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The 9th of January marked my six month blog anniversary! What I’ve learned about blogging is that it takes a ton of hard work.
So many accomplishments I’m proud of, even just with finally starting a blog. I’ve wanted to create this little space for years, but I was always afraid to take a leap of faith. I’m so thankful I did!
I thought I would share with you six things I learned over the course of these six months blogging, and I hope they will be helpful to you on your blogging journey!
1. Blogging is Hard
While there are so many joys that blogging has brought me, it has been anything but easy!
My fellow bloggers out there will likely agree with me. It takes so much time, hard work and consistent effort to make your blog a place that others want to visit – and to get it out there in front of them.
It is a full time job, regardless of whether you’re getting paid for it. My ultimate goal is to monetize my blog and make it a full time career. To do that, it takes a big chunk of each day to eventually make that happen.
With that being said, I truly enjoy working on my blog and creating content that you want to read. I guess it’s true what they say, if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life!
2. Some Financial Investments Are Necessary
When I first started blogging, I really wanted to start out free for a couple of reasons. I wasn’t sure if I would actually be successful at it, and I thought that I could make due with the free items that I could find online.
I think this is a common thing with new bloggers. During my research, I saw a ton of recommendations of what you should invest in when first starting out, the bare minimum so to speak.
I am SO thankful for all of the advice I received and for making the investments below on my blog from the very beginning. I can tell you that they have been so beneficial to me in just these six months, and will continue to be in the future.
Hosting
If you’re new to blogging or even if you’re a veteran, you probably got it drilled in your head early on that you need to be self-hosted. Admittedly, I did not want to get on board with this. Even with getting some of those coupons for super low price-per-month from hosting companies, it still adds up.
I searched (and searched and searched!) for the best possible price for BlueHost. Many bloggers have their own affiliate codes that can get you a great deal. I found one and took it out for three years for the best deal possible – after the promotional period (three years, in my case), the price-per-month will increase.
BlueHost has provided me with great service from the beginning, which is especially helpful to new bloggers.
You can use my link to sign up with Bluehost and get the following:
- For your first year, you will receive a free domain name
- You will also receive a free SSL certificate that’s used to secure your blog
- A quick and easy one-click install of WordPress
- You can reach out to BlueHost 24/7 for support
It is well worth the price, friends! What I learned about blogging early on, is when you go with free sites or even paid plans offered by some sites, such as Wix, you don’t actually own your content – they do! If you want to monetize your blog in the future, you need to own it and you’ll want full control of your business. Unfortunately, you cannot do that with those free websites.
You also don’t get the customization options with those sites as you do with WordPress. It does have a little learning curve, but WordPress allows me to literally customize anything and everything I want. I have full control of how my blog looks, and that makes me happy!
Theme
I bought my theme (the same one that I have now) when I first got started and I’m SO happy that I did. I feel like it helped me have a professional looking blog that fit the brand I wanted to create, such as colors and fonts. While I’m positive that you could use a free theme and still make it look great, I feel that it really helped get me started on the right foot.
The great thing is that they don’t have to be expensive! I found mine on Etsy from TinselPop.
3. What I Chose Not To Pay For
This is my sincere opinion – but remember, things are different for everyone. Free programs that work for me may not necessarily work for you, and that’s okay! Just wanted to give this little disclosure first.
Programs for Creating Designs
I use the free version of Canva and it has worked very well for me so far. I can certainly see the appeal of the premium version, as you can get more gorgeous photos to use on your blog as well as fonts. However, I’ve been able to make this work and use my own photos as well, so I’ve saved on this expense.
Email Marketing
What I learned about blogging early on is that you need to start with an email list! Even if you have to next to none traffic, start growing your list from the beginning and you’ll be so thankful later on. You’ll pick up loyal readers and if you decide to create a product or service to sell, you can pitch it there.
In terms of this being free, this will change over time, but I do not currently pay for an email marketing service. I use MailerLite and it’s free up to 1,000 subscribers. I really enjoy using the program and will happily pay for it once I reach that number.
Social Media Scheduling
There are a lot of well-known programs to schedule posts for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. I started out using Later and I love it! It’s very easy to use and free, with up to 30 posts per social media profile each month. This one is subject to change over time as well, as I get more content to post, but I will likely still stick with this service.
[mailerlite_form form_id=4]
4. You Have to Create Your Brand
Branding is so important to your blog. Fonts, colors, formatting, designs are all part of your brand. You want to keep that brand true to you and consistent. For example, if someone sees a pin on Pinterest, they may be able to pick up that it’s from you just by the way that it looks.
I learned not to pick too many colors, just two-to-three is a good amount. It’s the same idea with fonts. I really like keeping things as simple as possible.
5. Update Old Blog Posts & Pins
Over time, your brand may change. The way you make your pin designs, the way you format your blog posts, and so on. I’m in the process of going back and updating my old blog posts and pin designs and can’t believe the difference, in just these past six months!
We all start somewhere, but that often isn’t where we end up. So making a habit to revisit your old blog posts to give them an update is a great idea. It keeps your brand consistent.
6. Bloggers Support Bloggers
Before I got into this adventure, I wasn’t sure how welcoming other bloggers would be. I can tell you that everyone that I’ve come into contact with has been so wonderful! Please don’t let that affect your choice if you’re trying to decide to start a blog.
There have been so many fantastic bloggers that stop by my blog, comment or pin my posts. It is so appreciated and I can’t thank each and every one of you enough! Likewise, I have always tried to return the favor and reach out on my own daily to different blogs by commenting on their posts or pinning them.
We are all in this thing together and I think I speak for most of us in that we all want each other to succeed!
While there will always be “haters,” you don’t have to let those negative people stop you. Just keep pressing forward, making great content, and your loyal readers will keep coming back! š
If you’re thinking about starting a blog, I hope you’ll find what I learned about blogging helpful during this short six months. I’ll do another post maybe after my one year anniversary!
If you have any questions, let me know and I’ll be happy to help where I can!
I have some big goals for Make Life Marvelous this year, and I hope that you’ll tag along for the adventure. Thank you so much to each of you who have visited my blog, whether it be just now or if you’ve been a loyal reader for awhile!
I couldn’t do this without YOU and I am so excited to see what 2020 holds for us.
I would love to hear from each of you on something that you would like to see on the blog this year! Please let me know in the comments or send me an email! š
Let’s Chat!
What’s something you learned early on in blogging?
Do you have any tried and true tips to share?
If you’re not a blogger, have you ever thought of starting a blog?
Congrats on 6 months!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Thank you, Jennifer! I truly appreciate it and thanks for all of your support! š
I’ve blogging for a short time too and I am surprised and also amazed at the support that i get from other bloggers. I don’t think I would have made it this far without them.
Iām with you! That support is so necessary and helpful! š Thanks so much for stopping by, Darceline!
You are very real and i like it. I have been blogging for a year and i will agree with you 100 percent.
Thank you bunches, Mfa! š I truly appreciate that so much!
This is a great article! Iām in month 4 and itās been a whirlwind of learning for sure! Itās good to discern what to pay for vs what free versions to use. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much, Kris! š I absolutely agree with you, a whirlwind is a perfect way to put it! We are going to get through it though!
Congratulations on your 6 months bloggaversary! Updating your old blog and social media posts are very necessary, this verity I learned too late in my bl.logging marathon š I wish you a ton of inspiration this year, you are doing a great job!
Lots of love ā„ January Girl
Thank you so much, Liz! š That means so much! I totally understand, I’m just now going back and revamping my old posts.
Congrats on six months! Love these tips, such great info!
Thank you so much, Carissa!! I truly appreciate it! š
I agree 100%! These are great tips that all bloggers need to keep in mind! I love your blog btw, it’s beautiful š
Thank you so much, on both notes, Myrtle! You are too kind! š Yours is beautiful, as well!!
Congrats to 6 months of blogging! I couldn’t agree with you more! Our blogging community is SO supportive!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Thank you so much, Vanessa! š Itās such an amazing thing to be involved in this community!
Congrats on your 6th month mark! I agree with all your points. Thanks for sharing your journey.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kind words, Kathrine!! š
Congratulations! Haha I love the first one. Blogging is definitely hard, but worth it!
x,
S | Je M’appelle Chanel
Thanks so much, Chanel!! I had to make that one #1, haha!
oh gosh it really isn’t easy to start up the blogging process but don’t worry it does get easier after a while. Congrats on the 6 months!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
Thank you so much, Didier!! I appreciate it! š
Congrats on your six-month mark. Your blog is beautifully laid out. You write truly well too! I’m impressed with what you’ve accomplished so far.
I do want to tell you to go get your OWN affiliate links for BlueHost and the theme you got. You’re missing out on some serious money because you have a wonderful post here fully ready for those affiliate links.
Blogging has a way of changing your life in ways you never imagined if you stick with. I’ve been in the blogging world since 2012 and sold my first one in 2016. I wish I never sold it, but hindsight is 20/20. I’m in the process of now revamping my current blog now that I know who I want to help the most. So, I feel like I’m starting all over again. I’m eager to see what the next year brings us both.
Thank you so much for your kind words and advice, Crystal!! Iām going to look into the affiliate links! Even though I understand you wish you hadnāt sold your first blog, I have to imagine it was really successful, and thatās amazing! I have no doubt that youāll do great things in 2020, and I appreciate the encouragement so much! š
I absolutely love to this blog post it made me smile while reading it.
Thank you so much, friend! I truly appreciate it! š
Happy blog anniversary! Time flies so fast, it’s unbelievable. Blogging is so much fun but also very time consuming, I can totally relate to that.
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
Thank you so much, Simone! You are so right about time. Definitely agree with you! š
Amazing posts, and I agree with all of the above, especially the support from other bloggers! It’s much more satisfying to thrive in a supportive community and I think we should all support each other. <3
http://www.couture-case.com
I completely agree with you, itās such an amazing community to be a part of. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jelena! š
Some great lessons learnt!
Iām so happy to hear that, Hena! Thanks so much for stopping by. š
I totally agree with the very first lesson, which is “blogging is hard”. Gone are the days when you can blog about anything and everything you want. Now, you really have to write for your audience and make sure your posts are getting heavily promoted and seen. And it’s true, you have to spend money on your blog if you want it to be profitable down the track. This can be a bit of a shock to the system for new bloggers so thanks for sharing them in your post. Cheers.
Thank you so much, Corinne! š It really does take time to figure out who your audience is, and what theyāre interested in. I agree with you, a lot of new bloggers tend to get overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to have a blog. Itās definitely worth sticking it out and working hard though.
Happy 6 months of blogging.
Taking care of a blog is so fun but I agree it can takes a lot of place.
And also great tips you shared here.
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
Thank you, Margot!! It is so much fun, and the work is always worth it. š
Happy 6 month blogging anniversary! I love this post so much. You learnt some valuable lessons. You are so right, blogging IS hard. it takes a lot of time and effort to run a blog. Most people don’t realise it until they start their own blogs and see it’s a lot more than just writing and taking pictures. But it is worth it. There’s nothing I’d rather do than be a blogger xx
Thank you so much, Valentina! š I have had a lot of great people in the blogging community lead me in the right direction. Definitely agree with you, even though I did months of research and read how hard it was, it was still harder than I imagined. I find a lot of things get easier though and itās just a constant learning process. I truly enjoy it so much though!
Congrats on 6 months! I love your blog design and I loved reading this post.
These are all such helpful tips – I wish I’d seen a post like this when I was starting as it took me ages to figure out what to invest in and what not to!
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Aww, thank you so much, Julia, for your kind words! So happy you found this post helpful, that is truly my hope! While I have so much to learn, I love the idea of sharing what I have learned to help others. We are in this together! š
CONGRATS on making it this far! There is always lots to learn when it comes to blogging. It’s amazing what can be done and learned in 6 months time.
Thank you so much, Val! š You are right, itās a constant learning experience.
Happy Birthday to your first 6 month gorgeous!
First of all I have to admit that I thought you would already be blogging for years, cause your blog looks amazing and I love your posts! You really found your own style quickly.
Which financial investments do you think helped you the most and have there been any that you think were just wasted or not so necessary?
Even though I have my blog for over a year now I havenĀ“t been posting that much yet, so IĀ“m still feeling like a “new” blogger. So I love reading about all your experiences. You are so right, that itĀ“s important to create a brand with a color scheme and not too many fonts. IĀ“m testing some different ones at the moment so see what really suits me. Hope in a few months IĀ“ll be as sure as youĀ“ve been. I think your tips will help me a lot! š
Have a great day and of course I wish you that the next 6 months will be even more fantastic !
Thank you so very much, Tiziana! š I appreciate your kind words. Youāre the best!
Starting with self-hosted and my theme were definitely the best investments thus far. As far as worst investments, Iāve been so hesitant about spending on other items yet, I really havenāt spent money on anything that I feel has been wasted, at this point.
Your blog is beautiful and I enjoy reading your posts! I have no doubt youāre going to do amazing things this year. š Blogging is a constant learning experience and I feel like blogs are ever evolving. Donāt put too much pressure on yourself to be sure about things, just be you, work hard and youāll do fantastic! Truly, the only thing Iām sure about is that things will change over time. I just try to get better each day and roll with it. š
Completely agree! I love how supportive and welcoming (most) bloggers are. I always get super excited when I come across a fun new blog to follow, and honestly feel like I have so many blogger friends on the internet š What do you think is hardest about blogging besides the amount of time it takes to create content? š
Absolutely, Sharon!! š Besides timing of content, I would say gaining blog traffic. It takes a lot of work to get your content in front of lots of people.
Thank you for sharing sUCH GREAT TIPS
https://www.melodyjacob.com/
Thank you so much, Melody!! š
It’s crazy how much work goes into blogging. Those that don’t have blogs just think it’s writing a few hundred words here and there, but it’s so much more. It’s so rewarding but it’s a lot of work! Wishing you success for the next six months and beyond! xo
Makeup Muddle
Absolutely, I agree with you! Itās well worth all of the hard work. Thank you so much, I truly appreciate it! š
Way to go on the 6 months! You Rock! I started at the end of september so Im not quite there yet! The supposrt sytem is fabolous. For me I think its the networking and SEO building that is alot of work. Its super fun though. Im slowly getting it, NOTTTTT. LOL
thexglitterbox
@thexglitterbox
http://thexglitterbox.com/
Thank you so much, Lacey!! š You are right on the networking and SEO, it does take a lot of work. Iām sure youāre doing great and are going to see lots of fantastic things happen this year!!
Congrats on 6 months of blogging! I’m glad you are enjoying it and sharing the lessons you’ve learned along the way! š I’ve been blogging a few years but on blogger so I haven’t invested anything other than time into it – took so long to get the blog setup how I wanted, paying for a theme instead is good advice!
Hope that you are having a great week š
Thank you so very much, Mica! š I totally understand. You are proof though that you can make it work if youāre a great blogger and take the time to figure out how to design things!
My week is going well, friend. I hope yours is fantastic thus far!
Congrats on all your progress! I love your theme and aesthetic!
Productive Girl Boss Morning Routine | Vegan Fashion + Lifestyle Blog
Thank you so much, Caitlin! I appreciate all of your support, and kind words! š
Happy 6 months to your blog dear! Wishing you more success. Cheers for more fruitful blogging years!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you so much, Jessica!! I appreciate that! š
Congrats on 6 months lots of useful info, thanks for posting!
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Thank you so much, Allie! I appreciate you stopping by! š
Congrats on 6 months of blogging! The blogging community is so supportive! One of my favorite things is the friendships that I’ve made through blogging! Wishing you continued success!
Jill- Doused in Pink
Thank you so much, Jill! š I completely agree with you, itās such a wonderful community to be a part of!
These are all such great things to learn! I think a lot ofpeople really underestimate how involved blogging is, but also how rewarding it can be!
Ashlee | https://www.maybeafterbrunch.com
Thanks so much, Ashlee!! Totally agree with you! š
Good tips:)
Thank you so much, Kinga!
Welcome to the blogging world and happy 6th month anniversary! I must say you have already learned a lot of important things (and faster than many of us here lol), keep it up xx
Naya
http://www.nayatilly.com
Thank you so much, Naya! š I donāt know about all of that, haha. I have done a lot research and had a lot of other wonderful bloggers to help me get this far!
Blogging is something I tend to sway in and out of, so recently I’ve been trying to commit to being a regular poster. Well done on 6 months! Would love to see your blog stats growth over the time you have been blogging š
http://www.ellacharlottejones.co.uk
Thatās understandable. I think itās all about your goals and I know you can do anything you set your mind to! š Thank you so much, Ella, and Iāll definitely consider doing a post on that! I may put that in my next update post for my first year blogging.
Happy 6 months.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Regine, and a huge thank you for stopping by! š
100% agree with all of this! I learned all the same things when I first started out.
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Thank you so much, Rach! I appreciate all of your support, always! š
Love these tips! The longer we’re at it, I feel like the more we learn from it. You should totally check out AdobeSpark (it’s free). It’s so much fun to create things like pins, and more. I can literally spend hours on it.
Thank you, Danielle! Youāre absolutely right. We just keep growing. That sounds wonderful, I will absolutely check that out!