I am so glad you guys are liking this little series! Honestly it’s a massive blessing to me to not only explore this career at a deeper level, but to answer the questions y’all have. Keep the emails and comments coming – I hope I can encourage and answer any questions you have! Here are the first two installments in the This IS My Real Job series:
The Road to Blogging for a Living
A Day in the Life
Today I want to explore a severely overlooked aspect of blogging for a living: creating relationships with other bloggers. Here’s the thing you guys: I look at this as my job, and the Internet is my office. When I worked in office environments it obviously was a good thing to create good working relationships with my co-workers, so it only makes sense to create relationships with other people in my industry now. The amazing thing is that it’s not just about making a work relationship. At times these relationships turn into lifelong friendships with women that I would never have met otherwise.
COMMENTING
I had several of you ask how you grow a following for a blog, and while there are a lot of ways to gain lots of views I am of the mindset that connecting with others is the best way to grow. Start by commenting on blogs – not all of the blogs, not all of the time. But take the time to actually READ what someone is saying and make a meaningful comment. I will go ahead and say this: I love when someone takes the time to comment, I really really do, but it’s a lot harder for me to feel a connection with a standard, “Wow this looks really good!” versus someone who actually took the time to read all of the words I wrote down. Please understand, I’m not knocking any comments, but I know what speaks to me and I can bet that it’s a lot more flattering to most everyone that their posts are actually being read.
Commenting in and of itself can become a full-time job because there are so many incredible blogs out there. I subscribe to about 75 different blogs, but limit myself to commenting on 10 per day. It just gets to be so much, and as you guys probably guessed from last week’s post, there’s not a lot of wiggle room time-wise. BUT I noticed a big jump in the number of dedicated readers when I stopped trying to win the contest for most comments on blogs and started trying to get to know the women behind them.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Now this is a great big all-encompassing header, but for all intents and purposes we’ll just say that this is specifically for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I love me some Pinterest, but I don’t find that it’s all that conducive to relationships. Each of the other three all play a hand in creating those relationships that have become so meaningful.
It’s funny, I never thought that I would have friends in this world that I’ve never actually met in person. I never thought that I would be able to communicate with them with just the click of a button. And I had no idea how motivating and encouraging they could be. But I’m finding out more and more that these relationships are just as real as any other one in “real” life!
I try to limit my time on all social media channels, but I will say these few last words about each one:
TWITTER: I typically use this for communicating with brands or sharing random funny stories.
FACEBOOK: I love the groups that I’m part of on here and use this to connect on a little deeper level than Twitter.
INSTAGRAM: This one is by far my favorite because it gives much more in depth looks at my blogging friends’ day-to-day things. Things I can pray for, things I can rejoice in, things we can all laugh with together. These are the things that bring us all together!
THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY
Nate was talking to me about a man that he works with and said something at some point that really struck a chord: he said that this gentleman will send thoughtful notes to people he has just met and that he does it all the time. That sounds so simple but really, who takes the time to hand write notes anymore?
I’ll tell you who: people who care.
I have since started taking 10 minutes to write a note to one blogging friend a week and mailing it to them. It’s nothing big. I use Target stationary and a Bic pen. I slap a stamp on it and take it by the post office. While I don’t really consider this work (because I’ve found I love doing it), it’s and intentional pursuit of those women I’m friends with. While it’s not really work, it does help cement those working relationships with other women in my industry. And while it’s not work, it can certainly help you IN your work!
The whole point of this post is to say this: reach out. Be real. Love others well. Be vulnerable and invite people in, some way or another. Blogging is only a competition if you make it one (and if you make it one I think you should be prepared to be miserable in it – been there done that). Create a team with other bloggers you admire and it can only take you to really great places!
As always, please comment or email me if you have any questions or want any clarification! I love you guys 😉
I am a new blogger that is why I found your page. I want to make blogging as my job too, but it is too early to tell that since my blog is only 4 months old. I get kind of discourage because I only have 200 plus visitors a day and few subscribers and few commenters that it feels like I am alone in my blog abode.Did you feel this way too? How many views did you get when you started? What post did you do that made your blog a success? Thanks.
Hey Shobelyn! I totally remember when I felt the same way; I remember the night that I saw on my stat counter that I had over 100 visitors and I freaked out from excitement. The biggest piece of advice that I can give is to look at your stats MAYBE once a month. It’s so easy to get obsessed with the numbers, but that will only make you miserable. Work on really connecting with those 200 visitors that come every day. The relationships are going to be the most life-giving piece of blogging!
I really had no idea how hard it was to keep folks on the site. I get many clicks, but I have a hard time keeping readers engaged and interested in what I have to say. Will have to keep working on that!
Thanks for your perspective- I will be checking out all the links in the series!
Hey girl! Just wanted to say I love this series you posted. I started my food blog thinking I would be the next Julie and Juila (HAHA, if only about a million other people didn’t seem to think the same thing…) and after about a year of blogging, I got intimidated by all the competition and what I had to do to ‘make it,’ that it took away the joy. It also happened that I was pregnant and NOT digging food, so I basically went on blog sabbatical for a year. I did miss it, though, and came back to it telling myself I would only do it for me. Even though my comments went from 20 to 0 because I could no longer commit the time to commenting on others’ blogs all the time (which tells me that very few people actually commented on my blog because they wanted to, so I guess I don’t miss them that much :). Even though my tweeting skills are poor (#twitternube). Even though it’s hard to squeeze in enough natural light as the days get shorter because we, too, eat after our 20-month-old goes to sleep, and I’m stuck snapping photos in the yellow light of our kitchen. I’ve been back at it for over a year now, and I still do it for the love of the game. I also decided to stay at home when my daughter was born, and considering how much time I pour into my blog, it would be nice to generate some income. I need to make that decision someday, but I am aware that the last time I tried to do that I started not enjoying it. Sorry for the rambling- just really enjoyed this series! It spoke to me!
I’m so glad! I totally understand what you went through/are going through. It can be such a fine line between a fun hobby-turned-job and just getting tired of it all sometimes. If you ever have any questions please let me know! I would be happy to share my thoughts 🙂
I love this and than you..I JUST started my blog this week and while I don’t know what God has in store for me finding this series is a blessing as it can be kind of overwhelming at first!
Yay for starting your blog Ashley! It certainly can be overwhelming, but just know that if you stick with it it will all just click very soon – hang in there and keep up the great work!
I’m loving this series, Heather! I just got back to blogging after taking a while off for vacations and because I lost a pregnancy, and I have to tell you – my outlook on it has changed so much.
I used to think I had to go and comment on a million blogs, but my big thing was making sure I read everything and actually writing out a thoughtful comment. I can’t stand the “Looks great!” “xoxo” comments I get sometimes, because I always end up asking, “Hmm. Did you really read my post?” It was taking up SO much time reading all those blog posts and commenting the way I do: like I’m writing a novel. It’s really important to me to genuinely engage.
And I LOVE that you send out notes. I need to do that more, because I used to. I used to love writing notes…and I have a few people in mind that would really love the notes. Thanks for the reminder…<3
I’m so glad that we’re all not alone in this! So many times people say “comment comment comment!” to gain readers, and while that IS helpful it’s not really if you give your life away to it. Been there done that! I’m so sorry you lost your sweet baby Melissa – you’re not alone in that either, and I will be praying for you!
thank you for this Heather. I do love this series, as I am learning so much from your experience. Really, your honestly and transparency are beautiful. 😉
I’m working so hard to juggle it all, and now that I’m back to homeschooling four, and have a toddler in the house between preschool days, it’s NUTS! But the great thing is, I TRULY love it all. It’s my “me-time,” and I don’t have to leave the house. 🙂
You’ve been a blessing to me!
aloha!
Thank you so much Monica! And you should know YOU have been a huge blessing to ME as well 🙂 MUAH!
Couldn’t agree with this more! The “internet friends” I am meeting and getting to know through blogging are amazing, best co-workers for sure!!
Thank you so much for all of your comments Sarah! I hope this series is encouraging and a good way for bloggers and non-bloggers alike to see what a job and a blessing it really is 🙂
First i have to say sorry i haven’t been by lately life took over – i think you know why :). Then i started reading this post, and it’s just great. Love the series but this one stuck with me especially with you since our “chats” have fallen off the wagon, and it is probably my fault. Just wanted to say sorry about that. I will try to be better. Also on another note – I know you will be successful doing this full time.
Girl, do NOT apologize! Life happens! And I’ve been super blessed by our friendship, whether we chat all the time or not 😉
So appreciate this post! I’m in the process of trying to better clarify how I want to utilize various social media sites, and I loved your breakdown of that. I’m realizing that it’s pointless for me and for friends/followers if I’m just duplicating the same info across all sites. Also loved what you said about the cards you send! I’ve been trying to get back to sending snail mail notes of encouragement, but hadn’t thought about sending them to bloggy friends. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
Thanks Jen! It’s definitely hard to figure out how you want to utilize it all, but once you figure out your best way of doing things it makes it so much easier!
I love trying new pesto recipes so this one is definitely going on the list! Thanks! 🙂
This should be on the Toasted Pecan Pesto post! I don’t know what happened! Too much crazy pesto thinking/clicking craziness?!?!
Ha! No worries girl – I do the same thing all the time when I’m excited to comment 🙂
I just want to say that you are INSPIRING!!! I really have no idea how I stumbled upon your blog. I feel it was a God thing and I am thankful. I have been pondering a blog for well over a year now. I finally talked with my hubby about it and in the last few months we are starting to make it a reality. Just thins morning I was feeling overwhelmed and wondering if I was even cut out for this somehow I came to your blog. Reading and digesting everything you wrote has made me excited again!!! Thank you for that! I know that the possibilities are endless!!!!!
Thank you so much Andrea – I am so glad this encouraged you! Never give up on something you feel called to do – all the doors will open when it’s time!
I completely agree with you about Instagram. It is by far my favorite form of social media, and I’ve found that, since becoming active on the site, the relationships I had already started building with other bloggers have grown by leaps and bounds.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. As a fairly new blogger, it’s so nice to get a perspective from others!
Exactly! It’s just a more personal and relatable form of social media!
Another lovely post in this series. I particularly like the section on commenting. Like you said it can become a full time job. I’ve actually struggled with it a bit after I got pregnant and had my son, commenting on blogs just kind of fell to the wayside. However, now that I am actually taking the time to do it again, I find that I am enjoying blogging a lot more and I am really getting to know some wonderful people. Now, if only I could limit myself to the amount of blogs I try to read a day. There are just too many good ones! 🙂
I totally understand – there’s a really fine line between commenting too much and not commenting enough. Finding that balance is one of the most freeing things I’ve done!
Such a meaningful and well written post, Heather! Being a new blogger I have realized how important it is to support other bloggers and truly get to know and interact with them. These bloggers understand more than anyone what you are going through and it is nice to have friends (even if they are invisible) who understand exactly what you are talking about! It is also really cool since I fell like I have friends in so many different states. It is pretty fun!
Exactly Tieghan! It’s so nice to have people on our team who know exactly what this job is really like!
Great thoughts and pointers! I really love the idea of sending a note each week to a different blogger. Who doesn’t love nice mail?
I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t like a nice piece of mail from time to time 😉
Please keep this series coming! So helpful for new bloggers like yours truly. 🙂
I love that perspective of blogger relationships being the “office relationships” of the internet! That was the first thing I noticed when I began reading blogs (loooong before starting my own!), and interacting with other bloggers/readers has been the most rewarding part of blogging thus far.
Thank you Dominique! It makes me so happy to know this little series is helpful 😉 Feel free to reach out if you ever have any questions I don’t answer!
I love this post and reaching out to fellow bloggers is the most important part of blogging for me! The human stories and relationships are the most rewarding piece of it all and I couldn’t imagine not having that or embracing it!
AMEN Averie! It would be hard to justify all of the work if there was no community to really share it with!
I’m a fairly new reader and I’m really enjoying your blog. I’ve liked this series as I’ve often wondered what the transition period looks like. I’m nowhere near that, but I still been enjoying it. This day was particularly helpful. Thanks so much for writing this series!
Alesha <3
Hey Alesha! I’m so glad you’re enjoying this series. I think it’s important to be honest about how the transitions are made, and I hope this helps you! Feel free to reach out if you ever have any questions!
This series has been super interesting to me. I’m not a full time blogger by any means, but I love it anyway. I think what separates it from other blogging series is the fact that it is much more real and in-depth than other posts I’ve read about full time blogging. Especially loved your note about commenting on other blogs. Like you, I value comments that are deeper and more in-depth than just, “this looks good!” Although I appreciate those, too. Now I just need to be better at commenting myself. 🙂
Thank you Madison! I so appreciate hearing that – I was hoping to make it different than most blogging series. I am always drawn to the story behind things, and it can be too personal sometimes for others to share the nitty gritty!
this is the first post in this series that I’ve read (already opened the others ones and will be reading those in just a second) and I loved and read every word! <3
Thanks Angie! All of your comments are so encouraging and I’m so glad you’re liking the series! I can’t wait to check out your blog this evening!
wow, this looks really good. Okay i kid. I kid. hehe
Love the handwritten notes. Thoughtful and genuine. Plus i love buying cards! Taking time to read is important, when you have time. No pressure to comment. I like checking in with others in different aspects, more personal. <3
OMG I wish I could tell you how hard I started laughing at the beginning of your comment. I just love you Lindsay 😉 And totally agree on the more personal part – after you’ve been blogging for a while I think we all crave having a more meaningful interaction on a deeper level. Makes you not feel so isolated in it, you know?
Love this one and agree 100% with the line about comments. Taking the time to read and leave a meaningful comment is important. I actually love that you limit yourself to 10 per day and wish I did the same for myself. That is something I might have to experiment with. I subscribe to so many and love all of them. I’ve found that even if I don’t get to read and comment, I try to share in some way – Twitter or Pinterest. All in all, you are right, the relationships with other bloggers are so important and I think, in a way, brings more meaning to what we do on our own blogs.
I love that last thing you said Cassie – if we didn’t have these relationships it would be really hard to justify all of the blogging work to begin with!
Wow, Heather! I really love this post! And the funny (and wonderful) thing is, that I found your blog through another friend’s blog (Sweet Basil) and so the community, the sharing, the blogger-to-blogger relationships grow every day! I especially love that you go old school and drop handwritten notes to your blogging friends. One of my big disappoints with modern everyday life is that getting the mail these days is NO FUN. Nothing exciting! Not even bills, as those are all dispensed with online now. What a treat to receive a short, sweet note from a blogging friend. Keep doing what you do!
Preach it Meagan! First of all I’m so glad you’re here – I can’t wait to head over and read your blog! Second, the mail really is no fun anymore. I flip out every time I see something hand-written in there!
Thanks for writing all this down, Heather. As someone who is relatively new to making this blogging thing “my real job”, I so appreciate the wisdom you are passing on. There are so many things I’ve learned along this journey. And connecting with other women, not competing with them, is one of them. So much better when we view this as a community…supporting each other and cheering everybody on. More than enough space for anyone who wants to join in.
Amen girl! For so long I tried to make it a competition but it just made me hate my blog, my writing, and wonder if there was any purpose in it all. Honestly it took having Weston to put things in perspective – in all of life!
I think I have found some of my closest friends on Twitter. We may never meet in real life, but I feel like I know them as well as I do some of the people I actually see every day. This social media thing is just amazing!
Totally agree Karen! It’s so funny to try to explain it to people who haven’t experienced it, but these friendships are the real deal!
Love this series and your perspective. Agreed on all points! Look forward to meeting you in person in Sept:)
Amanda
Thanks Amanda! I can’t wait to meet you soon too!
I love that you wrote about this, Heather. I think this is one of the most over-looked or under-rated aspects of blogging, and yet it is so, SO crucial to maintaining a healthy and productive blog (in my humble opinion, anyway ;)). The brand relationships and sponsored content may not be there forever, but some of the friendships I’ve made online and through blogging will be — it’s amazing how we live in a world now where we can actually be close friends with someone who lives miles away! I just love it. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more! Blogging may not always be my future, but the relationships created through it will certainly still be there!