It’s my one year blogaversary y’all! Oh my God, has it really been a year?! So much has happened in the last year. I’ve been featured on blogs and newsletters, snagged a few sponsorships, and I even wrote a book !! Yes, you read that right. Growing Girls With Curls is a book now! Starting my blog was hands down the best decision that I’ve ever made (besides birthing the minions). Blogging has opened so many doors for me, but things weren’t always sunshine,skittles, and rainbows. In the last year; I lost my main source of income, was kicked out of more than a few blogging groups (Kanye shrug), and I’ve experience writers block/burnout more than a few times. In the end, this last year of blogging was epic and I’m excited to see what the future has in store.
Consistency is key:
If you’re a blogger and you’re reading this, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Writing blogs is the easy part, getting people to READ what you wrote is where the work comes in. I’ll never forget how bummed I was my first few months blogging. My content was great, but my views left much to be desired. I wanted to give up, but my pride wouldn’t let me. Consistently posting on the blog and social media is what saved me. I wrote, even when I felt like no one would read it.
Everyone wants to see you do good, until you actually start doing good.
I cannot count the number of friends that disappeared when opportunities started to present themselves. I’ve even had family members dismiss my blog like it was nothing. I learned quickly that blogging is just like anything else. You have people genuinely rooting for you, and you have people who will root for you as long as they feel they’re doing better than you. It’s up to you to work past it, or let get to you. I chose to work past it.
It’s not what you know, but WHO you know.
Networking and building relationships is everything. I’ve met so many amazing mom bloggers this year. There are a few that I talk to everyday! They’re the best friends that I don’t really know, but I know lol. We’ve all bounced ideas off of each other and helped each other with blog related opportunities. Big thank you to the ladies of Mom Bloggers Unite and Not Your Average Mom Blogger for making this year of blogging epic!!
Imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery, it’s annoying!
Let’s talk about popcorn bloggers . . . People that pop up wanting to blog because they see it working for you. I’ve always been the type to do my own thing, so I struggled with keeping my mouth shut when I noticed this. There is nothing more annoying that being passionate about something and having the next person copy you just because. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to check myself within the last year. As annoying as it is, there IS enough internet for everyone. Besides, if their heart isn’t in it, they’ll give up eventually.
Social media algorithms can be your best friend, or your worst enemy.
Before I started blogging, I had a Facebook and that’s it. I didn’t care about followers, views, or likes. I didn’t know what an algorithm was, and it didn’t effect my day. Now, I LIVE on social media. If I’m not on my Instagram page, I’m posting to my Facebook or Twitter. Pinterest is life, and the word algorithm makes me cringe. I seriously have this love hate relationship with social media. I love connecting with my readers, but I hate trying to one up the latest social media algorithm.
Blog stats:
When I started blogging, I literally started from the bottom. I had a Facebook for personal use, but that’s it. I didn’t know anything about using social media for traffic, and I was hesitant to try. I read A LOT of blog posts about social media marketing and I did a lot of learning through trial and error. I’m extremely proud of the growth I’ve experienced this year. I can’t wait to see next year’s update!
Did I mention that today is ALSO my book release? I’ve been taking pre-order’s all month, but today is THE day! Growing Girl With Curls is now available for sale on the blog AND Amazon.com. Six months ago, I was jobless and one unemployment check away from homeless. I literally put what little faith I had left into writing and finishing this book. Now, I’m a Medical Receptionist, mom blogger, and PUBLISHED AUTHOR. You can’t tell me that God isn’t real after what I’ve experienced. You can purchase your copy on the blog here. If you’re Amazon prime members, you can click here to order your copy from Amazon! Don’t forget to leave a review!!
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Hi, I’m Chantal. I’m a mom of two, self proclaimed naturalista, and Author of Growing Girls With Curls: Short Stories For Girls of Color. Being a mom is hard. Pair that with being a single, black, millennial in America and it’s a whole different monster. Feel free to join my mailing list and follow along as I blog through this crazy thing called life.
You go girl! This is inspiration, just starting out, and you’re right it is hard but if you have the will power you make it work! You are awesome!
Author
Thank you so much Alexis! Good luck on your blogging adventure. I promise, it’s worth it!
I’ve only been blogging for alittle over a month and these have been so major key points that I’ve learned from other successful bloggers as well. The blog groups have been suuuch a major help! And you are so right! Someone people support but not if you are doing better than them. Hit home run!
Great advice! I’m a new blogger and just struggling to get consistent traffic. Social media is so intimidating! And congrats on the book!
How exciting! The struggle is definitely real, but worth it if you keep going, just like you said. Congrats on the release of your book! That is amazing 🙂
Congrats on your first year!
Congratulations on your first year! Your blog looks great, and it must be so incredibly satisfying to know your success despite the naysayers. Congrats also on the book release!
Thank you for sharing this! I am brand spakining new to blogging and my biggest fear is nobody will read what I have to say. I know it will take time, but I’m just so excited and passionate that I hope it becomes successful! Any tips and tricks would be appreciated. Right now I’m just posting content and trying to gain viewers.
Amazing post and so inspiring to see some one who has made it through the first year and has a achieved so much. Major I spoke.. Go you.
Great post. This helps keep me motivated on my blogging journey. Consistency is BIG and I’m happy that your hard work is paying off BIG for you. So many people brush blogging off like you said, until things start looking up. You’re so inspiring. Keep up the great work!
Author
Aww thanks Angela. Good luck on your blogging journey.
Interesting to read about your blogging journey. I’ve been doing this less than 2 months do it’s always good to get tips! Congrats on your success :-). Hannah from http://www.womanontheway.com
This is very inspiring! I’ve been blogging for three months and there’s so much to learn and do. But your blog is amazing and congratulations on your book!
Author
Thank you!
Congratulations! You are killing it!! Just think one day you could make all your money doing what you love. I hope your ready to kiss the 9 to 5 goodbye because you are going to take off!
Author
Yesss I’m so ready lol. Thanks LeeAnah
Wow congratulations on your first year! I’ve almost been blogging 2 months. I love it, and I hope to have the same success story as you!
Author
Aww thanks!
I’m at my 6 month anniversary and I know exactly what you mean about people rooting for you until you succeed. Congrats on your one year and an even bigger congrats on your book release!
Author
Thank you Chelsae!
Congratulations!! I love to read these kinds of posts, I find it very motivating. I was barely on social media before starting my blog too. It actually made me think – can I do this? But I am determined to learn because I love writing and blogging and am already getting so into it!
Author
Yes, stick with it!
What a fantastic journey and congratulations on the book!!!
Author
Thank you!
Congratulations on your one year & your book!! This post (and you) and very inspirational. I just got back into blogging after losing my old domain, and this is definitely something that reminds me that if I’m really passionate about my blog, which I am, it’s all going to be worth it.
Author
Thank you so much Samantha!
What a precious book!! Love it! I’m going to have to grab a copy for my little.
Author
Aww yay, thanks Emily!
Congrats on your blogaversary! I just started my blog a month and a half ago and I am definitely learning these things too. I agree I am loving the online community we are apart of! I just joined mom bloggers unite and I think it has been a great place to meet awesome bloggers like you 🙂
Author
Aww thanks Rachel !
First off congrats on the book! That is so huge! I seriously couldn’t be happier! Second, you and I have learned very similar things! People come and go when you do well, algorithms SUCK and reading others/ others reading is such an amazing thing! I can’t wait to see where your blog takes you!!
Author
Thank you!!
So true that it’s about who you know! That’s what I’m quickly learning in my own first year of blogging! Congrats on the book release – thats incredible! Thanks for sharing <3
Author
Thank you for reading
Im so glad I wasn’t the only one who felt like giving up in the first few months. I too am so thankful for the Mom Blogger Unite Community. I have met some really amazing mom bloggers through there.
Author
Definitely thought about it more than once lol
I’m in my first year of blogging. I’ve learned that writing the blog post is the easy part- it’s everything else that goes with it that’s hard.
Author
Yes, I agree