This month it’s been six months since we started this blog. I know it’s a bit cliche but time flies! I had always thought a blog was in my future but wasn’t sure I was ready to make the leap. Life happened and I really felt God was opening the door for me to get started, so I did.
10 Things I have learned in the last 6 months of blogging
- It’s overwhelming!
- You need an expert
- You need the proper equipment
- It takes time
- There’s a learning curve
- Don’t be afraid to be creative
- You will constantly be recalculating
- It takes determination and perseverance
- Focus on where your feet are planted
- It’s fulfilling
One of the reasons I started a blog was to share our story and how we manage our everyday life. My goal was the same then as it is now, we don’t want to just survive, we want to thrive! I really felt God was calling us to share some of our experiences with others as a testimony to what He has done for our family.
That all sounds great on paper, but it is so nervewracking as you are going through the process. Your journey is very visible for everyone to see and while I am getting used that, God is definitely testing my commitment to authenticity!
Now onto the list!
It’s overwhelming!
Now, I had the foolish idea that all it takes to be successful in this business is to write a little bit and put it out there. Boy, was I wrong! There is so much more to blogging than writing. You need to learn how to build a website, manage social media accounts, and even learn how to write the things in your head so that other people will understand what you are saying.
It’s all very overwhelming because it is very intimidating. It’s a very big job and the only way you are going to be successful is by taking it one small step at a time. Kind of like, eating an elephant one bite at a time.
You need an expert
I had just told my husband, Rick that I really needed someone to come and help get everything set up when I stumbled across Income School on YouTube. Now if you know me I am a “recipe” person. I like step by step instructions with the reason why that step is in there. I like to know why I need to do something.
I did my homework by researching them online while watching some more of their YouTube videos. I have to say I loved what I saw so after some prayer I approached Rick with it. I totally expected him to veto me on it because the start-up cost was a bit more than I wanted to spend but he was totally on board. He told me to pursue the online course and so I did. A few days later, we were stunned when God blessed us with the amount we needed.
One of the reasons I was so hesitant to commit to Income School was because I was afraid I would be buying an incomplete product. It wouldn’t meet my expectations and leave me hanging with more questions than I started with. I can tell you that is simply not the case!
They believe in giving you the secret sauce and strive to go above and beyond in their products. Their methods just made so much sense and they didn’t promote a “get rich” scheme. In fact, their financial philosophies are one of the things I admire about their program.
They walk you through step by step to build your website from the ground up. They have video courses, podcasts, and a community full of people who are in the same position you are. Not only do they have the information to get you started but they keep you up to date on how to keep being successful. So basically they don’t get you started and then leave you hanging.
They teach you how to write a post and learn to push past the mundane to pursue something great. How can you give the reader what they want and more? I mean, they even have a “post” recipe! Yes, that spoke to me. Not only does it help create length but it helps you speed up your writing too.
They give you a timeline on what to expect as you build your website which is very helpful and encouraging as you find your way. They feed you the information a little bit at a time so it feels doable and not so overwhelming.
Click the following link to get some more information about them: Income School
You need the proper equipment
- Laptop / Desktop Computer
- Internet Connection
- Multiple Monitors
- A husband who is tech-savvy
- A designated workspace
Laptop
I was an iPad girl and to an extent a little anti laptop. However, after I started blogging I realized the value of doing it on an actual computer. There are ways to do all this stuff on a tablet but it is a lot more cumbersome. I enjoy the ease of actually typing on a computer because it is just easier. However, if I am in a lurch and away from my laptop then I have used my tablet or phone to update or change something.
Internet Connection
This one definitely seems a little obvious but having a dependable internet connection is a necessity. Without it, you will get nowhere.
Multiple Monitors
This is one perk that I didn’t even know I needed. Having my computer hooked up to two monitors so I can see what I’m researching or my notes along with whatever I am writing saves me so much time from having to flip back and forth between screens.
A husband who is tech-savvy
Yes, this is definitely a necessity! I can write but when it comes to everything else, I just lose the energy to do it. Gratefully, I have a husband who has the patience to sit and figure out how to do it plus solve the problems as they come up.
He is also very good with pictures which is a real perk in this business. He spends as much time getting my post ready as I do writing it.
A designated workspace
We turned a playroom that our kiddos never used into an office. I love having the space to work without little fingers going through my stuff. Plus, when I get up early in the morning to write, I don’t wake everyone up. We even put a small microwave in there so I can easily reheat my coffee!
It takes time
Yes, time! It takes time to publish posts, manage social media, and do website maintenance. Between Rick and I, we spend around 50 hours per week managing our site.
I have learned that getting up early in the morning and coming down to our office to write has been very productive. I plan to spend about two hours every morning to produce content. The key to being successful is knowing what you are going to write about, having it outlined, and ready to start writing.
I have had to say no to a lot of things and rearrange my schedule so I would have time to work. I have to prioritize our activities and pick the ones that paid the most dividends. My weekly schedule planning has never been more important than it is right now.
I also have to make sure that I’m getting time to rest and do something fun with the family. I find that I am much more productive when I have a well-rounded schedule.
There’s a learning curve
You are constantly learning new things and sometimes my brain is just so full it doesn’t know what to do. Not only am I working hard to refine my skills but I am learning what people feel is the most helpful content and the best ways to get the word out. It is a constant work in progress.
Don’t be afraid to be creative
Being creative about what you are writing or doing takes some courage but it is something that you need to do. Those creative ideas will either pay off or you will learn something from them. Either way, it’s a win!
Thinking outside the box has always been something I do but allowing myself to push past the fear of what others will think has to be intentional. I am learning to keep track of my ideas and make a note of them immediately so I don’t forget.
You will constantly be recalculating
I am a planner! I like to make a plan and then follow it. One of the things I have had to realize is that I am going to do a lot of recalculating as I move along. You know when you are following your GPS and then you make a turn you thought was right but then the GPS starts recalculating to send you a different route.
Well, that’s the same idea. I am constantly changing my plan from one day to the next or even from an hour to the next. I figure as long as I am being productive and making progress then I am doing good. I do hope I get more of a groove as I go along, but we shall see.
It takes determination and perseverance
Oh, my goodness, you can’t give up even though some days you will feel like it! Over the years, while parenting our children, I have learned the value of consistently teaching and demonstrating the concepts I need them to learn. As they are growing older, we are seeing the results of our hard work as they become the little people God wants them to be.
I am applying the same idea to this blog. I am working hard even though some days I see no progress. This is a journey.
Focus on where your feet are planted
I have been a stay at home mom for the past sixteen years and now I am adjusting to being a “working mom.” This has been probably the biggest challenge because I am a person whose brain will not shut off. So I am learning to place my focus and energy where my feet are planted.
This means when I am teaching my children then my complete focus is on them and when I am writing then that has my complete focus. There are days that this is easier said than done just because I wear so many different hats but it is helping me organize it in my mind.
It’s fulfilling
I really love seeing it all come together! There is just something about writing my thoughts or experiences down that is liberating. I often write about lessons I have learned and how I have turned those lessons into something of value.
So being able to share those experiences with you all, well, that brings even more purpose to tough things life throws at you.
I often say this writing is very therapeutic for me because I am able to organize my thoughts on paper which helps me process everything. Honestly, that is one of my favorite things about this experience!
From a Newbie to a Newbie
If I had any advice for someone who is considering starting a blog, it would be this: Don’t share it with anyone until you have built it up with several posts.
I like to think of it this way… If you were building a house, you wouldn’t invite very many people over to see it until it was finished. I mean, it would be silly to host a dinner party with just the framework. Well, it’s the same idea! Build your site and then host your dinner party when they have things to click through.
Well, I guess that’s about it! We are excited and nervous about where this journey is taking us but we appreciate you coming along! We couldn’t do it without you! Thank YOU!
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