HOW MY BLOGGY BUSINESS REALLY WORKS.

Have you ever wondered how blogging works? I mean what even is a blogger…right?? A blogger is someone who writes and shares via their own space over the internet.

A question I’m asked often is how my blog works and if I actually make money or a living from blogging.

I started writing as a way of keeping friends and family updated throughout my cancer treatment which then led to me writing about all things cancer related for the public.

After a year I yearned balance so started writing styling posts and posting outfit pics and now these days I’m everywhere and am writing about everything.

Before I started my blog in October last year I’d only read a few blog posts, I love social media and was a fan of Facebook and Instagram but blogging wasn’t really on my radar.

How times change and quickly!

Around this time last year I had a few brands wanting to send me clothing to review, cool! I got to pick out the pieces and if I loved them enough then I would wear them in my daily outfit pics. Sounds simple right?

Sure, it was and the added benefit was that I had more clothes (and outfits) to share with all of you.

Not long afterwards I did some guest blogging which included some styling articles on other sites and blogs, then in October I decided it was time to get serious and start a blog…even though I didn’t know the first thing about blogging and am severely technically challenged!

It was actually Sonia from Sonia Styling who encouraged me to ‘just start’ and kindly gave me the name for my designer Kelly Exeter from Swish Design, it was the first step that I needed to take and surprisingly I just jumped in and have never looked back.

I wanted a blog so I could have my own space on the internet where you and others could always find what I wrote.

Facebook is awesome but the blog is mine…all mine. I’m not censored on my own blog and I can add as much text and as many pictures as I like.

Not only do I write about styling but also family, recipes, daily life and cancer. Truthfully I get to write about anything I want to…because it’s ‘my’ blog. I like to think there’s a good balance of topics and also a good balance of humor, information and reality.

I have no rules or even any real structure when it comes to blogging because writing is personal and the words flow when they feel like it.

Sometimes I have a blog post every day and some weeks you might only get two maybe three posts. It really depends on my other commitments, work and of course my health.

I like to live life at my own pace…a lesson I learned after I had a burnout a few years ago, so if I need to slow down, well that’s what I do. Oh and that pesky cancer business forces me slow down at times too.

Blogging is a way to leave my footprint behind. If I leave this world early then my children and grandchildren (no, I don’t have any yet) will always have a piece of me left behind and know how my mind worked…and what I looked like in a bra! I can’t believe how many lingerie companies I’ve worked with, pretty bloody brilliant considering my boobs were removed because of  breast cancer.

Blogging is also a way to create an income. I bet you’re all wondering how?

Well for me (it’s different for different bloggers) I have relationships with labels and brands that I feel will benefit my readers, these are also brands that I personally adore or have wanted to know more about. I don’t seek them out, they connect with me and if the fit is right I’ll explore the relationship that might await. Yes, I’m very selective!

Not everything I’m sent gets mentioned on my blog or on Facebook, all items need to pass the test.

If I don’t love the quality and fit or it doesn’t do what I expect then you don’t see it. Simple.

Not everything I mention will be right for everybody, sometimes the price isn’t right or the timing isn’t right…and sometimes it’s sizing or just personal taste.

I’m not trying to please everybody, I just share what I love and what I think will help others. I love taking photos, researching, baking, bettering my health, creating posts, creating relationships with brands and of course I love talking to all of you every day…I’m a total chatterbox!

I have yet to be paid cash for ‘mentioning’ products and I don’t really know any bloggers who do, there’s so much more to relationships with brands than that.

I’ve have done a few posts with affiliate links. Affiliate links are where bloggers have the opportunity to add a tracking link to an item that they feature in a blog post or on Facebook, if the reader clicks on the product and loves it enough to buy it then the blogger gets a small commission. The upside is you don’t pay any extra ?

I do get to keep the garments and products I choose. This is always nice but hey, I’m not going to recommend anything I haven’t actually trialed and new clothes are always welcome.

When the wardrobe starts bulging I do an edit and donate bags of clothes to local charities, I do this roughly every two months.

Sometimes I get paid to do freelance writing on other sites and I do get paid a little for side bar advertising spaces on my blog. I also have a few brands who have sponsored me (helped pay my way) for a blogging conference on the Gold Coast in August and I’ve have been ambassador for brands. An ambassador role would normally be a package deal of product and cash, for time and knowledge.

I also do quite a lot of stuff for free.

Yup I really don’t mind because it’s about community and creating relationships and I’ve met wonderful people and had awesome opportunities working this way. Don’t get me wrong, I say ‘free’ but there needs to be value in it for me.

Value could be that it’s great for my community, it might feel good, could be a way for me to live out a little dream, connect with the wider community if maybe a support a charity I love.

I also have partnerships with not for profit and charity organisations…not everything is about the dollar!

When I first started blogging I thought I’d make a living just from sponsored posts (getting paid to write about a product) but it doesn’t always turn out like that, instead there’s so much more to blogging… it’s a multifaceted career.

Instead I create income ‘because’ of my blog.

Sometimes I have new clients come to me for personal styling and wardrobe edits because they’ve got to know me through my blog or Facebook page.

I’ve done freelance writing, photography, managed social media accounts for local businesses, run workshops and have even had the opportunity to design products 🙂 Now that’s super fun!

Blogging is varied, some bloggers  write for fun, to escape, to educate and for life balance. Some get paid a little along the way while others get paid a lot.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with earning income from blogging.

An ethical blogger will declare in each post if there was payment (sponsored), product given (gifted) or if they are using affiliate links, this keeps everything transparent.

Blogging is time consuming and time can be money, blogging also has costs attached.

There’s things like props, equipment, web hosting, business registration, travel, business cards, courses and workshops to educate and grow and more.

Then there’s skill around writing and time spent creating a safe community and of course knowledge.

Here’s the thing, gifted or sponsored products helps me to create better blog posts because there’s extra content and usually about stuff you all want to know about and a bloggers audience and niche skills are going to benefit a brand so…win win!

The other side of blogging is the people I meet…and those I don’t. I have lots of online blogging friends and most I’ve never met. There’s also relationships formed with businesses…kinda like co workers but some turn into solid girly friendships, then there’s all of you.

Yes you…the ones who read and chat and inspire me. You’re the ones I write for, sharing information and my life and in return I live my days happy and fulfilled.

This bloggy life suits me and it satisfies me, I’m one lucky chick to be doing what I enjoy and having the freedom to create the life I want.

There you have it, a little bit about how this bloggy business works for me. Got any questions? Feel free to ask. Are you a blogger? If so, is blogging what you expected?

Til next time,

Jen x