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 pastime. 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 pastime. I wished to speak about private finance and share my very own experiences. I didn’t know that running a blog might really earn a living!
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 depart 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 these days.
Operating my very own enterprise and dealing fewer hours means I can spend plenty of free time with my husband and our daughter.
It’s a dream come true.
My weblog has develop into an excellent enterprise that lets me get pleasure from my work, have a versatile schedule, and make a great dwelling.
What amazes me is how little I knew about running a blog once I began.
I’m not a tech individual, and I’ve by no means considered myself as a author. I point out this as a result of many individuals suppose it is advisable to be each to begin 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 give up 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 printed on August 10, 2011. You possibly can learn it right here.
- I’ve written over 2,000 articles on Making Sense of Cents, however I deleted a bunch final 12 months and at the moment have 1,379 printed.
- I’ve obtained 151,762 emails (this doesn’t even embody the numerous emails I’ve deleted over time, 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 increased 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 revenue reviews nor share my revenue (yow will discover all of them right here – Weblog Earnings Studies From A Multi-Million Weblog), from 2011 to 2018, I made round $5,000,000 complete. Since 2018, I’ve nonetheless made a wholesome revenue every year.
Associated content material:
Right here’s what I like and have discovered about running a blog.
1. I benefit from the freedom of being my very own boss
After I first began my weblog, I spotted shortly that being my very own boss was what I wished.
I get pleasure from making my very own schedule, setting my enterprise targets, and doing what I like every day. It’s nice to have complete management over my work. I keep away from duties that I dislike, making my work-life stability a lot better.
From writing to selling, each a part of running a blog is one thing I like doing (nicely, almost each half – it’s nonetheless exhausting 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 each time I would like, whether or not it’s within the morning, at night time, or on weekends.
This flexibility permits me to get pleasure from my day doing enjoyable actions, and I can nonetheless get my work executed later.
3. Freedom to work from anyplace is superb
One other beauty of running a blog is being location unbiased. I’ve had some superb experiences dwelling somewhere else, 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 might be difficult, however the freedom it offers is value it.
4. Success takes time
Too many bloggers hand over too shortly.
Beginning a weblog can really feel overwhelming, and never seeing fast outcomes might 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 greatest 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 nicely 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 get pleasure from. 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 working an internet site, there’s all the time one thing new to study. Running a blog isn’t a straightforward job, and making an revenue takes exhausting 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 mates slightly than competitors.
Networking with different bloggers is necessary for fulfillment, equivalent to by sharing one another’s content material, attending conferences, and supporting one another. This might help everybody develop.
I’ve made nice mates who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s really an excellent neighborhood to be in.
8. You don’t want expertise to begin a weblog
After I began running a blog, I had no expertise and didn’t know a lot about it. You don’t must be a social media skilled or a tech wizard to get began.
All the things might be discovered alongside the way in which. Each profitable blogger began with out figuring out the whole lot, and with time, they discovered and grew.
That is one thing that I like about running a blog.
I’m proof which you can succeed even for those who don’t know a lot in the beginning. After I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you could possibly earn a living from them. I discovered construct a weblog from scratch and labored exhausting to get the place I’m at present. It’s not all the time straightforward, however it’s been very rewarding!
9. It’s attainable to make a dwelling running a blog
The most effective issues I spotted is which you can really make a great dwelling from running a blog.
Many bloggers begin as a pastime and switch it right into a money-making profession. Whereas it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, constant (and actual) effort can typically result in you with the ability to make a full-time revenue 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 each day and I sit up for working.
11. Count on a tricky starting
I get lots of emails from readers who’re scared to begin a weblog and share their ideas. They wish to know my greatest recommendation for beginning.
My greatest recommendation is – simply go for it!
Virtually each blogger I do know (even the actually profitable ones) was scared to begin too.
That is completely regular.
12. Connecting with readers is extremely rewarding
Probably the most fulfilling facets 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 superb.
Realizing that my phrases could make a constructive affect on somebody’s life retains me motivated to proceed writing. The suggestions and help from readers creates a way of neighborhood and make all of the exhausting work worthwhile.
I get pleasure from serving to individuals around the globe with my weblog, and it’s really a tremendous feeling.
13. I’m very grateful for the life I get to reside
Okay, I’ve type of mentioned this all through many of the sections above, however I wish to say it out loud – I’m so very grateful!
Running a blog has given me the possibility to reside a life I actually get pleasure from. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has supplied, from monetary freedom to private progress. I’ve met superb individuals, traveled to unimaginable locations, and constructed a profession that I’m obsessed with.
Every single 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 potentialities, 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 e mail at michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or depart a remark under.
Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Beneath 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 will have questions!
How can I begin my very own profitable weblog?
Beginning a profitable weblog entails a number of key steps. First, select a subject that you’re obsessed with and that others are taken with. It’s necessary to be constant along with your posts and to write down high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Organising your weblog is simpler 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 preserving a weblog going for over a decade?
Staying motivated to weblog for a very long time might be exhausting. One method to hold going is by setting targets you possibly can attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking along with your readers and constructing a neighborhood may hold you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog developments and continue learning new expertise.
How has the running a blog panorama modified up to now 13 years?
Running a blog has modified lots up to now 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts have been widespread, however now longer weblog posts are extra fashionable. search engine optimization has develop into extra necessary, and there are extra instruments to assist bloggers enhance their content material. Social media additionally performs a much bigger function in bringing individuals to blogs at present.
What are efficient methods to interact 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 enhance engagement too. Recurrently 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 might construct a loyal readership. It’s necessary to be real and sincere when sharing your experiences. For me, I all the time attempt to add one thing private to all of my weblog posts, and I wish to see that once I’m studying different individuals’s content material as nicely.
If you wish to begin your individual 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 create a weblog, from the technical facet to incomes your first revenue and attracting readers.
Are you interested by beginning a weblog or your individual enterprise? What questions do you’ve gotten for me?
