We thought we’d wrap up blogiversary week with one last post for anyone else writing a blog and/or trying to make a business out of it. We don’t like to think of ourselves as formal blogging experts, but since we always share our learn-as-we-go insights when it comes to home and DIY, we figured it made sense to share what we’ve learned in the past four years of blogging too. Oh and we included pictures of Burger to help illustrate some points along the way. You know, for kicks.
Rule #1: A blog should be born from passion (not a business plan). At least for us, that seemed to work. We write about DIY because we love it, not because we picked it off of a list of “hot topics that might make you money.” Writing about what you truly love makes all of the not-as-fun “maintenance” parts of blogging worth it, and helps make the fun parts that much more fun to do.
Rule #2: Blogging is not a get rich quick thing. Again, at least not in our experience. It’s more like a write-over-2,000-posts-over-four-years-and-make-a-modest-living thing. So in the beginning you might just be sniffing counting pennies, but remember rule #1… you’re doing what you love!
Rule #3: “Success” is an insanely random beast. We have no idea why our little blog grew like it did. There are thousands of amazingly creative blogs out there, so it’s not like we think what we do is terribly unique (see this post). Our best guess is that’s it’s some combination of hard work and a series of lucky breaks (more on that here). Though our geekiness, honesty, and borderline annoying can-do attitude might contribute as well.
Rule #4: Don’t try to be anyone but you. This honestly should be rule #1 because it’s the first and most important (albeit extremely tried and true) tip that we could ever pass along. Mimicking a blog that’s already big won’t get you there, nor will acting snarky if you’re not (or acting not-snarky if you are?). So if you’re not a taco loving chihuahua, don’t try to play one on TV on your blog. It’s much easier to detect phoniness online than you might think, and people will connect with you more strongly if you’re just being good ol’ fashioned you.
Rule #5: Not everyone will love every post/idea. We’re still working on this (hence Goal #4 yesterday) but that old saying “the fastest way to please no one is to try to please everyone” is a famous quote for a reason. There will always be folks asking for more of something while others want less of it. But in the scheme of things, it’s your blog. And blogging (like design) is subjective – so there’s not one “right way” to do it. It definitely helps to accept that opposing opinions are par for the course, then just hold strong to Rule #4 and you’ll be ok.
Rule #6: Blogging is a desk job. As you saw in our pie-chart-tastic post on Tuesday, we spend 80%-ish of our working hours doing something on the computer (writing posts, editing photos, responding to emails, writing columns, answering comments) so even though our subject matter is pretty “active,” projects are probably a smaller part of what we do than most people think.
Rule #7: Blogging’s also a creative after-hours not-desk job too. Which is our favorite part. The fact that painting a room, building a desk, or creating free art is a part of our job rocks our socks off. And that’s a big reason why we keep doing what we’re doing, because we recognize how incredibly fortunate we are to get to make a living doing what we love (which brings us back to Rule #1).
Rule #8: You work harder for yourself than anyone else. We’ve heard this from lots of people who have their own business, and it’s 100% true. The pressure is on when things like buying food and paying the mortgage all depend on your “venture.” And it’s especially hard to unplug when you work from home, since the line between laptop time and family time is blurred (we’re still working on it, hence Goal #1 of yesterday’s post). Just try to get some fresh air every now and then. We come up with some of our best ideas when we’re on a road trip or out walking around the neighborhood.
Rule #9: As your blog grows, the expenses will grow too. Many of our friends are surprised to hear that we have business expenses (hence this post on Tuesday), but between paying for hosting, site support, insurance, business fees, accounting, and quarterly taxes there’s definitely a price to blogging (not to mention all the projects that we take on, which have to be budgeted for as well). So it might help to prepare for that stuff by learning how to stay organized, track your money, and balance a budget. Heck, getting chummy with an accountant or two can’t hurt either.
Rule #10: It’s all worth it! So just relax, have fun, and see where you end up. In spite of some of the hard behind-the-scenes stuff about blogging, one thing is for sure: we love what we do. And we wouldn’t rather be doing anything else. Seriously. Four years ago when we started this whole shebang we never dreamed that we’d end up here. But we did. And for that we’re extremely grateful. So remember to enjoy the ride. Heck, feel free to wag your tail a bit.
Ok, now we want to hear from you guys. To those who blog, we’d love to hear what you’ve learned (I’m sure the lessons are completely different for everyone!). And if you’re not a blogger, we’d love to hear a few things that your current profession has taught you (are we the only nosy folks who find other people’s jobs fascinating?). For example, in advertising I learned to be flexible, not get married to an idea, be passionate, and wing it.
With that, we have reached the end of our big ol’ fourth blogiversary. Thanks so much for celebrating with us!
Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job.
Autumn Van Weir says
Ok so I started a blog about 4 months ago just for fun to see what would happen and b/c my wedding was over and I needed something else to do. I’ve learned so far that no one understands your need to be read and have good posts, so just get over that and do what you KNOW. Don’t listen to anyone else!
Also, it kind of forces me to do something besides go home and watch tv…b/c I need subject matter! It’s also forced me to take more pictures. My husband always says “uh oh, are you gonna blog this?” I love my little blog and I ADORE your big blog!
Jessica G in NN says
I, too, loved this week. It was awesome. I love my blog and RARELY get to post, but when I do it’s so I can have funny stories of my kids (students) and remember what the heck I was doing in my own house. I’m waiting for a solid 3-day weekend from school so I can blog a million things in the queue.
As much as I’d love to quit my job so that I could blog, I don’t think I could leave my babies (again, students) to do it. I just…love. them. That’s what I’ve learned from being a teacher (it’s my 5th year). I just love. these. kids. Some days I also can’t. stand. these. kids. But that’s what makes it worth it. Last night a student who had moved stopped by school after I left and wrote a note on my desk. Other students walk by my door every morning just to come say hi and invite me to their games. A very close student has a 3 yr-old little sister who knew my name when she was only 18 months. Those are the things that keep me teaching. I learned to be strict (lame), to have expectations (high ones because kids are incredible) and to love-love-love-love-love on them. Always.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so sweet. You sound like an amazing teacher! I hope Clara has someone like you someday!
xo,
s
Kim at Yellow Brick Home says
What a fun week! Thank you for these fun blogiversary weeks – it’s so fun to learn from someone who’s willing to share and has experienced so much!
We blog about our small home and how we make it work with a dog and two cats – while living in an expensive city. The funny thing is that when I started doing paintings on the side (pet portraits, specifically), it turned into a whole new venture. I’m actually taking a break from paintings right now (with 50+ orders in the queue!), and sometimes it’s surprising to think that due to the blog, my craft for painting has grown immensely. As a result, we’re also able to offer up donations to animal shelters and have gotten to know several readers through the experience of owning a pit bull.
Who’da thought.
Lyndsey Beecham says
I LOVE that Burger still gets his props! He is so cute and I am glad to see that he didn’t become the stepchild after Clara! You have 2 precious babes!
Bethie says
Another great post. Thanks!
My dad always said, “find what you love to do and find someone who’ll pay you to do it.” I now make a living as a professional singer and couldn’t be happier about it! I’ve learned that it is extremely rare to have a job that you love. I have a job that I would keep doing even if I weren’t getting paid. Sounds like it is the same for you guys! Congrats!
Marlena says
I’ve had a blog for two years, and can attest to the hard work paying off part – when I work on it. I’m an on-again, off-again blogger, and when I really commit to writing, people really respond. When I slack, as I have been lately, no response. What always surprises me, or motivates me, is when someone reads something and said that it helped them. But why should that surprise me? I read blogs for the same reasons.
Keep up the great work. I am committed to reading your blog because you two are the *rare* successful bloggers that still interact and engage with their readers. True story.
Cathryn @ CARO Interiors says
What I’ve learned in my blogging:
1. Show yourself – My interior design blog covers a lot of subjects, but it think it helps readers to see how my own house runs to show that I practice what I preach and have the same household headaches as everyone else. As my great-grandma would say, “Nobody likes a know-it-all.”
2. Teaching is its own reward – Some days I am really busy with client work and don’t feel like writing. But, if I allow myself to stop and breathe and think about my post idea and how I want others to see the beauty/DIY crafty-ness/history of something I love, the writing takes care of itself and often rejuvenates my own day.
3. Spell check is my frienemy – It can tell me that I’ve typed the wrong article (“a” instead of “an”), but it won’t tell me if I’m missing a preposition. Fickle little minx!
4. Don’t be afraid of long posts – So much of our technical lives are abbreviated, but a detailed explanation (why something is important historically, how something works, etc.) can be refreshing, engaging and really shows your own passion for the subject. These are often my most popular posts.
5. Be human – This comes full circle to my first point, just like real life always does. I have a read a lot of designer blogs that just lecture about what you SHOULD be doing. That gets tedious. Share joke with your readers. Talk about things you “don’t get”. Encourage conversation. Laugh at yourself. Laugh at…gasp…your subject matter!
You can check out how I try to practice all the things I have learned at: http://caro-interiors.com/
Great post, as always, Sherry & John! Love your work!
Lindsay says
I work for the Department of Human Services (a crass way to put it= welfare office) and the one thing I learned is to not get too invested and care too much, there are far too many people that need help to worry about EVERY one. However, I also (quickly) learned that there are many people that “ruin” the system for others, and to not get too bitter or cynical as well!
Bethie says
Speaking of dream jobs, I also wanted to mention my brother. He was miserable in his job as an environmental consultant so he quit, converted his yard into an urban farm and is living out a dream!
http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/food-for-everyone/new-crop-of-farmers-11
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Family-plowing-its-way-to-zero-waste-67379962.html
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s amazing!
xo,
s
Nicole says
I’m so glad you want with your heart. I LOVE your blog because it is real!! I love you, John, Clara and burger. I feel like you are part of my family. Rule #4 “Be yourself” that is why I love your blog and family!! Have a beautiful weekend, you need a break after a great week of posting!! :)
Karen w says
I love your blog because you post daily. Okay, I know twice but it is great to log on to new info!
Isabel says
Only you two could make the every day details of blogging so fun to read about. :) Also, looooooved the Burger theme, made it seem like he was the one teaching us about the blogging biz and that’s one professor I would pay attention to! Thanks for sharing the projects and fun and giving us something to look forward to everyday. Congrats again and I can’t wait to see what you guys have up your sleeves for next week!
Julianna says
the “who is this burger that you speak of” picture cracks me up!! i never really comment but i thought i’d share some love today, you guys are the best!
…and as a student, i’ve learned what it’s like to be up for a full 24 hours and that college students really are poor :(
Amanda says
I just wanted to comment to say I have SO enjoyed these Blogiversary posts – way more than even past years. I’m not even really sure why, but they just felt way more real/honest and also genuinely helpful. It just makes me appreciate and love your all’s blog even more.
I think my favorite thing you said in this particular post is about how not everyone is going to love everything you do or say. This is so important to remember for everything and anything, not just in blogging. And honestly, while I may not love every project you do… that isn’t really the point for me. What inspires me when I read YHL is the attitude of taking charge of your own design aesthetic and just going for it. It may work, it may not… but at least you tried. And that has really inspired me to take some leaps I wouldn’t have normally taken in my own design.
Thanks again for blogging!! You guys are great (and of course Clara and Burger are too!)!
Monica says
Hi Sherry! I am so impressed how thoroughly you read through all your comments! Wow!
I started my own blog not that long ago and I have a technical accounting question for rule #9. You said that you have seen your expenses grow with all the projects that you do. Are you able to write-off the supplies and materials that you buy since it is sort of a business expense for your blog?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t write off anything we buy for home improvement projects because we do the work to our primary residence (it’s not zoned as an office because we’d owe a big chunk of money to the government if we sold it if it were). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Emma says
Awesome post, loved reading it- but now I’m on petfinder looking for a chihuahua to keep my mutt company.
: ) I’m a relatively new reader (about 6 months, but now that we’ve bought a house…I’m always here!)
Thanks, guys!
Kate says
I love that writing a blog – and *definitely* you’ve got to just keep on writing – forces me to be creative and take on challenges I might not have otherwise. (http://www.katesshortandsweets.com) Mine’s a cooking/recipe blog, and having to put up pictures of my successes (and failures!) pushes me and keeps dinner & dessert interesting and varied.
Alice says
Has Burger really grown that much or are True Hardware’s shopping carts teensy tinsy? Ha ha ha!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- they’re tiny!! Isn’t it funny how big he looks?
xo,
s
Rachel says
Hahah Burger is so cute!
I’ve only been blogging for about a month, but I’ve learned that it’s much more work than it seems! I’ve also learned that you can figure pretty much anything out with the help of Google! :)
Charlotte | Living Well on the Cheap says
Being a social worker has taught me not to take negative feedback (or even personal attacks) personally, to be okay with being imperfect, and to bring a good bit of my real-life personality into my professional self (it’s good to loosen up a little!). Now that I’m blogging on the side those three lessons are still soooo helpful and important. I definitely learned them the hard way and my first few years out of grad school have not been without their challenging moments (aka crying in the bathroom at work complete meltdown), but I’m better for it.
Liz says
I’m currently a stay at home mom, but I went to school for graphic design and worked in it for a few years before having a baby and doing very, very, occasional freelancing. Anyway, I learned really quickly to not to take it personally when someone doesn’t like something I do. I think you can relate, right? In school I got criticism from my instructors, and I learned from it and it made me better. From clients, everyone has a different opinion and different needs and just because they didn’t like it or wanted to change it doesn’t mean it isn’t good. It just means they wanted to go in a different direction. Have enough confidence in yourself to know what you do is good, and that not everyone is going to be on board, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t like you!
Jessica @ Quirky Bookworm says
Last month I quit my job of 6+ years (I did accounting and human resources for a local bookstore) to be mostly a stay at home mom and also a part-time book reviewer and blogger.
I’m finding the trickiest thing about working for myself is staying focused. I’m impressed at how you guys have kept it up for 4 years! The first 2 weeks I was home I didn’t get much done because I was just luxuriating in not having to get up at 5:30 am every day anymore.
But last week I broke out the google task list again, and since then I’ve gotten lots done: I’ve written 8 or 9 blog posts, read 3 books for review, cleaned the house, and played about a million games of peekaboo. :) So now I just need to keep remembering to set myself deadlines and stick to them!
lcg says
I love you guys….but I can hardly bear the cuteness of the BURGER :) Thanks for the fun week of posts…and for the fab pictures of the main dude :)
Wesley says
Thank you so much for all of your hard work! I love your blog, and it always gives me confidence that I can take on DIY stuff. Even though why I start them at 7pm is beyond me . . . I know it’s not a good time!
Big picture is, thanks for your humor and your talent!
Carrie says
The picture of Burger in a sombrero totally made me think of the Skippyjohn Jones books. Granted, he’s only a siamese cat who looks like a Chihuahua, but he does have imaginary Chihuahua friends and Clara would probably totally get a kick out of it!
YoungHouseLove says
Totally! Someone else said that too. Funny!
-John
Beatrice says
Congrats guys, you nailed the blogging this week, did you conquer the 1 long nap idea too?
See you next week.
YoungHouseLove says
Conquer may be a bit strong, but definitely made progress. She’s adjusted to not going down at her usual 10/10:30am time but the one she’s taking around 12:30/1pm hasn’t been very long yet. But we’re sticking with it!
-John
Megan says
I have flirted with the blog idea for a long time. Briefly trying one in college. I have read design blogs for a long time (years), all the while doing my own DIY. After becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom I committed to the idea. I have been at it for 3 months (nowhere near your 4 years) and the thing that surprises me most is how much work it is, how addicted I am to it and how happy it makes me. I never felt that way teaching. You are right! It is hard to unplug. I can definitely say I never appreciated all the hard work that went into blogging until I started. I also never made a point of commenting until I started posting and we could hear the crickets chirping. Now if I think it, I write it in a comment. Definitely disheartening to feel like you have a great idea and you worked really hard on something only to get no feedback. This blogging thing is tough! Kudos to you guys. I hope to have a 4 years to celebrate in grand style as well.
Amanda says
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of this week’s posts! Here’s to a happy fifth year!
Nadine says
My job is to be a conference interpreter/translator and this (plus 30+ yrs surviving in the business) has taught first and foremost that you have to love what you’re doing, or you wouldn’t take all the pressure. Second, I’ve learned to be organized business-wise, because as a freelance I don’t get a pay check.
I started following your blog about 18 months to 2 years ago and its freshness and authenticity have given me enough enthusiasm and confidence to start fixing things in my house, not at your speed-of-light rate of course, but I am getting things done. This side of my life counterbalances the fact that in my job, there is very little creativity involved, even though I never stop learning about the world.
So, good luck and I wish you many more blogiversaries! :)
Jennifer says
I just want to say, “props to you guys” for many reasons … above all, for keeping keeping it real and being honest and truthful. Unfortunately, many others simply don’t :(
I wish you many years of happy blogging :)
erika m says
feel free to delete this comment b/f moderation if you like:
Saw this hook and thought of you Sherry: maybe something for Clara’s closet? Have a good night!
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19499136&itemdescription=true&navAction=jump&color=010&selectedProductSize=false
YoungHouseLove says
Aw so cute! I love it!
xo,
s
Shunta says
Sherry, have you seen this!?!! http://pinterest.com/pin/230430807/ totally made me think of you! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes- so cute! I looove it!
xo,
s
Melina says
I love the pics of Burger! More please!! Also a big fan of this week’s posts about running a blog. You both make it look so effortless which demonstrates actually how much work you put into it.
We started a baby blog back in January (http://frombeantosprout.wordpress.com/)to keep in touch with family and friends while on maternity leave. We had no idea when we started how much work would be involved in maintaining a blog, especially having to take the same pictures a million times for that perfect shot. I have to remind myself from time to time that we don’t need to take a picture of everything and try and live in the moment but there’s always that nagging feeling in the back of my mind going “I should take pics of this for the blog”.
Jennifer says
I love that you guys have showed people just how much work a blog is. And yours isn’t just a journal you have projects to do to keep it going as well!
I think if you love anything you do you will be successful in your own right! I blog for fun, and for my boys bc I suck at wrting in a journal and the pics aren’t there with it! Plus my family likes it.
Keep it real, keep it light, keep it you!
Great week of post you guys!! Hope you are giving yourself a high five and a dinner out!
Jill says
You guys rock. I think one of the best things about your blog is what a cute and compatible couple you two are and it seems to come through no matter what the subject matter is or which one of you is writing. You remind me so much of my husband and I minus the part where the husband is on top of projects ;). The most surprising thing I have learned this week is how much time you spend answering comments – holy crap!!! As a reader, though, I really appreciate and respect that. It is quite true that your readers have brought you to where you are today and it is awesome to see that you see that and try to interact with us. I hope that all of your dreams come true!
jeannette says
ohhhh, that spanish dog is ‘licious. ;-)
Kat says
That first photo of Burger is like a “Glamour Shot”.
Jessica says
I am so loving the pictures of The Burger. It makes me want one! I love the curious and funny nature of dogs – we have 3! :)
Mellissa says
First, congratulations on your fourth blogiversary! This is the second blogiversary I’ve celebrated “with” you and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned since first stumbling upon your blog a couple of years ago. Thanks for sharing such great information. As a new blogger (I use that term loosely), I found this week’s information especially insightful and inspiring.
At my day job – which I LOVE – I work with university students who are committed to making positive impacts in the community through service. I am constantly inspired by these young people who want to give back to others. What this teaches me is to be aware of all the opportunities for learning. I work with students, yet they still have things to teach me if I allow myself to be open to it.
I use my blog to chronicle how my fiancé and I are merging our lives together. This includes highlighting and reflecting on work we are doing to our home, plans for our wedding, and other topics that come along. In every entry, though, I feel as though there is a theme of how we are taking advantage of the information/knowledge that is all around us. Of course this means that many of my posts have linked back to YHL. I have confessed to my readers that I might be a YHL addict. Heehee.
Anyway…all this to say thanks for the inspiration!!
Alisha Landreth says
I really appreciate all the tips. Thanks so much you guys. I have enjoyed reading you for the past few years. You are truly inspiring. I have been talking about starting one for a year now, and just never got the time to sit down and really do it! My hubs and I are all about DIY and saving money, he’s in school for accounting, and I am in for graphic design/ photography. As well we are on the journey of adoption, we wanted to share everything about that as well in our blog. We get asked so many questions about it all the time, I figured it’d be easier if I can answer the same ?’s in the same place.
Thanks for doing all you do, even if you think it’s not much. Reading this blog is something the hubs and I love to do together. And even steal an idea or two.
-Alisha
Mollie says
After spending most of my adult life working in the corporate world even though I hated it, I learned that it’s better to be happy and have a smaller paycheck than have money and be miserable.
Kudos to you two for learning so early to do what you love.
Robin says
I have been blogging for about 4 years now, too, and I just love it. In the beginning it was about sharing my passion for sewing my own clothes. As time went by I realized I enjoy writing (who knew?!) and photography. I feel so fortunate to have these multiple intertwined creative outlets, and extra super grateful that I have a fulltime job to pay the bills. I really don’t think I could handle the stress of relying on blogging (and sewing) to make a living.
And I have made wonderful friends who are also sewing bloggers. I read YHL and a long list of shelter blogs, for fun, and my home is looking much nicer these days as a result. I learn a lot from you and all the other decor blogs!
Rita says
I’ve been an occasional freelance writer and (for 20+ years) a middle school/high school educator. (Used to teach and am now coaching teachers.) I’ve learned that blogging is a great way to combine both passions. I’m happiest with blogging when a post helps someone see something in a new way. Right now I’m doing it for fun and my own sanity. Playing with the idea of taking on a new blogging project that might be more than that. Have learned tons from your blog even before this week’s posts. Thanks for being so generous in sharing what you know.
Chrissie says
I love this post :-) I’ve only been blogging since Christmas Eve last year, but my blog is definitely a work of passion – it’s where I share the children’s stories that I write! (In fact, I may be working on one inspired by Clara… unless that’s creepy, in which case I’m definitely not doing that, and I need to go change some names!)
I was really hesitant to start blogging, but in the end I realised that I was writing these stories anyway, and I wanted to share them. I’m steering clear of traditional publishing because I want to be able to make my work freely available so that parents who are less well off, or teachers who have limited resources, can access (hopefully) good stories to share with their children/students.
It’s my little contribution to addressing the falling literacy standards in our community :-) My website is http://www.squeakyshoestories.com if you want to check it out.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw I love it!!! What an awesome way to make everyone smile. And the fact that you’re working on a story inspired by Clara = priceless. We’d love to read it to her when you’re done! I think she’ll be grinning from ear to ear the whole time. There’s nothing Clara loves more than storytime!
xo,
s
Chrissie says
Oh good! Haha I was a little nervous! I had better get cracking on finishing it.
[email protected] says
You guys certainly set the bar high for the rest of us bloggers!
I was reading your post where you mentioned your post pipe-line and was blown away by how much you have going on all at one time.
I think you really got it right when you recommended blogging for yourself! Because I blog during my “free time” outside of my full-time job sometimes I just have to take some me-time, or some family time. When I start feeling obligated to get something posted I have to step back and remind myself that I’m doing this for myself, and if others enjoy my content that’s just an added bonus.
Another thing that was difficult for me to grasp about blogging was the “sharing is caring” mentality. I went to business school where they taught you to do whatever it takes to destroy the competitor, so it was really difficult for me welcome the concept of sharing ideas as a blogging community. All bloggers want other bloggers to do well, which ultimately helps them to do well in the long-run. What kind of a business is this? If you guys were in any other business people would have deemed you as completely mad for sharing all of your blogging tips with “the competition!”
I definitely appreciate your blog. You guys are awesome blogging role-models!
Sarah @ w30 says
Wahoo and congrats on an awesome four years. To many more (cheers)!
In my day job (nonprofit advocacy), I’ve learned to just take a leap of faith and do things that are not comfortable. Less than a month into my position (and less than 6 months after graduating), I was giving a presentation at a legislative committee hearing! I may have been sweating through my suit jacket, but I did it! I think we are all far more capable than we give ourselves credit for, and by just *doing,* we learn what we are made of.
And blogging – just about 3 months in, and I’ve learned a lot more goes in to writing a post than I thought – even a short-n-sweet one (oy, the photos)! But it’s also more fun than I expected. :)
I love these behind-the-scenes posts. Thanks for being your authentic, sweet, honest and quirky selves!
Jeanne says
I’ve loved your series. I actually posted this week what I’ve learned or gained from blogging. http://jandjhome.blogspot.com/2011/09/one-year-ago-today.html
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, what a sweet and honest post!
xo,
s
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
Through blogging, I’ve found my true passion. And even though I haven’t made one dime from it to this day {after nearly 2 years}, it fulfills me. That’s how I know it’s my passion. After a 10-hour or 12-hour shift at my real job, I’m dead tired when I get home but immediately become energized once I start writing a post.
Sometimes I wonder how the world would be different if everyone did what they absolutely loved…all money aside. I’d imagine it’d be a pretty sweet place and everyone would be great at what they did!
Congrats on four wonderful years! As long as you keep writing, I’ll keep reading. Kisses and hugs all around.
megan says
I think a reason ur blog stands out from others is the quality of the posts. good detailed writing , pictures, graphs, Photoshop, everything! the effort you guys put in is very clear to your readers and appreciated!
Mel says
I have small wedding officiant business that I started last summer. What I have learned is to let my personality be my selling point. If I am not honest, passionate, and genuine with my couples, I will not be successful.
By the way, I look forward to reading your blog each day. It inspires me to see other people close to my age (okay, I may be a tad bit older) sharing their business experiences.
Happy Blogiversary!