2 Year Blogiversary!

Year Two! What! Honestly, I don't feel like this is a second year. I could have sworn that I been blogging way longer than that, but blog dates are never wrong. I published my first post on Sept, 3 2013! Poor lighting photos and all, to create these very cute Back to School pencil cases. Boy did I come a long way from that post.

This year has been about growing and learning. I believe that I am always going to grow and learn new things about the blog world and about myself. I am always going to pick up a new interest and drop some as well. I am no pro, but I am definitely gaining a ton of experience. From reading from other bloggers, seeing what worked for them and seeing if it would work me as well. Some things worked, some things failed miserably and some things I still have left to try. I also decided to take webinars. If you had asked me what that was last year, I would have said "Umm what is that?" yet, through the two webinars I took, (How Bloggers Can Make Money? and Instagram by Bloguettes) I have learned a lot to help me make my blog better.

One thing new I have done this year was help host my first giveaway which was exciting and a different adventure for me. In order to be a part of that, I had to dish out a little money (I don't normally do the whole dishing out money thing), but it was worth it because, from that, I gained a boat load of new followers and traffic. I also continued to do more giveaways too!

Perfect quote! (find more quotes like this on my Instagram daily)

THINGS I WISHED I LEARNED EARLIER:

1. Don't be afraid to try. I think I have thought that I would be an overnight success story or something and that I wouldn't need to put money into my blog. I had to try new things like webinars to learn and giveaway to gain more followers as well as work with bloggers that I would otherwise not be able to work with. We all have to start somewhere to get somewhere. You can't travel the world free.   

2. Stand up for self. I never thought that my time was money before until I saw all the work and effort that I put into it. I been asked to do countless of free posts for companies and put 100% in. I had to learn that I can say no sometimes. I don't always have to be the 'yes man' (yes woman). It is also okay to see my worth. Blogging is a job and not always a volunteer task.

3. Dish out a little money. It pains me to dish out money sometimes, but I couldn't have gotten new followers or working with big name bloggers without taking a little step by providing some cash. I also wouldn't have learned from great webinars or joined in large giveaways. Also wouldn't have gotten great shots with my new Canon Ecos camera...okay that was no little amount, but you get my point.

4. Be more personable. I didn't take my Instagram for my blog as serious as I should. I was afraid to put up pictures of myself or my son. I didn't want to be vulnerable, of course, it is something I need to work on, but I am getting there.

5. Keep learning. I learned code last year and this year it has been all the meat of the blog. The how-tos and guides to really get the best our of my blog. I can't grow my blog without learning from others. If that cost me a little something then it does, but knowledge is worth it. 

BEST BLOG DAY:

Launching my new Dream Page. I was inspired to keep going after my dreams, no matter if I am a young mom or don't have a ton of money. I wanted to list all my dreams, even if some maybe be as simple as doing a first dance class or getting my learners license (G1) to random dreams to big dreams of mine. I hope that inspires not only me but anyone who reads my blog. 

WORST BLOG DAY:

I would have to say I guess any post that is with Regency. I remember being beyond excited to work with them and being paid to do so. I posted one post... never got paid, I wrote a second post...still never got paid. I have sent emails and never got any replies. I love what I do! I put time and energy into each post I do (plus extra energy for companies) to give my very best work and to be taken advantage of was not fun. What did I learn? That, even if you have signed a document, it doesn't mean it will actually happen. Also, don't continue to post unless you see that the company has done what you agreed on. No room for nice guys all the time. 

COMPANIES I HAVE WORKED WITH:

(Click on the logo to see my posts)

    

  

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To everyone that has been there from the start, hopped on half way through or just join in now, I want to thank you. Your kind words, your features and your visits are what fuels me to keep doing what I do every day. I love sharing all my thoughts, all my projects and overall my life with you. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, nothing will always go as planned. I am going to make mistakes and gain better knowledge through my mistakes. This second year had been pretty amazing! I can only imagine next year is going to be just as awesome! I hope you continue to join me on this wild ride.

I hope you have some time, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment to say how much you enjoyed my post or even say hi, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram page or even subscribe. I will do the same! Have a wonderful creative week!