2016 was a very exciting and fun year for my blog. When I started blogging in 2011, I didn’t know what I was doing really, and didn’t take it seriously. I was a new mom and was spending a ton of time sitting down (nursing). So what better then to start a blog right? At that time I had no idea what the focus of my blog should be. It was the time of all the popular coupon blogs and TV shows. I was a new mom and needed to save money so naturally I loved sharing coupons. Only problem was I found the coupon niche to be so overly saturated, and the reality was I was a full time working Mom. I didn’t have the time to devote to updating posts every hour. (Coupon bloggers you are amazing for ALL the work you DO). So I stopped posted and stopped updating my blog. I was a blogger quitter in 2012. 🙁
Changing my Focus
Fast forward to 2014 and I found myself in the same situation. I had a newborn baby and was nursing on the sofa often. I found multiple Mom and lifestyle blogs that I loved to read while sitting around! Some of my favorites at the time that really inspired me to start blogging again was House of Rose and At Home with Natalie. They were my age, they were fun to read, I related. I decided I would start blogging…again…and this time I would take it seriously!!
So while I still love to share my money saving tips and tricks, I also love sharing brands I love, I love sharing my monthly Stitch Fix and sharing with you all how my blogging journey unfolds.
In 2014 I didn’t monetize my blog. I just worked on learning to write in my own voice.
In 2015 I began to slowly monetize my blog, but still focused on sharing my life, postpartum stories and more.
In 2015 I changed my name to Organic Deal Diva….from the Online Deal Diva which to this day, I STILL struggle with 100% loving it. Blog names are hard I find. Either they make zero sense to others, which in turn makes it hard to attract readers, or your blog develops and changes over time, so your name no longer is a great fit.
That’s where I’m finding myself theses days. I still love eating Organic. I still love saving money (Deal) and I still love fashion, (Diva) but am OH so far from a Diva. I’m super down to earth. I swear. So maybe this year a name change will come. Any ideas? 🙂
In 2016 I changed my logo. My new logo reflects my lifestyle focus on my blog, and less of the Organic and Diva aspect. (At least that’s the goal!) Here’s my old logo:
And here’s my new Logo:
Monetizing My Blog
2016 was the year! I said in January, “this year I’m going to focus on monetizing my blog”. I’d LOVE to blog full time, travel to conferences, make blogger friends all over the country (or world) and be a creative entrepreneur.
So I did.
I researched, read articles, read books and connected with every blogging group on Facebook that I could.
In 2015 I made $500 total the whole year on my blog.
In 2016 I made $7,500!! YIPEE!!
I know it’s not huge for some bloggers, but for me, an average of $625 a month was HUGE for my family.
We were able to take a dream vacation to Disney, my closet is WAY better now (thanks Stitch Fix) and I’m making connections with readers! I LOVE THAT! And I LOVE blogging!
Monthly Breakdown
So here’s what I made each month:
January $423
February $331
October $440
November $836
December: $180
________
Total: $7,500
Those are some HUGE fluctuations right?
So you’re probably wondering why I made $1,254 in June but only $180 in December.
My answer: time.
I spent SO much more time on my blog in the summer (thanks summer break) then I can during the school year. (If you don’t know, I work as a school nurse in an elementary school). Blogging at night and on the weekends is limiting.
Blogging takes time, but like anything else in life, you get what you put into it!
What I Learned
I learning that blogging is a full time job. Even if you have a small blog, learning how to blog, engaging and growing social media and finding content that’s worth writing about takes time. Lots of it.
I learned that I not all affiliate programs are equal.
You’ll get a TON of spam emails….brands all want you to work for free and/or samples. If you’re a Yes person, this may be hard at first telling them all No. My time is worth something. And bloggers don’t work for free.
I learned that in order to grow your blog, you must find your own voice. You must master Pinterst, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You must care and want to interact with readers! And you MUST visit other blogs to make friends!
And most of all, you MUST have a passion for blogging. Bloggers who aren’t passionate about their site burn out. (Start a blog for the right reasons, not just the money).
What I plan on doing this year
I want to master SEO. (A word not many know unless you work online).
I want to grow my Pinterest and Instagram followers. (Mainly because they are my favorite social media platforms and I enjoy them)
I want to expand my travel section on my blog and write more about traveling, adventures, and seeing the world. (cause after all experiences are what make us grow, make us feel happy and are worth doing, possessions are just that. Possessions).
I plan on attending my first blogger conference this year! (I’m still looking for a good choice any ideas?)
And I plan on giving my blog everything I have. I love blogging. I love connecting. I love creating and I love sharing with you all my world.
If you’re looking to start your own blog, don’t wait to do it! You won’t regret it. I hope this post is somewhat helpful for anyone thinking about blogging.
Here’s to another amazing blogging year! Thanks for following along my blogging journey! Stay tuned for 2017! 🙂
