Questions from the Internets: Part 2

There were a lot of questions about blogging when I did the Six Questions interview. I've never really blogged about blogging, but here it goes!

When did your blog change from a 'side blog' that a few people read, to a blog that garnered lots of followers? When did product testing come into play? Do you think you would ever want to become a full-time blogger? -Marta, long time reader

To be honest, I'm baffled when I look at my page view stats. It's not like I regularly get 50 comments per post or anything, but I suppose the number of comments doesn't always correlate with the number of readers one has as a blogger? I've thought a lot about this and either my readers prefer to just read a post and move on, without actually interacting with me as a blogger (very possible) or there is something else going on here. Perhaps blogs are not as popular in general anymore because it takes a lot more effort to click multiple places, enter in passwords, and make comments as a reader---it's so much easier to just read a post and move on. Or 'like' a picture on Instagram or some of the other more 'user friendly/EASY' social media forms. Commenting on blogs is hard and time consuming, this I know. #FirstWorldProblems

That said, yes---I do have a fairly large following according to my Blogger stats and Feedly stats. I don't really know when that changed, but I'm guessing it was just a gradual thing over time. I have been blogging here at this exact same domain for over six years now so it makes sense that more people read this blog now than they did in 2007. It definitely wasn't anything sudden but there was a jump in readership with each baby being born around these parts, too---perhaps people just like to look at pictures of babies and read mommy blogs that stick around for a few years.

I will say that I never made a dime off my blog until fairly recently, and joining BlogHer in October of 2012 was/is my biggest source of any revenue. It's not a ton but it's something, which is a lot more than what I made on this blog a few years ago. I don't post a ton for them right now, but when Target asked me to be a 'social influencer' about a year ago, that was pretty big, too. 'Pretty big' as in a gift card here and there but never anything that will allow me to quit my day job;) I've done a few other giveaways for companies which usually means I get something out of it, too. I certainly cannot complain with any of this and feel grateful that there are opportunities to make a chunk of change through this platform.

Which brings up your last point: would I ever want to do this full time? In reality, probably not. For a lot of reasons, mostly because if this became a job with actual income for my family, it would lose the aspect of 'fun' for me. Too much pressure or something. It wouldn't be the same, since I truly blog mostly for myself (selfish!) and want to keep it that way. Well, I blog for myself but I also blog because of the connections it provides, the support, the relationships I've gained. There are lots of reasons I blog, really but deep down I want it to come from my heart and be for me/my family with a public following that enjoys reading along.

Whenever Nate asks me, 'Why don't you just make your blog huge and rake in the cash?' (not his exact question, but probably something along those lines) I always tell him the same thing: I'm a wuss. I don't want to take the risk. Meaning, I am incredibly fortunate to avoid negative, hateful comments right now. I feel like the bigger a blogger gets the more she is opening herself up to criticism. Maybe I should just toughen up and grow a pair but I kind of like being in my own little bubble over here, happily pecking away at the keys and feeling mostly liked by my readers. I'm a people pleaser and want people to like me. If I started to make bank on this blog (not that I could just snap my fingers and make that happen, anyway) I know I'd probably gain a few haters along the way. Not really worth it to me, although I'm fully aware I probably have some people who dislike me already without being 'big time'. Again, I prefer to be blissfully unaware right now.

I guess I'd see myself as a 'sell out' if I tried to make a run at blogging for real. I mean, even applying for BlogHer took a lot of pep talks from my inner self. I just felt like I held out so long and part of my 'thing' was NOT going the way of ads and money making with this blog. But in the end, I realize it can't hurt to continue writing from my heart, mostly for myself, and having a small bit of money come in along with that. I try to stay true to myself and don't agree to every giveaway because I do want this blog to stay true to my roots. But evolving a bit and focusing a little more on the 'business' side of blogging is also a good thing. Change is good. Having some gulit-free 'me' money to spend on a Starbucks treat, or a few new maternity clothes is also really awesome. I don't think many of my readers would fault me for that.

As a 'mommy blogger' and working mom, how do you balance your time between your life and blogging? What advice would you give other bloggers? -Lindsey R.

Ah, another 'balance' question but related to the act of blogging and not just life in general. I make the time to blog in the evenings after the kids go to bed. Sometimes if I have a break in my work day and I'm at home, I will work on the blog a bit then, too. I will read comments on my phone during the day but don't sit down to actually approve those comments until I'm at home on the computer. So I guess I have a system of how I can work blogging into my schedule and it's working well for the time being. I've definitely had phases when I cannot put the blog at the top of my priority list (i.e. newborn phases that turn into the entire first year of my kids' lives as they have been horrible sleepers). That time in the evenings seems to get a little tighter and blogging just doesn't fit into the day with little babies. I figure that it's totally normal to go through 'dry spells' on the blog and it makes it that much more fun when inspiration and the time to blog both align again.

My best advice to any blogger trying to find time to post and balance life? Make sure it's fun and that you don't mind carving out time into your day for the blog. You'll find a way if it's worth it to you even if you need to take a major break on regular posting. If it seems too stressful and not fun anymore, then take that break. Maybe you'll find your mojo again someday.


What do you like the best about blogging? What do you like the least?-Babytakesmanhattan

I love the sense of community, getting feedback and support, and ultimately I love the 'friends' I've made through this blog. Three of my closest real life friends in Milwaukee I have because of this blog. I think starting this blog right after I got married and moved to a brand new state was key--I needed new friends and found them through this form of social networking. Fist pound to the internet for that one. There are so many other girls whom I have an 'email relationship' with (not to sound creepy) all across the USA and beyond, and I sure do love email as a primary form of communication with friends;) Getting a comment on a post that says 'I can relate to this!' or 'Thank you for sharing this part of yourself, I needed to hear this today,' makes it worth every second spent behind this computer screen. So yes, the sense of community and connecting and forming relationships with other women who would never be in my life otherwise is the best part of blogging.

What do I like the least? I guess the vulnerability of putting it all out there for the world to see. But obviously that doesn't bother me *too* much if I'm still blogging publicly, right? I could also say that I really despise html and all of the technical stuff that comes with having a blog but whatever---I try not to confuse myself too often with all of that.

In your opinion, what are the top qualities to make a successful blogger? -Eric C.

My favorite bloggers have that amazing combination of honesty, sarcasm, and a bit of quirk that makes me excited to read what they have to say. Pretty photos of adorable kids never hurt, either. I think successful bloggers have to be relatable and down-to-earth, along with being great writers and story tellers. They take risks and aren't afraid to be sellouts if they are truly successful in the monetary sense ;)

Do you ever go back and edit or delete a previous post? -rgeddy

No, not unless I publish a post and later remember additional information (ramblings) that I wanted to include. But I've never dug through my archives and deleted any of the cringe-worthy, ancient posts from another time in my life. I figure those old posts are there and they are what they are, showing how much my life has changed over time in the past six years. What was I saying about change being good?

What would you recommend to someone who is trying to make their blog more 'successful' in terms of visits? -Sylvia Y. 

Probably the biggest thing is reaching out and connecting to other bloggers. Comment on other blogs frequently. Eventually those bloggers will probably do the same for you. Keep writing, find inspiration, and then don't worry too much about the stats after that.

Do you find yourself seeing the world in a different light since blogging? For example, do you tend to notice the little things more? -bucketomonkeys

It's hard to say since I barely remember what life was like before blogging---simply because it was so long ago. I suppose I do think about events differently, as in 'this would make an excellent blog post' or 'crap, Cecelia is almost 20 months old so I better start mentally composing her monthly post.' But I don't know that I notice the little things as a blogger. I probably just think more like a blogger if that makes sense.

And now for pictures that do not make sense in this post, except that I usually blog about my kids and here they are! Can't write a post without pictures and this little photo series was almost too much cuteness for my heart to handle. Truman wanted to get in the crib with CC after her nap on Thursday. I obliged.

Plus, I'm going to miss Cecelia's pink crib and pink lanterns and nursery in general (assuming she is going to keep the crib in Truman's room, or if the baby is a boy I would considering painting it a more masculine color and moving her to a big bed). Must commemorate this nursery before it changes.




Hugs for brother.


Only a few bumps and bruises with two in the crib.


She just loves this kid.


Look-a-likes


Her big brother is pretty awesome.


Two more parts to the 'Internet Questions' await!