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 concept 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.
After I began my weblog in August 2011, I had no concept 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 may 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 become 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 suggestions 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 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 turn into an incredible 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 individual, 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 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 stop my day job to weblog full-time (that was again in 2013).
Some enjoyable stats about Making Sense of Cents:
- My first weblog submit was printed 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 12 months and presently have 1,379 printed.
- I’ve obtained 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 greater 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 studies nor share my earnings (yow will discover all of them right here – Weblog Earnings 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 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
After I first began my weblog, I spotted 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 stability a lot better.
From writing to selling, each a part of running a blog is one thing I like doing (properly, almost each half – it’s nonetheless laborious 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 take pleasure in my day doing enjoyable actions, and I can nonetheless get my work finished later.
3. Freedom to work from anyplace is wonderful
One other beauty of running a blog is being location unbiased. I’ve had some wonderful experiences dwelling 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 might be difficult, however the freedom it gives is value it.
4. Success takes time
Too many bloggers quit 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 while you really feel impressed
I discovered that I write my greatest content material once I’m not pressured to jot down. Writing on a good deadline used to emphasize me out, and now I write posts properly earlier than they’re due, permitting me to jot down once I’m impressed.
Presently, 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 subjects to jot down about simply but!
6. Get able to study
Running a blog is a steady studying journey. From understanding social media to working a web site, there’s all the time one thing new to study. Running a blog isn’t a simple process, and making an earnings takes laborious 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 potential associates relatively than competitors.
Networking with different bloggers is necessary 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 associates who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s actually an incredible 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 have to be a social media knowledgeable or a tech wizard to get began.
All the pieces might be realized alongside the best way. Each profitable blogger began with out realizing all the pieces, and with time, they realized and grew.
That is one thing that I like about running a blog.
I’m proof that you would be able to succeed even in the event you don’t know a lot initially. After I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you could possibly generate profits from them. I realized the way to construct a weblog from scratch and labored laborious to get the place I’m as we speak. It’s not all the time simple, nevertheless it’s been very rewarding!
9. It’s potential to make a dwelling running a blog
Among the best issues I spotted is that you would be able to truly make an excellent 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 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 robust 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 look ahead to working.
11. Anticipate a troublesome starting
I get plenty 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
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.
Figuring out that my phrases could make a optimistic 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 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 form of stated 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 take pleasure in. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has supplied, from monetary freedom to non-public progress. I’ve met wonderful folks, traveled to unbelievable locations, and constructed a profession that I’m enthusiastic 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 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.
Presently, 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 jot down about on Making Sense of Cents, please ship me an e mail at michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or go away a remark beneath.
Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!
Regularly Requested Questions
Under 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 could 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 enthusiastic about and that others are concerned about. It’s necessary 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. Keep 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 study extra.
What are some suggestions for protecting a weblog going for over a decade?
Staying motivated to weblog for a very long time might be laborious. One strategy to hold going is by setting objectives you possibly can attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking along with your readers and constructing a neighborhood may also hold you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog traits and continue to learn new expertise.
How has the running a blog panorama modified prior to now 13 years?
Running a blog has modified lots prior to now 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts had been frequent, however now longer weblog posts are extra in style. web optimization has turn into extra necessary, 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 as we speak.
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. Frequently 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. 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 prefer to see that once I’m studying different folks’s content material as properly.
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 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 may have for me?
