I currently have the full-time job I have because of this site right here.
That’s pretty sweet, if you ask me.
(See bloggers…it can be done!)
This space right here is not currently a money maker, unless, of course, you count the coffee money I get from running the two ads you might see on the top and in the right rail. In the interest of full disclosure, I take home a couple hundred dollars a month from those ads. Worth it, obviously, since there’s absolutely no work involved save for providing some prime real estate on my beautifully designed space on the web, and you get to see some lovely ads for Hidden Valley Ranch. Or something.
So, I don’t make money over here, per se. BUT, over the years I have cultivated some amazing relationships that have led to three jobs doing THIS—working in the world of blogging, online editing, social media, writing.
Dream come true, if you ask me.
Some other bloggy folks are living the dream as well, and some are making money the same way I am. But some are doing it differently—with online writing gigs, or freelance editorial jobs, or speaking engagements, or book deals, or writing product reviews, or being brand ambassadors, or writing advertorial. Here’s the thing: There’s no right or wrong way.
This is what works for me.
And it works so well. I get to continue to have this space to ramble on and tell my stories and continue my non-SEO friendly Seinfeld-ian way of writing—writing about nothing. And then, at the same time, I get to edit the work of other amazing and talented writers. I get to create relationship with unbelievable people. I get to hire fabulous bloggers. I get to research and create helpful resources, and I get to create great escape content, depending on the day.
But what I didn’t expect—and this is actually what the original point of my post was—was to spend so much of my day with a giant goofy grin on my face. I didn’t expect to just fall so in love with A CAREER. HighSchoolAli would have thought that a job was just a job. You know, something to GO to. But, then again, HighSchoolAli wore denim on denim and a lot of Doc Martens.
I mean, just yesterday, one of my lovely writers sent me A POEM that just had my peeing-in-my-pants laughing. I was trying to critique Rachel Berry’s prom dress (in the end the consensus is that YES, I absolutely love it) but I had to pause my television so I could read this poem out loud to get its full effect.
And I mean, just today, the email exchanges between the people I work with had me sitting in front of my laptop laughing OUT LOUD like a damn fool in front of no one but my dog and my husband’s bad taste in music. Because, you guys, somehow a conversation about a resource I am currently working on for Mother’s Day—a celebration of Canadian Mom Blogs—turned into a conversation about Jesus and about Mary being the first mom blogger and about how she didn’t need frankincense and myrrh—what she REALLY needed was a damn Diaper Genie.
And I mean, now I am going to use stencils and make myself a fancy rug because I really want to be HER when I grow up.
This is my life. It’s a really, really good one.
And I have this space to thank for it. I’m sure my family members who were like WHAT ON EARTH IS A BLAAAAAWG are kicking themselves for mocking me so much. See also: the friends who still don’t understand. But really, what I’m saying is, I’m so glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re reading. I hope you’ll still continue to read my drivel. Because there’s nothing I’d rather be doing right now.
Yes. All of this. All the time. We are lucky, lucky ladies.
Baby Jesus needed a wipe warmer, so don’t tell me differently.
I wouldn’t have been able to return to working from home if it weren’t for the freelance opportunities I have because of my BLAWG.
We have it good, indeed.
It is wonderful that your blogging lead to a full-time job! The design of your site is just lovely.
Love reading you, Ali!!!
FUCK YEAH! *fistbump*
This post rocks so hard. But I wanna see the poem!
I love reading you too. Also, I liked Rachel’s dress, but her hair? Not so much.
I’m glad for it because I met yoooouuuuu!
Love this:) Thanks Ali!
How did Rachel afford that dress though? (which I loved)
The same way she affords all of her Kate Spade and Anthro dresses.
Obviously she has mice.
So awesome to be so happy doing what you love. It truly is a privilege, for you and also your readers. You rock. Hard.
I work the kind of job you would have expected in HS and the writing is all in my spare time. I don’t know if I will ever turn my Children’s poems/stories into a real book deal. But I know I am making lots of kids happy with them, including my own. I also have a forum to talk openly about my battles with anxiety and mild depression, which I know has helped people. Even if I never make more then server cost and coffee money, I get a tremendous enjoyment from the creative outlet and the opportunity to meet and connect with interesting people. OK I am still keeping my fingers crossed on the book deal 🙂
Keep it going!! 🙂
don’t you know it! LOVE.
I cannot imagine working a job that I liked, much less loved.
I think Congrats are in order for you! Yay Ali – so cool that you can do something so rewarding and awesome. Good for you!
I’d just like to give thanks to “the guy that got me pregnant” that my mom-blog has finally been discovered. I sure hope it makes the YMC list & that next time I get the diaper genie I wanted….
See you tomorrow before school starts 🙂
Hi Ali! This is an inspiring post. I just started blogging, but I’m addicted already! That’s amazing that your blogging led to other wonderful opportunities to do what you love. I just discovered your blog, and I look forward to reading more of it. 🙂
Beautiful. I love it.
As somebody with an honours degree in Creative Writing, I always thought it was a miracle that I could make a living with words at all. That I was able to a) acquire and then b) translate a 12 year copywriting job + 6 years blogging into a full-as-I-want-it-time freelance writing job makes me convinced that miracles exist.
I love that blogging has opened up so many opportunities for women, and women writers in particular. It’s traditionally not an easy place to get into.
I love this! Now, how do I get there?