What I Think About Blogging After Earning 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 thought what I used to be leaping into. At first, it was only a pastime. 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 suggestions with hundreds of thousands of readers annually.

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 currently.

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

It’s a dream come true.

My weblog has develop into a terrific enterprise that lets me take pleasure in my work, have a versatile schedule, and make a great dwelling.

What amazes me is how little I knew about running a blog once 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 assume you could be each to start out 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 quit my day job to blog full-time (that was again in 2013).

Some enjoyable stats about Making Sense of Cents:

• My first weblog publish was revealed on August 10, 2011. You can read it here.
• I’ve written over 2,000 articles on Making Sense of Cents, however I deleted a bunch final yr 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 greater 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 not publish weblog revenue reviews nor share my revenue (you could find all of them right here – Blog Income Reports From A Multi-Million Blog), from 2011 to 2018, I made round $5,000,000 complete. Since 2018, I’ve nonetheless made a wholesome revenue annually.

Associated content material:

Right here’s what I really like and have discovered 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 complete 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 (effectively, practically each half – it’s nonetheless arduous work!).

2. A versatile schedule modified my life

One of many largest perks of being a blogger is having a versatile schedule. I can work at any time when 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 anyplace is wonderful

One other beauty of running a blog is being location impartial. I’ve had some wonderful experiences dwelling elsewhere, 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 gives is value it.

4. Success takes time

Too many bloggers surrender 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.

Bear in mind, good issues take time.

5. Write if you really feel impressed

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

Running a blog is a steady studying journey. From understanding social media to operating a web site, there’s at all times one thing new to study. Running a blog isn’t a straightforward job, and making an revenue takes arduous work.

However that’s what makes it fascinating – it’s by no means boring as a result of there’s at all times a brand new problem.

7. Cease seeing different bloggers as competitors

It’s essential to see different bloggers as attainable mates moderately than competitors.

Networking with different bloggers is essential for achievement, corresponding to by sharing one another’s content material, attending conferences, and supporting one another. This may also help everybody develop.

I’ve made nice mates who’re bloggers and influencers, and it’s really a terrific neighborhood to be in.

8. You don’t want expertise to start out a weblog

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

Every thing will be discovered alongside the best way. Each profitable blogger began with out realizing the whole lot, and with time, they discovered and grew.

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

I’m proof which you could succeed even for those who don’t know a lot initially. Once I started Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you could possibly become profitable from them. I discovered the way to construct a weblog from scratch and labored arduous to get the place I’m right this moment. It’s not at all times simple, nevertheless it’s been very rewarding!

9. It’s attainable to make a dwelling running a blog

Probably the greatest issues I noticed is which you could really make a great dwelling from running a blog.

Many bloggers begin as a pastime 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 robust 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 day by day and I look ahead to working.

11. Anticipate a troublesome starting

I get numerous emails from readers who’re scared to start out 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 start out too.

That is completely regular.

12. Connecting with readers is extremely rewarding

Probably the most 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.

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

I take pleasure in serving to folks 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 form 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 actually take pleasure in. I’m grateful for the alternatives it has supplied, from monetary freedom to private development. I’ve met wonderful folks, traveled to unimaginable locations, and constructed a profession that I’m obsessed with.

Day by 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 at all times altering. I’m at all times 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 trying to develop my weblog, like at all times. 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 michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or depart a remark under.

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

Often 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 certain a few of you might have questions!

How can I begin my very own profitable weblog?

Beginning a profitable weblog includes a couple of key steps. First, select a subject that you’re obsessed with and that others are excited by. It’s essential to be constant along with your posts and to jot down high quality content material that gives worth to your readers. Organising your weblog is simpler with platforms like self-hosted WordPress. Bear in mind to advertise your weblog on social media to succeed in a wider viewers. I like to recommend studying How To Start A Successful Blog In 10 Steps to study extra.

What are some suggestions for preserving a weblog going for over a decade?

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

How has the running a blog panorama modified prior to now 13 years?

Running a blog has modified rather a lot prior to now 13 years. At first, shorter weblog posts had been widespread, however now longer weblog posts are extra common. web optimization has develop into extra essential, and there are extra instruments to assist bloggers enhance their content material. Social media additionally performs an even bigger function in bringing folks to blogs right this moment.

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

Partaking with readers is essential 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. Repeatedly 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. Individuals love connecting with real-life experiences. Private tales make your weblog extra relatable and may construct a loyal readership. It’s essential to be real and sincere when sharing your experiences. For me, I at all times attempt to add one thing private to all of my weblog posts, and I wish to see that once I’m studying different folks’s content material as effectively.

If you wish to begin your individual weblog, I like to recommend signing up for my free How To Start a Blog Course here. On this free course, I present you the way to 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 for me?