I’m Self-Employed, But I Wouldn’t Recommend My Job To You or Anybody Else

I’ve written extensively about my life as a full-time blogger, including the pros and cons. You can read all about my blogging life by clicking HERE. This post, however, is a direct response to the inquiries I often receive about turning a blog into a business. Folks ask me to mentor them, invite me out for coffee, or simply ask: “how can I turn my blog into a business?” The truth is, I really don’t have those answers.

When I consider how I got here, I mostly look back over my entire life and see how things moved into place to make this actually happen. The adage, “I didn’t choose this life, this life chose me,” comes to mind.

how to become a blogger4
Similar Top HERE|Skirt (Go up one or two sizes) HERE|Purse HERE|Shoes HERE

I’ve always been a writer. I started writing poetry and short stories when I was 9 years old. I majored in English and Journalism. Got a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. And every single time I tried to make it in the corporate world, I couldn’t quite hack it for one reason or another. Getting fired 5 years ago, (read about that HERE) was, for me, the most defining moment of my life. It is, for sure, the event that that led me to pursue blogging as a business. Even though I didn’t know it at the time.

Still, when I decided to become a full-time entrepreneur, I resisted the urge to pour myself into blogging out of fear. I told myself and anyone who would listen that helping other businesses and bloggers was my true passion. I even began a coaching and consulting business, but after almost a year of doing that I found myself more depressed than I’d been in a long time.

how-to-become-a-blogger5
Similar Top HERE|Skirt (Go up one or two sizes) HERE|Purse HERE|Shoes HERE

I discovered, through some serious soul-searching, that I am at my best when I am creating. I also looked back over the years and saw it plain as day: whenever I pursue activities that fall outside of creating, I either fail or wind up miserable.
It was then, after 4 years of blogging, and worrying myself sick, and trying to do other things, that my blog became a full-time business. It was a mental switch. Money came a bit later.

how-to-become-a-blogger5
Similar Top HERE|Skirt (Go up one or two sizes) HERE|Purse HERE|Shoes HERE

The point of this long and drawn out story is to say that my journey, the steps I’ve taken, are all very specific to my own life. I’ve had a ton of help from my family, I’ve met people who have helped me and this platform to go further, I worked for other blogs, I’ve committed myself to the process, working 70+ hours a week. And I still work 70+ hours a week. I haven’t made it. This blog, for many, is new, and every day I’m fighting to make sure folks come back to this blog.how-to-become-a-blogger2

I’ll also say that one of the biggest misconceptions about blogging as a career is that you have all this flexibility, but that isn’t so much the case for me. As the bulk of my content is devoted to Pop culture, I have to be “on” all the time. Furthermore, I work with brands who have set guidelines and a set time schedule for content. Also, as blogging is always changing, and there are a million and one bloggers all gunning for the same opportunities, money isn’t a given or even a constant, at least not for me.

Every full-time blogger I’ve ever met has a very different story, and how each blogger manages to keep the lights on from one month to the next depends on so many varying factors. None of us have the same story, and I don’t think any of us planned it. The things we’ve all managed to achieve didn’t come from anything somebody said, or something we googled. how to become a blogger3

This is not say that that you can’t learn the tools of the trade. Because you can learn how to blog more effectively and efficiently. I certainly recommend attending classes, conferences, and even paying for consulting, if you can afford it. Becoming a full-time blogger is really about your level of commitment. Some bloggers have been lucky. They have the “it” factor, and they take off. Others, like, myself,  do not have the “it factor,” and as a consequence, we work tirelessly without any real insight into where this is headed, but we do it anyway, because it’s what we were meant to do. But you have to know that, and the only way you can know that is by doing the work. Not looking or watching other bloggers and wanting what they have. Not fantasizing about what it would be like to do this for real. Doing the work is the only way. All day, every day. Then and only then can you can begin to take the steps to pursuing blogging as a career.

how-to-become-a-blogger1

If you like my hairstyle in this post. Watch I how I created it here:

 

Similar Posts

10 Comments

  1. SoftSuppleandFierce says:

    This is the realist post I’ve seen about how to become a blogger. People only see the blog and the success of some. Rarely are we given the awful truth. And as an aspiring blogger, I thank you for this post!

  2. Thank you so much for such a candid post. As a new blogger, I often wonder how people make it in this business. However, since I own another business I know that it all comes from what you put into it. Yes, some make it big in what we think is overnight, but to tell the truth, it was more like years for them as well in most cases.

    As you stated, we’ve got to learn the trade before we start trying to make money at it. It will come with time…Do the work and the rest will come.

  3. I am so loving this post! The blogging business is tough, to say the least. However, it is not impossible if you put the work in, and there is a LOT of work. We think that others made it over night but truth be told they probably put some years of blood, sweat & tears in before they got their big break. It will happen in time; God’s time for us!

  4. D'Shaunnte says:

    This is the real deal. Blogging is a hard life that requires a high amount of dedication. I thank you for your honesty and sharing.

  5. You are such an inspiration in so many ways! Blogging definitely isn’t a glamorous lifestyle all the time. It’s a struggle and a lot of sacrifice. But bloggers like you keep me motivated and inspired! I feel EXACTLY the way you do about blogging. It was something I wanted to do but ultimately I feel like this life chose me. I can’t seem to stick with anything but blogging. It’s refreshing to see someone out here giving the real and being honest about being a full time blogger. It certainly ain’t got everybody!

    1. yes, girl. hang in there!! we got this!

  6. This blog was everything right. Blogging is a very unappreciated career. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I wish you the beset in your future.

  7. Great read, Lisa! I clicked on your link as soon as I saw your post. I definitely needed this. I am a blogger, and I am struggling to find my space. Writing to me is so therapeutic. However, when you are at stand still and can’t find the progression….it becomes very frustrating. I’m just trying to find the “right way” that works for me and my world. Thanks for the post.

  8. Thanks Lisa for the insight. I don’t think full time blogging is for me at least for now.
    I want to say that you will make it big soon because God always bless hustler, and yours will not be an exception.

  9. Thanks for reading sis!!! and yes, girl! that palette is everything!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *