So technically I’ve been blogging since May 2015 (6 years) but I pretty much took the whole year of 2020 off. After blogging for 5 years there are A LOT of things that I love and hate. I want to be 100% transparent for you so that you can decide if this is something you want to pursue!
The contents of this blog post are my own personal opinion.
The good –
I originally started this blog so that everyone would have the build information for my double industrial pipe curtain rods. I literally had over 1000 people ask for the build on Pinterest. Now my industrial rods have way over 100,000 re-pins on Pinterest.
After teaching myself to code and building my website I fell in love with teaching people how to build my DIY’s and crafts.
The “good” for me has been being able to sharing my ideas with the world. There is nothing better than seeing someone use my ideas to better their life in some way.
Makes all of the other Shite worth it!
The BAD –
It wasn’t long before I stumbled upon affiliate marketing and paid advertising. I NEVER thought about making money on this blog. Like ever!!
I hesitated but joined a few affiliate marketing companies and soon realized that I hated the fake hustle of it all.
All of the products and advertising on my website are 100% things I use daily and have intimate knowledge of. You will never find anything here that is just simply to make a quick buck.
This blog was made out of my love for others. I felt the drive to share my DIY’s with everyone and anyone who wanted them. That has led to MANY people and companies trying to take advantage of me.
I have had to fight with huge corporations who have stolen my photos and original designs and claimed them as their own. I’ve also had the biggest DIY T.V. network steal my idea and publish an article claiming that it was their design a full 3 years after I created my original.
Many others have just outright stolen my original photos and ideas and pretended that it was theirs.
Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery when you outright steal the idea and say it’s your own.
Secondly, I absolutely HATE pop-up ads. I have lost tens of thousands of potential subscribers because I refuse to add them to my blog. Every blogging “guru” will pound it into your head that you must get email addressed and have a ton of subscribers. I say f*&k that!
Yes, not having the traditional pop-up “subscribe here” on my blog has caused me to forego many subscribers but I’m fine with it. I would rather have people come here to enjoy my articles and free printables than bombard them with pop-ups begging for them to subscribe.
At the end of the day, I am happier for doing it my way than selling my soul to be super popular and make money off of crap I don’t even use myself.
THE UGLY –
Well friends, this is where I spill the beans.
Some other bloggers out there suck as humans! They are just out to make money and could care less who they have to step on to get there.
On several occasions, I have worked with other DIY bloggers that have taken advantage of my presence on Pinterest and ONLY wanted to work with me until they used my reach to further their own. As soon as they surpassed me they quit emailing and texting me.
It’s a rotten game to play! I understand wanting to make money and being successful but I will not tolerate being used.
This is why I do not compromise my integrity to fit into the mold of the blogging world.
There are bloggers who do the get-rich-quick schemes and trample on good hard-working people without batting an eye. They market themselves as “blogging gurus” and sell you their version of how to be a successful blogger. Guess what, they are getting rich off of the classes and affiliate links they are selling and not the fact that they are a successful blogger.
Making money blogging is possible with a lot of hard work and hours put in.
I have been approached by large companies wanting me to promote and sell their products and after I declined they sent rude emails stating that I was dumb for passing up the opportunity.
Listen up, I’m never going to compromise who I am to make a quick buck! That’s not and will never be who I am.
At the end of the day –
Blogging is a wonderful outlet to express who and what you are. To share dreams and be creative.
It comes with a slew of things that can make you feel less than and deter you from succeeding.
You are the one who needs to feel happy with your blog at the end of the day. NO ONE can tell you that you are wrong or your projects suck. You are unique and if you don’t fit into the blogging mold… just create a new one that works for you.
You should be sharing yourself with the world while being kind and humble to others. Because no one likes a conceded jackass!
This is just a small glimpse into the blogging world. Bottom line is to be true and authentic to who you are and don’t worry about the rest!
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