Everything I Know After Blogging For Over A Decade

honestly nothing

Many bloggers who can make this claim often use it as a bragging right, slapping it in bios and About Me’s, like it’s a proof of certificate or degree.

I’m amazingly a little embarrassed by it hahhaahaha!!!!!!!!!!!?????

A Quick History My Blogging Experience

Going into college the fall of 2009, I told my high school friends we should start a blog to keep up with each other. How cute of me! So I proceeded to create a blog alone HAHA lol, We are all still friends, despite the tumultuous season, thanks for asking.

I proceeded to create a 3 blogs over the next 4ish years, until finally moving to Dallas and starting the 4th blog you’re reading now. I would list out the first 3, but I do have *some* self respect!!!!! Believe it or not!

Itsfineimfine.com is my longest running blog, my first born child, born in 2014. “it’s fine i’m fine” was a thing I said a lot in 2014. I don’t even like this blog name anymore, but at least the blog isn’t “twenty-two is hard” or “chardonnay and nachos” which were also things I commonly said that year. But I am too lazy to fathom renaming, rebranding and re-diving into who I am on the inside.

This list of blogs over the years not only exposes the amount of free time on my hands but does not even include a slew of other questionable digital ventures I’ve tried to launch. Podcasts, Instagrams, miscellaneous niches of things. Let us not forget SKIMMFLUENCER, a place to skimm the latest news of influencers, an idea that later came to fruition by BuzzFeed, I swear to Gahd. My SKIMMFLUENCER Instagram account was actually reported and removed from Instagram, and I didn’t even fight the report, so like, I’m very ambitious and every day I’m hustlin. RIP!

My friends and I want to start a website called toolongtogetintogoogleit.com so look out for that launch. #TLTGIGI

But let’s dive into what I know, and mostly what I don’t know, after blogging for the past decade. I’m sorry you thought this was going to be an informative piece helping you start a blog.

Here Are Some Incoherent Thoughts, Feelings, Concerns I’ve Had Blogging The Past Decade

 ONE //  BLOGGERS ARE ACTUALLY GENIUSES THOUGH?

Mailchimp, web design, web development, wordpress dot org, HTML, widgets, tagging, presets, photoshop, InDesign, graphic design, photography lenses — ALL OF THIS IS ACTUALLY VERY HARD AND TAKES A LOT OF PATIENCE THAT MY IMPATIENT ARIES ENNEAGRAM 7 SOUL DOESN’T HAVE IT’S SO HARD OH MY GOD.

PLEASE DON’T GET ME STARTED ON WORDPRESS DOT ORG VS DOT COM I DON’T HAVE THE TIME.

I realize a lot of bloggers (with a lot of money) outsource these things. But many are doing it themselves. It’s a lot of time to learn, a lot of time to implement, all while writing and promoting the actual blog content, justice for bloggers.

TWO // I HAVE A GENERAL RESPECT FOR ANYONE WHO ~PUTS THEMSELVES OUT THERE~

Even when I cringe my eyes out reading someone’s content Even when I’m not the target demographic of certain content, and it doesn’t do it for me for whatever reason, just know that I genuinely have respect in the sense that the person is Putting Themselves Out There. Not all blog/brands/IGs are for everyone. But there is someone for everyone!!!!! Is this about bloggers or marriage idk anymore!!!!!!!

I don’t need to explain how vulnerable and scary the internet environment is, even when you’re not posting about something vulnerable or scary. Showing up to the world via words, colors, images, voice, tone — all the things that go into “content”– define how you want to present yourself to the digital world. And deciding how you want to portray yourself on the internet can be overwhelming and weird.

I should mention that I’m in a constant state of peer pressuring people to start blogs and Instagrams because I think anyone who is remotely passionate or skilled at something or likes to write should share it with the world and never stop.

r u inspired yet.

THREE // JUST KNOW I HATE ME MORE

A perfect segway into thought #3: I know very well that I am not for everyone, I’m not even for myself half the time. If you’re cringing at me, just know I’m cringing at me more.

Maybe the worst is when an innocent, well-meaning person brings up my blog in public conversations in front of a group of acquaintances that doesn’t yet know I have a blog. It’s not that I’m completely ashamed/embarrassed of IFIF, it’s just that it’s preferred that only extremely kind, complete strangers are aware of this blog and read it, and like you know, not anyone I know! Why is that weird!

FOUR // “CONTENT CREATOR” IS A QUESTIONABLE JOB TITLE FOR A BACHELOR CANDIDATE, BUT LIKE ALSO A TALENT AND A SKILL so

Truly. Pairing video or imagery with words (and in different channels, different formats) in a way that resonates with people is not as easy as tapping “publish.” It comes naturally to some people, and even when it does, there’s always more skills to learn to get better. This is true for both the blog post, or whatever the original piece of content is, and also for the promotional content.

Talent and skill. That’s all. You should try it some day.

FIVE // VOICE, TONE, AND WRITTEN SARCASM IS HARD

I don’t even know whether I’m being sarcastic or not. I can’t imagine not knowing me and reading this blog, and trying to figure out the personality behind the voiceless, toneless words. Thank God only people I know are my readers, ha ha y a y ! ! !

And a lesson that I have learned the hard way is that I cannot parse sarcasm from genuineness in the comments form strangers. Ask me how I know.

SIX // BICHE WITHOUT A NICHE

In case you haven’t noticed, this blog doesn’t have a real niche. I suppose, LiFeStYLe is my niche, but NOT HAVING A NICHE IS THE DEATH OF BLOGS. I truly believe this.

Many experts out there say that the blog/IG/influencer space is far from being oversaturated, contrary to naysayers. There is so much room for more bloggers to take off BECAUSE NICHES.

Unless you’re a famous comedian, “being funny” isn’t rly a niche. Military moms, vegan travel, babywise moms, eco-friendly beauty, essential oil hacks, vintage horror film reviews–these are real niches that can gain a real audience!

I’m happy for all you bloggers who found your niche! So so happy! so happy.

I’ve pondered starting a new blog with a more focused niche. I can’t think of one! I’ve got nothing! I know nothing! Ten years of blogging, ask me anything!

SEVEN // YOU WHORES DON’T READ BLOGS, YOU ONLY LOOK AT INSTAGRAM

I think I am the only person I know who subscribes to and reads blogs. Everyone only follows Instagram, WHICH MEANS, that if you have even the slightest chance at gaining blog subscribers, you must have a presence on Instagram.

See my attempt at a presence on Instagram.

Goal Digger said the best way to gain a following on Instagram is to post photos of yourself. But I’m not a fashion blogger and it’s uncomfy!!! And it also still doesn’t work, I still don’t have 10K followers! Feel sorry for me! I only blog for attention and sympathy!

EIGHT // BEING DESPERATE IS NOT CHIC

One time I posted a question bubble on IG and a girl kept sending me answers that had nothing to do with the question.. just “hi! loving your posts, want to connect?”. She did this again on a separate question bubble. SHE DID NOT EVEN FOLLOW ME OR KNOW MY CONTENT. She was clearly just engaging to gain a follower.

I can’t.

More stories.

During the Satire Fashion Blogger IG days, we would get SO MANY comments from fashion bloggers saying, “cute!” “great post!” “amazing!” on a post that was literally making fun of them. BLOGGERS ARE NOT EVEN READING CAPTIONS. THEY ARE SPAM COMMENTING JUST TO GET LIKES AND COMMENTS IN RETURN.

It’s so thirsty and I can’t.

NINE // PLEASE STOP TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE INFLUENCING

I’m so tired of bloggers/influencers telling us they make 6 figures a year. like im happy 4 u, kno that i am!!! but this info doesn’t help anyone and the rest of us work in a 9-5 office job and we are so happy for u.

TEN // ONE TIME I MADE COMMISSION FROM AN AFFILIATE SALE

Speaking of six figures, one time I made commission from selling stuff on my blog. BUT THERE ARE COMMISSION MINIMUMS YOU MUST MEET BEFORE YOU CAN WITHDRAWL. I think I made $15 on a sale, but never hit the $50 withdrawal min, and never got that money. I STG.

I’m amazed at bloggers who earn a living from commissions, and I can’t imagine how much they have to sell to be able to live. Real money is in sponsorships. Real money is in their husband’s salary.

i am so tired of writing this post goodbye

subscribe to my blog here!!!!!!!!!!!