Why I First Started Blogging

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In August I celebrated my 4 year blogging anniversary, and I’ve been thinking about how far I’ve come as a reader, writer, and blogger since I first started this blog. While it’s only recently that I’ve been working on this blog as a semi-full time hobby, I’ve actually had this blog since 2016.

So I thought today I’d take a trip down memory lane, and talk a bit about how I got involved in blogging- and some of my favourite things about blogging!

I’d love to hear all your blogging stories! Comment below how many years you’ve been blogging- and your favourite experiences during that time- I’d love to hear from you 🙂

I started my blog back in 2016. If I remember rightly, I had just finished my GCSEs and it was the summer before Sixth Form. I was always an avid reader, but that summer I’d read a lot of books that I was desperate to talk about! And for me, a blog was a way to express my thoughts about those books.

I remember sitting on a bench in the park and penning my first review on my phone. I didn’t tell anyone about it, and it was nerve-wracking. But to my amazement I received some likes and comments- and since then the positive feedback and support I receive never fails to shock me!

An image displaying a keyboard, a pen, and a notebook. The word "blog" is in the centre.
Picture credits here

After this first post I started adding the occasional review, article, or listicle. I participated in a lot of tags in those early days, and that’s where a lot of my engagement came from. WordPress was a great way to procrastinate school work but still feel productive, and I enjoyed carrying on with my blog through Sixth Form.

When I started University, my blog started to slow down a little. Managing course deadlines and extracurricular activities is hard- and I take my hat off to anyone who produces regular, high-quality content while studying and attending University. I continued to post often, but my promotion and engagement was much lower and my blog definitely took a back seat.

However, during the summer holidays my blog would flourish. I remember the summer after my first year in particular I blogged my heart out, using it as a way to escape but also realising it was something I really enjoyed building up and promoting on social media.

A cartoon of a laptop and someone using it.
Picture credits here

When I look back at my stats, term time is considerably lower and then there’s a sudden spike in June, July, and August. I guess that definitely goes to show that the more work you put in, the more you have to show for it!

Now that I’m finished with University, my blog has flourished even more. I have the time for committed, regular engagement on social media- as well as producing regular content (that people seem to be enjoying).

I’ve come a long way since I started my blog when I was 17. I now post more lifestyle posts and I also enjoy regularly reviewing series’ and films. However, I make sure to always review the books I’m reading- I can’t abandon those book blogger roots, and the book blogging community has always been unbelievably supportive!

A medley of movie posters, including 'Fight Club' and 'Scream'.
Picture credits here

Since finishing University, this blog has become more to me than simply a hobby. I’ve realised it’s something I might want to incorporate in a career in the future, and it’s been nice to take steps to monetise my site in the past few months- with more steps to come in the future I hope!

I know that whatever comes in the future I’m going to continue blogging. It may experience more changes as I grow as a blogger, and it may experience dips when big life events take priority. But it’s so much fun, and nothing can stop me!

Thanks for reading my story! My blog has certainly changed a lot since I first started it, but it’s nice to know I’ve also kept some things as a constant. I love posting more personal lifestyle pieces, but it’s great to also publish entertainment reviews.

If you want to find out more about my blogging journey – and how I create engaging content for me and my clients – check out my blog writing ebook!

What do you think of my blogging story? What is your blogging story? How has your blog grown and changed in the past few years?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

78 thoughts

  1. I started 5 years ago at the urging of my sister. Living in the Gap is the result. It’s been a wonderful journey especially the connections I’ve made with the writing community. My writing has developed and I have a solid core of generous followers. Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! I enjoy your posts. C

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  4. Thanks for sharing your blogging story. I’ve been blogging since I was about thirteen (on AOL) but I’ve had my wordpress blog (Crispy Confessions) since 2015 after a college course I took on social media. It was originally intended as a blog to express my opinions. I recently got back into it the summer of Covid-19 and have enjoyed writing & promoting it. It is nice to do this especially since that is what I went to college for.

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  5. Great post! I started in 2014, and as someone who’s blogged alongside school, my blogging has been a little inconsistent, but I’m really hoping I can incorporate it into my schedule at Uni!

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  6. I loved reading your story. I started blogging as part of an assignment in my Computer-Mediated Communication class in college, that was in 2009. I started with WordPress in 2010. Hot Shot Headlines started in 2014. It’s been quite a journey!

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  13. Great post!

    I started blogging in July 2017 when I was diagnosed with PND after the birth of my son in March 2016.

    I wanted to raise awareness for PND, mental health in general and also special needs parenting as my son was born with Down’s Syndrome and Klinefelters syndrome.

    While its been 3 years I’ve not gotten to where i wanted to be with I I’m really putting lots work into it now and making a real effort

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    1. That’s such a good way to use your time- and raise awareness for issues that are so important and that we all need to be aware of! I think blogging is one of those things where you have to keep putting the effort in- often for not lots of pay-off- but you seem to be doing great 🙂

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  17. Congrats on your anniversary 🙂

    I started blogging in 2015 and originally my blog was meant to document the creation of one of my artworks, but it almost instantly morphed into a blog about my interests in general: book, film and music reviews, travel, cats and so on. I find that these days writing is more valuable than ever to me, it’s a wonderful way to concentrate on something and get away from the whole COVID-19 nightmare we’re in.

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  19. I love reading more about people’s blogging history and why they do it. It feel’s like a real opportunity to get to know someone!

    Didn’t know you did advertising, might check that out once I remember who I am advertising with between now and Christmas x x

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  20. I started in 2015, I fell in and out of it throughout the years. And recently I just started being more active because of the pandemic. I never actually thought this hobby of mine will lasts because I get tired of things easily. 😄

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  21. I began my blog in 2017, back then it was a DIY blog. Then I closed that site although it was producing a lot of traffic because I didn’t have the time to continue doing DIY, I preferred to just write. So, in late 2019, I began my blog on PR, social media marketing and content marketing to help small business, bloggers and other creators that need tips, information and guides. Blogging is something that I want to turn into a career one day so I’m working hard hoping it all works out!

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  25. I love hearing people’s blogging stories. I just started back at the end of July as a hobby. I was furloughed from my job and needed something to do. I’ve always loved writing and figured it was a perfect time. And I’ve been loving it so far. Maybe I will make it into a full time job as I want a family and kids one day.

    – Brittany

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  28. I’m just one year into blogging, but loving that I’m learning new things every day! I agree that it’s harder when you have other time commitments (I work full-time, so blogging around that can be tricky!) It’s really satisfying watching your blog grow and feeling proud of your achievements, though 🙂

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  33. Wonderful post, Eleanor! I always love reading about how others started blogging and I’m glad you enjoy it so much. I feel the same way in that I thought it would be just a hobby, but now it’s a really big part of my life. 😊

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  35. I’ve been blogging seriously since last year, 2019 January. My blog was a personal blog before in 2016 & 2017. In 2018, I started making beauty reviews but I took a break after dealing with a break up. But now, I’m back and really enjoyed my blogging journey even though it has only been one year. I was able to set up a printable shop and stationary and I’m thankful for blogging in helping me become an even more creative person 🙂

    Mari | http://www.dazedmari.com

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    1. That sounds great, I love hearing other stories 🙂 I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying it so far, and taking steps to make it into a business and shop sounds brilliant- I’d love to do something similar in the coming years. Thanks for sharing x

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  37. I’m always really interesting in finding out how others started blogging! I’ve been blogging for just over 2 years but learning something new about it every day! It’s certainly been a rollercoaster experience but I love it. 🙂

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  45. love reading stories on how the blog started! I had my first one while I was in high school where I did book reviews and more like personal posts. Then opened a second on which was more lifestyle and now it’s multi niche x

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