I would be much richer than I am now (not that I am close to being rich in funds lol) if I had a nickle for every funny look I get when I tell people what I do for my profession. It is as if people do not see blogging as a “real” job or, as I suspect, they are confused what it actually entails and are afraid to ask.

I just wanted to clear up some things about what I do, so you can gain a better understanding and take the mystery out.

What is Blogging About?

Here are some common thoughts and misconceptions:

“What exactly DO you Do”?

This is a short question requiring a long answer, but here goes; I write on an online publication. I help promote companies I believe in. I contribute to numerous other blogs and online publications such Premeditated Leftovers, A Mitten Full Of Savings, Moms Confession and Canadian Free Stuff. I spend my day on Facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram. I make recipes, crafts and DIY projects and share them with the world. In short, I am a freelance writer/social media manager/online publisher/social media advertiser.

“Your job sounds really easy.”

Easy is not a word I would choose to describe my job. Is it brain surgery or rocket science? Certainly not, but it has it’s frustrations. For one, computers are my friend and foe. One outage on the internet or a computer crash and my job is poof for as long as it takes to fix the issue. I am constantly blogging, writing, promoting and dreaming about blogging. This means I spend over 10 hours a day on the computer. Just because I am in my pj’s most of the time doesn’t mean it is not mentally taxing or something everyone can do. It is often stressful and aggravating.

“Do you actually make REAL money?”

Yes, I do. I make enough to pay for my internet service, car insurance, groceries, gas in my car, trips to the thrift store and other incidentals throughout the month such as my Sunday “dates” with my 11 year old. If that isn’t real, I don’t know what is.

“How do you make money?”

This is a long answer too, and one that varies depending on who you talk to (other bloggers that is). I personally make my money doing sidebar ads, sponsored posts, and product reviews on occasion. However, my personal blog is not my biggest money maker. I make the most from contributing to other blogs and random VA (Virtual Assistant) jobs as well as writing content for various blogs as a Ghost Writer (I don’t get recognition as the author, I just write it) and Copy Writer.

“How Can I get into this?!”

The same way I did. Just start a blog, join some groups on Facebook and be willing to LEARN. An open mind is the best tool you can have when it comes to blogging. However, be prepared to not earn ANYTHING for a few months at the very least. It’s long hours for little pay in many cases, even when you get established, but I have to say, I love every minute of it! (OK, I take that back. I don’t love all of it, but the good FAR outweighs any bad that comes my way!) Just don’t join blogging to get “free stuff”. It is never free, trust me.

Blogging really is the best JOB I have ever had! It allows me to make my own hours, keep my anxiety in check, give me a sense of success and accomplishment as well as feel like I have finally found my place. I struggled deeply with finding my place in the work world. I can’t tell you how many jobs I have quit, some quit embarrassingly. It saved me. Really. I know that seems simple and maybe a bit silly, but I thought I would never amount to anything. I felt like a constant failure. My depression and anxiety was constantly winning. Blogging let me see that is simply not true and I am very grateful for the opportunities I have been given with it!