I have made no bones about the fact that I love blogging. It started out as a hobby that I started up one day because I was working on websites at the time and thought it would be fun to start my own. It was something I did totally on a whim and had no idea it would turn into a full-time job. I wanted to write this post today because a lot of people have been asking me what I do lately. It has always been easier just to say I am a SAHM, but that’s not the whole truth. The truth is, I work my tail off. I have been working 40-60 hours a week for the last year now. There is a lot to the world of blogging. With millions of blogs out there, there is a lot of work you have to do to stand out. Some bloggers get lucky and have a post go viral that can carry them for a while, but for most of us, that is not the case.
Here is what a typical day looks like for me:
-Write blog posts
-Take photos
-Edit photos
-Contact brands I want to work with
-Apply for sponsored posts (this requires coming up with ideas for recipes, crafts, tutorials, etc. up front and telling the brand what specifically you will write about ahead of time.)
-Schedule social media
-Take and edit photos for Instagram
-Marketing and socializing with other bloggers (commenting on blogs, sharing their content, etc.)
-Share my blog posts on all social platforms
-Take blog courses or read blog posts and tutorials to stay educated (things are always changing on the internet).
-Check my email 3 times a day (I normally wake up to over 100 emails and get about that many more throughout the day.)
-Brianstorm blog topics
-Research
-Make a recipe or do a craft, etc for posts
-And of course, I play with the kids, feed them, change their diapers, etc. throughout the day.
So, you see? It is a lot of work and extremely time-consuming. I am not just sitting over here catching up on soaps (are those still a thing?). More nights than not, I am up until midnight working. Just ask my slightly annoyed husband. haha
The truth about blogging is, it is a ton of work and there is not a lot of money in it. You can make a full-time income, sure. However, it takes a lot of work and time. I have been doing it full time for nearly a year now and am just now comfortable with saying it is a full-time income. In December, I nearly doubled my income since last April and it has increased sightly since then. Income still varies for me a little bit. I’m not a “big blog” by any means. Not even close, so just know you can make money, too. You just have to be willing to put in the work and time.
The perks of being a blogger and why I love it:
It is a lot of work and very time consuming, but you can work from anywhere and can even stay home with your kids while earning an income! To me, it has been the biggest blessing because I have struggled with a lot of self-doubt whether or not I was doing the right thing staying home with my kids, and blogging has been not only been a creative outlet for me, it has also taught me so much and helped me earn an income. It is very rewarding because I have made great friends and worked with amazing people and brands. I am with my kids 24/7 and I’m making a good living off of something I literally built from the ground up. I feel like I have learned so much about HTML, SEO, photography, writing, marketing, etc. which is awesome! These are wonderful skills that anyone would be proud to have. I love to learn and that has been one of my favorite things about this journey. The community is awesome and they never cease to amaze me how supportive they are. There is room for everyone in blog land and I firmly believe that anyone can make a living doing what they love and are passionate about if they just put in the time and effort.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a blogger, don’t think twice. Just do it. Start writing today and keep on writing and learning and getting involved. I haven’t regretted it one single day. In fact, it was the best decision I have ever made as far as a job or career is concerned.
Love the blog life and meeting people like you ❤️
Back at you, girl! I hope you are having a great week and starting to feel better!
This was awesome! You should be so proud of yourself and all that you do. Blogging is a lot for work and it is great how you put it out there of all that goes in your day. Keep going!
Thank you! It is a ton of work, but it is so much fun! Plus, it’s not really work if it’s something you love, right? 🙂
So much work goes in to blogging! I had no idea prior to being a blogger. This is great and so accurate!
Man, being a full time blogger is a lot of work! Glad you love it 🙂
Great post. How long did it take you before you went full time? Did it replace your jobs income? I’d love to know!
Danielle Greco | AccordingtoD.com
That about sums it up in a nut shell. People think bloggers don’t work.
Yep. So true. Full-time blogging really is a lot of work, but so worth it. Thanks for sharing this. Most people don’t know how much goes into it.
Yes, this! Sounds like my day too! I love it, though!
I just barely started my blog and I never thought it would keep me this busy, all day, every day is the only thing I think about! I’m a student so it’s impossible for me to be a full time blogger. I really like it and I don’t think I will ever get tired of it! Love the post!
xx
Ana
Indie Suns | Bloglovin’ | Instagram
Sounds a lot like my day! It is amazing how much work goes into blogging, but the rewards are totally worth it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great encouragement. I would love to know your breakdown of your sources of income (not how much of course!) Just where you are seeing the best streams coming from. Helpful for those of us not quite there yet!
Hi Heather! Absolutely! The highest amount of income for me has been through sponsored posts. I would be happy to write a post soon on the companies I have personally had the most success with! I have recently started getting a good bit more through affiliate links. It has taken me over 3 years to figure that out and what has worked best for me. I will add it to my list of topics to cover if it is something you would be interested in me expanding on! I hope that was helpful!
Yes, please! 🙂
I love it too! And so accurate!
Whaaat? No soaps all day? Just kidding–I wish I were a full-time blogger, because it’s hard to do all that on a part-time schedule. but it’s great to hear the worth of all that effort from more successful bloggers like yourself! I echo Heather’s request for a post on your most effective income streams:)
Midnight is the earliest I go to sleep lately as well, but I am so motivated that I am not tired, so I totally understand where you are coming from 🙂
I love blogging as well!
I am counting down the days until I can become a full time blogger because working full time, grad school, and trying to blog all at once is really cramping my style haha.
xoxo, Jenny
That all sounds so familiar (except the kids part)! I work so hard and have done it for almost 2 years now but I just can’t seem to monetize. It’s my dream, and I love it so I’ll keep working at it but I’d be happy with a few hundred dollars a month!
Life as a blogger is so busy! I’m amazed at your emails each day.
Great post, but I think only other bloggers understand how much work it is. I have lots of nonblogging friends who are very dismissive of what I do, assuming I just write when I feel like it and that’s it. I’ve learned to deal with it, but I hate how some people make me feel like it’s not a “real” job. Of course you have to love it to make it work!
They say that entrepreneurs work 80 hours a week to avoid the 9-5 and being a blogger is living proof of that 🙂
It’s so strange isn’t it, how because you work from home and have children most people would see you as a SAHM and not a working Mum without even seeing the work that goes into the website! You are clearly putting in the work, good on you!
You are giving me great encouragement. As a working Mom, it is so difficult to find the time to blog and as a NEW blogger, I am learning so much as I go. I am excited to have the summer to spend more time blogging. I have always yearned for a hobby and I am so glad I have finally found a fun one! Even though I am not that great yet, I am having so much fun. I imagined full-time bloggers to be sipping Mimosas on a beach somewhere. One can dream, right? 🙂
Great post and thanks for sharing! Your blog is beautiful!
Thanks for sharing your schedule! I spend WAY more time on my blog than I ever expected I would, but it is so much fun for me – I only think other bloggers/entrepreneurs will understand all of the work that goes into our little corners of the Internet.
xx, Emily from Something Gold, Something Blue