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 interest. 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 interest. I needed to speak about private finance and share my very own experiences. I didn’t know that running a blog may really generate profits!
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 changed into 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 tens of millions 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 a lot of 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 get pleasure from my work, have a versatile schedule, and make an excellent residing.
What amazes me is how little I knew about running a blog after 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 suppose it is advisable 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 give up 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 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 acquired 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 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 now not publish weblog revenue reviews nor share my revenue (yow will discover all of them right here – Weblog Revenue Studies From A Multi-Million Weblog), from 2011 to 2018, I made round $5,000,000 whole. Since 2018, I’ve nonetheless made a wholesome revenue 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 noticed shortly that being my very own boss was what I needed.
I get pleasure from 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 steadiness a lot better.
From writing to selling, each a part of running a blog is one thing I like doing (nicely, almost 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 night time, or on weekends.
This flexibility permits me to get pleasure from my day doing enjoyable actions, and I can nonetheless get my work finished 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 residing 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 might be difficult, however the freedom it supplies is price it.
4. Success takes time
Too many bloggers surrender 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.
Bear in mind, good issues take time.
5. Write if you really feel impressed
I discovered that I write my greatest content material after I’m not pressured to write down. Writing on a good deadline used to emphasize me out, and now I write posts nicely earlier than they’re due, permitting me to write down after I’m impressed.
At the moment, 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 get pleasure from. And, I’m nowhere out of matters to write down about simply but!
6. Get able to be taught
Running a blog is a steady studying journey. From understanding social media to working an internet site, there’s at all times one thing new to be taught. Running a blog isn’t a simple process, and making an revenue 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 doable associates relatively than competitors.
Networking with different bloggers is vital for achievement, resembling 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 really a terrific group to be in.
8. You don’t want expertise to start out a weblog
After I began running a blog, I had no expertise and didn’t know a lot about it. You don’t must be a social media knowledgeable or a tech wizard to get began.
All the things might be realized alongside the best way. Each profitable blogger began with out understanding every part, and with time, they realized and grew.
That is one thing that I like about running a blog.
I’m proof that you may succeed even if you happen to don’t know a lot in the beginning. 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 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 doable to make a residing running a blog
Among the finest issues I noticed is that you may really make an excellent residing from running a blog.
Many bloggers begin as a interest 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 revenue 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 tricky starting
I get loads of 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 crucial fulfilling facets 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 influence 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 get pleasure from serving to folks around the globe with my weblog, and it’s really a tremendous feeling.
13. I’m very grateful for the life I get to reside
Okay, I’ve form of mentioned 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 prospect to reside a life I actually get pleasure from. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has supplied, from monetary freedom to private development. I’ve met wonderful folks, traveled to unimaginable 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 the moment, 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 write down about on Making Sense of Cents, please ship me an e-mail at [email protected] or go away a remark under.
Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!
Regularly Requested Questions
Beneath are solutions to widespread questions on beginning a weblog. I believed I’d embrace these right here as a result of I’m certain a few of you will have questions!
How can I begin my very own profitable weblog?
Beginning a profitable weblog includes a number of key steps. First, select a subject that you’re keen about and that others are concerned about. It’s vital to be constant along with your posts and to write down high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Organising your weblog is simpler 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 be taught extra.
What are some ideas for holding a weblog going for over a decade?
Staying motivated to weblog for a very long time might be exhausting. One approach to maintain going is by setting targets you’ll be able to attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking along with your readers and constructing a group can even maintain you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog developments and continue learning 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 widespread, however now longer weblog posts are extra standard. 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 a much bigger position in bringing folks to blogs right this moment.
What are efficient methods to have interaction with readers on a long-term weblog?
Participating with readers is vital 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 classes and making interactive content material like polls or surveys can enhance engagement too. Commonly updating your weblog with new content material additionally retains readers coming again.
Can sharing private tales on a weblog entice a gradual readership?
Sure, sharing private tales can entice and retain readers. Individuals love connecting with real-life experiences. Private tales make your weblog extra relatable and may construct a loyal readership. It’s vital to be real and trustworthy 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 after I’m studying different folks’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 create a weblog, from the technical aspect to incomes your first revenue and attracting readers.
Are you curious about beginning a weblog or your individual enterprise? What questions do you have got for me?
