It’s my 6th blogging anniversary today and I can’t quite believe that I’ve been blogging for that long. I still remember when I first started blogging. Things were quite different then. For one, there were nowhere near as many bloggers around as today. And also, blogging was very much a hobby back then. There weren’t as many paid opportunities around and overall, it was more about creating a community than anything else. That doesn’t mean that everything is doom and gloom now, though.
I’m incredibly grateful that blogging allows me to work from home. That means I can take Amy to kindergarten and pick her up at 2 PM every single day or stay home with her when she’s unwell without having to worry about my job. Getting there took time, though, so I thought I’d share 6 things that I’ve learned in 6 years of blogging:
You get out of it what you put in
I often see new bloggers in Facebook groups who’ve started their blog a couple of weeks ago and are wondering why on earth PR companies or SEOs aren’t running their doors in. Quite frankly, it’s because it takes time and effort to build your blog to a standard that attracts attention from not only readers but also companies that are willing to work with you. They want to see a consistently high standard, a certain social following, authority and, of course, readership. All this doesn’t come within a couple of weeks of blogging. So work hard, create good content and get involved in the community. It will be worth it in the end!
The blogging community is pretty amazing
Having seen what the blogging community can do over the course of six years, still, leaves me speechless. I’ve seen hundreds of people get together to raise massive amounts of money for charity and I’ve seen small groups help out when a fellow blogger needed help (be it financial or manpower) or simply a shoulder to cry on. I think it’s amazing that people, many of whom only see each other once or twice a year, feel a bond strong enough to want to help make other lives better by going out of their way to offer support.
Blogging creates friendships for life
Blogging creates friendships and I know for sure that I’ve made friends for life through my little old blog. Friends that I might not see a lot but friends who I know are always on the other side of my laptop screen. They’ve been there for my when I separated from Amy’s dad and had to adapt to life as a single mum. They’ve been there when I had to pack up my life in boxes and start again in a country that was my home but that Amy only knew from visits. And they’re always there for a laugh and gossip, of course. They wouldn’t be my buddies otherwise!
Blogging requires dedication
I know of so many people who’ve started blogging because they were after ‘free stuff’. Well, dear people, most of them have disappeared just as quickly as they’ve turned up because review items are certainly not ‘free’. Many people might think it takes no effort at all to run a blog but don’t be fooled. There’s so much work going on behind the scenes.
There’s the brainstorming, the writing. There’s taking pictures, styling pictures, editing and keeping up with the latest trends and developments. You have to get used to new social networks all the time and teach yourself skills like photo and video editing as well as simple coding and design. And, of course, as all self-employed people, you have to motivate yourself to create something completely new every single day.
Blogging gives your skills that lead to jobs outside of blogging
Through blogging, I have gained and developed skills that are sought after by companies in various industries. This has led to a number of different freelance gigs over the past couple of years. I’ve worked as a community and social media manager for a couple of nursery brands and now a global printing company. I’ve translated websites for a range of clients as well as a travel guide, presentations or publications. And the most exciting part was working as the Media Deputy for the European Diving Championships in 2015.
Blogging offers you the most amazing opportunities
Blogging is not only a fab hobby or a great way to get your voice out there. It also offers you amazing opportunities. No matter if it’s trying brand new products and writing about them before they hit the market, blogger events, holidays or once in a lifetime opportunities like interviewing celebrities blogging is pretty special and you get to do things that your best probably would never even dream of. I’m incredibly grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had over the past 6 years and all the companies who have chosen to work with me. I can’t wait to see what the next 6 years bring.
What have you learned through blogging? Have you made a best friend, learned a new skill or been on a holiday you’ll never forget? I’d love to know, so please leave me a comment below.
I have been blogging for about five years, although only taking it seriously for 3.5, and I was nodding along to all of this. I could have written it myself – from the friends to the opps to getting out what you put in. Fantastic post x
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Thank you so much. I actually can’t believe that it’s been six years but then again, I can’t believe Amy will be 6 either. I can’t wait for the next 6 years. It’s so exciting to look back and see how much has changed and also, how much we’ve learned in that time x
Thank you for this post! I am really quite new to blogging and I think your advice is great – it’s nice to feel your obvious love for the craft in your words. Even after 6 years!
Well done on coming so far and I will be sure to look out for future posts
Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you to say. I really love blogging and I wish you all the best on your blogging journey x
great post Carolin! I really can’t believe it’s been 6 years since we both started, and at the time I thought you had been around for a lot longer than me. I wonder where we will be in another 6!
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Did you really? Why’s that? I always thought you had been blogging for longer than me x
Congratulations on 6 years blogging! I’m about to hit my first year anniversary and really enjoyed reading this.
Thank you, here’s to many more years 🙂 x
I started blogging at the beginning of the year, so I know I still have lots to learn, but I’ve really enjoyed the whole process so far. It’s intriguing to see what someone else has gained from the experience x
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I think it’s the best hobby or job in the world 🙂 I hope you enjoy it as much as I do x
I’m coming up to my first blogging anniversary in March and I’m working hard every day (alongside my full time self employed job) to create something I love that hopefully other people do too! It’s growing slowly and even though there are days where I doubt I’ll ever get there, I keep going anyway and I’m hoping that’ll be the difference that makes the difference. Your post was really helpful and uplifting – and happy blog birthday 🙂
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I think creating something you love is really important as your readers will be able to tell if you’re writing something because it’s something you feel passionate about or just something that you hope to get clicks from x
So very very true. I’ve only been blogging for two years, though it feels like longer sometimes as you end up so immersed in it. I am so glad I started mine and it really does take hard work and dedication, the ones who start for the ‘free stuff’ often don’t stick around as that’s really not what it’s about and seriously it is never free.
Congrats on 6 years blogging 🙂
Stevie x
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I am constantly learning with blogging and I know I still have a LOT to learn. Congratulations on 6 years of blogging.
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Aww thank you. I love it and I’ll easily see me doing this for a very long time x
I’m a bit late to this but wow, six years! Congratulations! I agree with all of these but my personal favourite? The friends 🙂 x
We’re still in the sixth year, so you’re totally in time 😉 I agree with you, some of the friends I’ve made through blogging are definitely friends for life x
Great post. I’m quite new to blogging in an attempt to raise awareness of chronic and invisible illness as well as educating my fellow “spoonies” of what research is out there and what things they can try to love life to the full! It’s only been a couple of months and already I have learnt so much, and people have been so so kind. It’s the community of blogging that makes we the happiest, it doesn’t matter that readership is low, if you can inspire just one person, or learn one thing from a post then you have won 🙂
I completely agree with you. The community is one of my favourite aspects about blogging. I’ve seen it do so many amazing things over the years – for individuals or charities x
Congrats on your 6 years, I turn 7 in November and can’t believe it. What a gift blogging is. Well done on everything x
Thanks lovely, it’s crazy how time flies when you’re having fun, isn’t it? I’m so glad I started my little old blog back then. I think it’s so much harder to find your tribe these days x
Six years, what an accomplishment! I’m coming up on two years, and it’s incredible the real life lessons you can learn from something you thought was just a hobby! This is such a great post, and so heartwarming to read. Because, at the end of the day, I really do love blogging. Thanks for sharing <3
Thank you for the post! As someone with a new blog, it’s nice to read something that isn’t like ‘I made a gazjillion dollars in two months with this one easy trick’ haha. It does take time (and work!) but it’s been very rewarding so far 🙂
Haha, thank you. Once I’ve found out how to make a gazillion dollars in two months, I’ll make sure to let you know 😀 x