As an aspiring “big dog” blogger, one of the biggest things that gets under my skin is the amount of blog posts I see about someone complaining how this blogger or that blogger is doing something. (Bear with me there IS some irony to appreciate with this) The first thought that crosses my mind when I read posts like this is “MAN, I wish I had so much extra time to actually pay attention to what other people are doing!?!”
Don’t get me wrong. Everyone has to start somewhere. I remember my first month I asked in a public Facebook group if I 1,000 visits was a lot. (Still not ashamed that I asked, because I didn’t know) Now I look back at that question and realize how idiotic I must’ve seemed to a lot of the established bloggers, but you know what it doesn’t phase me. From the get go I was out there learning, and working my ass off to become the big bad blogger I knew I could (and can become).
Over the years I have noticed a few things; one hobby bloggers that like to portray themselves as business bloggers, and bloggers that feel entitled to get amazing opportunities without putting the time in. I’m probably going to get hate mail for saying this, but I feel it needs to be said. If you want the “fame” and opportunities, you have to WORK for it. Pumping yourself up and writing rants with your panties in a bunch when another blogger gets X,Y, and Z opportunity you don’t is a waste of time. Does it get you closer to your blogging goals? No! Does it make you seem like someone that others would like to work with? Heck, no! Does it makes you seem professional? Absolutely, not.
There are a lot of ways to get out there and to be a successful blogger, and the only thing that I have seen across the board is to be yourself (yep, still working on that part), work your ever loving butt off, and remember that calling yourself a “business blogger” doesn’t a business blogger make.
You have to make the tough decisions. You have to be CEO, CFO, and all those other funky acronyms all rolled into one. It’s hard as hell, and there will be many, many days when you wonder if it’s all worth it. Only YOU can decide if it is or not. Only YOU can figure out if you have enough stuff to make it in this business. Because folks that is what this is, it’s a business. I love all of my readers, and I am lucky to be in a profession that I am so utterly passionate about, but calling it a business and MAKING it a business are two COMPLETELY different things.
Just because you have access to a computer and feel the need to share your opinions to the world doesn’t make you a success, nor does it make you a “professional blogger.” I’m not even going to offer my opinions on what I consider a professional to be, really that’s up to you and how you run your business. Heck, it’s also totally ok if you just blog as a hobby. Honestly, that’s how I started, but be prepared to get “hobby blogger” access to all the “cool” opportunities.
Love me or hate me, if you are afraid of reading this post and asking yourself the hard questions, the only person you are doing a disservice is yourself. If this post makes you mad, maybe I’ve hit a wee bit too close to home. Bottom line is if you KNOW that you are being honest, ethical, kick ass, and a true professional blogger this post won’t phase you a bit, because you’re too damned busy running your business and making it the most awesome project you can. THAT’s when you truly know you can run with the big dogs.
Kerri (TheMaven) says
I love this: “calling it a business and MAKING it a business are two COMPLETELY different things”
I know sometimes I nit pick too, but you are so right, how is that productive and make me a better professional blogger?
Ashley Sears says
I think we ALL have moments where we need to vent, and frankly that’s why finding your Tribe (AKA blogging friends you can count on time in/time out) is so important. You need a safe place to do that, but to mull over it and whine is just counter productive in my book.
Jodi @ A Mom Having Fun says
Agreed! I am totally under the live and let live mindset. I am always afraid to say too much since I know it will come back to haunt me! 🙂 I also know that I need to check myself if I’m even going to feel jealous about not get big opportunities compared to someone else. This is a great business – I love what I do too, but it is a lot of hard work. But isn’t that true with any self-start business? All business owners have to work their butts off around the clock for years when they first start up to see success. Those who don’t either fail, or make it a fun hobby.
Ashley Sears says
Yeah. Not sure why so many think blogging isn’t just as much work as a startup. Granted it does have lower overhead and can take less time to be profitable, but there is a LOT involved and it can take years for you to be able to hire anyone to help you with the off site stuff.
Kelly says
woof – HA! Sometimes it’s better to be less busy and not be overwhelmed doing everything. Think about all the extra time you have on your hands compared to those busy bloggers! Just be and take in what you need and want. Keep it simple and remember – You get what you give. 🙂
Ashley Sears says
That is good advice too 🙂 You did hit the nail on the head though about you get what you give. Sometimes it is most awesome to take a break to avoid burnout, but it will also take longer to build your blog up at times. Only you as the business owner can decide what is the “right” pace for you.
Leila says
Great post! I have been working towards making my blog my full time business my number one focus. Those big bad bloggers who get the big bad opps- yes, I get jealous, but I get inspired and motivated. The big bad bloggers who get big bad opps make ME a better blogger because it helps me refocus, set better goals, and push forward to achieve the big bad blogger status! 🙂
Ashley Sears says
Leila, I couldn’t have said it better myself. It’s totally natural to get a little green with envy, but the healthy thing is to get it to motivate you to be even more amazing! Vent, let off steam, and then figure out how you are gonna knock it out of the park 😉
Ellen Christian says
Great post, Ashley. If I had to pick two things to recommend to new bloggers (or any bloggers), it would be “be professional” and “be yourself.” Those are key and things I strive for regularly.
Mary says
Amen!! It’s a JOB and you need to treat it as such. Thanks for laying it all out there!
Brittany says
I love this and completely agree. It drives me nuts when I hear bloggers complaining about not getting picked on social media. If you’re that upset, take a minute and whine to your husband or dog or something, then get over it.
I think another awesome test to seperate hobby bloggers from business bloggers is attending a blogging conference. The bloggers getting beyond tipsy that care most about swag are hobby bloggers, no doubt. I still can’t believe how many women were drunk at BlogHer events last year, it’s a business conference!
Dawn Lopez says
What a great post Ashley, glad I snuck on over to read it! You made some great points and it’s so true. Sometimes seeing people complain so much makes me feel like I’m back in Kindergarten. Yet, sometimes I am the one that wants to complain and I usually keep my mouth shut, take a step back, then re-evaluate my own goals. At times that means just getting off Facebook, it’s that easy!
I often struggle to share the real me too, this is definitely something I am pushing to work on. It’s one of my top goals for 2014 (yet can’t believe it’s already April!).
Thanks for spilling today, really enjoyed your post!
Carol Jones says
Well said!!! Couldn’t agree with you more!
janelle says
Great post, really helpful and insightful. Thanks for your advice, comments, and suggestions.
Kimberly says
I LOVE this. I’ve been thinking this for years. I do think people think they “deserve” to get opportunities without actually working for it. (aka. The “Takers” of this world) It’s hard, it takes time. Stop complaining – either you want it or you don’t. Either way…just do it.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂