This month marks 13 years of running a blog for me. Right here’s what I take into consideration running a blog after incomes over $5,000,000 and over a decade of working on-line. After I began my weblog in August 2011, I had no thought what I used to be leaping into. At first, it was only a passion. I wished to speak about…
This month marks 13 years of running a blog for me. Right here’s what I take into consideration running a blog after incomes over $5,000,000 and over a decade of working on-line.
After I began my weblog in August 2011, I had no thought what I used to be leaping into. At first, it was only a passion. I wished to speak about private finance and share my very own experiences. I didn’t know that running a blog may really make cash!
As time went on, my weblog grew. I went from writing in secret to having a neighborhood of readers who adopted my journey. Running a blog changed into a lifestyle for me. It allowed me to go away my day job and do one thing I like. And now, I get to share my story and ideas with thousands and thousands of readers every year.
13 years in the past, I by no means would have guessed this for myself!
And, I’ve by no means been extra grateful, particularly currently.
Working my very own enterprise and dealing fewer hours means I can spend numerous free time with my husband and our daughter.
It’s a dream come true.
My weblog has turn out to be an awesome enterprise that lets me take pleasure in my work, have a versatile schedule, and make dwelling.
What amazes me is how little I knew about running a blog once I began.
I’m not a tech particular person, and I’ve by no means considered myself as a author. I point out this as a result of many individuals assume it is advisable to be each to start out a profitable weblog.
Running a blog was one thing I began and labored on along with my full-time day job as a monetary analyst, and round two years after I began this weblog, I stop my day job to weblog full-time (that was again in 2013).
Some enjoyable stats about Making Sense of Cents:
- My first weblog publish was revealed on August 10, 2011. You’ll be able to learn it right here.
- I’ve written over 2,000 articles on Making Sense of Cents, however I deleted a bunch final yr and at present have 1,379 revealed.
- I’ve acquired 151,762 emails (this doesn’t even embody the numerous emails I’ve deleted through the years, so the quantity might be over 1 million, haha!). I haven’t included promotional emails both – the 151,762 are merely emails from my readers.
- I’ve 65,342 feedback on my weblog posts. This was greater however I deleted over 6,000 feedback that had damaged hyperlinks.
- It took me six months to earn my first $100 from Making Sense of Cents.
- Whereas I now not publish weblog earnings stories nor share my earnings (you will discover all of them right here – Weblog Revenue Reviews From A Multi-Million Weblog), from 2011 to 2018, I made round $5,000,000 whole. Since 2018, I’ve nonetheless made a wholesome earnings every year.
Associated content material:
Right here’s what I like and have realized about running a blog.
1. I benefit from the freedom of being my very own boss
After I first began my weblog, I spotted rapidly that being my very own boss was what I wished.
I take pleasure in making my very own schedule, setting my enterprise objectives, and doing what I like every day. It’s nice to have whole management over my work. I keep away from duties that I dislike, making my work-life steadiness a lot better.
From writing to selling, each a part of running a blog is one thing I like doing (properly, practically each half – it’s nonetheless onerous work!).
2. A versatile schedule modified my life
One of many largest perks of being a blogger is having a versatile schedule. I can work at any time when I would like, whether or not it’s within the morning, at night time, or on weekends.
This flexibility permits me to take pleasure in my day doing enjoyable actions, and I can nonetheless get my work performed later.
3. Freedom to work from wherever is wonderful
One other beauty of running a blog is being location impartial. I’ve had some wonderful experiences dwelling elsewhere, like in an RV or on a sailboat.
So long as I’ve my laptop computer and an web connection, I can work. Separating work and private life could be difficult, however the freedom it gives is value it.
4. Success takes time
Too many bloggers quit too rapidly.
Beginning a weblog can really feel overwhelming, and never seeing fast outcomes could be disheartening. It took me six months to earn my first $100, however that persistence has paid off in the long term.
Keep in mind, good issues take time.
5. Write whenever you really feel impressed
I discovered that I write my finest content material once I’m not pressured to write down. Writing on a decent deadline used to emphasize me out, and now I write posts properly earlier than they’re due, permitting me to write down once I’m impressed.
At present, I’ve sufficient content material to be about one month forward, and it feels nice!
Even after 13 years of writing, it’s nonetheless one thing that I actually take pleasure in. And, I’m nowhere out of matters to write down about simply but!
6. Get able to study
Running a blog is a steady studying journey. From understanding social media to operating a web site, there’s all the time one thing new to study. Running a blog isn’t a straightforward activity, and making an earnings takes onerous work.
However that’s what makes it attention-grabbing – it’s by no means boring as a result of there’s all the time a brand new problem.
7. Cease seeing different bloggers as competitors
It’s necessary to see different bloggers as attainable buddies relatively than competitors.
Networking with different bloggers is necessary for achievement, resembling by sharing one another’s content material, attending conferences, and supporting one another. This might help everybody develop.
I’ve made nice buddies who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s actually an awesome neighborhood to be in.
8. You don’t want expertise to start out a weblog
After I began running a blog, I had no expertise and didn’t know a lot about it. You don’t have to be a social media professional or a tech wizard to get began.
All the pieces could be realized alongside the way in which. Each profitable blogger began with out understanding every thing, and with time, they realized and grew.
That is one thing that I like about running a blog.
I’m proof which you could succeed even if you happen to don’t know a lot at the beginning. After I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you possibly can make cash from them. I realized find out how to construct a weblog from scratch and labored onerous to get the place I’m at this time. It’s not all the time straightforward, nevertheless it’s been very rewarding!
9. It’s attainable to make a dwelling running a blog
Probably the greatest issues I spotted is which you could really make dwelling from running a blog.
Many bloggers begin as a passion and switch it right into a money-making profession. Whereas it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, constant (and actual) effort can generally result in you with the ability to make a full-time earnings from running a blog.
10. I like this profession path
Earlier than running a blog, I completely dreaded the workweek.
Now, I get up excited to work on my weblog. Whereas there are powerful days, like coping with impolite feedback or the algorithms altering, the enjoyment I get from running a blog makes it value it.
I genuinely love what I do on daily basis and I sit up for working.
11. Anticipate a troublesome starting
I get plenty of emails from readers who’re scared to start out a weblog and share their ideas. They need to know my finest recommendation for beginning.
My finest recommendation is – simply go for it!
Nearly each blogger I do know (even the actually profitable ones) was scared to start out too.
That is completely regular.
12. Connecting with readers is extremely rewarding
One of the crucial fulfilling points of running a blog is the reference to readers. Listening to from individuals who have benefited from my recommendation or have been impressed by my weblog is wonderful.
Understanding that my phrases could make a constructive influence on somebody’s life retains me motivated to proceed writing. The suggestions and assist from readers creates a way of neighborhood and make all of the onerous work worthwhile.
I take pleasure in serving to folks all over the world with my weblog, and it’s actually a tremendous feeling.
13. I’m very grateful for the life I get to reside
Okay, I’ve sort of mentioned this all through many of the sections above, however I need to say it out loud – I’m so very grateful!
Running a blog has given me the possibility to reside a life I actually take pleasure in. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has supplied, from monetary freedom to private development. I’ve met wonderful folks, traveled to unbelievable locations, and constructed a profession that I’m keen about.
Day-after-day, I get up excited to work on my weblog and join with my readers. This journey has introduced a lot pleasure and achievement into my life, and I’m grateful for each second of it.
What’s subsequent?
Running a blog is all the time altering. I’m all the time looking for new methods to make my weblog higher. There are such a lot of prospects, and I’m excited to discover them.
At present, I’m trying to develop my weblog, like all the time. I’ve been writing extra, which has been good, and I’ve been filling content material gaps on my web site.
If there’s something you’d like me to write down about on Making Sense of Cents, please ship me an electronic mail at michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or go away a remark beneath.
Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!
Regularly Requested Questions
Under are solutions to widespread questions on beginning a weblog. I assumed I’d embody these right here as a result of I’m positive a few of you’ll have questions!
How can I begin my very own profitable weblog?
Beginning a profitable weblog entails a couple of key steps. First, select a subject that you’re keen about and that others are focused on. It’s necessary to be constant together with your posts and to write down high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Establishing your weblog is less complicated with platforms like self-hosted WordPress. Keep in mind to advertise your weblog on social media to achieve a wider viewers. I like to recommend studying How To Begin A Profitable Weblog In 10 Steps to study extra.
What are some ideas for holding a weblog going for over a decade?
Staying motivated to weblog for a very long time could be onerous. One solution to hold going is by setting objectives you possibly can attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking together with your readers and constructing a neighborhood may hold you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog tendencies and continue learning new expertise.
How has the running a blog panorama modified up to now 13 years?
Running a blog has modified loads up to now 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts had been widespread, however now longer weblog posts are extra common. search engine optimisation has turn out to be extra necessary, and there are extra instruments to assist bloggers enhance their content material. Social media additionally performs a much bigger function in bringing folks to blogs at this time.
What are efficient methods to have interaction with readers on a long-term weblog?
Participating with readers is essential to having a profitable long-term weblog. I like to recommend replying to feedback and emails to make readers really feel valued (as a result of they’re!). Internet hosting Q&A classes and making interactive content material like polls or surveys can increase engagement too. Frequently updating your weblog with new content material additionally retains readers coming again.
Can sharing private tales on a weblog entice a gentle readership?
Sure, sharing private tales can entice and retain readers. Individuals love connecting with real-life experiences. Private tales make your weblog extra relatable and may construct a loyal readership. It’s necessary to be real and trustworthy when sharing your experiences. For me, I all the time attempt to add one thing private to all of my weblog posts, and I prefer to see that once I’m studying different folks’s content material as properly.
If you wish to begin your personal weblog, I like to recommend signing up for my free How To Begin a Weblog Course right here. On this free course, I present you find out how to create a weblog, from the technical facet to incomes your first earnings and attracting readers.
Are you curious about beginning a weblog or your personal enterprise? What questions do you will have for me?
