How I Became A Full Time Blogger
It’s been about 3 months since I left my steady full-time gig to become a full time blogger. I guess I never really made the official announcement, but for some reason I randomly felt like it. Maybe it’s because it’s a Monday morning, I just made a yummy cup of coffee, and I’m in the mood to write. Writing is very therapeutic for me. If the topic is inspiring or helpful to others, all the better.
It took me awhile to take the leap to become a full time blogger, but I’m so happy I did. My hopes in writing this post is that I inspire someone else to take the leap as well. Obviously if you’re just starting your blog, don’t expect to be a full time blogger right away. I’ve officially been blogging for five years now. Although I have only been blogging here since 2014, I had other blogs before this one.
I worked in retail management when I first started blogging. I blogged after work and on the weekends. For the past two and a half years I was working in affiliate marketing for a start up out of LA. The position was great, and I loved the people I worked with. I was able to work from home which gave me flexibility to work on my blog as well.
I didn’t quit my job until I had a proven track record of success. I wanted to earn the same amount a month on my blog as I did with my job for at least 3 months before making the jump. Setting this goal for myself was really motivating. I often worked late into the night trying to tie up campaigns, tackle my inbox, and schedule blog & social media posts. Those 3 months were insanely busy, and I was really surprised to find myself earning the same amount of money and sometimes more per month as I was with my job.
A couple of months ago I set my blog up as an S Corp, opened up an official business bank account, and hired an accountant. If I would have told myself I would own my own successful business that was fueled by blogging a few years ago I wouldn’t have believed it. Blogging can be an amazing career path, and if you want to make it your career path I encourage you to start now.
My biggest piece of advice if you want to become a full time blogger is to not give up. Work hard. Work harder than you’ve ever worked before, and keep going. You’ve got this!
SHOP THE POST:
Plaid Top // Jeans // Bucket Bag // Booties // Sunglasses
If you’re looking on more information on blogging & social media you can check out my posts on those topics HERE. Thanks so much for stopping by!
XO,
Lee Anne
54 Comments
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This is a great post! Loving your outfit as well.
Love this post! It is definitely my goal to transition to blogging full time and this gives me a good gauge for that! Thank tou for sharing!
Maggie
http://www.polishedclosets.com
Of course! Thanks for reading Maggie!
Hi Lee. Your blog is very inspirational. I have started my blog a month ago, I am nowhere near your success but somehow this blogging is making me happy. I love reading all your entry, I definitely need all the advice i can get from a pro. In the near future if you do some loop giveaway please let me know. I would love to collaborate . You are so beautiful and classy in all of your pictures .
Thanks so much! You are the sweetest! I actually don’t host loop giveaways, but I’m happy to introduce you to those who do 🙂
Congrats on making that leap! I would love to be a full-time blogger, but as I’m also working as a freelance writer and I’m the stay at home parent to my preschooler (and soon to be newborn come November!), I just don’t have enough hours in the day. Doing the blog for 40+ hours a week WILL happen as soon as my kids get a little older! Thanks for the inspiration to keep on going!
Congratulations!! That is amazing! I am SO excited for you!
Thanks for the inspiration, girl! I’m happy for you for making such a big leap and following your heart and doing what you love.
xx Nina
Thanks for sharing – totally inspiring! I’m working towards this exact goal & seeing people achieving similar things makes me feel invigorated!
I love this!! I’d like to think I could go full time someday with my own blog. Great advice and story 🙂
http://www.maggiealamode.com
Totally agree about working hard, because if this is what you want to do as your full time job, you’re going to have to work REALLY hard once you get there! I’ve been full time blogging (as well as freelance web designing) since Nov 2014 and I seriously cannot imagine ever going back to work for someone else!
This is really great! As a new blogger, I hope I can take the plunge as well. Thank you for sharing your experience!
xx nicole
Your view point is wonderful to read. I think that your idea of consistently making more for a few months is an incredibly smart way to do it. I would love to see more posts about how you increased your monetization! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this! I’ve had a passion for blogging and have done it off and on through various blogging sites for the past two years.
I would love to one day be able to work full time on my blog, but right now I’m doing the same thing you did; working 40 hours with my day job, and I spend my nights and weekends developing my blog.
Do you have any tips or recommendations on how to bring in funding and actually make money on your blog?
Thanks!
Sisi
What an inspiring post! I started my blog two years ago, and would write every once in a while during the school year. Since I graduated in May, I’ve put in triple the time and effort into my blog and have really started to see results. It may seem like a long road, but hard work really does pay off! I can’t wait to see where else it takes me and your post has inspired me to do even more! 🙂
That’s so exciting! Always great to see the hustle pay off!
Karen
http://LadyinViolet.com
Congratulations!! This is so inspiring, and also you look adorable! What an amazing accomplishment!
It crosses my mind every once in a while but I have no idea where to start with monetizing. It’s nice to read someone elses story to know it can be done with commitment and hard work! Congrats for making the switch!
Full-time blogging and writing are such desirable experiences. Many bloggers are moving towards this goal. Like you’ve mentioned, it take a lot of strategic work and dedication.
I love that you set up a realistic goal that would help you know when you could go full time! Thank you so much for sharing, and congratulations! 🙂
Congrats on making the jump! It’s scary but for sure but I bet rewarding!
xo, Nina
Law of Fashion Blog
Great piece. Heading over to read the related story now…. Thanks!
Congrats on making the transition! I love your bag btw!
Love this, girl! So inspiring. You have a great blog and are going to go places. Sometimes that leap of faith is well worth it!
xo
Lauren
LOve this post! You have amazing advice.
Yay congrats! I’m going to be self-employed after this month is over too. It’s going to be an interesting and exciting transition.
xoxo, Jenny
You are a wonderful inspiration! Congratulations on making that leap!
Congrats girl!!! Such great tips! Thank you for sharing.
http://xoxobella.com
Congrats!! This was such an inspiring post!! It makes me realize that I can too reach my goals with blogging. I love to hear and read success stories!!
xoxo,
Angelle
http://www.dashingdarlin.com
Congratulations! I am still learning to keep a consistent posting schedule with my blog. Right now with my time, I can only find myself posting once a week. Which was better than once a month. I would love to end up in your situation and blog full time. Slowly getting there!!!
Meghan | BeyondBasicBlog.com
Wow amazing, good luck ! And bravo for taking the leap!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
That’s so awesome for you! I’m beginning to think this my be my ultimate goal as well, and I’m getting there. Slowly but surely.
Congratulations! I actually just took that leap about a month ago and everything you say is true especially the hard work & not giving up part! Love that outfit on you and wishing you lots of success!
I took the leap into full-time blogging a little more than a year ago and it was the BEST decision! Congratulations!!
xx Lexi, Glitter, Inc.
Congrats on this next venture! I hope to get there one day!
http://www.kayleighskloset.com
GOOD FOR YOU, girlfriend! Would you mind sharing what the realistic goal you set was to make per month before jumping, especially since things like insurance/benefits aren’t included in self-employment necessarily?
Coming Up Roses
Love this motivational message! Thanks one million! (And I LOVE those booites!)
Thanks for sharing! Hoping one day I can bog full time!
Hoping to be able to do this one day, but I also want to be a trauma nurse. 🙂
Wow, this is so crazy inspiring! My goal at the moment is to pay my rent with my blog… baby steps!
Wahoo! Way to go! I am hoping and dreaming that I can do the same some day.
SO motivating! And I love your blog. Mine is great for part time income but I’d LOVE to reach the full mark. I’ve only been blogging for a year and a half though, but I’m proud of where I’ve gotten to so far in that time!! 🙂 Thanks for the inspo, Lee Anne!!
You’re so welcome Chelsea! Thanks for sweet words!
Congratulations! That’s such a huge accomplishment! I’m currently working on starting my blog. I can only dream to make this my full time job. I love coming across bloggers, like you, who give such motivation and a real life testimonials! It’s very inspiring! Thanks for sharing! Keep up the great work!
Congratulations, mama! This is so well-deserved. You’ve inspired me since I started blogging more than year ago. You rock 🙂
Thanks Suzanne! You’re the sweetest!
Lovingggg this! So inspiring <3 The blog tips are gold, keep 'em coming!!
Suuuuper cute outfit, and man I wish I could be a full-time blogger!
Congrats!! Its so interesting to hear your story and what made you take the plunge to blogging full time! I’m not sure that I ever will, or want to, but my blog has come to be just as important to be as my full time job! Thanks for sharing!!
-Katherine
Engineering In Style
This is so so inspiring! Congratulations.. Ah becoming a full time blogger is a dream and stories like yours show that there is hope 🙂 You look adorable in this outfit! Have a great day!
Monika | http://www.palateforstyle.com
You’re the absolute sweetest. Thanks so much Monika!
Great post, thanks for the tips.
http://www.panchopicks.wordpress.com
As a fellow blogger, I barely ever read other blogs (mostly due to lack of time) but yours really stood out for me! Thank you for all your style inspo and words of encouragement. Best of luck in the new year. xoxo
This was a amazing story and congrats on your blog and I am a blogger to trying to pursue it full-time and your post has inspirited me to got for it