Is the Blogging Industry Right for You?

Blogging is great. I just wanna get that out there before I start this post. Because there will be a few times when you’ll wonder whether I actually enjoy it. Trust me, I do. It’s all I think about. Sometimes it’s the only thing that makes me happy (but that’s another post for another day). The blogging industry has absolutely boomed over the last few years and a lot of us have got sucked up into it.

And actually managing to turn what was once a hobby into something that pays me more than any of my previous jobs have ever paid me is pretty spectacular. I’m incredibly proud of myself. Although I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go, I’ll never stop being proud.

But I have plenty of blogging pet peeves within the blogging industry and at least once a month I’ll have a mini breakdown and wonder whether I should jack it in. Blogging is great fun and should always be fun – whether it’s a job or not. As soon as it stops being fun, that’s when you need to take a step back.

And the blogging industry certainly isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and definitely isn’t for everyone. I was heavily involved in the book blogging community in particular when I first started blogging. And I had to GTFO of there because it ruined reading for me and made me miserable.

Since then, I’ve found my feet within the lifestyle sector (although I read and follow blogs from almost all niches!) and I’m very happy. it was here that I thrived, became the most inspired and managed to turn my blog into a business. But it wasn’t easy (and never will be).

So if like me, you’d like to turn your blog into a job and make a real good go at this blogging thang, first of all, congrats. It’s an amazing goal to have. But secondly, here are some *very important* things to consider about the journey you’re likely to go on within the blogging industry.

Comparisons

You’ll compare yourself to everyone. All the time. And if you don’t, you’re literally Wonder Woman. I think comparison is pretty natural in life but rarely are we in a real life position where we’re face to face with thousands and thousands of people all trying to do and achieve the same thing. 6 years on and I’m still comparing.

Judgement

People will judge you. You’ll judge yourself. When you tell people blogging is your job, they’ll be like “eh?” When you decide to start a new project, other bloggers will judge you. Then you’ll end up judging yourself and wondering whether it’s the right thing to do. All the judgement. You just need to grow a thick skin, that’s all you can really do.

Not feeling good enough

Going hand in hand with the above two, a nice yummy combination of comparison and judgement will definitely, totally, 100% leave you not feeling good enough. Yayyyyy! Again, another common feeling not just in the blogging industry but in life in general. But a mix of the above certainly makes a nice not feeling good enough cocktail.

Getting upset over lost followers / low views

If you get upset every time you lose a follower, then I’ll straight up say it, that I don’t think the blogging industry is for you. You will lose followers. People will get sick of you. Or not agree with you. Or not enjoy your content anymore. And un-follow you for a whole bunch of reasons. You really do need to let it slide because you’ll be crying forever otherwise.

Late payments (or NO payments in some cases!)

Long gone are the days of knowing exactly when and what you’re going to get paid. If the uncertainty is scary to you, then you’ll need to give it a re-think. Payments can be late (but SHOUT OUT to the PR’s and brands who pay within days!) and on occasion, you just won’t get paid at all (this has happened to me twice).

Relentless self promotion

Gosh it is tiring. But crucial. Any blogger knows how much self promotion goes into it on a daily basis. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, it never stops! Well imagine that… but forever! No, seriously though, when your blog is your job, you need to be on top of things like this every single day.

Rejection

You need to learn to accept rejection. End of. You can’t be the sort of person that gets completely broken if a brand says no to you. Or something doesn’t quite work out how you expected. It’s a huge learning curve, this blogging thing and sometimes, things won’t work out *shrugs*.

Loneliness

This won’t apply for everyone of course but personally, working from home and working for myself could potentially lead to me feeling quite isolated and lonely. Luckily I’m an introvert and too much interaction leaves me craving a quiet room to myself. There’s ways around this like coffee shops or co-working spaces. But still, something to consider.

This post was in no way intended to put you off. Although I’m aware now having written it that that’s very much how it’s coming across, HA! But seriously. I wasn’t *really* prepared for any of this before I really got my teeth stuck into it. And a lot of it came as quiteeeee a surprise to me.

I just think we should always be as prepared as possible, for whatever we’re setting out to do. That might be the Type A control freak in me talking but I truly believe that! So if turning your blog into a job or a career is your goal, then I hope you found this post helpful in what you may encounter in the long run.

And if you’re reading this like, “gurrrrl, I can handle all that with my eyes closed” then go get em.

Did you ever encounter any unexpected surprises within the blogging industry? Anything you never expected to have to do or contend with?

Wanna get involved? Join my supportive Facebook bloggers group, Starlight Bloggers!