When I started blogging 10 months ago I didn’t have a clue what was involved. My early posts were utter tripe, they really were! I would get so excited to see that some random person somewhere in the world would be reading it and it made me feel good. My stats in the early days made me happy- 4 people read my blog! Amazing!
Fast forward to now and I still find it amazing that anyone anywhere reads my blog- except now it is 1000’s of people! I have built up my Twitter following from zero to 2,600 ish, my Facebook page is growing day on day and I feel like I am finally getting a grip on Instagram!
It isn’t easy though, I learned very early on in life that you don’t get anything for free. I knew when I started this blog that I wanted it to be more than a hobby, that is not to say that there is anything wrong with anyone who blogs for fun- some of my absolute favourite bloggers do it for the sheer joy of writing. It just isn’t for me, I want to turn it into something that will hopefully one day support my family. Of course I do love writing, it is a passion I never even knew I had!!
What does my blogging day look like?
We wake up at 7am and go downstairs for breakfast, while the girls eat theirs I check my emails, Twitter and Facebook. I have to be careful not to get sucked in to social media otherwise I would probably get nothing else done!
At 9.30am Little L goes for a 2 hour nap. Wednesday-Friday Little G is at nursery so I use this time to catch up with any commenting. Some days it takes the whole two hours just to reply to comments on my blog, visit other blogs and comment on any linky posts I am involved in.
Throughout the day I have my phone to hand, updating Instagram, posting on Twitter and Facebook. I try my best not to look at it too often so I can play uninterrupted with my girls but I really struggle with this- especially as my phone acts as my camera so I often catch sight of a notification and get hooked!
Once Mr F gets home it is dinner time and then the bedtime routine kicks in. They are both really good so our evenings are our own after 7.30pm most nights. I work from 7.30- 11pm, this has caused issues in the past as Mr F felt like I was never around. However, with the introduction of a ‘date night‘ every Wednesday he is much happier and understands that for this to be my job I must work at it.
For those 3 1/2 hours I will write posts, enough for 2-3 a day, reply to any outstanding comments, schedule Facebook posts, reply to emails and if I have time I will deal with any blog admin (updating plugins etc..). To say blogging has taken over my life would be an understatement, it takes up all of my spare time- which isn’t much when you have 2 toddlers to tidy up after!!
On top of that I have my real life job as a teacher too, I only work part time but it adds to the workload doesn’t it?
Why do I do it?
I love this world, I have my own space and have complete control over everything I write. I love interacting with people, whether it be through a tweet or comments on my blog. Running a linky is fab, reading and commenting on everyone’s posts does take time but I love it. I have received so many heartfelt comments over the last few months, people enjoying being a part of our small community. Reading other people’s blogs inspires me every day, getting to know people I wouldn’t have chance to meet in real life is fantastic- you all make me want to be a better person. I am so much happier than I was a year ago- I finally feel like I am comfortable in my own skin.
Of course a great part of blogging is the opportunities it can bring, I have worked with incredible brands, am a Mumbassador for Britax and have also started working as a freelance blogger for a great business. I have also been lucky enough to attend the MAD Blog Awards and Blogfest last year! I have already booked tickets to Britmums and BlogOn and cannot wait to see some great friends there!
The workload may be heavy but it is my passion and I am going to continue for as long as the blogging world will have me, hopefully that will be for a very long time!
Is your blog your job or a hobby?
mrs Taylor
Monday 28th of March 2016
Hi Katy this is a great post I love reading your blog. I'm. A new blogger and would love to know how you became a brand ambassador. I'm so new to this but I absolutely love my writing I'd love to blog professionally. Thanks for reading, another Katie!
Katy
Saturday 9th of April 2016
I approached them directly and they felt my blog was a good fit with the brand I'd say make sure you have a solid branding to your blog and just email some people, worst that can happen is they say no. Would say though, most start at the beginning of the year so maybe wait until next year now x
Shiney Shoo
Friday 13th of November 2015
I have only just recently started blogging, mainly as a hobby and record of things that we do as a family, but these blogging tips are inspirational how people make a living from it, as others have said well done you for doing what you love and having the dedication to get it where it is today.
Katy
Saturday 14th of November 2015
Thank you so much :-) I love blogging and so wish I had started sooner. If you have the passion then you can get to where you want to be too xx
LadyNicci
Saturday 19th of September 2015
Katy, I remember reading one of your blogging tips pieces earlier this year, thinking I would never get to that sort of level / commitment. Now, your daily blogging schedule is so similar to what I've organically developed. Just love it! Hope I can keep it up ; ) thanks for the inspiration
Katy
Thursday 24th of September 2015
That is great you are doing so well. I have cut down a little as I got a bit bogged down, just do what you can, the rest can wait :-) x
Meg
Wednesday 19th of August 2015
I would love for my blog to be my full time job. Ironically, when I worked in radio I had all the time in the world to blog. As it were, I only really got into it once I found a full time day job! So I also work all day and then go home and do a few hours each day. It really can be a full time job. I don't know how you do it with 2 small kids! Hopefully I'll get there one day too :)
Katy
Wednesday 19th of August 2015
If it is something you love to do then there is always a way. x
Min
Wednesday 19th of August 2015
I'm also a teacher (full time). I've been blogging for years and never really realised until now how much work is involved in making it a success. It's amazing that you've been able to build such a huge following in such s short time, but how do you balance it with teaching?
Katy
Wednesday 19th of August 2015
I only do supply so the demands are not the same as full time. I don't think I can ever go back to full time, cannot be doing with planning and staff meetings etc.. x