For the past nine months I have been doing a different job. I leapt from the structure and safety of a regular wage to the unknown realm of freelancing. Along the way I have learnt of the pitfalls (chasing up invoices) but I wouldn’t swap it now. I don’t blog about blogging as a rule and I tend to keep out of the firing line regarding writing posts telling others advising others how to do this or that or get more followers.
However, today I am doing just that because I have had a few conversation with three real life friends recently who want to blog. These friends have very specific niche ideas and I can see them working. I have offered to help these friends get started but thought a post about why blogging is my ideal (for now) job would be helpful.
Let’s be honest blogging is hardly difficult – this is a conversation I had yesterday with a couple of bloggers I really respect. Yes you need to be able to string a sentence together and in order to survive more than a few months you need to be engaging but it is hardly rocket science. Teaching for example is rocket science – up to five lessons a day, 30 children a time that calls for serious skills and I take my hat off to all those who stay in the classroom for more than 12 years!
What makes MY blog work for me.
1. I blogged for four years before I was able to leave the classroom. I know that my blog has a history, a proven track record and I know that I can make a living from it. Do not expect quick results.
2. I have worked hard to get a following and become part of the parenting blogging community. There are thousands of blogs out there and not everyone can make a living from blogging and not everyone wants to either. However blogging is a social thing if you want to make a living from it. There are plenty of communities and it is finding one that you like so that you can participate and get more involved is pretty vital.
3. The hours I put in. I am not underestimating when I say I probably spend four hours a day working on the blog. That involves writing posts, using social media, commenting on other blogs, pitching for work, responding to emails.
4. Being professional which means stepping away from blogger disagreements online, meeting deadlines and being polite to people.
5. Writing about things that matter to you. You need to have things that inspire you to write content otherwise you quickly become bored and feel that you are scratching around for content. Blogging gives you a voice and that is powerful if used in a positive way. For me getting recognised for making a difference in raising awareness of hip dysplasia at the MAD blog awards was a huge thing.
6. There are no freebies in blogging. If I am reviewing a product or place it takes my time. My time is valuable to both PR companies and to myself. I may receive the product in lieu of cash but that is my payment. Wage earners do not regard their pay as freebies because they have worked for it, neither do I.
7. Be organised, emails, invoices, Tax returns, keeping reciepts all this takes on a whole new meaning when you work for yourself. No one else sorts that out for me and guess what it is time consuming and no one pays me for that time.
8. Finally you can set your own hours which is the biggest blessing. I can be about when the children need me which is the best thing (especially with my children’s health stuff) but it does mean you will find me in the evening still working on the laptop.
So there you have it – blogging is not hard but it absolutely needs time. It is not an easy option but it is worthwhile and the best job in the world for me, right now.
14 Responses
Fantastic post Emma and I agree with all of your points – I think I probably spend about 5 hours per day on my blog which is a long time (although I have a Sunday off) but not as long as a traditional 9-5 job and it has definitely been a worthwhile career change for me.
I can also echo your advice re: it takes time to earn money and not to expect immediate results. I was blogging for 2 years and won an award before I earned a single penny. I still work in an employed role one day per week and don’t feel ready to take the leap to fully self employed yet – maybe in a year or so.
Thanks Sam, I love the freedom it brings and I think blogging is so family friendly. It is a great way to make a living.
I feel quite mixed about this actually. Guess because I never really had a “proper job” as my son was diagnosed pretty much after I graduated so I decided to stay home. This is the first time I have felt that I am really working hard – but yes I can agree with all your points. I am glad it is working so well for you.
I guess it is a bit provocative Joy but I keep seeing others unhappy with their blogging lot or commenting that their real life friends want to start blogs and don”t understand how difficult it is. My point is that it is not difficult in that sense of the word. Time consuming yes, but it is not ‘hard’.
Yes I do get that and see what you mean when you look at it from that point of view. It is definitely something easily doable with time, hard work and patience.
It’s the best job in the world – juggling everything is at times, but I love the freedom it gives me!
I love blogging and I wouldn’t like another job!
It is such a great job if you have a family who need you and it is true that you do have to put a lot of time into it, but it is a worthwhile thing and I love it too.
It definitely takes time and you’re right, it’s not difficult but it’s not as easy as I think some people think it is if you know what I mean x
Blogging has been a life saver for me as I was made redundant during my twin pregnancy. I also have worked very hard at it and only now after 5 years can say I am finally earning something. By no stretch of the imagination is it close to a London wage but it’s getting better and better.
Fantastic post Emma, I too have started to pass on tips to people but this is a really good way of making people aware of what it is really like.
You are soooo much better than me – I work far too much, even when the kids are about. I need to get a balance, but no idea where to get it from! I reckon I am doing 6hrs a day at the moment, though not all blog stuff, other stuff to from the blog, but not the blog!
Great post Emma! Blogging is my job now too, although I don’t make much from my personal (hobby) blog. But, it opened up a whole world of opportunity with regards to blogging for small businesses and I really love that I can fit it in around family life too.
Oh i so agree a great job to fit around family life and compared to social work and absolute doddle!!
I don’t work other than my blog, but that’s more due to the cost of childcare and that when my son was first diagnosed as having Type 1 Diabetes I was off work more than in work as he had a lot of hospital stays at first. I love blogging, it’s given me back something for me, and although my blogs only been live since Jan this year I do get some paid work and some fab opportunities, I think because of the hours and hard work I’ve put in.
The actual writing parts comes easy as I’ve always loved writing, it’s more the promotion side of things that takes the effort and building up follower numbers etc. I love all of it though, so feel very lucky to get paid for something that has already enriched my life a lot! 🙂
Stevie x