So I blogged in virtually obscurity for 6 years while I was trying to retain some sanity in the midst of chasing 4 small kids, homeschooling and dealing with some personal struggles.
By January of 2010, circumstances had changed. My children were older and therefore a little less demanding. I decided it was time to dive in, apply the information I had been collecting over the years and try to see if I could actually make some money doing this blogging thing.
Lesson #3: Find a hole and fill it.
The whole time I was in my closet blogging world, I didn't venture out much. I resisted Facebook and Twitter for a long time, simply because I was starving for quiet and I knew both would be noisy. But as I started to come out of my funk, I eventually decided to check 'em both out.
This was a huge turning point for me in my blogging "career." (It sounds sorta pretentious, but for lack of a better word…)
I didn't really "get" Twitter at first, so I randomly clicked on the Twitter icon of a blog I read at the time. This led me to her Twitter profile and then I sorta of rabbit-trailed my way to other people on Twitter. (Perhaps this is Sub-Lesson #1: Make sure your Twitter icon is on your blog!)
Eventually I stumbled on the #savvyblogging hashtag on Twitter. If you're not familiar with how hashtags work, they allow a group of people to carry on a conversation on a particular topic.
#Savvyblogging was started by a group of bloggers (SavvyBlogging.net) who realized there were a lot of people who had started blogs, but weren't very familiar with the nuts and bolts of blogging. The idea behind their website and the Twitter hashtag is to provide useful, technical- and usability-type information for bloggers.
In Six Figure Blogger Blueprint, David Risley says this:
The best markets are those where there is a real-life problem to solve, there is a goal which they feel strongly about, or there is a nagging fear which they are afraid of.
I quickly realized that the information I had gathered for so many years was in high-demand by a lot of bloggers because they had problems they wanted to solve. To put it another way, there was a huge gap and I had something that could help fill it.
Next I'll tell you how I did it…
I love getting to know more about you through your stories. I've been on your site so much over the past couple of weeks as I set up my blog that I'm starting to feel like I know you.
Love your honesty about hitting rock bottom. I think that's a place many mothers find themselves and feel like they are the only ones who are there. I can certaintly relate. I can look back at my old self and wonder who that person was now.
What does your husband teach? My husband is also a teacher.
Thanks Emily.
Currently, my husband teaches Math. In a former life, he was an aerospace engineer though.
It's true. I married a rocket scientist.
I didn't realize that your "professional," blog was so young.
This gives me real encouragement as I've recently launched a regional blog that I think fills a niche for familie in my area, but I've read several (o.k.-a lot) of articles claiming blogging is "over," and only bloggers who got in years ago can make any money at all.
I'm very much enjoying your series.
Thanks Maegen. I'd definitely say blogging is changing, but wouldn't necessarily say it's over.
It *is* getting harder to stand out, but it's not impossible.
Being unemployed for quite a while…and with the job market probably for a lot longer…I am very interested in finding out more about blogging as a means of making a little money. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your insights on blogging. I am reading your ebook and it is really helpful. I'm a newbie blogger and keen to learn more fast. I'm hoping I can fit writing my blog in around family life and also make an income from it. Family is my priority, though. I'm looking forward to reading more on your site.
Thanks for stopping by Anna!
Thanks a ton Amy. I just visited Savvy Blogging thanks to you and read a great article. My blog is only two weeks old and I have NO IDEA what to do next so it is super helpful to read your blog and story. Thanks again!
So glad it's helpful!
I will be back again to read more. You have great information here and they will help me as I develope my blog.