Grab a snack, this might take awhile!
As you all know, I am an Editor/Blogger for this site, You’re So Pretty, but I also have my own personal blog, Twinspiration.
Twinspiration was started when my twin sister Britta and I were in J-school (journalism school for those who don’t know) and were forced to start blogs. We were basically given blog topics, which kind of took the fun out of blogging. Britta and I really wanted to share our favorite beauty products, clothing items, recipes and of course, DIY projects. So, we bought a URL (then it was twinspiration22.com), a layout, a host site and we were off! This all happened about 3 years ago and oh boy have I learned a lot since then.
I hate to break it down to pros and cons of being a blogger because it’s a lot more complicated than that, but I feel like it’s the easiest way to get my feelings across. So, here it goes!
Pros of being a blogger
You get to write!
This sounds silly, but isn’t it a beautiful thing that anyone can be a writer now? You don’t have to get hired by a newspaper or magazine, you can cement your every thought for the world to see with a click of a button. I’m not saying you shouldn’t work on your writing skills if you do become a blogger, you should. You actually have to. As I mentioned before, I went to school for Journalism so writing was obviously a big part of my schooling. I even had to take a grammar class just to graduate. It was annoying then, but I’m grateful now. If you are thinking of starting a blog, I would highly recommend that you work on your writing skills first.
You never stop learning
Sometimes I miss school, then I remember that I’m basically in it. As a blogger, you have to constantly be learning. You have to learn about the blog industry, social media, photography, design, etc. The list of things I research on a daily basis is incredibly long. I love it. Being a student of your craft is a must if you want to grow. Who doesn’t want to grow your blog? I’ve particularly loved learning more about photography. It’s so much fun now and I’m still learning every day. It’s just awesome getting to add to skills to my repertoire.
You get to share your thoughts & ideas with the world
I started my blog to share my favorite things. Those posts are still my favorites. I think we all love sharing our favorites with our friends & family, so wouldn’t you love doing it on a platform that reaches way more people? But since I’ve started my blog, I’ve shared countless DIY projects, outfit ideas, life advice and so much more. I love sharing with anyone who will listen.
You get to create online relationships
You will become blogging “friends” with other bloggers and of course, your readers. Even though you won’t get to meet most of these people, it’s a great feeling knowing they’re there.
One of my absolute favorite things about blogging is hearing positive feedback from readers. When you spend so much time on a post and people love it, it all feels worth it. Even when there is little to no feedback, I think it’s worth it. But hearing from fans of my blog is just the best!
New experiences
I’ve had so many amazing things happen to me since I started my blog. I wouldn’t have had those experiences if it weren’t for my blog, so I’m forever grateful for that. I’ve had the chance to work with some of my favorite makeup brands, I’ve had the pleasure of attending blogger events and my blog even helped me land this job as Editor of YSP!
Cons of blogging
It’s very time-consuming
For me, my blog has turned into a part-time job. I find myself doing something blog related every single night after I get home from work. It’s fun for me, but it is work. I even spend weekends doing DIY projects or creating new recipes. Again, I enjoy all of these things, but they take away from my weekend relaxation time.
It’s a lot of hard work
I’m not complaining here, I just want people to know just how hard it is before they start. Before I started a blog, I thought it would be easy peasy (and I had blogged before that). I didn’t know all the work it required. Even starting a blog can be stressful because you have to find the right layout, URL, host site, etc. Once your site goes live, it gets even harder. You have to keep coming up with great content to keep your readers interested. I love this challenge, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t stress me out.
It can get expensive
My sister and I invest money in our blog because we do make some money from it. You don’t have to invest a lot if you’re just starting out, but as it grows, your spending will also. I’ve purchased a DSLR camera, studio lights, two white tables, picture props, two different themes, two URLs, photoshop/lightroom, blogging e-courses, etc. I like spending my extra money on blogging equipment more than anything else (clothes & makeup being a close second).
But, like I said before when you first start out, there’s no need to spend a lot of money. So don’t panic! You can still blog and keep your spending money for more important things like wine.
It’s important to keep in mind that in my opinion, blogging pros will always outweigh the cons. I absolutely love blogging and am ecstatic that it is my career.
What else would you like to know about blogging? Let me know in the comments below!
For more life advice, click the links below:
10 Ways To Make Communicating With Your Partner Easier
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