What I Suppose About Running a blog After Incomes Over $5,000,000

This month marks 13 years of running a blog for me. Right here’s what I take into consideration running a blog after incomes over $5,000,000 and over a decade of working on-line.

Once I began my weblog in August 2011, I had no concept what I used to be leaping into. At first, it was only a interest. I needed to speak about private finance and share my very own experiences. I didn’t know that running a blog might really become profitable!

As time went on, my weblog grew. I went from writing in secret to having a neighborhood of readers who adopted my journey. Running a blog became a lifestyle for me. It allowed me to depart my day job and do one thing I really like. And now, I get to share my story and ideas with hundreds of thousands of readers every year.

13 years in the past, I by no means would have guessed this for myself!

And, I’ve by no means been extra grateful, particularly these days.

Operating my very own enterprise and dealing fewer hours means I can spend plenty of free time with my husband and our daughter.

It’s a dream come true.

My weblog has change into an incredible enterprise that lets me take pleasure in my work, have a versatile schedule, and make a very good residing.

What amazes me is how little I knew about running a blog after I began.

I’m not a tech particular person, and I’ve by no means considered myself as a author. I point out this as a result of many individuals suppose it’s essential to be each to begin a profitable weblog.

Running a blog was one thing I began and labored on along with my full-time day job as a monetary analyst, and round two years after I began this weblog, I stop my day job to weblog full-time (that was again in 2013).

Some enjoyable stats about Making Sense of Cents:

• My first weblog submit was revealed on August 10, 2011. You may learn it right here.
• I’ve written over 2,000 articles on Making Sense of Cents, however I deleted a bunch final 12 months and presently have 1,379 revealed.
• I’ve acquired 151,762 emails (this doesn’t even embrace the numerous emails I’ve deleted over time, so the quantity might be over 1 million, haha!). I haven’t included promotional emails both – the 151,762 are merely emails from my readers.
• I’ve 65,342 feedback on my weblog posts. This was increased however I deleted over 6,000 feedback that had damaged hyperlinks.
• It took me six months to earn my first $100 from Making Sense of Cents.
• Whereas I now not publish weblog revenue reviews nor share my revenue (yow will discover all of them right here – Weblog Earnings Stories From A Multi-Million Weblog), from 2011 to 2018, I made round $5,000,000 whole. Since 2018, I’ve nonetheless made a wholesome revenue every year.

Associated content material:

Right here’s what I really like and have realized about running a blog.

1. I benefit from the freedom of being my very own boss

Once I first began my weblog, I noticed shortly that being my very own boss was what I needed.

I take pleasure in making my very own schedule, setting my enterprise targets, and doing what I really like every day. It’s nice to have whole management over my work. I keep away from duties that I dislike, making my work-life stability a lot better.

From writing to selling, each a part of running a blog is one thing I really like doing (nicely, practically each half – it’s nonetheless arduous work!).

2. A versatile schedule modified my life

One of many greatest perks of being a blogger is having a versatile schedule. I can work every time I need, whether or not it’s within the morning, at evening, or on weekends.

This flexibility permits me to take pleasure in my day doing enjoyable actions, and I can nonetheless get my work achieved later.

3. Freedom to work from wherever is wonderful

One other wonderful thing about running a blog is being location impartial. I’ve had some wonderful experiences residing somewhere else, like in an RV or on a sailboat.

So long as I’ve my laptop computer and an web connection, I can work. Separating work and private life will be difficult, however the freedom it supplies is value it.

4. Success takes time

Too many bloggers quit too shortly.

Beginning a weblog can really feel overwhelming, and never seeing fast outcomes will be disheartening. It took me six months to earn my first $100, however that persistence has paid off in the long term.

Keep in mind, good issues take time.

5. Write whenever you really feel impressed

I discovered that I write my greatest content material after I’m not compelled to jot down. Writing on a good deadline used to emphasize me out, and now I write posts nicely earlier than they’re due, permitting me to jot down after I’m impressed.

At the moment, I’ve sufficient content material to be about one month forward, and it feels nice!

Even after 13 years of writing, it’s nonetheless one thing that I actually take pleasure in. And, I’m nowhere out of matters to jot down about simply but!

6. Get able to be taught

Running a blog is a steady studying journey. From understanding social media to working a web site, there’s all the time one thing new to be taught. Running a blog isn’t a simple process, and making an revenue takes arduous work.

However that’s what makes it attention-grabbing – it’s by no means boring as a result of there’s all the time a brand new problem.

7. Cease seeing different bloggers as competitors

It’s vital to see different bloggers as potential pals fairly than competitors.

Networking with different bloggers is vital for fulfillment, comparable to by sharing one another’s content material, attending conferences, and supporting one another. This can assist everybody develop.

I’ve made nice pals who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s really an incredible neighborhood to be in.

8. You don’t want expertise to begin a weblog

Once I began running a blog, I had no expertise and didn’t know a lot about it. You don’t have to be a social media skilled or a tech wizard to get began.

The whole lot will be realized alongside the best way. Each profitable blogger began with out figuring out every part, and with time, they realized and grew.

That is one thing that I really like about running a blog.

I’m proof that you would be able to succeed even in case you don’t know a lot firstly. Once I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you might become profitable from them. I realized construct a weblog from scratch and labored arduous to get the place I’m at the moment. It’s not all the time straightforward, nevertheless it’s been very rewarding!

9. It’s potential to make a residing running a blog

Probably the greatest issues I noticed is that you would be able to really make a very good residing from running a blog.

Many bloggers begin as a interest and switch it right into a money-making profession. Whereas it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, constant (and actual) effort can generally result in you having the ability to make a full-time revenue from running a blog.

10. I really like this profession path

Earlier than running a blog, I completely dreaded the workweek.

Now, I get up excited to work on my weblog. Whereas there are powerful days, like coping with impolite feedback or the algorithms altering, the enjoyment I get from running a blog makes it value it.

I genuinely love what I do every single day and I look ahead to working.

11. Count on a tricky starting

I get a variety of emails from readers who’re scared to begin a weblog and share their ideas. They need to know my greatest recommendation for beginning.

My greatest recommendation is – simply go for it!

Nearly each blogger I do know (even the actually profitable ones) was scared to begin too.

That is completely regular.

12. Connecting with readers is extremely rewarding

One of the crucial fulfilling features of running a blog is the reference to readers. Listening to from individuals who have benefited from my recommendation or have been impressed by my weblog is wonderful.

Realizing that my phrases could make a optimistic impression on somebody’s life retains me motivated to proceed writing. The suggestions and assist from readers creates a way of neighborhood and make all of the arduous work worthwhile.

I take pleasure in serving to individuals world wide with my weblog, and it’s really an incredible feeling.

13. I’m very grateful for the life I get to dwell

Okay, I’ve type of stated this all through a lot of the sections above, however I need to say it out loud – I’m so very grateful!

Running a blog has given me the possibility to dwell a life I really take pleasure in. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has offered, from monetary freedom to private development. I’ve met wonderful individuals, traveled to unbelievable locations, and constructed a profession that I’m captivated with.

Day-after-day, I get up excited to work on my weblog and join with my readers. This journey has introduced a lot pleasure and achievement into my life, and I’m grateful for each second of it.

What’s subsequent?

Running a blog is all the time altering. I’m all the time looking for new methods to make my weblog higher. There are such a lot of potentialities, and I’m excited to discover them.

At the moment, I’m seeking to develop my weblog, like all the time. I’ve been writing extra, which has been good, and I’ve been filling content material gaps on my web site.

If there’s something you’d like me to jot down about on Making Sense of Cents, please ship me an e mail at [email protected] or depart a remark beneath.

Thanks a lot for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!

Continuously Requested Questions

Beneath are solutions to widespread questions on beginning a weblog. I believed I’d embrace these right here as a result of I’m positive a few of you’ll have questions!

How can I begin my very own profitable weblog?

Beginning a profitable weblog entails just a few key steps. First, select a subject that you’re captivated with and that others are eager about. It’s vital to be constant along with your posts and to jot down high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Establishing your weblog is less complicated with platforms like self-hosted WordPress. Keep in mind to advertise your weblog on social media to achieve a wider viewers. I like to recommend studying How To Begin A Profitable Weblog In 10 Steps to be taught extra.

What are some ideas for conserving a weblog going for over a decade?

Staying motivated to weblog for a very long time will be arduous. One option to preserve going is by setting targets you may attain and celebrating small wins. Speaking along with your readers and constructing a neighborhood can even preserve you excited. It’s good to remain up to date on new running a blog tendencies and continue learning new abilities.

How has the running a blog panorama modified previously 13 years?

Running a blog has modified rather a lot previously 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts had been widespread, however now longer weblog posts are extra well-liked. search engine optimization has change into extra vital, and there are extra instruments to assist bloggers enhance their content material. Social media additionally performs a much bigger position in bringing individuals to blogs at the moment.

What are efficient methods to interact with readers on a long-term weblog?

Partaking with readers is vital to having a profitable long-term weblog. I like to recommend replying to feedback and emails to make readers really feel valued (as a result of they’re!). Internet hosting Q&A periods and making interactive content material like polls or surveys can enhance engagement too. Recurrently updating your weblog with new content material additionally retains readers coming again.

Can sharing private tales on a weblog entice a gradual readership?

Sure, sharing private tales can entice and retain readers. Folks love connecting with real-life experiences. Private tales make your weblog extra relatable and may construct a loyal readership. It’s vital to be real and trustworthy when sharing your experiences. For me, I all the time attempt to add one thing private to all of my weblog posts, and I wish to see that after I’m studying different individuals’s content material as nicely.

If you wish to begin your individual weblog, I like to recommend signing up for my free How To Begin a Weblog Course right here. On this free course, I present you create a weblog, from the technical aspect to incomes your first revenue and attracting readers.

Are you curious about beginning a weblog or your individual enterprise? What questions do you’ve gotten for me?