This month marks 13 years of blogging for me. Here’s what I think about blogging after earning over $5,000,000 and over a decade of working online.

When I started my blog in August 2011, I had no idea what I was jumping into. At first, it was just a hobby. I wanted to talk about personal finance and share my own experiences. I didn’t know that blogging could actually make money!

As time went on, my blog grew. I went from writing in secret to having a community of readers who followed my journey. Blogging turned into a way of life for me. It allowed me to leave my day job and do something I love. And now, I get to share my story and tips with millions of readers each year.

Thirteen years ago, I never would have guessed this for myself!

And, I have never been more grateful, especially lately.

Running my own business and working fewer hours means I can spend lots of free time with my husband and our daughter.

It’s a dream come true.

My blog has become a great business that lets me enjoy my work, have a flexible schedule, and make a good living.

What amazes me is how little I knew about blogging when I started.

I’m not a tech person, and I’ve never thought of myself as a writer. I mention this because many people think you need to be both to start a successful blog.

Blogging was something I started and worked on in addition to my full-time day job as a financial analyst, and around two years after I started this blog, I quit my day job to blog full-time (that was back in 2013).

Some fun stats about Making Sense of Cents:

• My first blog post was published on August 10, 2011. You can read it here.
• I have written over 2,000 articles on Making Sense of Cents, but I deleted a bunch last year and currently have 1,379 published.
• I have received 151,762 emails (this does not even include the countless emails I have deleted over the years, so the number is probably over 1 million, haha!). I haven’t included promotional emails either – the 151,762 are simply emails from my readers.
• I have 65,342 comments on my blog posts. This was higher but I deleted over 6,000 comments that had broken links.
• It took me six months to earn my first $100 from Making Sense of Cents.
• While I no longer publish blog income reports nor share my income (you can find them all here – Blog Income Reports From A Multi-Million Blog), from 2011 to 2018, I made around $5,000,000 total. Since 2018, I have still made a healthy income each year.

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Here’s what I love and have learned about blogging.

1. I enjoy the freedom of being my own boss

When I first started my blog, I realized quickly that being my own boss was what I wanted.

I enjoy making my own schedule, setting my business goals, and doing what I love each day. It’s great to have total control over my work. I avoid tasks that I dislike, making my work-life balance much better.

From writing to promoting, every part of blogging is something I love doing (well, nearly every part – it’s still hard work!).

2. A flexible schedule changed my life

One of the biggest perks of being a blogger is having a flexible schedule. I can work whenever I want, whether it’s in the morning, at night, or on weekends.

This flexibility allows me to enjoy my day doing fun activities, and I can still get my work done later.

3. Freedom to work from anywhere is amazing

Another great thing about blogging is being location independent. I’ve had some amazing experiences living in different places, like in an RV or on a sailboat.

As long as I have my laptop and an internet connection, I can work. Separating work and personal life can be challenging, but the freedom it provides is worth it.

4. Success takes time

Too many bloggers give up too quickly.

Starting a blog can feel overwhelming, and not seeing quick results can be disheartening. It took me six months to earn my first $100, but that persistence has paid off in the long run.

Remember, good things take time.

5. Write when you feel inspired

I found that I write my best content when I’m not forced to write. Writing on a tight deadline used to stress me out, and now I write posts well before they’re due, allowing me to write when I’m inspired.

Currently, I have enough content to be about one month ahead, and it feels great!

Even after 13 years of writing, it is still something that I really enjoy. And, I’m nowhere out of topics to write about just yet!

6. Get ready to learn

Blogging is a continuous learning journey. From understanding social media to running a website, there’s always something new to learn. Blogging isn’t an easy task, and making an income takes hard work.

But that’s what makes it interesting – it’s never boring because there’s always a new challenge.

7. Stop seeing other bloggers as competition

It’s important to see other bloggers as possible friends rather than competition.

Networking with other bloggers is important for success, such as by sharing each other’s content, attending conferences, and supporting each other. This can help everyone grow.

I’ve made great friends who are bloggers and influencers, and it’s truly a great community to be in.

8. You don’t need experience to start a blog

When I started blogging, I had no experience and didn’t know much about it. You don’t need to be a social media expert or a tech wizard to get started.

Everything can be learned along the way. Every successful blogger started without knowing everything, and with time, they learned and grew.

This is something that I love about blogging.

I’m proof that you can succeed even if you don’t know much at the start. When I began Making Sense of Cents, I didn’t even know blogs existed or that you could make money from them. I learned how to build a blog from scratch and worked hard to get where I am today. It’s not always easy, but it’s been very rewarding!

9. It’s possible to make a living blogging

One of the best things I realized is that you can actually make a good living from blogging.

Many bloggers start as a hobby and turn it into a money-making career. While it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, consistent (and real) effort can sometimes lead to you being able to make a full-time income from blogging.

10. I love this career path

Before blogging, I absolutely dreaded the workweek.

Now, I wake up excited to work on my blog. While there are tough days, like dealing with rude comments or the algorithms changing, the joy I get from blogging makes it worth it.

I genuinely love what I do every day and I look forward to working.

11. Expect a tough beginning

I get a lot of emails from readers who are scared to start a blog and share their thoughts. They want to know my best advice for starting.

My best advice is – just go for it!

Almost every blogger I know (even the really successful ones) was scared to start too.

This is totally normal.

12. Connecting with readers is incredibly rewarding

One of the most fulfilling aspects of blogging is the connection with readers. Hearing from people who have benefited from my advice or have been inspired by my blog is amazing.

Knowing that my words can make a positive impact on someone’s life keeps me motivated to continue writing. The feedback and support from readers creates a sense of community and make all the hard work worthwhile.

I enjoy helping people around the world with my blog, and it’s truly an amazing feeling.

13. I’m very grateful for the life I get to live

Okay, I’ve kind of said this throughout most of the sections above, but I want to say it out loud – I’m so very grateful!

Blogging has given me the chance to live a life I truly enjoy. I’m grateful for the opportunities it has provided, from financial freedom to personal growth. I’ve met amazing people, traveled to incredible places, and built a career that I’m passionate about.

Every day, I wake up excited to work on my blog and connect with my readers. This journey has brought so much joy and fulfillment into my life, and I’m thankful for every moment of it.

What’s next?

Blogging is always changing. I’m always trying to find new ways to make my blog better. There are so many possibilities, and I’m excited to explore them.

Currently, I’m looking to grow my blog, like always. I have been writing more, which has been nice, and I’ve been filling content gaps on my website.

If there’s anything you’d like me to write about on Making Sense of Cents, please send me an email at michelle@makingsenseofcents.com or leave a comment below.

Thank you so much for being a reader of Making Sense of Cents!

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about starting a blog. I thought I’d include these here because I’m sure some of you may have questions!

How can I start my own successful blog?

Starting a successful blog involves a few key steps. First, choose a topic that you are passionate about and that others are interested in. It’s important to be consistent with your posts and to write quality content that provides value to your readers. Setting up your blog is easier with platforms like self-hosted WordPress. Remember to promote your blog on social media to reach a wider audience. I recommend reading How To Start A Successful Blog In 10 Steps to learn more.

What are some tips for keeping a blog going for over a decade?

Staying motivated to blog for a long time can be hard. One way to keep going is by setting goals you can reach and celebrating small wins. Talking with your readers and building a community can also keep you excited. It’s good to stay updated on new blogging trends and keep learning new skills.

How has the blogging landscape changed in the past 13 years?

Blogging has changed a lot in the past 13 years. At first, shorter blog posts were common, but now longer blog posts are more popular. SEO has become more important, and there are more tools to help bloggers improve their content. Social media also plays a bigger role in bringing people to blogs today.

What are effective ways to engage with readers on a long-term blog?

Engaging with readers is key to having a successful long-term blog. I recommend replying to comments and emails to make readers feel valued (because they are!). Hosting Q&A sessions and making interactive content like polls or surveys can boost engagement too. Regularly updating your blog with new content also keeps readers coming back.

Can sharing personal stories on a blog attract a steady readership?

Yes, sharing personal stories can attract and retain readers. People love connecting with real-life experiences. Personal stories make your blog more relatable and can build a loyal readership. It’s important to be genuine and honest when sharing your experiences. For me, I always try to add something personal to all of my blog posts, and I like to see that when I’m reading other people’s content as well.

If you want to start your own blog, I recommend signing up for my free How To Start a Blog Course here. In this free course, I show you how to create a blog, from the technical side to earning your first income and attracting readers.

Are you interested in starting a blog or your own business? What questions do you have for me?