19/10/2016

What is a successful blogger? Am I one?


Blogosphere magazine lifestyle blogger Priceless Life of Mine

Is being a successful blogger measured by the number of followers you have or what book deal you've just signed? The answer is of course NO.

There are so many great bloggers out there that are super successful, they've worked damn hard for it and deserve everything that comes their way for sure but I'm guilty of looking at them and wishing I could be successful like them too. 

I read an article recently in Blogosphere magazine and it got me thinking. It's titled 'What is success?' and is written by the very talented Simone Partner from Eltoria and for me it was like a slap round the face with a good dose of reality. 

Success is subjective of course, totally different for everyone. She made me realise that success is not measured by the number of followers you have, the brands you work with or events you get invited to. It's about looking at your own accomplishments and valuing your successes no matter how big or small. I know sometimes it's hard to think like that when you're constantly told you don't have enough followers or your DA is just not high enough but we really do need to take a step back. Success is not all about numbers and it's a shame brands don't realise this too as they're missing out on working with some talented people.

Coming back to my title question. Am I a successful blogger? 
You're damn right I am!


Blogosphere magazine lifestyle blogger Priceless Life of Mine

When I set about starting up this blog I had absolutely no idea where to start. I was clueless. I had no website or html experience, every single thing was alien to me but Google soon became my best friend and I learnt all the technical stuff from scratch as I went along. It was hard work, I was sometimes up till the early hours, tearing my hair out in frustration at things I didn't understand. I did it though and I am super proud of myself. That's success. 

I also knew nothing about social media, apart from Facebook so I taught myself. I now love Twitter, Instagram and snapchat and may be slightly addicted. :) That's success. 

I attended my first blogger event ON MY OWN, something I never thought I would have the confidence to do but I did it, and I survived. In fact I've gained a fair few friends from that very first event so that's another BIG success. 

After thinking about it (whilst reading the article) it struck me that I have been successful in many ways, not just the ones listed above. 

Success comes in many forms

Success to you might be putting up more than one post in a week, collaborating with your favourite brand, participating in a Twitter chat, (something I need to do more of), or like me plucking up the courage to get to that first meet up. Hey, let's face it for some the minute you get your blog up and running and publish your first post that can be a massive success! I mean, some of us blog as a hobby, fitting it in between a full time job, some blog full time, earning a good living, but whatever we choose we're all popping those achievements under our belt on a daily basis. We just need to remind ourselves of this from time to time. Sadly some bloggers (minority I think) still look down on other bloggers, with the attitude that you can't possibly call yourself successful if you're not working with the big guns and earning loads of cash, but it shouldn't be like that. Supporting each other is where it's at!

The valuable lesson I've learnt? Look back on your blogging journey so far and feel proud of how far you've actually come, keep learning and growing and that success, in whatever form it may be for you, will continue to come! 








Share:

37 comments

  1. Thank you so much Mutzii and yes it sure does make me happy when people take the time to follow/comment, so thank you :) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you - I think I need reminding of little successes too as I'm often wishing my blog was more successful in terms of money-making. I'm going to my first blogger event next month and I'm pretty nervous about it, so I will definitely look on that as a success whatever happens!
    Helen
    x

    www.whenIgrowupblog.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad it helped Helen, we all need a little reminding from time to time don't we? Good luck with your first event, I've no doubt you'll really enjoy it and it's another little success under your belt! Thanks for your comment x

      Delete
  3. Brilliant post! I couldn't agree with you more. So many times we get caught up in the external measures of success--millions of followers, thousands of dollars, working with top tier brands. Sucess is an inside job, just like happiness, and it looks different depending on who you are.
    xx
    A
    www.greigemarket.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much lovely! You're right success is an inside job, I like that!!! xx

      Delete
  4. YAAAASSSS!!! Yes yes yes! Loved this post Steph and so very true! It's so easy to feel like you're not successful enough when you dont get invited to events or work with certain brands, but you're so right, success is fulfilling a goal you set for yourself!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lianne, let's all remember those little goals can lead to BIG goals! xx

      Delete
  5. Great post Steph! You should be really proud, your blog is looking amazing! Lovely pics btw! Is that a marble table???
    Heather xx
    www.suncreamandsparkles.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much hun, such a lovely thing to say. Not a marble table just fablon on board!!!! :)

      Delete
  6. Well said Mrs,

    I've been in a weird place with blogging / social media for the past few weeks ( bit down on myself & poorly) sometimes it feels like your banging your head against a wall. I put so, so much into the blog and sometimes it feels like nobody is reading etc ... I've read your post and what you said hit home , it's what I needed ... so thankyou lovely.

    I know it's not all about numbers/ followers but I must say hitting 5k on my Instagram earlier this week was a pleasant surprise and a little yay moment. So it's not all bad.

    I'm rambling !!

    Tracey xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tracey and I'm glad it helped even if just a little. We all have those times when we feel like we're putting in so much effort for little in return and worry no one is reading. Your blog is bloody fab and don't you ever forget that missus!!! xx

      Delete
  7. Just read this and all I can say is High Five! Youv hit the nail on the head. I'm constantly looking at my blog etc and put myself down that maybes my blog isn't good enough and haven't enough followers etc but then I think hold on some brands will take time to work with you even if they aren't big themselves it's nice for people to get a chance. And I totally stepped out my comfort zone when I att need the white party mingling with so many successful people x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your blog is great Diane and you're doing brilliantly, The White party was a big step for both of us but didn't we have the best time?!!! xx

      Delete
  8. Yes to all this! A great blog post.
    I literally contradict myself daily and my thinking and mind set on such topics.In one breathe I'm like who cares about awards and followers etc, it's about enjoying it.. Yet the next moment I'm registered to vote for blog awards and asking people to vote for me and also get FOMI on events!
    I think I'll forever be that way. Although, as you mentioned of your success, I've achieved similar, however, knowing people read my ramblings and appreciate what I put into my space makes me happy too..

    Caroline.x
    www.carolineelgeywhite.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm the same Caroline, one minute up, the next right down on myself, it's human nature and I know even the 'big' bloggers go through it too. Just continue what you're doing lovely, you do it so well!
      xx

      Delete
  9. What a brilliant post Stephanie. Just what I needed right now. You are so right. Well done to you and your success.
    Julie xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aww thank you Julie, we all need to be reminded sometimes though don't we and if this post has given everyone a little reminder then I'm chuffed! xx

      Delete
  10. Aw this is lovely. Couldn't agree more! We need to measure our own success and stop comparing to others!

    Nadia | http://psychologyfoodandfitness.blogspot.co.uk <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here, here Nadia, thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. It means a lot. xx

      Delete
  11. This is a really nice and inspirational post! Thank you for sharing it. :)

    Lucie // www.inbluebox.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you think so Lucie, thanks for stopping by :) xx

      Delete
  12. Its like you are sharing my story in your article... I started my blog from scratch, all by myself. I did not know anything about blogging, about Wordpress or Bluehost. I did't even have Instagram or Twitter account. None helped me with anything... Actually I think only few people understand my creativity...
    On top of that I have 5 years old son who wants all the attention in the world :). Being mum, working part time and doing so many other things in my day to day life is a hard thingy...
    So I am so proud of myself how much I have accomplished and still haven't given up.
    Thank you for the article. It was really inspiring reading it. xxx
    Ninz | www.ninzbeauty.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We all work so hard on our blogs don't we as well as running families, holding down jobs etc we do tend to forget all the little successes we've already achieved so well done to you and I'm glad you found it inspiring. xx

      Delete
  13. Lovely post Steph. Totally agree that success is relative and we must not compare ourselves to others. Love your blog, keep doing what you do. Vx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Vicki, that means a lot and it's given me a little boost!! xx

      Delete
  14. Your article is so inspiring and motivatioy! Gave the the energy to keep going with my blog. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cristina, glad it's helped. Keep doing what you're doing! xx

      Delete
  15. Loving your pics Steph! What a fab post. I think success means different things to different people. But the way I see it - if you love what you do then you're successful. On a bad day I literally pick my blog (and myself) to pieces. But the thing is I love writing and I love blogging. So overall it makes me very happy. To me happiness is success. : ) xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Carly, that means a lot coming from you and your fabulous blog! xx

      Delete
  16. boxeswithfashion20 October 2016 at 10:57

    Thank you for sharing these thoughts with us. Never crossed my mind these ideas.
    Motivating and inspiring, especially when working a full time job and trying to do something with your blog.

    Regards,
    Diana from www.chezdaiana.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Diana, thanks for your lovely comment. I'm glad you found a little motivation from my post. Keep up the good work! xx

      Delete
  17. Great inspirational post Stephanie. I've been doing this blogging thing for a little over a month now. I'll admit sometimes I compare my blog to others and somedays when there's no views it's not a nice feeling. But I love blogging and it took so long for me to get the courage to even start. Even though I don't have a lot of followers, I'm gaining new ones every day and it's exciting to know people actually want to read my blog. I've met some awesome bloggers along the way as well. Love your blog and Thank you for sharing this with us :-)

    Lorenza from buffyandrenza.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you liked the post Lorenza. We're all guilty of comparing ourselves with others sometimes but we're all successful in our own way. Well done on your blog and keep up the good work!! xx

      Delete
  18. Awesome post! Your message has been successfully understood

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you for sharing this! Made me feel a little better :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're all guilty of comparing and being hard on ourselves and we need that reminder every now and then that we're actually doing brilliantly, we're all successful in many different ways! xx

      Delete

Comments mean the world to me so don't be shy, let's talk!

© Life with Stephanie C | All rights reserved.
Blog Layout Created by pipdig