I pray that you don’t read my first ever blog post as it was a bit odd and abrupt but Ive put the link there anyway. When I started my blog I had only ever read one blog, which was my friends blog about cycling in New Zealand. Im sure he’ll be fine with me saying it was pretty shit. (Especially as we aren’t friends anymore) I thought he was so brave putting his experiences out there, well partly as I also thought ‘who actually reads blogs?’
And there it was I guess, the statement that haunted me for a few more years. The industry is massively over saturated. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has a blog so why would anyone read mine? Then I turned a corner and just thought I have to do what I want and if no one is interested then thats fine. If this is something thats holding you back then please don’t let it. Yes there are a million bloggers but no one is you, with your unique personality and experiences and you just never know what people will fall in love with.
I am amazed that some people like what I write, that some people find me funny but most of all that some people actually get me. There are some people that hate me too. They pop up every now and then to tell me but we cool.
To start I just got myself a very basic WordPress blog (which is free) and initially my plan was to have an interiors blog which is why I chose the name Within These Walls. I am absolutely useless at understanding anything to do with computers so I literally have struggled to learn everything myself. Thank you google and YouTube!
The blog was only something I dabbled in until the start of this year. My Instagram following had grown to above 20,000 which gave the blog a platform. People who I had built a virtual relationships with that I knew would support me gave me the push I needed to make the blog a career instead of a hobby.
If you don’t know how bloggers make money then its super simple. Brands pay to review products and often send out freebies to for us to enjoy. This seems like something nobody talks about and a lot of people get annoyed by. It sometimes can be an extremely privileged profession and I completely understand how annoying it might be if are products are being rammed down your throat. I always say when a product has been gifted or if I have been sponsored for a post.
My advice is to only start blogging because you love it and not to just make a career out of it because actually it is a labour of love. Often a lot of time and sometimes money can be put into a blog. Also it can take a long time for people to read and follow which is what brands are looking for.
The reasons that I love blogging so much is that I have made some amazing friends. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I am slowly regaining some of my identity that motherhood can often warp. Also it absolutely can fit around having a family. I am able to work while the children are in bed or napping and involve them on some adventures that allow me to get some amazing photographs.
The downsides are being self employed is a constant worry for me and so I often take on far more work than I can realistically do because I’m scared when the next ‘job’ might be. No one talks about what bloggers earn so we are all just stabbing in the dark when discussing our fees with brands. Part of this is because it is confidential obviously but there have been times when I have realised I was paid less than half what another blogger was paid and it can be frustrating. I think I’m still feeling lucky to be part of the industry so I’m not cut throat enough!
I am still learning so many things and I’m so thankful that you have all been patient with me and so supportive! Let me know if you have any questions!
Cara
Absolutely love this post. Definitely food for thought xx
Author
Thank you! Are you thinking of starting a blog?
Im definitely interested in blogging. But I get the fear (then anxiety) like you said “why would anyone read mine”. I guess I’m hoping to get to that turning point and do what I want even if no one is interested 🙈 x
I would love to start a blog but don’t have many instagram followers so I don’t think it would be very successful. Do you have any tips on how to grow your followers on social media? Thanks 😁
Author
hello! The only thing I would say is to be yourself and make sure the top 9 squares always tell people what you and your page are about. That way instantly they know whether to follow or not!
Thank you for this post! I am thinking of starting a blog and this really is encouraging!
Author
Yay thats good news! There is definitely room for everyone x
Hi Cara,
I’ve started numerous blogs over the years, first one in 2008, but never got any off the ground!
The blogs I like are all lifestyle blogs but I hate posting/talking about myself so they’ve worked!
That’s not a dig at those who are comfortable posting about themselves, I’ve just always been a private person!
How did you feel about posting the real bits of your life online, in really interested?
Sorry about the typos! Fat fingers on my mobile screen are to blame!
Author
I am just an honest person and I always says things as they are so to not post about my life would be tricky. xx
I have recently started a blog and made a very basic website with WordPress. I have no followers of the blog 😂 and am fairly new to Instagram so not a huge following. It’s so scary putting yourself out there as you kind of feel you will immediately be judged which isn’t a nice feeling as people don’t really know you. I’ve decided to be brave and just do it anyway as it’s a way of documenting our renovation project. It’s always good to hear how Instagram celebs like you got started and really encouraging so huge thanks for sharing. Maybe you could do a top tips post of growing followers and what you need to know about blogging xxx
Author
Instagram celeb! Haha just little old me. I wish I had the answers but I’m very much winging it!
Lovely Cara, hello it’s suzisoo off of IG! We are down deferent age groups but I love your blog. I love watching you take it by the balls ans shake it baby!
Would love your feedback / comments on mine – it’s fairly new so a bit raw and direct!
Thank you!
Author
What is your blog name Suzi, we can all have a look! x
Hi – thanks for ignoring my autocorrect atrocities! It’s
About – Lightly tacked to the Earth
https://lightlytackedtotheearth.wordpress.com/
Thank you Cara!!
Suzi x
Hi Cara, well done for taking the leap. I’m quite a new follower but like reading your unique perspective on things, and think you have a great sense of humour! It’s nice to read such an honest post about blogging, as you said, it can be quite a “dark art” shrouded in mystery! Kitty x
Author
Thank you!
So incredibly brave to go self employed Cara and I can imagine it was such a huge step for you.
Looking forward to see what’s to come for you in the near future. Xx
Good read Cara and super interesting. Wish I could wash this down with a nice thirst quenching glass of Ribena. Can’t get that sweet purple nectar all that much in the US.
Sorry, sent the link to ‘about me’….. latest blog is here: Control, controlling, controlled
Holed up in bed with a bee stung face the size of the moon thinking too much
https://lightlytackedtotheearth.wordpress.com/2017/03/28/control-controlling-controlled/
Thank you!
Suzi x
Thanks for sharing this. It was just what I needed to read.
I have recently started a blog – like a week a go (you can”t even find it in google yet!)!
I feel like it doesn’t really have a direction or a niche, just another mummy blog I guess. I suppose my USP is that I live in the South of France and I like to write about the places we visit etc and once I get my camera the photos will be pretty to look at. What camera do you have Cara?
Im finding it quite therapeutic though and since having kids my memory has gone to shit so its nice to have a little online diary to remember some of the things we get up to.
Yours and The Home that made me really inspired me to start my blog back in 2015, although your both quite interior lovers and I am not haha. Love my house nice and tidy and a bit off a faff but I don’t really have the eye for it like you guys but it’s still inspiring to see you put such wonderful things together. Loving all your fashion posts now too.
I never really did much with my blog until January though, I felt like I was losing my identity a bit, being a SAHM can be really tough on your brain cells and creative juice there’s only so much washing, cleaning and days out you can do, so my blog has helped me get me brain working again even if only writing about the days out !
But thanks for being there from the start… Inspiring women is such an amazing thing to do, there’s always going to be haters in life but for every 1 idiot there will be 100 people who love what you do !
Loved reading this. I’ve recently started a blog after a really shit start into the year as a distraction and hobby. I love your blog because you speak the truth and it’s makes it easier to relate.
Loved this post!
As always your honesty is so refreshing in the over populated and sometimes rose tinted world of blogging!
I hope this post inspires other people who feel like dipping their toes into blogging.
Xx
Soooo late to the party reading this one!! Ive recently started a blog (ettieandme.wordpress.com) and I can definitely say you’ve been a huge inspiration to me for finally taking the plunge!! I also started out writing about my home but its kind of evolved. Thanks for sharing this and keeping me entertained….. 20,000 followers on instagram though!! Arghhh! I have a looong way to go! xx