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In part 1 of the A Blog Job series I will share the personal story of how I started my blog – and why! Read about why I started this series here.
Saving Money Plan was not my first blog. Actually, it may not have even been my fifth blog — if I really sit down and count up all the blogs I have started over the years I’m surely nearing 15. However, Saving Money Plan was the first blog that was able to truly “work” for me on a variety of levels.
But why was it the first blog that “worked” — and what do I really mean by that?
Let me explain…
For many people, blogging is a hobby. It’s a fun way to engage friends and family with what you are doing on a daily basis – either in your work life, personal life, or intellectual life. Blogging can be fulfilling just for this reason – because it allows people the chance to give words to their thoughts, and the chance to interact with others about their ideas.
For years, this is what blogging was for me, and this in and of itself was fulfilling. I blogged because I loved writing, and I loved hearing about people reading what I wrote.
This first blog, going on five years ago, was a travel blog that chronicled a trip I took around the world for a year. In almost a year, I visited 19 countries, working as a travel writer and doing freelance editing to pay my way. It was an incredible journey, but much it was done without the many family and friends who make up my life.
Importantly, my blog was an amazing way to connect with friends and family throughout the world who wanted to know what I was doing on a daily basis even though I was thousands of miles away. Looking back, it was one of the most connected times I can remember – no matter the fact that I spent the better part of a year without seeing any friends and family at all.
Although highly trafficked at times due to some major exposure, I made pennies on this blog. Monetizing was the the farthest thing from my mind. At the time, I didn’t really fully understand that blogging could pay the bills, and even if I had understood that it simply wasn’t my goal.
My objective at the time was to tell my story, and I did just that. It worked, and I loved it. Over time, though, I realized I wanted — needed, really — to make a change…
Next week in the Blog Job Series…
In Part 2 of the Blog Job series I will talk about the next phase of my blogging life, when I realized I did want to earn a living from blogging, and did so in an unusual manner…
Hey,
I must say that I’m impressed and humbled at this being your potentially 15th blog. A year ago I didn’t even understand what a blog was, and now we’re plugging away sharing our story and helping people with their financial education too.
I’m looking forward to the rest of your story,
Cheers
Guy
.-= Guy G.´s last blog ..Frugal Fatigue – Guest Post =-.
Well Guy, suffice it to say many of the “15″ were horrible and never went anywhere! Some of them did have some success, though, and I’ll be sharing more about them next week!
I am luvin this series. I have wanted to start a blog for sometime now, but I really do not know a lot about getting started. I have read a few articles. I hope your blogs encourage me to get to it, and just do it!!!!
I hope so too Amy. What topic are you interested in??
Me too;) Thanks for reading!
HA! Amy, you pretty much summed up what I was going to write here in response to the Claire’s story…I’d like to hope that by reading it, this will inspire me to perhaps get started, maybe in gardening or some other favorite topic of mine. Two come to mind.
I do know that whatever anyone does to not make it seem as if it’s work from 9 to 5 is to have a passion for it. You have to truly love what you’re doing. And since I enjoy writing as well, then perhaps the lightbulb moment will arrive and I will be able to start my own, too.
Gardening! A great idea — and I think an area that needs more quality blogs!
I’ve had three blogs but have only been at it a year. Reed What Matters is a family knowledge and entertainment blog, I had Saving With Reed, but didn’t have time for the both of them. I’m working on a video game site for Sims information called Sims Informer. It’s fun, I’m learning and making a bit of money here and there.
I love your site and glad I stumbled upon it. Thank you.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Free BeingGirl Sample Kit =-.
Awesome Jennifer — I’ll check out your blog!