It’s my one month blogiversary! Yay! I have had so much fun so far sharing my projects with you all, and I can’t wait to see where it will all go next from here. When I started Dwelling in Happiness a month ago, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. In fact, go back even a couple months before that, and I wasn’t even sure I could do it at all. Enter: Abby’s “Building a Framework: Everything I Learned My First Year of Blogging”, at Just a Girl and Her Blog.
I was poking around on Pinterest one day, looking at all the pretty home binder printables to help get myself organized. I came across Abby’s beautiful printables, so I went to her blog to check them out. I happened to see her add on the right side of her page about this new e-book she had just published. I clicked on it and was reading what the book was about, and it was like it all just fell into my lap. I had always thought about blogging, as I’ve seen so many DIY amazing projects on Pinterest come from really awesome blogs. But, I had NO idea where to start or what to do. Like, at all. I didn’t even think I could maintain a blog, and to be honest, I really didn’t think anyone would like or want to read about my little projects or ideas.
I decided to e-mail Abby and ask her a couple questions, not really expecting to hear back since she’s so popular and busy with a family. I was shocked that this amazing popular blogger responded a few days later! She was SO encouraging and sweet, and answered all my (silly) questions. So, I decided to try and give this blogging thing a “go.” I bought and downloaded her book and went from there.
You guys, this book is SO incredibly helpful. I read it all within a few days, soaking up all the different aspects that I had no clue went along with blogging. Abby starts her book with the very basics, with which web hosting sites to use and how to choose a domain and a theme. She goes step-by-step with pictures and screen shots of how to go about everything, which was so great to have when I was getting everything set up. I didn’t even know there was a difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org! I’m so glad I do now though, and made the best choice for myself (with her help!).
Abby really stresses building relationships with other bloggers in her book, which isn’t something I honestly thought I needed to do. In my mind I thought, “so, if I want to have a DIY blog, aren’t I in ‘competition’ with other DIY bloggers?” That’s honestly what my mindset was before I got started. But, after reading Abby’s book and actually getting into the blogging part, my mind has completely changed! Oh my goodness, the blogging community is AMAZING! We are in no way competitors, as I’m learning everyone has their own style and piece to bring to the “DIY blogging” table. Every single blogger I have connected with is so incredibly sweet and supportive. Abby talks about the importance of collaboration with other bloggers, as well as sharing contacts and connections, which has been extremely beneficial so far. Their success is my success, which I had never realized until I started!
Abby mentions connecting with other bloggers through social media, which has been how I’ve met almost all the bloggers I now follow. I never would have thought to go searching for Facebook groups that are about blogging, but they have helped me tremendously!! I also had no clue what a “link party” was before I read Abby’s book. Boy, if I hadn’t, I’m pretty sure my only reader would still be my husband. They really help to get your name and projects out to the “world.”
Another important aspect of her book is how to make money with a blog. Along with everything else I didn’t know, this was also news to me! Make money while blogging? Sounds too good to be true. I’m nowhere near ready for that, but Abby gives step by step instructions for not only setting up Google AdSense, but also how to work with different affiliates and brands. If I hadn’t read her book, I don’t think I’d even know that working with brands and affiliates was an option! She gives more step-by-step instructions with pictures in setting up Google AdSense. She breaks it all down for you, leaving no room for error, thank goodness!
If you’re thinking about starting a blog (or already have one!) and want to read more about Abby’s book or purchase it, you can do that at The Landing page on her blog Just a Girl and Her Blog. It’s super easy to download, and she’s SO passionate about helping us all get started. I’m so glad too, because I really have her to thank for giving me the encouragement to get started. Her book is like a cheat sheet – she really gives you everything she has learned so we can get started and be ahead of the curve; even when she had to learn some things the hard way! Even for you veteran bloggers; this book has something for you, too!
A month later, I am so thankful for not only Abby and her amazing e-book, but also for all the other sweet and supportive bloggers I’ve met along the way. And yes, I know, it’s ONLY been a month. But still, I certainly would not have even come this far if it weren’t for all of them. I’m so excited each day to meet new bloggers and see all that they have offer. I’m always so inspired by their ideas, and love getting to see a little bit of who they are.
Here’s to many many more months of this wonderful little thing called blogging!
Have you read Abby’s book? How did it help you get started?
I link up at these fun parties, as well as Friday Favorites,