Thank you all so much for your comments, texts & cards to wish me well on my first day of work, it was so amazing!! It’s pretty fitting that Annie over at Home of Malones nominated me to take this great little Q&A about blogging since it was one of the topics that some of you had requested I expand upon. I love reading these from other bloggers – since I’m nosy and all, so I hope you enjoy this!!
Why did you start blogging?
I started reading blogs about two years before I actually wrote my first post. I was itching to do something creative since I didn’t feel fulfilled in that way in my job, so this was the perfect outlet. Gary actually nudged me into writing my first post by designing my blog – helping me with the logo and all but actually writing it for me!!
Has blogging created friendships for you?
ABSOLUTELY! This was honestly the most shocking part of blogging to me – all the wonderful ladies that I virtually met and then actually got to meet in real life. You start to develop relationships with people based on commonalities from posts or similar back grounds that you have! You chat every day via email or text and these girls have been daily fixtures in my life for the last 2 years! I have met some incredibly talented women through blogging that inspire me to challenge myself. I have made some friendships I can’t imagine not having – the community is amazing!
What is your number one tip for blogging?
I probably get emailed about blogging tips once a week and I don’t think I’m an expert at all, but I think so often we get caught up in posting every day or trying to come up with content that’s never been seen, but the reality is, that the way I put information out there is different from how another blogger would do it. So my tip would be, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, you do you! If people can hear your voice through the way you write, then you’re doing something right!
What is your favorite kind of blog post to write and read?
I’m really all over the place with blog posts that I like to write and read, which is probably why I have a life + style blog – so that I can cover all areas.
Is it hard to keep up with blogging and your regular every day life?
I don’t think I anticipated how much time I would spend on my blog – from researching posts, to writing them to answering emails and going to other blogs – it can sometimes feel like another job. I’m actually not even going to put a number on how many hours a week I spend blogging, because it’s obscene! I’d say finding a balance is hard, but once you get into a groove it becomes second nature. Everything is a potential blog post or photo op – so it does get exhausting for those around you as well! Thank god for husbands that let you take pictures of food before they eat!
Have you met any bloggers?
I’ve met way so many wonderful ladies – the blogging community in Boston is wonderful and I regularly attend meetups here. Aside from Boston Bloggers, I’ve met Kristina and traveled with Pamela & Amanda! Met up with Ally, Ashley, Shelby, Cait, Jillian, Meg & Carly while we were in Charleston! If anyone has plans to visit Boston let me know!
How much time do you spend blogging?
See above – A LOT OF TIME!! If I had to put a number on it, I’d say close to 30 hours a week. I also write two blog posts a week for a stylist here in Boston!
What is your most popular blog post?
According to Google Analytics – my most viewed post was the one with our first wedding completed! Most searched post via Google was my post on Pure Barre vs. Barre Method.
What is your favorite post on your blog?
Some of my favorite posts are from when I first started out – isn’t that how it works? Your best work comes when you least expect it!! I loved my post on commuter tales – I look back on that post and see that all those gripes are still true today!
I have a post in the works about my daily routine, which involves squeezing in blogging whenever possible!
Now it’s your turn – I hope you’ll take this tag and share all these answers to the questions above!
Yay! SO incredibly happy we both started blogging and met each other! I can't imagine a life where I don't know you now! 🙂
<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
Yay, yay, yay! So glad your first day went well. I was thinking about you, yesterday!
Loved this post and learning more about you! Don't worry, when we make it back up to Boston you're the FIRST person I'll tell :)! Good luck today!
SO glad your first day was awesome!! And what better way to end an awesome day than BIP with rat faces, and uglier celeb lookalikes?? 😉
I didn't know that Gary helped you design your blog and even wrote, too! That's awesome! I think you gave some great blogging advice, and I hope that we get to meet up sooooooonnnnn!!!
I loved reading more about you! Always a treat to see how favorite bloggers got their start!! I spend about 30 hours a week as well on blogging and it's crazy when we work too! I guess you could say it's my hobby!! Lol. I hope day 2 is spectacular!!
livingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com
YAY for a great first day!! 🙂
This is a great post and I love reading your blog!! And I do hope to visit Boston in the next few years!! Just might take awhile with the babes on the way! 😉
YES to having good significant others who put up with all potential blog moments including the times where they wait a minute to eat knowing that you'll want a picture of the food 🙂
I love reading this! And so glad you blog — I love reading here daily!
xoxo Southern Style
I never thought blogging would be as time consuming as it is! #worthit So glad I got to meet you while you were in CHS!
Super cool, doll- and isn't it amazing how many people you meet through blogging?! I've met some great girls, for sure. 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Loved learning a little bit about you! I'm dying to attend a blog conference somewhere and meet some blogging ladies, let me know if you have any in the works! Xoxo
I love reading these types of posts. I definitely agree that the blogging community is amazing, I've also met so many wonderful through blogging! 🙂
Paula
Thirteen Thoughts
The friendships are for sure the best part! So many conversations are had and sometimes even more so than IRL friends.
How funny that your most popular post is the one about your first wedding event – proof that people need you for sure!! 😉 glad your first day went well!!
So glad to hear your first day went fabulously! I wish I would have read more blogs before I started…I read a couple that I loved and fell in love with their stories so I wanted to share mine but I had no idea how much time I would end up putting into it!! I wish we had a strong blogging community in FL, but we're all spread out and it's not so fun to commute with gross traffic.
I definitely had no idea how time consuming blogging would be, which is why it's important to take a step back and regroup once in a while. And I love all the lovely ladies I've met through it, so excited I got to meet you in Boston last month 😀
So glad you had a wonderful first day! I love these kinds of posts, and can't wait to read about your daily routine. I'm totally with you on those surprise "successful" posts…some of our most popular ones are definitely not the ones I thought they would be, haha!
I really enjoyed reading this post. xx
Nina
ninasstyleblog.com
ah i love this post! i think i still learn a bunch about people through them even if i'm a longtime reader 🙂 totally going to join in and post a q&a tomorrow!
xoxo cheshire kat
I love reading these types of posts! It definitely was surprising to me about how much time blogging takes up…and have to remember all the photo ops!
Fun post!
I'm not too much of a blogger…I just do it occasionally. But I am SO thankful that my boyfriend always puts up with my food picture-taking so I can instagram all of the cool places we try in Austin! Haha!
I honestly think the best part of blogging is the friendships, which I was totally not expecting when I started blogging! And yes omg sooooo many hours haha!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
The blogging world is really so different from anything else and so awesome. I didn't realize you were writing two other posts a week, too! That is a lot!! Girl do you sleep?!
Isn't the blogging world truly amazing?! It's crazy how you can get lost in it and spend SO much time writing posts, commenting and responding! But the friendships are always worth it! I had A LOT more time to dedicate to blogging before and while I was pregnant with Mia (I probably put in a good 30-40 hours a week as well!) and really grew my readership as well as friendships! A group of bloggers threw a surprise shower for me and mailed their gifts so that they would arrive within days of each other. It was the sweetest surprise that brought me to tears every time a package showed up! They even came from out of the country! This community is so amazing!!
I love reading these type of posts. The world of blogging is such a special place. So many wonderful people from all over the world coming together. It's so amazing.
totally agree about meeting people being the most shocking thing about blogging. who knew, right?! I love blogs that post about a little of everything, lol. variety is the spice of life 🙂 i totally spend way too much time blogging as well, it definitely is like a second job when you take it all into account!
That commuter woes post is the best! I ride the metro every day… and one time someone asked to braid my hair. No. no. no.
That commuter post that you did was fantastic. Sometimes I seriously think about some of the stuff that you shared because I see it here!! Haha. My morning is not complete without reading one of your posts. You are a beautiful person inside and out and I'm happy that we are friends. 🙂 Even though we haven't met in real life haha. Some day though!! Have a great day today!!
I am so happy your first day of work went well. and, this survey was so fun to read. I am always interested in hearing how people manage balancing real work, life and blogging.
I don't think I commented yesterday, but I'm so glad to read that your first day at your new job went well. Loved reading your post today and finding out more about you! Enjoy today!
Yay for new jobs and possibility! I wish nothing but the best for you. (: I just love these types of Q&A posts. Getting to know the person in the pictures is always great to make a connection.
Love these and thanks for playing along!! You do an amazing job working in blogging hours along with your day job. I can't wait to read your post on "a day in the life of Biana."Those are always so much fun to read!
What a fun post, Biana! I never anticipated the time that would go into blogging or the amazing people I would meet! Although it does seem like another job sometimes, I wouldn't change it for the world! Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Tuesday!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
Love this!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
I never realized how much work blogging would be either but it really is an amazing outlet to be creative!
xx,
Susie
SequinsandStrawberries.com
So glad you had a first good day! My favorite posts are some of the oldest recaps of my weekends and fun adventures. I love remembering some of the trips and events that I went to.
xo, Carly – soak and simmer
It is funny how you look at the world differently – see all the blogging opportunities.
& I'm with you, thankful for husbands that are patient when we say, "I have to take a picture for my blog" 🙂
I loved reading this! I'm so nosey too and I always like to read about the person behind the post. This was fantastic, you had a lot of great tips and I adore your blog! Also, so glad to hear you made it through your first day, I'm sure you were fantastic! XO -Kim
thethirtysomethinglife.com
Loved this! Isn't it insane how much time blogging can take up?! I don't think you really realize it until you're doing it…. but then you love it too much to quit, ha!
This was so great to read! And it is crazy how much time blogging takes up. I love that Gary is the one that nudged you to start the blog – so fun!
I am so glad that your new job is going well! I also love to read other blogger's tips. You are totally right about doing you. Everyone has their own unique voice. I love that!
LOVE reading these answers!! So cool hearing other perspectives! xoxo
Annie Reeves
Finding your blog was a true bonus for me, so much so, that I included you in my post coming up this Friday in my list of some of the blogs that I follow that are out of my "niche"
You are right, you write in YOUR voice and it comes through. That's so important.
You are also right that blogging takes up an "obscene" amount of time. Love how you phrased that.
Wish I had known you when I briefly visited Boston in June…maybe next time!
Keep on doing exactly what you are doing!
catchatwithcarenandcody
That just makes me love Gary that much more! I honestly don't think people realize how much time blogging really takes. However, Marie put it so perfectly the other day when you find something that you love you make the time 🙂
Loved this post! I'm so glad that you took the plunge and started your blog so I could connect and become friends with you! 🙂 It seems like some of us all started around relatively the same time, so it has been so fun to watch you and your blog grow and progress. I definitely agree that the community here is the best!
I just started blogging in March, and you aren't kidding how much time it takes. When I first started I was thinking it might take an hour or two here and there, but I think I spend at least 20 hours per week, and I feel like I need 20 more! But I love every single second! Now, to be able to quit my real job and just blog full-time…
You do a great job reading others blogs and commenting! I see your name almost every time I comment on a blog, seriously! It does take up so much time 🙂
Traci
waltzmetoheaven.com
It's amazing how much time we put into blogging, but when you love it it doesn't seem like work. Love the advice on just do you, it's so important! Thanks for sharing!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Excellent advice for other bloggers in terms of doing what works best for you. I too probably spent 20 – 30 hours/week on blogging. It's insane how time consuming it is but it's worth it.
Love this! I especially love what you said about everyone having something to offer because they have their own unique "voice" and style, so true! I'm still working on the balance in the time it takes for blogging and everything else! It's a learning process for sure!
I love reading your blog Biana! And I loved learning more about you 🙂 you're one of the best responders on comments ever. It doesn't seem like you spend that much time, your posts always come out super nice and it always amazes me how you can hit so many different blogs with your wonderful comments.
liz jo @ sundays with sophie
I am in amazement of how you're able to do it all! I struggle with finding balance between blogging and life. I am super glad to know that I am not the only one that feels like blogging takes tons of time. I actually do have a blogging question. I may just send it to you. 🙂
I also think having an authentic voice in blogging is THE most important part! And holy cow girl, 30 hours a week?! That's crazy! I think I'm at or around 20… And I thought that was a ton! I'm super excited to have Henry return to preschool so I can start to work on some blogging goals I have/want to knock out before the end of the year. You're doing a great job! Keep it up!
So fun to read this little Q&A! I hope you have a great first week at work, Biana!
– Deniz
dressedupdeniz.com
Loved reading this and getting to know more about you!!! Great post!
Danielle
blushblossom.com
I totally agree that making friendships is a fun part of blogging! It is crazy how often I talk to people through blogs… I swear I speak to some bloggers more than my real life friends!
amemoryofus.com
I love the tip about blogging for yourself – it's so true and necessary! I love reading these types of posts 🙂
I love your blogging tip! Isn't the whole purpose of blogging is to be yourself? It's easier to write posts that you think may get a reaction (good and bad) but I think it's important to be true to yourself and write about what interests you. Trish – tales from trish
The friendships I have made are definitely my favorite part of blogging! Who would have known that you could meet so many amazing people through the computer?!
You have a beautiful blog btw.
xo, mikéla / simplydavelyn.com
It is crazy how much time we spend on blogging each week!!! I probably don't have near the following you do, and I still feel like it is a full time job! But it is by far my favorite hobby and so worth it for all the connections that I have made…like you!
I looove blogging Q&As, probably because I'm nosy too, but it's fun to know more about people!! And I hadn't read your commuter post before – so much fun!!! I love people watching so think that'd be so fun!! I wish we had a good train option here. My commute is HORRIBLE!! 🙂
Q&A's are always a favorite. So sweet that Gary helped you get started! I never imagined how much time blogging took up before doing it – finding the balance is what it’s all about!
I found your blog around the time I started blogging and I have LOVED following along with you! Blogging is way harder than I think most people think. But you nail it and have such great advice! Loved reading mroe about you, girlfriend! xo
Congrats on your new job! Hope it was a great first day 🙂 Love this q&a!!! I love getting to know you more!
xo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants
Love this post and I need to do one ASAP! And can you please tell me how to find your most popular posts on Google Analytics?!? I still have no idea how to navigate that thing and can't find it!!
Great Q&A!!! Yes, thank goodness for husbands/boyfriends who patiently wait for us to take pictures of our food! Hope to meet you at a future Boston Blogger event! 🙂
Kisses,
Sarah
EverydayStarlet
So glad you started your blog because I love reading every day! xoxo
My husband's least favourite part about my blogging is taking pictures before he's allowed to dive into his food! Hahaha. I love reading your blog everyday!
I'm the same – I always love to read about others' blogs and how they fit it into real life. Great stuff here! And you're totally a blogging expert – you comment on more blogs than anyone else!
i always love reading these types of posts that allow us to learn more about other bloggers!
I love Q&A posts! Meeting other bloggers is one of my favorite things for sure! I think I talk to my blogging friends more than my real life friends, haha!
And yes, blogging takes so much more time than I thought it would. But it's worth it for the community and connections. I may take this and do one of my own. 🙂
Love this Biana! Its so fun to get the behind the scenes scoop:)
Wishes & Reality
So thankful to have 'met' you and I TOTALLY agree – it is like a full time job!
I loved reading this post, and love that Gary helped you so much in setting up your blog in the beginning!
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