Woah, was I gone for a week? It didn't feel like it because I was writing posts for this blog. Three sponsored posts are a lot of work so I feel like I've been blogging here even though nothing's been published yet since I have to wait for client approval.
I was talking to my friend, Martine a.k.a. The Dainty Mom, about this strange irony of blogging. When I started blogging way back in 2005, I just really wanted to share stories. I wanted a place that's all my own. About 3 years later, I met bloggers who were earning gazillions from their blogs and I wanted a piece of that pie. I write for a living. That's what I am and that's what I do. I write. I should be paid to write. So I didn't see anything wrong with blogs that earn.
Well, here I am in 2013, my blogs bigger than ever and the main source of my income now. Great job, me haha. Of course, you know what that means—blogging is now a job. It's a fun job! But I'm meeting clients, attending events, studying and signing contracts, sending out invoices, following up receivables, revising drafts of sponsored posts, etc etc. I'm not complaining. I'm super amazed and happy. I'm just... I dunno. I feel like I'm so busy with the business of blogging that I don't have the time to actually blog anymore, ya know?
I love blogging. Seriously. It's the best! I get to be me, I meet so many wonderful people online, I get to experience so many amazing things and given so many fabulous gifts, and I get to write and be paid to write. Dream come true!
But herein lies the irony: If I want to earn more, I have to accept more clients. If I fill my blog with paid posts, I lose my voice. If I work harder on the blog by putting a personal post and a paid post, then I'll be blogging double time and then I won't have the time anymore to actually live a life worth blogging about. And seriously, I may like the money but I like living life more! My life is more fun than blogging. So I haven't been blogging because I'm busy living. But no blogging means I'll lose my readers, which of course means I'll lose my clients. Where is that perfect balance?!
Ya know the solution to this? I should just get a job so I won't depend on my blogging income!
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Ang saya ng dilemma mo Ms. F :)
ReplyDeleteHehe you nailed it again, Frances! I'm sure you'll find that perfect balance somewhere but I can see that you know your priorities well naman so just go with the flow =)
ReplyDeleteYour blog is so fun and happy and filled with the things you love! I kinda want that again for my blogs. Should I get a job???
DeleteTrue that! LOL I try my best to balance my posts, too. I even miss out on opps that I don't have the energy to talk about (Ha! Talk about professionalism eh, ha ha) But then again, I don't have that many opportunities yet as you do. Hope you'll have that balance, soon! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, some assignments are not worth it naman haha
Deletei read blogs dutifully (if there is such a word). but it gets tiring because sometimes two or three of them write about the same thing. parang the paid advertisement kind or whatever it is called. minsan nakakasawa na. what i do eh, i take them off my favorites na lang.
ReplyDeleteThere is such a word but I think the word you want is "religiously" =)
DeleteHi Frances,
ReplyDeleteI think you are one lucky gal indeed to have blogging as your main income. But I understand your dilemma. Sponsored posts generate the cash flow of blogging but blogging for the love of blogging & expressing our voice is what endears a follower to a particular blogger. I think you will get that perfect balance. I wish I am in your shoes, hehe... I am a doctor working in Singapore but I rather blog for a living that doing consultations, hehe...
http://littlemisshoney.com/
Kasi naman SG bloggers are really raking it in! Like Xiaxue.com. I heard that her entire LIFE is free—her house for example. Crazy!!!
DeleteI remember our chat over Facebook some nights ago. I totally feel you. This year, I've accepted less and less sponsored posts and engagements. I'm blogging more, but MORE than blogging, I'm WRITING more. :) But that's because I also have work outside of blogging, so you're right about getting a job aside from blogging, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Frances,
ReplyDeleteI just started blogging like 2 months ago and am loving it! I have a full-time job and is happy with what I earn. It's not much but I provide enough for my family.
Reading this post and as a newbie, I now doubt myself if I ever have to do blogging for money? My site is all but personal experiences as a mom and a wife - nothing more. I think I'll just keep it that way for now.