Today is my birthday, so... a post about me! Ha, so humble, huh?
I still hesitate to call myself a "blogger" like the title suggests; I usually identify myself as a "person who has a blog," as if the official title of "blogger" was too big, too successful for me. However, I'm coming to realize that I AM a blogger, dangit! I've put in a lot of work over the past couple years, and I'm going to call myself a blogger!
That being said, I've also hesitated to share blogging tips or talk about the act of blogging because I figured, who am I to write about this? I'm working a day job. I'm not a "pro" blogger making a bunch of money off my blog. But, revelation two, I HAVE learned a lot along the way, things that others can find useful in their own journeys. I have knowledge to share!
When Jessica posted her 11 questions and answers about her life as a blogger that she found from Bonita of Lavender & Twill, I knew I'd take up her invitation to answer these questions for myself. Because I. Am. A. Blogger.
1. When did you first start blogging and why?
I first started blogging via Flashback Summer in 2012. I didn't know any other vintage wearers in "real life," and from what I saw, it looked like a blog would be a really great way to make friends. I also realized that vintage was expensive and I was a poor college student, so I hoped to eventually make a bit of money to fund my vintage habit. My dad always told me to find what I love and make money off of it, so that's what I've done! (As for the actual effectiveness of making a blog profitable... Let me just say a blog is probably one of the worst ways to make money! It requires MUCH more non-paid effort and time for longer than most other money-making ventures!)
2. Have you had any past online presence?
I had previously attempted to start a vintage blog in late 2010, and it was an epic fail. I was pretty much trying to copy more famous vintage blogs... with a beginner vintage wearer's closet. Obviously, impossible. What I learned from that epic fail: Be yourself when you blog. It works better.
3. When did you become serious about your blog?
As I mentioned earlier, I was very serious about my blog from day one. I knew I wanted friends and some pocket change to buy more vintage, so I was very intentional from the start in meeting those ends. I commented on others' posts and got involved in the community. Soon I knew who people were talking about when they dropped names of other bloggers, and I found kindred spirits to be inspired by!
4. What was your first blog post?
My first post was "And So It Begins..." on 14 October 2014. Oh first posts. I've learned so much since then! At that point I wasn't wearing vintage every day and still very new to it, so I hadn't found my "niche," and I was honest about the cluelessness!
5. What have been your biggest challenges blogging?
I've found the temptation to compare and looking for my blog's "niche" to be the most difficult challenges. Especially before I really knew what my blog was, what it's "niche" would be, it was really easy to compare to bloggers who seemed to have it all together, who had a cohesive look and fancy outfits I couldn't afford. I kept reminding myself that I was new to vintage and blogging, and I was on a journey. I couldn't expect to jump ahead to a five-year bloggers expertise level right off; I was just starting!
Social media strategy and organization still boggles me a bit. I work in a marketing department though, so I think my expectations for myself are just ridiculously high. (So much conflicting advice out there on how to use social media! Gah!)
6. What is the most rewarding thing about blogging?
Friends and progress. Needless to say, I get my vintage fix from the blogosphere, not real life. The online vintage community allows me to interact about vintage things that make the eyes of most people in "real life" glaze over. I hugely appreciate that about my online peeps! Progress is also hugely rewarding for me. I enjoy learning, and seeing my blog hit milestones and grow little by little is great. It's wonderful to see the fruits of all that labor!
7. What is the most discouraging thing about blogging?
On the flip side of progress is the lack of progress, and that can be demotivating, too. When numbers aren't as high, or a post didn't get as much interaction as I swore it was going to. Working to come up with good, valuable content is a lot of work, too. I really love it though, so it's worth it! I've relished the ability to post more often and do higher quality posts now that I've graduated from uni. It's so much fun!
8. What is your lasting inspiration or motivation (of blogging)?
Making money is nice, but I'm finding more and more that I'm motivated by my affection for the vintage community. I want to give you guys good content, because you so often give me good content! You guys have helped me learn about vintage through your posts, comments, pictures, etc., and I'd like to return the favor. Maybe there's another vintage newb out there than can benefit from what I've learned.
9. What is your blogging dirty secret?
I'm RIDICULOUSLY strategic. Now that I have more time to blog, I'm hugely intentional about the content here and such. I'm talking editorial calendars, sticky notes, binge writing, the works.
On a deeper note, though, I do sometimes have a rough time with comparison, as I mentioned before. I think it's a little easier to see someone else's progress and success than it is our own, though, at times. Our own progress comes with a price of work and effort that we don't see when we observe other people's success, so it looks more effortless with them when it's really probably not.
10. What is your current goal as a blogger?
I'm actually working on more vintage- and sewing-related freelance writing in addition to my blog. I never thought I'd be a writer, but there are opportunities coming up, so I figure, what the heck. Might as well try! This can help grow my blog, too.
11. Have you learned or become passionate about anything through blogging that caught you by surprise?
It sounds weird, but I'm actually passionate about blogging itself now, and I didn't think I would be. At the beginning, I figured blogging was just a means to an end, but over the years I've begun liking blogging itself. I like researching and sharing information, and I like interacting about it with you guys!
There's a bit of insight about myself and my blogging journey. Feel free to reuse these questions and post about them yourself!
Happy Birthday! Cheers to many years! So nice to hear some details of what brought you into the blogging world. I think above everything else you have to look at the joy of it all because as you said it is certainly difficult to look at it in monetary terms. I'm very much enjoying your posts dear Emileigh!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I loved reading your replies. Nodding often over the points we share in common and remembering, with vivid clarity the whole time, when your blog was brand new. It's been a sincere joy to watch it grow over the last couple of years and to share in so much together online. You are 100% a real blogger and should definitely hold your head up high when you describe yourself as such. I think you're doing fantastic and always take something (positive!) away from my visits here.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for playing along and answering this set of blogging questions. I'm touched that you did and hope that you inspire someone else who's reading this post to do the same so that we can keep it going in the vintage sphere.
Happiest birthday wishes, honey! May everything your heart desires and more come true for you today and everyday!
Tons of hugs,
♥ Jessica
Happy birthday! And if there's one day a year where you don't have to worry about tooting your own horn, I think your birthday is it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked you answers to a lot of these questions. I always appreciate the reminder that other people have to stop themselves from comparing themselves (or their blogs) to others. And I think yours is really fantastic! You always have really interesting, informative posts, and I love the way you trigger discussions about issues in the vintage and blogging communities. I think that that's a really valuable thing to do, both for yourself and for your readers. And now that I'm trying to start sewing, I'm certainly going to be referring back to your sewing related posts for advice.
So, yeah. Keep being awesome!
This was a wonderful post! So much of what you said coincides with my and my sisters' blogging journey. It's always hard to remember that we are all on different journeys in life, blogging, and everything else. Thanks for your sweet words! I hope the very best for your blog!
ReplyDelete-Charlotte
boyerfamilysingers.blogspot.com
Thanks, Charlotte! I just FINALLY ran across your blog (WHY have I not done that before?! I have no idea), and I totally love it!!! I have a new trio of bloggers to be inspired by!
DeleteHappy happy birthday Emileigh! And cheers! You are a blogger and that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteI like hearing about other blogger's journeys, I think it's such a great way to get to know your blogger friends better, so thanks for joining in and doing this post!
It's funny how there is such a learning curve to blogging ~ and that first post cringe when you look back! Mind you, I also like that, because it shows exactly how far you have come and what you have learned about blogging.
And that's another interesting thing, I also probably don't classify myself as a blogger; I don't make money from my blog, probably never will. I don't get invited to blogger functions, or get asked to do to reviews or feature products. But I'm a blogger! I know things about blogging that I never knew four years ago when I first started to try blogging with an audience in mind, not just for myself. Thank you for that. It's nice to realize just how far you have come even when you don't feel like you have! ❤
xox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
Happy (belated, now!) birthday, dear Emiliegh!! I've enjoyed your blog over the last few months, and even though I rarely comment, I'm always happy when it shows up in my feed. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. And I need to get at answering those questions myself.
Like you, I too have problems with comparisons.
xoxo
-Janey
Hope you had a good Birthday Emileigh. I liked learning about why you blog. I really enjoy your blog and your passion for writing shows, even if you didn't know it was there a at first. Here's to many more birthdays and blog posts.
ReplyDeleteBirthday felicitations, Emileigh! Well stated and excellent post - you are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely birthday. I enjoyed reading this as I do all your posts. You shouldn't worry about calling yourself a blogger!
ReplyDelete