We’re already two weeks in to 2024 and I wanted to share an update post because I told myself I was going to take my blog business more serious this year and be more transparent about the end result.
***Always and forever thankful to God/Buddha/Universe for continuing to deliver blessings down.
I just shared a fun reel on Insta sharing how much $$ I’ve landed in paid brand collaborations so far in 2024. Remember, this is strictly the first two weeks. Results are in at $1,346.17.
Sure it’s a fraction of what I used to make in corporate America but my happiness factor is on 1000 since I left my job in April (no offense anyone seeing this from that life). The best part is there’s no salary limit to this shit. The hard part, you are your own worst enemy. If anyone hinders your growth the most, especially in the beginning, it is probably yourself. So keep that in mind and try not to let it be you.
So What Does This Look Like?
Head in the Game
First, let me start by saying I didn’t start this yesterday or the day before that. I started Blogging and Things in 2016 and grew my following there before rebranding myself to The Trendy Block. Second, just because social media is source of entertainment doesn’t mean that creating content for social media isn’t work. I spend HOURS a day thinking about content, creating content, editing content, linking everything to everything, and also applying to collabs. Yes, apply to collabs. For some reason this shocks people.
I just shared a blog post about Best Influencer Marketing Platforms 2023 which is a great start guide on some platforms that you connect with brands and ultimately apply to collabs. But yes, you will have to apply for collabs unless you’re a well-known celebrity type influencer which at that point you wouldn’t be reading this….
Treat your side hustle like its the only job you have, its commission based, and rents due in three days.
Meaning, don’t treat it like a side hustle. If I had to look back on what major mistakes I made along way between 2016 and now, it would be that I treated it like a side hustle. To be fair, I was 1000% dived in to my career (by choice) and I don’t regret it. However if I have to look at mistakes I’ve made with my business then I can’t deny that I treated it like a side hustle.
Consistency
I started this post by saying that I was going to be more consistent. Its already paying off. Brands won’t want to work with you if they aren’t sure that your page will be around in a month or two. I TRY to plan content out a month in advance but I’m not going to lie I have gaps EVERY month. Still, its easier to fill in a few days than figure the whole month.