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 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.
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 passion. I wished to speak about private finance and share my very own experiences. I didn’t know that running a blog might truly become profitable!
As time went on, my weblog grew. I went from writing in secret to having a group 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 ideas with hundreds of thousands of readers annually.
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 recently.
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 a terrific enterprise that lets me take pleasure in my work, have a versatile schedule, and make an excellent 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’s essential 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 put up 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 12 months and presently have 1,379 revealed.
- I’ve obtained 151,762 emails (this doesn’t even embrace 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 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 not publish weblog earnings reviews nor share my earnings (you could find all of them right here – Weblog Revenue Stories 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 annually.
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
Once I first began my weblog, I noticed rapidly that being my very own boss was what I wished.
I take pleasure in making my very own schedule, setting my enterprise targets, 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 stability 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 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 need, whether or not it’s within the morning, at evening, 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 wonderful thing about running a blog is being location unbiased. I’ve had some wonderful 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 may be difficult, however the freedom it gives is price it.
4. Success takes time
Too many bloggers quit too rapidly.
Beginning a weblog can really feel overwhelming, and never seeing fast outcomes may 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 put in writing. Writing on a decent deadline used to emphasize me out, and now I write posts nicely earlier than they’re due, permitting me to put in writing 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 put in writing about simply but!
6. Get able to study
Running a blog is a steady studying journey. From understanding social media to operating an internet site, there’s at all times one thing new to study. Running a blog isn’t a straightforward job, and making an earnings takes exhausting work.
However that’s what makes it attention-grabbing – it’s by no means boring as a result of there’s at all times a brand new problem.
7. Cease seeing different bloggers as competitors
It’s vital to see different bloggers as potential mates fairly than competitors.
Networking with different bloggers is vital for achievement, similar to by sharing one another’s content material, attending conferences, and supporting one another. This may help everybody develop.
I’ve made nice mates who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s actually a terrific group to be in.
8. You don’t want expertise to start out a weblog
Once 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.
Every little thing may be realized alongside the way in which. Each profitable blogger began with out figuring out every thing, and with time, they realized and grew.
That is one thing that I like about running a blog.
I’m proof you can succeed even in the event you don’t know a lot initially. Once I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you would become profitable from them. I realized the best way to construct a weblog from scratch and labored exhausting to get the place I’m right this moment. It’s not at all times straightforward, however it’s been very rewarding!
9. It’s potential to make a dwelling running a blog
Top-of-the-line issues I noticed is you can truly make an excellent 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 typically result in you having 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 price it.
I genuinely love what I do each day and I sit up for working.
11. Count on a troublesome starting
I get numerous emails from readers who’re scared to start out 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 start out too.
That is completely regular.
12. Connecting with readers is extremely rewarding
One of the vital 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.
Understanding that my phrases could make a optimistic impression on somebody’s life retains me motivated to proceed writing. The suggestions and assist from readers creates a way of group and make all of the exhausting work worthwhile.
I take pleasure in serving to individuals around the globe 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 a lot 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 really take pleasure in. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has supplied, from monetary freedom to private progress. I’ve met wonderful individuals, traveled to unbelievable locations, and constructed a profession that I’m keen about.
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 at all times altering. I’m at all times 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 at all times. 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 put in writing about on Making Sense of Cents, please ship me an electronic mail at michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or depart a remark under.
Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!
Steadily Requested Questions
Beneath are solutions to frequent questions on beginning a weblog. I believed I’d embrace 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 couple of key steps. First, select a subject that you’re keen about and that others are eager about. It’s vital to be constant along with your posts and to put in writing high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Establishing your weblog is less complicated with platforms like self-hosted WordPress. Bear 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 may be exhausting. One option to maintain going is by setting targets you may attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking along with your readers and constructing a group also can maintain you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog developments and continue to learn new abilities.
How has the running a blog panorama modified prior to now 13 years?
Running a blog has modified rather a lot prior to now 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts have been frequent, however now longer weblog posts are extra in style. web optimization has turn out to be extra vital, and there are extra instruments to assist bloggers enhance their content material. Social media additionally performs an even bigger function in bringing individuals to blogs right this moment.
What are efficient methods to interact with readers on a long-term weblog?
Partaking 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 periods and making interactive content material like polls or surveys can increase engagement too. Commonly updating your weblog with new content material additionally retains readers coming again.
Can sharing private tales on a weblog appeal to a gentle 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 vital to be real and sincere when sharing your experiences. For me, I at all times 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 the best way to create a weblog, from the technical aspect to incomes your first earnings and attracting readers.
Are you interested by beginning a weblog or your individual enterprise? What questions do you will have for me?
