shop my outfit
pink dress – wearing size 6 (& here) // nude sandals // gold button earrings // monogram necklace – XL 16″ // balloons
Hey y’all! Haaaaapy Wednesday! Today is a special day because I’m celebrating 3 years of blogging. Well, ~technically~ my anniversary was Dec 28, but we’ll pretend it’s actually today. It’s seriously CRAZY that it has been 3 years. I remember December 2015 thinking, thinking, and thinking about starting a blog. And then I finally DID it! I feel like so many times we’re afraid to try new things out of fear of failure or of what others *might* think. And the truth is, people might treat you differently, but that’s okay! To me, it’s so worth it. I would rather try and fail, as opposed to never trying and always wondering, “what if.” This applies to anything in life, so if I can inspire you in any way – I hope it’s that. Get out there and try something. Chances are, if you’re good at it, and passionate, you will do amazing things. And, the people who are meant to be in your life will become your biggest cheerleaders + fans.
“how do i start a blog?”
Today’s post I want to reflect on the last 3 years and hopefully give advice to someone who was sitting in my shoes before I started, or, maybe you’ve already started and just want some direction! I get asked all the time on DMs and via email, “how do I start a blog?” I actually love getting that question, but it’s so hard to answer. There is no black and white, one-size-fits-all answer. To me, I started and just threw paint at the wall, figuring it all out as I went. Don’t wait for something to be perfect to start. Chances are it won’t ever be perfect and you will lose so much time waiting around for that perfect moment, and sometimes you won’t do it at all!
Now, back to that question – “how do I start a blog?” My first question I ask is, why do you want to start a blog? If you’re answer is to make money, to quit your job, or something of the like, then, you probably shouldn’t be asking me for advice. For me, my journey was a lot different than that. I didn’t start off making tons of money by any means. Actually, it cost a lot of money to get started from frequently buying new outfits, bags, shoes, hair products, beauty products, cameras, camera equipment, etc. etc. I am not saying all of this to scare you away from blogging. In fact, I hope it does the opposite. I knew that I was investing in myself, investing in my blog, and ultimately investing in my future. I was giving myself no option to fail!
Why i started my blog
I started my blog to share what I love with the world. That may sound dramatic or vague, but it’s true. My corporate job was fun and challenging, but I worked mostly with men and didn’t have anyone to gossip with daily about shopping or new makeup products I wanted to try. I needed an outlet to share and talk about my passion of style and beauty. I actually started 2 blogs in college, 1 on my own (a beauty blog) and 1 with a sorority sister of mine. Blogs were still pretty new concepts then, and I didn’t have the time or money to keep them growing. They kind of just fizzled off as school got harder, I got new jobs, and my life moved on.
I’ve always loved style, beauty, makeup, fitness, and wanted to share my love of these things with everyone. I was always that go to friend in high school and college that everyone wanted me to do their hair and makeup, and I was always lending out clothes for people to borrow. I knew if the people around me like my style and advice, I’m sure others will too!
From the very beginning 3 years ago, sharing what I love with y’all on my blog + Instagram is something that I’ve always prided myself on. Even now, 3 years later, I still stand true to that. Whether I’m buying the outfit/product or it’s given to me or sponsored, I only share things that I truly love and use in my every day life. Building that trust with y’all is my #1 goal above everything else. I want to be your go-to girl for all things style, beauty, home, mom, fitness, and everything in between.
If you’re interested in becoming a blogger or “influencer” as they call us these days, you don’t have to share clothes or beauty! (side note: I know there may be some lingo I use in this post that you may not understand, for example, an influencer is someone who influences. Basically anyone who is influencing you to make some kind of decision – whether you want to buy the outfit I’m wearing that I post or you want to buy your baby the same stroller as Olivia has. It’s not complicated, but can be a confusing word if you’re unfamiliar with the term. It basically is similar to a blogger, but you don’t have to have a blog, you can share wherever – Instagram stories, Snapchat, YouTube, etc!) Maybe you love cooking or wanting to share something you’ve been through to help others. Those 2 things are my biggest pieces of advice – figure out your WHY (WHY do you want to start?) and figure out your WHAT (WHAT are you going to share with the world?)! Seems simple, right? 🙂
And, don’t ever confine yourself to a box. When I first started, I shared a lot of hair tips and tutorials and makeup/beauty products. I started sharing more fitness tips and then eventually style tips. It’s evolved tremendously into what my blog and my Instagram is today. I typically call myself a “style and lifestyle blogger” as that covers just about everything I share. I share what I love in hopes of helping or inspiring others. Whether it’s through the outfits I share, fitness advice, new mom life on my stories, and everything in between.
turning your passions into your career
3 years ago thinking that I would be a full-time blogger would have been a far-off dream. I followed big bloggers like Amber Fillerup, Caitlin Covington, and Olivia Rink (and I actually still follow and love all of these ladies!), and remember thinking to myself, wow, I’d love to be “x” one day. And while I didn’t want to be *just* like them, I remember trying to create content that was similar to theirs, because that must be what other people liked! When what I really should have been focusing on is: what am I good at and how can I stand out?
I read a quote the other day, and I wish I would have saved it (because I’m sure I’m going to butcher it haha), but it was basically saying successful people aren’t successful because they imitate others. It really resonated with me for so many reasons, but mostly because hello, if you’re trying to be like the other 5,000 bloggers out there, how are you going to stand out and make a name for yourself?
how to grow your following + stand out
I feel like when my Instagram and blog really took off was when I decided to stop looking at what others were doing, and started sharing what I wanted to share! I try my best to learn what y’all want to see. That means I pay attention to which posts do well, and when something doesn’t, try again or change it up! That’s why I say my blog/Instagram has been ever evolving, because I’m always paying attention to y’all and listening to what y’all want to see from me! 🙂
I also get a lot of questions that are like OMG how did you get so many followers? It’s taken me 3 years with a lot of hard work to get where I am. There’s no magic trick or shortcut. I’ve never purchased followers (yes y;all, that’s a real thing!!!) or cheated to get where I am. My biggest tips other than everything else I’ve shared is to be yourself and share great photos.
having great photos and great looking photos
The photo part may seem obvious, but it’s the first thing people see when they visit your Instagram page. Everything I post on my feed is a reflection of me and my personal brand. I’m proud of every image I share. 🙂 I learned how to edit my photos with Lightroom, and watched tons of YouTube videos of professional photographers to learn their editing style. I knew what I wanted my photos to look like, and I had to teach myself how to edit them. Now I’m really good and fast with editing, and am hoping to come out with presets for y’all to purchase this year! 🙂 They’re a great way to edit photos quickly for a consistent look on your feed.
more tips on growing your instagram/blog
It’s also so important for me to be real and transparent with y’all. I always try to show things how they really are – from pregnancy, mom life, fitness, and everything in between. It’s not always easy putting yourself out there, but being real and showing others that you’re not perfect, allows you to connect with them. After all, I want to feel like I’m one of your girlfriends, not just another blogger. 🙂
I haven’t formally announced this anywhere, so I am announcing it right here, right now haha! I officially took my blog full time in June 2018! My maternity leave was up in May, and I went back to my corporate job and realized I could’t do it all. Being a mom is a full-time job, and I already had 2 other full-time jobs – my blog and my corporate job. I had a personal goal to reach income-wise for my blog, and I reached that goal in December 2017.
I’d worked too hard to let me blog go by the wayside, so in June, I took a leap of faith and quit my corporate job. It was honestly the best feeling ever. Not because I didn’t want to work there anymore, but because I officially had my dream job. Being a blogger combines all of my work experience, college experience, and just my own personal loves all into one amazing career.
thank you! 🙂 yes, you!
The road to get to where I am now has not been easy, it’s been full of many long nights, long weeks (sometimes I work 60 hour weeks easily!), and lots + lots of learning and trial and error. But, it’s been the greatest and most-rewarding journey I’ve ever been on and I am so thankful for YOU for helping to make my dreams possible. I can’t do it alone and am forever thankful for all of my readers, followers, and friends. I’ve connected with so many amazing women and hope to inspire y’all every single day.
I also wanted to thank my sweet, amazing, and supportive husband, Drew! He is hands-down my biggest cheerleaders and I definitely wouldn’t;t be where I am today without him. He’s always there for my to vent when I just need to complain or whine, and is always my shoulder to cry on when something doesn’t go the way I thought it would. He’s been my photographer and right-hand man since day 1. Lots of y’all ask who takes my photos and it’s Drew! 🙂 He’s learned so much along the way too, and understands first-hand how much work + behind the scenes goes into the pretty pictures y’all see on my Instagram and the posts here on my blog.
Anyways, this is getting super long, but again, thank you for reading this, for allowing me to share our life with you, and for following along with me! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what this year will bring!
