currently maintain several blogs and it has been providing me with my keep (and some extra for savings). I love the opportunities that blogging provides me – the travel, the products, the new found friends, and the fame. :) Wishing everybody in this line of work the best of this year and the years to come.
How do you keep up with everything? I always feel so behind and end up letting things go.
I feel that way a LOT actually. I try and set aside one day a week for blog post writing, scheduling, picture taking, etc. That makes it easier for me!!
I’m excited for this series! It’s fun to look back at some of our older work and see how far we’ve come since then! I get down on myself and my work, but looking back on older posts and just even my writing in general, I realize that I need to be super proud of myself!!
Can’t wait to see what your posts for this series!
It is SO exciting to see where you started to where you are now! :) I love seeing the success people have doing what they love! I can’t wait to read more as this year goes on! :)
Sounds like this is going to be a great series for bloggers. I have a DLSR but I occasionally use my iPhone for blog photography so I am looking forward to that post.
I shudder to think of all bad posts that I have posted over the years.
The pictures of the kids I love but some of the memes are so bad. I would love to go and re-do a lot of it but that will have to wait!
Those first blog posts really were something else going back and looking at them now! It is so much fun to see how much you have grown as the years go on.
I started to tell everyone stories about my kids once I stopped working, they missed hearing them. My pictures were terrible. I have a DSLR but I still need a photography class.
Isn’t it crazy how much a blog can evolve and grow? Kudos to you for making more income this year–here’s to an even more successful year!
I have been blogging for some time now and I have been taken back my how much it has changed. It has made me a new person and I am very thankful for the community I have been a part of for so long now.
Omg I almost laugh at my very first blog post because they were so personal! That’s the way it was back when I first started though. If I blogged that way today people would probably think I lost my mind lol
Congrats on the 6 plus years doing your blog. Blogging is something that I never thought about doing before two years ago. I have yet to start my blog but know a lot more about it then I did 2 years ago. It really is a lot of work and has to be something you enjoy doing I believe. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Yes! I love this series so much! I’m just starting out with my blog so I’m looking forward to all of these posts! Great idea!