To this day, starting my blog is one of the best decisions I have ever made for my career.
I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to have found an extremely rewarding job in this new-age industry. However, when I made the decision to start my own fashion and lifestyle blog, I never thought it would lead to the inception of my own business and career.
Now, everyone can see the rising success of all these bloggers and influencers online, and it is hard not to be enraptured by their seemingly glamorous lifestyle. To be able to make a living as a content creator from the comfort of your own home is undeniably so tempting. Today’s popular bloggers are constantly being jetted off to resorts around the world, donned in all the latest trends. Yet, I want to make it clear that you should not start blogging with the goal of making money and getting internet-famous because doing so can actually be detrimental to your blog.
Here’s why…
Dishonesty Shows
If you start blogging with the singular goal of becoming Instagram famous or receiving boxes upon boxes of PR packages, you are already starting off on the wrong foot. If this is your ending objective, it essentially means the foundation of your blog will be based on material desires. You might not think it, but this could very well be inferred by your audience, therefore discount your ingenuity.
The truth is, the landscape of social media has changed drastically! What worked 10 years ago no longer works today. Some had the luxury of starting early while most of us don’t. Note that this doesn’t discount their talent - and it’s not to say that “making it” is impossible. If you’re not here to authentically serve in one form or another, it’s blatantly obvious. Social media consumers are far more knowledgeable than they’ve ever been; they’ve been watching the landscape for years, and they can’t be fooled. Loop giveaways, F/UF, and S4S - everyone knows they exist.
Think about some of your own favorite online influencers. In addition to their carefully crafted content, chances are you may be drawn to them because of their honest reviews, relatable issues, bubbly personality, in-depth tutorials or all of the above. It is easy to edit out your flaws and cut out the undesirable issues of your day-to-day life, but eventually people will notice you are not being your true, authentic self. That is why it is important to start off on the right foot.
Now, here’s how to do it the right way…
Set Intentions
Instead of focusing on the end game, perform a self-reflection and get to the root of why you want to start your own blog in the first place. I can imagine many of you saying “to release your creative energy, find a community of like-minded people, share your passions, or create an online portfolio”. But intention goes even deeper than this. It’s not just about WHAT you want but WHY you want it. Center yourself with your WHY (why does it matter? why do you care? why is it so important to you?) and then ensure your intentions align with it. After WHY, think about HOW (how can I do this? is this realistic for the time and resources I have at this minute?)
Once you establish your blogging intentions, it will be much more valuable for yourself and your audience in the long run.
Be Yourself
At the end of the day, I promise you are going to be the most satisfied when producing content you feel passionate about and ARE connected to. Find ways to be your most authentic self on and offline because people are looking for bloggers to trust that they will always remain genuine. If you continue to do so, success is more likely to come your way organically and you are more likely to feel proud of yourself for what you have managed to create.
What’s your goal with your blog?
xo,
Susan
Follow me – Blog Instagram Bloglovin YouTube Facebook SHOP
Image Credits: Harper’s Bazaar
You Should Also Read:
4 Steps to Hiring Your First Quality Employee
How Journaling Helps When You Feel Defeated
How to Manifest Blogging Success
