If you’re a blogger, you’ve probably had “one of those” conversations with a friend or family member. You know the kind I’m talking about… the conversation where you have to explain just what it is you do with all that “extra time” you have and why you get “free stuff. It seems that there are some serious misconceptions about what it is we do as Bloggers. So next time you’re about to have “one of those” conversations, just send them a link to this blog post and maybe, just maybe, that friend or famly member will learn a little bit about what we do and how this blogging thing works!
1. Bloggers are all Technologically inclined and/or “geekified”.
I can not tell you how many times I’ve had someone use “well you’re a blogger, so you should know how to *insert something technical here*”. I hate to disappoint ya… but I am not the least bit technically inclined and there isn’t a “geekified” bone in my body. I have people for all that technical stuff. It took me MONTHs, yes months, to figure out all of the feature differences when I switched to wordpress. All of these people that think that I can write code, or create websites or launch them into the internet stratosphere drive me nuts!
2. Bloggers are fashionable, love bubble necklaces and have closets full of nice clothes.
No. Just No. On an average day I’m doing good if I put on “real pants”… the kind with a zipper and button. Sure, most of us bloggers are guilty of an #OOTD (outfit of the day) instagram selfie, but when I do it, its more of a Holy-Cow-I’m-wearing-something-other-than-yoga-pants-and-sweat-shirt-today moment. No offense to the fashion bloggers out there that actually fit this misconception… but you’re making the rest of us look bad! If you took a look in my closet, you’d find 5 or 6 nice tops, several maxi dresses and 1, just ONE, lonely pair of dress pants. And contrary to popular belief, we don’t all LOVE the bubble necklace…
3. Bloggers have tons of free time and that Blogging is all Fun and Games.
There is no such thing as free time if you’re a blogger. Us bloggers are always doing things with a specific purpose in mind. I can honestly say I can’t remember the last time I had “free time” and no idea what to do with it. If by chance we have a couple extra moments in a day, we’ll use it taking photos for a upcoming post, updating social media accounts, working on design details, helping another blogger, answering emails or 1 of the hundreds of other things that are constantly being added to out never ending to do lists. Sure blogging can be fun… but it is WORK. Plain and simple.
4. Bloggers make all kinds of money.
For the average blogger this is FAR from true. Most of us barely make enough to cover our costs and if we’re lucky, maybe a little extra to purchase ad space with. Sure there are bloggers out there that have been able to quit their day job, and blog full time, but the reality is, they are few and far between. You CAN make money blogging, but you WILL work your butt off to make enough.
5. Bloggers are “all” stay at home moms.
HA! While it may seem like this is true, its not, not even close. Although many brands that want to work with bloggers seem to forget about the single and/or child-free bloggers, we do exist. Where are all my single and/or child-free bloggers at? Holla girl!
6. Blogging is easy.
Wrong. Just WRONG! There is nothing easy about blogging. We constantly have to come up with new ideas, develop new skills, figure out technical stuff that is totally baffling, deal with “Haters”, create cool things out of nothing and appease the masses. Not to mention the pressure we put on ourselves to grow and “make it big” in blog world. There is the occasional “mean girl” drama. We tend to play the comparison game and drive ourselves crazy! If you think you want to be a blogger, seriously consider just what it takes, and go into it with your eyes wide open. It can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do, but nothing about it is even remotely easy.
Before this post turns into an entire novel, I’ve decided to turn this into 2 parts. Read Part 2 HERE!!
I didn't tell my friends that I was a blogger for a couple of years. In small town Texas, "blogger" is not an occupation. It's not really even a hobby; to be honest, it's not really a thing at all. My friends were very accepting though and enjoy reading blogs now. 🙂
Love this. My OH's the worst. He thinks blogging's a waste of time, hates all the 'junk' that turns up in the house, and doesn't appreciate the time that it takes. He also thinks everyone who talks on forums has an ulterior motive like stalking or murdering people!
But blogging is hard work if you want to make your blog stand out, be heard amongst everyone else, be part of the blogging community and make some money. Will look out for part 2
Oh yeah, I tell people I blog. I explain what that means. Then they say, "OK, but what do you DO?" *argh*
This is awesome! 🙂 I wish we were all billionaires… haha.
Do you know how many times I have had to tell my sister, yes I have gotten paid for posts but those are far and few in between. I seriously need to work on my media kit though. I have no clue how to begin to have use the ad space I have on my blog.. grrr..
This is all so true! I definitely wish I were rich and fashionable.
OMG I read through this post just nodding my head and "Amen"ing my through. My mother-in-law, who lives with us, thanks that all I'm doing all day on the internet is just playing. My husband, who by the way does video game reviews for a different blog, does the same thing. I just shake my head. AND OMG everyone just automatically assumes that because I'm married that means I must have a kid and therefore I must be a mommyblogger (not that there is anything wrong with them) and I'm only interested in those kind of opportunities. No no NO! lol
yes yes and more yeses! Holla back for all the non-mommy bloggers!!
The bubble necklaces!!! I just don't get it. And chevron. SO.MANY.CHEVRONS. 😛
Single and child free blogger here!! Holla back! This is a great post!
I'm not a blogger, but I appreciate that you are! My husband asked me why I didn't become a blogger since I love reading all of them. My answer was I couldn't come up with original ideas, it's time consuming and I'm not tech savvy. I appreciate all the hard work you do! Great post!!
Seriously, not all bloggers stay at home with kids! Some of us work a 40 hour week (plus commute, after hours meetings, etc) then come home to do the blog thing. That is such a misconception! Maybe if I made the big bucks like they think I did, I could stay home 🙂
Though I fit into some of the stereotypical blogger conceptions you are right it's not easy. Most bloggers quit before they even really get started. My first year (esp. those 1st 6 months) I was like wow how the heck do bloggers get anyone to read their content. By lots and lots of hard work and putting yourself out there.
Yeah.
I get tired of some of the leading questions I get from people…or the judgmental looks when talking about my growth rate…I'm like, what do you expect!? That I get one million hits a day!? I'm like I work my butt off for whatever recognition I get. HAHA
I agree with everyone of these! I wish there was a network for single/childless bloggers too! 🙂 I never realized before I started how much work it would be keeping up with everything. Now I plan the stuff I do day to day about what kind of blog I can write from my daily activities! 🙂
I really love this post! I agree with everyone one of these! I don't fit into any of these blogger stereotypes.
~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
Excellent post! I agree blogging isn't easy, it isn't about making money, and there are plenty of us that only do it as a hobby outside work and family responsibilities. But it IS fun 🙂
I wish there was a good place for non mommy bloggers to connect…we should make one:)
That's a great starting list! I have a full-time job in addition to my site, and it is definitely work! There are parts that are fun, but there is A LOT of work that goes into it – even the fun stuff. I am definitely not rolling in the dough either! I would love to be, but that's just not the case for most of us.
THIS IS FABULOUS! I agree with it all! I live in pj's or sweat pants (in fact I am making my husband hold me accountable to actually get dressed – tragic!!), I have made $30.85 in just shy of one year blogging, I have no idea about technical stuff….if it's not easily explained somewhere on google then I can't do it, I don't have kids….yet so ALL Mom blog stuff is out of bounds to me, free time….yeah right! There is always something I could or should be doing to improve my blog/ratings/social media presence/income potential AND however much I love it, easy is not a word I would EVER use to describe blogging…..this last year has been the biggest EVER uphill learning curve since starting a new job! Thanks for doing this!
My GOAL is to not have to work. I am nowhere near that but I want to! lol
When I told my PT therapist I spend a lot of time at home on my computer – blogging he practically rolled his eyes. Most of my friends and family don't get it either.
Nodding head.
Ha, so true!
I have so many comments on this… but I'll stick to these 2. 1) I love this list, thanks for post it! 2) 100% true. I've run into almost all of those misconceptions.
Love these! They are all so true!!
I'm the married with 2 children full time worker who also blogs blogger 🙂 I've blogged for years because it's what I enjoy and it's cheaper than therapy. Part of me wants the big following but part of me doesn't. My mother just found out I was a blogger this past Christmas, but she's probably the one person I DON'T want reading it! haha
http://aria82.blogspot.com/
sooooo true. #BlogLife – people just don't understand lol
Girl, you are so right! I'm a single, child-free blogger so holla! And not a fashion blogger either. Blogging is far from quick and easy, but I still must say it rocks and I would have it no other way! Thanks for your insights busy Jen!
The biggest one is that it does not take any time!
Sometimes I think it'd be easier if I just said I was a writer instead of I'm a blogger. No one quite "gets" all that we do besides just writing.