The Biggest Problem With Blogging Revisited

A year ago, I wrote “The Biggest Problem With Blogging,” a post I never anticipated to gain traction, but went viral.

I wrote of the cold and unsupportive behavior friends and I have witnessed from other members of the blogging community. So many others shared their negative experiences. It really upset me how common my sentiment among other women.

I also got a few messages from well-known bloggers saying I was naive and warning me, “As you get bigger and make this into a career, you’ll get really annoyed with constant messages asking for ‘get rich fast’ secrets and insider tips. Look out for what’s ahead and the people who want to use you and your kindness.”

A lot has changed since I wrote that post. This little hobby of a blog has become my full-time job, and I feel far more knowledgable about the industry now. I’m signing deals I only ever dreamed of and making a name for myself. Turns out those established bloggers were right; I get nearly 20 requests a day for help with someone’s blog, Instagram account, joining LIKEtoKNOW.it, etc. However, seeing as I can remember being that naive blogger asking someone for help, I’ve tried my best to give as much as I can without giving away things I’ve spent the past 2.5 years perfecting. I think I have found a happy medium.

Yes, my schedule is crazy and I work far more than 40 hours every week (try 70), but I still make time to answer most emails, DMs, and comments from readers. Most are just quick “Where is that top from??” but a great deal are about blogging and Instagram. If the question is something too complex for me to just blindly offer up, I instead explain to them that I would love to help them achieve their goals by giving them a discount on my blog coaching services for one-on-one attention. I also link them to my free blogging resource library for more general knowledge if they just need help getting started and don’t have as much of a need for a coach. I totally understand where those well-known bloggers were coming from with not wanting to give away trade secrets you’ve spent years learning for free, but I try to at least offer to help other women on their path to learning it for themselves!

So much has also stayed the same since that post was published. I have seen even more over the past year women stepping on one another’s toes to try to get ahead.

Some of those women have been the ones just starting out messaging me for help, for example, demanding I send high-level contacts I’ve spent years building relationships with, sending my editing presets for free, and so many other things I have worked hard to curate and perfect. I definitely understand how tough it can be to play both sides, protecting yourself while helping others. I am damn proud of myself for owning this business at 23 and I in no way want to damage it, but I also know that I NEED to be supporting other women all I can.

I truly believe in community over competition. No other woman will have the same voice as me, the same editing style as me, the same fashion sense as me, and therefore there is room for all of us in the blogging industry. We should be rooting for one another and celebrating one another’s successes at every step of the way.

On this International Women’s Day, I pledge to be Pro-Women and Pro-Bloggers. I am here for you, whether that’s by sending you a link that’s uber helpful, or helping you plan your business through my blog coaching, or even just finding you a bomb dress for date night. I am here because of all the women who had my back, and I’ve got yours, too.