Blogging is no easy task. When you start blogging, you’ll learn that the hardest part is balancing your blog with your real life. Bloggers can make things looks so easy, but when you get into the behind the scenes work and really see the time, effort, and planning that it takes to be great, you realize that it is not as easy as it looks. I had to learn that in order for me to be successful with blogging, I had to figure out how to balance the responsibilities of my blog along with my full time HR job, marriage, friendships, and online boutique. After many years of not getting much sleep, and many aha moments, I’ve finally found my sweet spot of blogging consistently and living my best life.
New Bloggers often asked me for tips & advice, so in 2017, I started hosting Blogger Workshops to help the next generation of bloggers start off on the right track. I’m hosting my next masterclass on 2/24, and I’ll be helping new bloggers who want to work with brands, create a media kit, and market themselves to be contenders for sponsored posts and collaborations.
If you are not quite at the place of working with brands or monetizing your blog, and you just want a few pointers on where to start, I’ll share 5 helpful tips to get you started on the right foot.
1. Are you willing to share your true self with the world? If the answer to this question is No, then you don’t need to blog. Readers engage and connect with bloggers who show their personality and their real, authentic self. Think about if the whole world could read your diary, thats basically what blogging is. If your not up for being real and being relatable, find another hobby. What tips are you willing to share? What resources are you willing to pass along? What value are you going to give to the world?
2. Determine your niche: What topics do you want to blog about? What types of information would your audience find interesting and helpful? What are you passionate about? What are you an expert at? Narrow down on your topic so your readers know what to expect when they visit your blog.
3. Is this a Hobby or a Hustle: What is your level of commitment to your blog? Are you willing to invest in courses, workshops or masterclasses to sharpen your skill? Are you willing to schedule time after work or on the weekends to devote time to blogging? Are you willing to budget the funds needed for hosting your site, buying a domain, getting a camera or paying for a photographer?
4. Network: Connect with other bloggers, photographers, makeup artist, and business owners. You can do this at networking events, blogger meetups or even through social media. I’ve made amazing connections just by sending a friendly “DM” on Instagram. Blogger relationships are so important. I’ve found my photographer, my makeup artist, multiple businesses to collaborate with, and helpful apps and blogger resources by just building relationships through networking.
5. Planning: Planning your blog posts and photoshoots in advance is so important. If you don’t plan to post, it will never happen. Plan out how you can be more consistent in a way that makes sense for your life. It is not realistic to have a full glam squad following you around and have a photoshoot every day; unless you are a celebrity. If you can’t shoot every day, spend a few hours on the weekend shooting multiple looks and batch process. Work smarter and not harder and plan your week, your month and your year out in advance.
I just decided to blog and I thought it was too late for me but gathered enough energy and motivation to stay positive since my mind was preoccupied with the idea for too long. This was a good read and very helpful. Thank you. And thanks for following me as well.
Wow! This is just what I needed. I’m new to blogging , but really want to start. And I want to pursue personal styling. So thank you!
Started blogging a year ago and I’ve learned a lot as months past by and I believe I have started understanding what it takes to be a full time blogger. But, learning more of what it takes is definitely achievable. I loved the tips you shared because you mentioned things I have yet not thought about. Thank you 🙂
I too needed to read this post. While I am not in the stage of monetizing yet I do agree with the strategic planning that comes with choosing to blog. If there are anymore tips for those of us new to the game please share. If there is other resources please share. Your time and knowledge are appreciated. Keep up the good work
This post is EVERYTHING! I have started my blog and I’m absorbing so much knowledge. You are so right there is a lot of work behind the scenes but it’s so fun when you are sharing pieces of yourself that others can relate too. Keep up the amazing content 🙂
Thank you for this insight. I appreciate it.