Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How We Grew Our Blog

John and I often ask ourselves this question. How did we go from blogging-about-our-impending-kitchen-remodel-to-our-friends-and-family-as-a-hobby to writing-to-thousands-of-people-about-interior-design-and-home-improvement-every-day-as-a-bona-fide-job? And since this same question seems to be popping up in our inbox more and more lately (and even in Tuesday’s reader survey) we wanted to take a stab at answering it. So for all of you aspiring professional bloggers or curious readers out there, here goes nothin’…

In a nutshell: we attribute our blog’s growth to a combination of lots of good old fashioned hard work and a series of lucky breaks (of which we’re eternally grateful). We didn’t start the blog with hopes of creating a business, we just wanted to share our kitchen renovation with our friends and family without constantly filling their inboxes with photos and stories. We figured a blog was a nice way to allow them to drop in on us whenever they liked, and because we’re never ones to do anything half-heartedly we excitedly jumped into telling our story and breaking things down into tips and tutorials for our friends and family from the start (even though we were learning as we went). Soon our family-&-friends-only readership turned into friends-of-friends and then (surprisingly) strangers-welcome. And with each encouraging comment, inquiring email or complimentary mention on another blog we got a little boost to keep going. Even if they were few and far between at that point.

Blogiversary 1st Comment

Our first mega-boost came in December 2007. John had entered us into a home improvement blogging contest on a whim in the hopes that we’d make some new blog friends and gain two or three more readers along the way. So when we got a call congratulating us on winning the grand prize (to the tune of $5K, no less) we looked at each other and realized that maybe we had a knack for this blogging thing… and maybe someday it could be more than just a hobby! Consider us insanely flattered and immensely inspired at that still-surreal (and heavily photoshopped- yes, we added the crowns and the flowers and the sashes) moment.

Blogiversary Academy

We think blogging as a couple has been a huge help to us a well. Not only because John stands out as one of the few husbands in the home blog world, but because it means we can blog as a team. We’re able to divvy up the tasks of writing (in the beginning we alternated writing a post each night). We’re also able to support and motivate each other. When writer’s block hits or projects seem endless, at least we each have a built-in cheerleader of sorts (although John would want me to clarify that he doesn’t actually jump around with pom-poms). And because it’s a shared hobby, spending hour upon hour blogging together seems to strengthen our relationship instead of neglecting it (which may have been the case if only one of us was involved and the other had twiddled their thumbs and waited to be included).

By the time we reached the end of our blog’s first major home improvement project in January 2008 (the big kitchen reno), we started noticing some pretty steady growth in our readership. So we decided to keep writing. And as our post topics expanded – design dilemmas, reader redesigns, house crashing – we saw our names pop up in some pretty amazing and unexpected places. The Washington Post included us in their “blog watch” feature, big time blogs like Real Simple and Apartment Therapy began to mention us and local glossies like Richmond Magazine and national ones like Do It Yourself Magazine started calling us to author our very own columns with them! We even lived to see our mugs on the cover of a national mag this spring! We never solicited these mentions or paid for advertising; people just heard about us through the grapevine of friends, blogs, Google and who knows where else. And it seems as though they truly enjoyed our blog and our writing, which still has us blushing to this day. All of it still feels quite miraculous, meaning we still pinch ourselves quite frequently.

Blogiversary The Nest

Why did these writers and reporters care to talk about us? You guys are probably better suited to answer that than we are. All we know is that we’ve never plotted a business plan or hunted for a blog niche to fill – we just write about what we care about: our home, our relationship and, okay, our eight pound chihuahua. That’s not to say that we don’t put lots of time into figuring out how to keep things fun and interesting around here, but when you’re writing about things that you’re crazy interested in, it’s not hard to do and it tends to come naturally. Heck, we can’t even go on walks or long car rides without ending up brainstorming projects to do or topics to blog about. It’s a sickness. We just feel so blessed that what interests us also interests so many of you, and that you keep dropping in to see what we’re up to.

We’d like to believe that some of what keeps you coming back has to do with our writing style. We’re both writers (I used to be an advertising copywriter and John did lots of creative writing in college) which means we both enjoy finding the words to narrate the regularly occurring adventures (and misadventures) here at Casa Petersik. And since writing is half of the fun for us, we have no trouble churning out over ten posts a week. Plus, we’ve been lucky that our inherent love of creative and unexpected projects that are doable for cheapskates like us (ex: using cheap Ikea tables to make a headboard or wardrobes to create bedside built-ins) seem to line up well with these times when being budget conscious is all the rage (and being a cheapskate is actually something to be proud of!).

Blogiversary How To

We also realized pretty early on that good content and photos are important, but if people can’t find things easily then you’re doing yourself a disservice. So we’re constantly trying to make it simple for you guys to hunt down your favorite posts. From the How To tab full of tutorials to our House Tour page so everyone can easily see our home’s transformation in one fell swoop, we trying not to let things collect dust in our archives. Hopefully you find these features helpful, and hopefully we’ll stumble upon more ways to make our site user friendly and easy to navigate.

We also try to learn as much as we can about the technical side of blogging. John designed our entire site (which is nothing that he learned how to do in school) so that meant lots of library research, googling when things went haywire, and general nail-biting while we waited for things to load (we’ve been known to chant: “please make it centered, please make it centered, please make it centered” from time to time). John also whipped up our Young House Love logo in about two hours (he wouldn’t let me look over his shoulder while he worked, so when he finally said “ready” and revealed his little sideways heart thing, I squealed with excitement) and is also in charge of video editing and a lot of other technical things that keep YHL humming. Needless to say it’s great to have a self-trained IT guy as 50% of the staff.

YHListhenewblack

We’re not gonna lie- it’s the hardest job we’ve ever had. The biggest misconception is that our blog is a part time thing that we spend a few hours a day on. When friends and relatives picture me out on the patio with a magazine and a cocktail I snort with laughter. It’s hard to put into words how we manage to spend every waking moment working on the blog, but we’re essentially writing over 45 posts a month AND taking and uploading photos AND running an online shop AND offering design services AND coordinating giveaways AND answering up to 100 email and comment questions a day AND making & editing videos. Not to mention actually doing the projects on our home that we then photograph and write about. It’s pretty much a never ending to do list! In all honesty, I’m a million times busier than I ever was in my old New York City 60+ hour a week job. We work nights, weekends and on vacation (after all, the internet is 24/7!) so sometimes it can all be very exhausting. And I don’t make as much as I used to. I actually took a pretty hefty pay cut to see this full-time blogging thing through.

But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel nothing but thrilled and honored to get to do what I love every day – and to do it with John right by my side (at least when he’s not as his 9 – 5) is truly a dream come true. This little old blog really is our passion and we feel so fortunate to be able to turn a hobby into a bona fide career- and we’re so thankful for the support and enthusiasm that you guys provide every single day.

So our advice to anyone who’s looking to grow their blog or turn it into a career is to: 1) work hard, 2) do it because you love it and 3) be patient. It probably won’t happen overnight (if it does, please share your secret!). You may feel like you’re talking to no one for ages (we had about zero point zero zero comments after our first few months of posting). But if you’re dedicated to it (long-term, not looking to get rich quick) and passionate about the subjects you cover, you’re bound to slowly but surely attract people who can sense your enthusiasm and get excited right along with you… and they’ll love what you’re putting out there enough to pass it on. Then after about a year or so (which is when we really started to see a lot more growth) you’ll hopefully have an expanding readership and lots of lovely people stopping in more and more frequently.

And speaking of lovely people, we can’t possibly talk about how our blog has grown without recognizing how amazing our readers are. You guys have helped spread the word about us and have encouraged us to keep at it from day one! Many of you are the reason YHL has grown since you’ve personally told your friends and family about us and even emailed us with kind words to keep us going after a long night (or a soul crushing how-did-those-posts-erase-themselves? moment). So thank you, thank you, thank you for dropping by and making our day for the last 730 of ’em. Here’s hoping we have many more years to share the goings-on of our crazy house with each and every one of you!

Update: Big announcement! Check out how our blog baby grew even more nearly a year later right here.

Comments

  1. Jess says

    I’m fairly new to your blog, but I’m already hooked! My co-worker suggested your site when I commented on her headboard. She told me she made it herself thanks to your awesome tutorial. I can’t wait to try some of your other projects to liven up my drab, beige apartment!

    One quick question:
    What company do you use to host your blog/register your domain? I had my own site years ago and am looking to get back into it! Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hi Jess,

      So glad you found us! We’re currently using LiquidWeb to host our site (http://www.liquidweb.com). We’ve had a great experience with them since their customer service is great. Once we made the leap from a free hosted site on wordpress.com we went directly to BlueHost which was also a good experience until we outgrew them. Good luck with your own site!

      -John

  2. Lynn says

    John and Sherry……I just would like to say that I stumbled across your site today and I am addicted. I love your house, your ideas and the fact that you two remind me so much of my family of 3. We bought our first home together very similar, in the woods, overgrown, drab, out of date, but the same.. our baby! (first baby that is) We had our son, who is now 3 and just after his first birthday we had a fire and were devastated. We had done a few things here and there, when we had time, were starting to make it “our own” and when that happened we just didn’t know what to do. As of January of 2010 we are back in our home. Our yard is still a MESS from construction trucks, dumpsters, you name it. The interior was put back to basics and now its time to really start customizing and making it “our home”. I will keep coming back to your website and getting tips, ideas and most of all INSPIRATION. Thank you for brightening my day. God Bless. Lynn :)

    Reply

  5. Jenny Williams says

    If you can believe it, I heard about you guys from a friend in California (we are originally from there and now live in VA – hubby in the Navy). Took a peak and I am totally addicted to your blog. I love your style!! You guys always give me ideas and inspiration. Not to mention the fact that you have great tips on where to hit the sales and cut corners on the green stuff. Thanks for bloggin’ and keep up the great work. :)

    Reply

  7. Amanda says

    You guys are too cool for school! I can’t wait to see what you do with your next house. I check your blog religiously — twice a day for each update. Question — in the above comments, someone asked about making your personal info unattainable to the public. Could you send me that info as well? I do the whole “work from home” thing and it’s something that I constantly think about. Thanks so much in advance!

    Reply

  8. Leah says

    I really enjoyed reading this post. It has given me that boost that I need for my own blog. I am trying to bust into the fashion industry but for now I just blog about it during my boring full time office job. I have been having that feeling that I’m talking to myself… haha and my sister who is one of my 3 followers. But I will keep it up and put a little extra elbow grease in for the next few months. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Sincerely, Leah

    Reply

  9. Jennifer says

    Would you please send me the info about hiding your personal info?
    Also, would you recommend someone starting a Blog to simply start out on WordPress.com for free? We have a website & I have had it up to *here* with some of the problems, esp. since we are paying all that hosting, etc.

    Reply

  10. Kristin says

    Hi YHL! I just recently stumbled upon your blog and am already in love with it! My husband and I just bought our first home and it has been great to look over your blog for inspiration! Thanks!

    Reply

  11. Amanda says

    Hi! I am a new reader and I am also a new blogger myself. I am hooked! I love the stories, pictures, and your writing. Congrats on everything! You two are an inspiration to me. I want to do exactly what you both are doing; work side by side with my one and only and plan to marry in my own backyard. LOVE IT! I look forward to your future posts. Check out my blog, any suggestions or comments? :) THANKS AGAIN!

    Reply

  12. CJ Cazz says

    hey there! I wanted to stop by and tell you that I have been blog-stalking your site ever since we purchased our home about 16 months ago and I really enjoy checking in periodically to see what you guys are up to :) I love all of your ideas and you are truly an inspiration in everything house, life and love! SO much so that I finally have bit the bullet and started my own to share the trials and tribulations of our crazy life these days with family&friends. Just want to send a big “THANK YOU!” your way for being my muse!

    cheers!

    ps – congrats on the baby! she’s gorge :)

    Reply

  13. Anna of {Green Gable} says

    Hi John and Sherry, I just stopped by your blog via a link. I know I’ve been here before because I remember how much I admired your yellow Pottery Barn rug. I still dream of it often and wished I had purchased one myself..!
    I popped in again and landed on this page, which was extra interesting, since I just started my own design blog a few months ago. Plus, I’m from Virginia, so the Richmond-thing caught my interest, too.
    I just wanted to say that your post about how you got to full-time blogging was really inspiring. I love blogging and am surprised at how much time it does take to run a really vibrant blog. I love it, and my dream would be blog full time, since I always feel that’s what I’d rather be doing than, um, my day job (thought I like that, too!)
    I’ll be popping by much more frequently, esp. as my husband and I are about to buy our first house, too.
    xo, anna of green gable

    Reply

  14. Stephi W. says

    I stumbled across your blog today and wondered how you make your kind of success happen. This post was beyond inspirational since I’m just starting out. Thank you!

    Reply

  15. Andrea says

    I had heard of your blog from some friends a while ago and searched for it again, for some inspiration, now that I want to do some updating in our home after a recent move. Your story is very inspiring and your blog is addictive! Thanks for sharing all the DIY tips and design ideas! Good luck with all your upcoming projects and with a little one…I have 2 little ones so projects will happen slowly for me! :)

    Reply

  16. Laurie says

    Fate has led me to you guys. (Actually, I thought you’d be interested to know that a fateful search on “notsosmallhouse” eventually led me here.) Am noodling on a blog idea wherein untrained but determined work-at-home-Mom-stay-at-home-Dad homeowners renovating same house on their own for 18 years (painting painting painting) meet awesome designer quite by accident, passion is unleashed and fabulousity begins to ensue. It’s never too late for passion or design.

    Thank you so much for being thoughtful enough to know what we are curious about, on every level, out here.

    Keep you posted!

    Reply

  17. Jennifer says

    I’m just switching over from WP.com to WP.org & had quite the shock in learning that my cute little theme did not cross over. Drat! Do you have any advice for picking a new theme? I looked for WP Remix to see where a theme could start and evolve into, but it is no longer available?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Jennifer,

      We think our link might just go to the wrong place because last time we checked it was still available. WP Premium is the one you have to pay for, but you should be able to download WP Remix for free (maybe try googling to find the right link?). WordPress also has some other free themes that come with it. Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  19. Nycole says

    Came across your blog today. Introduced it to my boyiance (boyfriend/fiance).
    Probably the most thorough blog I have ever read. The fact that each project is dictated in easy-to-do-yourself terms is fantastic.
    Now, we’re a little obsessed. We’ll find the perfect house for us (just 75 miles north of you guys in NoVa) and have projects of our own.
    The wedding page gave us some great ideas too.
    Awesome.

    Reply

  20. alison says

    I know you might not even see this, but my question is…what happens when you’re ‘done’ decorating this house? Do you start all over again and redecorate? Do you buy a new house? How do you see that working for you?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Well our last house took us 4.5 years to complete and this one is bigger so we know it’ll keep us busy for years. After that who knows where we’ll be (we definitely never would have guessed we’d be “here” doing this 4.5 years ago, so we just try to be open to seeing what happens). We love this house so we don’t want to have to up and move just for more “blog content” but we would love to renovate a rental house or a vacation home in about 5 years if we find a family member who could go in on one with us or something. Should be fun!

      Just like home improvement we try to take it day by day, because thinking about too much all at once and planning things too far in advance can be really overwhelming!

      xo,
      s

  22. Lacey says

    I’ve read that wordpress is your preference, but do you guys have any thoughts on Tumblr? I decided to start a blog yesterday and tumblr seemed pretty dummy proof. So far it is easy to use, but I don’t want to limit myself in the future. Any thoughts on this platform?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We’ve heard great things about it! We just went the WordPress route so we don’t personally have any experience with it. But have fun and good luck!

      xo,
      s

  23. Adrienne says

    I feel much better after reading this! I was on the verge of tears seeing that I have only had 3 entries for my first giveaway at Big-Girls-Bigger-Dreams.com! I guess I need a little help in the patience department seeing as how I only launched a week or so ago.

    Thanks for posting your secret to success. You guys are an inspiration to bloggers everywhere :)

    Reply

  24. sarah says

    Hi,

    I’m in my first year at an Architecture Firm so I don’t know all the rules yet but, do you have to be a licensed Interior Designer to Design other people’s home while charging them?? (Minus your friends and families houses) Would this be considered a stupid question?? I’ve been reading that you have to have a license to practice this profession.

    WIDLove,
    SP

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      It varies by locality and also by service. Since we were being “virtual idea givers” and just offering online ideas in the form of a mood board (and not actually buying things available to the trade, meeting with clients in person, etc) and because we already had a business license and freelancer’s insurance (and paid quarterly taxes based on that income) that was sufficient for our county. But you definitely want to so do some research and it probably depends where you live and what sort of services you’re offering. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  25. Jill Wilhelm says

    Your blog is the first blog I came across about 6 months ago or so and your have such (everything) amazing things on your blog. I decided after starting my blog to make my hobby of furniture redoing and repurposing into an actual business and through blogs like yours I am able to do that. I want to thank you for the time that you take to do all of this…and tell you I’m a little (lot) jealous of your blogs layout. I wish I could figure out how to do the tabs like yours!! Also, I have had so many hits on my blog, but only have 13 followers, I wish I could figure out how to get more followers :-( Anyway, what you do is amazing! Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Jill, so sweet of you to say! I know if you stick with it and do what you love the rest will come- that’s always been our approach anyway. As for the tabs, John googled around a lot and learned some basic coding tips and is actually planning to post some tricks that he has learned in our upcoming blogiversary (this September), so I hope that helps! Good luck with everything!

      xo,
      s

  26. Crystal says

    Hi Guys, I love your blog, the design, the writing, the pesonality, well just everything about it..lol
    You inspired me to start my own blog but I focus on mobile home updating and remodeling. The blog world doesn’t understand that the people living in mobile homes like to have nice homes too, we even like to make our homes look modern and contemorary (go figure). It was a frustration of mine, there was all these GREAT blogs about home improvement, DIY and decor but nothing focused on just mobile homes so I did. It’s going rather great in the 16 days its been up (2800 views and 298 FB fans). I’m not trying to get rich, I just want to bring all us mobile home owners together and have a community where we share stuff and be proud of our homes…anyway thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply

  27. kathy says

    Hi,Loved reading “How did we get here”. I started blogging 6 months ago and I can’t believe how much work it is. I believe you when you talk about it being more than a full time job. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Reply

  28. Bridget David says

    I love your blog and have recently become addicted. :) I’ve spent enough time on here that my eyes have started hurting… I’ve only recently started blogging, sort of a way to catalog ideas and crafts of my own as I begin a new interior decorating business. I will definitely be checking into your site often for tips, ideas, and inspiration. Keep up the good work! :)

    Reply

  30. Brianna says

    I have a teeny tiny little blog with no comments so far. I’m too intimidated to open it up to family and friends, so I’m hoping with a little luck, someone out there may lay a comment or two. (Cue Fieval,”Somewhere out there…).Your blog is a huge inspiration, I’ve been following it forever!

    Reply

  31. Leslie says

    I love that you guys have gotten so successful, but you’re still very humble about everything. I also really appreciate that you’re open about sharing your experience and blogging tips, because I’ve seen a lot of blogs that won’t share that information or they charge others to learn about it.

    Thank you for everything you guys do!

    -Leslie

    Reply

  32. Cheryl says

    I stumbled upon your blog when I saw the wedding piece you did on Style Me Pretty. I honestly expected another style/fashion blog, and was pleasantly surprised to see your blog that you and your husband do together about your home, etc.

    I have an almost 3 month-old-baby blog, that is a lifestyle, with an emphasis on personal style blog, and am honestly still finding my “voice” because there are so many things I’m interested in!

    I have gotten my husband a little involved with taking photos (he’s still learning), and he’s even posed for me for a couple of men’s style posts that I am going to turn into a couples style series, etc. since that post has the most readers!

    So it’s nice to know you do this blog as a couple because it just inspires me even more now! You two are adorable and Clara is too cute…miss my kids at that age…

    Reply

  33. Noelle says

    I came across your blog by doing an Internet search for backyard weddings. The atmosphere your wedding had is exactly what I am trying for, and the pictures are beautiful! Fining your home posts was even better though, I’m a huge budget conscious person (also in love with Ikea) and i recently bought my first house and your finished rooms are such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your home and life with us!

    Reply

  34. Sonia says

    Just found your blog the other day and have been inspired by all your blogging FAQs posts. We are just starting our blog, so traffic is low and comments are “0.00” (as yours were back in the day), but we are determined to keep on keeping on and follow our dreams. Thanks again for the inspiration. :-)

    Reply

  35. Melissa says

    If this post has been receiving hundreds more hits than usual this week… that is me. My blog baby is a year old and only averaging 12 hits a day. It is really bumming me out.
    Reading about your accidental success always gets me un-bummed. And hearing about how you just blog because you love it has saved my computer from being thrown out a window.
    I love all your posts, but this one in particular is amazing.

    Reply

  36. Brittany @ La vita dibella says

    Thank you so much for sharing with honesty how you both got started in blog world. I was just telling my husband that I feel like I’m talking to the wall when I post since I have yet to get 1 comment, but I absolutely love writing. It’s my creative outlet and my motivation to keep going. We just moved to an apartment and patiently waiting to save for a “real” home. In the meantime we have been trying to do little projects to make our apartment more like a home. We are honestly in the VERY beginning stages and slowly learning, but hearing you talk about how long it took to get noticed and about how you kept going with the passion you had for what you were doing–it’s encouraging! So thank you! And keep it up! I’ll definitely be returning to see what more you have to share :)

    Brittany

    Reply

  37. Unusual Fit says

    So I read your article in HGTV’s magazine. You have been my hero’s since and my inspiration. I’m hoping one day to have luck that just springs up like yours (with the much hard work you’ve put in)! I am a furniture artist opening up my own business (Unusual Fit) and trying to do the blog thing on the side… all solo unfortunately. I work hard each day in hopes that it will all pay off. If you have any suggestions… my ears are always open!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think it just takes time and hard work as you noted – and a little bit of luck along the way! Haha! We’ve written over 3,000 posts and have done this for seven years now, so it definitely didn’t fall into our laps, but since it was something we loved and were passionate about, over time our blog grew, and now we’re here! Hope it helps, and all the best with everything!

      xo
      s

  38. Amanda says

    Hi Guys! I have been following your blog for a few months now and I absolutely love it! I am also a blogger and a DIY fanatic so watching you guys has been such a pleasure for me. On a personal note, I am looking to move to the Richmond area in June from Fredericksburg–I am a teacher. I need the dish on schools, where to live, and the best places to take a 3 and 6-year-old for cheap. I love all of the outings you post and I am going to try and get to each spot this spring and really explore all that the city has to offer. I would be eternally grateful for any advice on the move. Thanks so much for sharing your life and innovations with the world. I hope to inspire half the readers as you someday. Best wishes!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hopefully this post will help (it’s full of our favorite places – many of which are cheap and great for kids). As for schools/where to live, we have loved Bon Air and other parts of Chesterfield, so that would be a good place to start. Hope it helps! And good luck with your move!

      xo
      s

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