You may have read my last blog post on my break from blogging so I thought a post on why I started as a fashion blogger would be a good follow on, even just as a reminder to myself.
I started my blog around three years ago as a creative outlet, somewhere I could just ramble on freely. I have always loved everything to do with fashion from attending catwalk shows to incorporating trends to suit my style so it seemed like an obvious topic for me to talk about. There was just a big BUT……. I didn’t really know anything about blogging, I didn’t really know any bloggers, and I never read blogs. It sounds like a recipe for disaster but they do say ignorance is bliss. It meant I could jabber away without worrying. SEO wasn’t important to me and monitoring my stats never crossed my mind because at the time I wasn’t interested in growing a following. I was working full time at a Veterinary Referral Hospital when I started the blog. I did enjoy it but I had been there nearly eight years and I had no career plan.
Five months after I started the blog I quit my job. My blog made me realise how much I enjoyed writing so I got in contact with magazines locally and nationally and began writing for them. I had some experience managing social media so picked up work in this area too. I also started blogging for businesses covering everything such as fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and saving money. I quickly built up a small client base but it was enough for me to be able to become self employed, something I have never regretted. What about making money from my blog? I have never really been keen if I’m honest but this may be something I look to in the future.
Do I wish I hadn’t limited myself to fashion? Sometimes I wonder whether I should branch out as I turn down a lot of invites to events, but if I did change my blog I think it would end up being for other people and not for myself. Even though I have been neglecting it a bit I do love my little area of the internet and am so thankful for the opportunities it has given me. This isn’t just career wise. I have made some great friends and met some amazing people that I would never have crossed paths with otherwise.
Maybe its time to take this blogging malarkey a bit more seriously…
Great post, Gem! I’d say keep your blog true to yourself and what you love, and don’t feel bad for taking a break. 🙂 I’ve struggled to keep on top of my blog lately but, like you, I’m so grateful for the opportunities and friends I’ve gained through blogging. One of the best things I’ve ever done! xxx