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. Once 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 needed 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.
Once 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 needed to speak about private finance and share my very own experiences. I didn’t know that running a blog might truly generate profits!
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 was 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 suggestions 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 a lot of free time with my husband and our daughter.
It’s a dream come true.
My weblog has develop into an important enterprise that lets me take pleasure in my work, have a versatile schedule, and make a superb residing.
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 you might want 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 put up was revealed on August 10, 2011. You may 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 the moment have 1,379 revealed.
- I’ve acquired 151,762 emails (this doesn’t even embrace 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 studies nor share my revenue (you’ll find all of them right here – Weblog Revenue Experiences 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
Once I first began my weblog, I noticed shortly that being my very own boss was what I needed.
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 complete management over my work. I keep away from duties that I dislike, making my work-life steadiness significantly better.
From writing to selling, each a part of running a blog is one thing I like doing (nicely, practically each half – it’s nonetheless laborious work!).
2. A versatile schedule modified my life
One of many greatest perks of being a blogger is having a versatile schedule. I can work at any time when I need, 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 carried out later.
3. Freedom to work from wherever is wonderful
One other wonderful thing about running a blog is being location unbiased. I’ve had some wonderful experiences residing in other places, 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 will be difficult, however the freedom it gives is price it.
4. Success takes time
Too many bloggers surrender too shortly.
Beginning a weblog can really feel overwhelming, and never seeing fast outcomes will be disheartening. It took me six months to earn my first $100, however that persistence has paid off in the long term.
Bear 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 jot 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 jot 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 jot down about simply but!
6. Get able to be taught
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 be taught. Running a blog isn’t a simple process, and making an revenue takes laborious work.
However that’s what makes it fascinating – 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 essential to see different bloggers as potential pals moderately than competitors.
Networking with different bloggers is essential for fulfillment, resembling by sharing one another’s content material, attending conferences, and supporting one another. This may help everybody develop.
I’ve made nice pals who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s actually an important neighborhood to be in.
8. You don’t want expertise to begin a weblog
Once 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.
Every thing will be discovered alongside the best way. Each profitable blogger began with out figuring out all the things, 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 initially. Once I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you possibly can generate profits from them. I discovered how you can construct a weblog from scratch and labored laborious to get the place I’m right now. It’s not all the time straightforward, but it surely’s been very rewarding!
9. It’s potential to make a residing running a blog
Top-of-the-line issues I noticed is which you can truly make a superb residing 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 generally 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 price it.
I genuinely love what I do day by 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 need 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
Some of the fulfilling elements 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.
Realizing that my phrases could make a optimistic impression 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 laborious work worthwhile.
I take pleasure in serving to folks world wide 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 type of stated 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 prospect to reside a life I really take pleasure in. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has offered, from monetary freedom to non-public progress. I’ve met wonderful folks, 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 success 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 seeking 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 jot down about on Making Sense of Cents, please ship me an e mail at michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or depart a remark beneath.
Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Under are solutions to frequent questions on beginning a weblog. I assumed I’d embrace 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 just a few key steps. First, select a subject that you’re obsessed with and that others are excited by. It’s essential to be constant along with your posts and to jot down high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Organising your weblog is less complicated with platforms like self-hosted WordPress. Bear in mind to advertise your weblog on social media to succeed in a wider viewers. I like to recommend studying How To Begin A Profitable Weblog In 10 Steps to be taught extra.
What are some suggestions for holding a weblog going for over a decade?
Staying motivated to weblog for a very long time will be laborious. One solution to maintain going is by setting objectives you’ll be able to attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking along with your readers and constructing a neighborhood may also maintain you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog developments and continue to learn new expertise.
How has the running a blog panorama modified previously 13 years?
Running a blog has modified so much previously 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts have been frequent, however now longer weblog posts are extra in style. search engine optimisation has develop into extra essential, and there are extra instruments to assist bloggers enhance their content material. Social media additionally performs a much bigger position in bringing folks to blogs right now.
What are efficient methods to have interaction with readers on a long-term weblog?
Partaking with readers is vital 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. Recurrently updating your weblog with new content material additionally retains readers coming again.
Can sharing private tales on a weblog appeal to a gradual readership?
Sure, sharing private tales can appeal to and retain readers. Folks love connecting with real-life experiences. Private tales make your weblog extra relatable and might construct a loyal readership. It’s essential 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 wish to see that once I’m studying different folks’s content material as nicely.
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 how you can create a weblog, from the technical facet to incomes your first revenue and attracting readers.
Are you curious about beginning a weblog or your personal enterprise? What questions do you may have for me?