Blogging: the Truth About the Beginning

October 30, 2018March 25, 202614 comments6 likes

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Whether you’re a blogger, an aspiring blogger, or an entrepreneur, you know just as well as I do that this shit ain’t easy. And there’s a lot of things a lot of people don’t tell you, especially when it comes to starting out. When I first started 5 years ago, I didn’t even really know what a blog (yet alone a blogger) was. True story, this blog was started per the suggestion of my mom. (I had all the ideas, she just helped me find the vehicle in which to express them.)

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Comments (14)

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Yvonne Gonzalez

October 30, 2018

Really enjoyed this blog post. I’ve always wanted to start my own blog and always hesitate just simply by overthinking the time commitment. These steps give me important perspective. I would love to read similar posts like this on career growth and your personal experience. 🙂
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  October 30, 2018
  
  I am so beyond happy to hear all of this, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! And share such awesome feedback!! I cant wait to share more soon, <3
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Katie

October 30, 2018

Love love love posts like these! I think you should do a Blogging 101 type series- could cover things like growing social media/ how to pitch yourself to a brand/ best photo tools etc. xx, Katie
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  October 30, 2018
  
  LOVING THESE IDEAS! And so happy to hear you enjoyed this type of post, definitely going to be adding more like this into the repertoire ❤️❤️
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Melanie Petitt

October 31, 2018

I just wanted to say because of you, I had an amazing vacation in LA when I came to visit. I went to a lot of places that you recommended and I would have never found them had it not been for your blog. I am so grateful. I love your blog and I love your personality! Keep being inspirational!
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  October 31, 2018
  
  Oh my goodness!! MELANIE thank you so much for even taking the time to send me such an incredible note! This means so much to me to hear, I am so happy you had a great time here, and so grateful for your kind words. Thank you so much for your support ❤️❤️❤️
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karla

November 2, 2018

LOVED THIS! I recently started my blog back in August and your beginnings reminded me of why and how I started. Though I don’t expect money out of it, I do have great intentions and hearing that on your part and seeing your success now really validates the fact that stay true and the rest will follow is real.
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  November 7, 2018
  
  This just absolutely makes my heart sing, I am so beyond happy to hear this, and so happy to hear you’re sticking to your guns and intentions – it really will take you where you need to go. <3 THANK YOU
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Lani

November 18, 2018

This was super helpful, thank you for sharing your journey with us! Would love to read more of this content from someone who’s done the hard work and stuck to their vision. I guess I’m just curious about how blogs in general make money. Not necessarily as in ‘how do I do it’ but what part of the blog brings in the income? Is it ads? Sponsored posts? When you talk about ‘rates’, I’m just wondering, rates for what? Pardon my absolute digital ignorance btw… Ha!
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  November 21, 2018
  
  Hi Lani!! hahah I totally hear you, this is a weird job. So when I say “rates” I mean what I charge for a social post, or a blog post, or an event appearance, etc – this can vastly range though depending on, in my blogger terms, “the scope of work”. So for me, my income comes from said sponsorships and partnerships with likeminded brands. Some brands come to me and know exactly what they want, some come to me and are willing to come to a more mutual agreement if you will – I dont mind either way to be honest, all that matters is that the partnership is mutually beneficial. For me in particular, I get approached from brands looking to reach my specific audience (people in LA, gals in their 20s-30s-40s, foodies, fashionistas, etc). I have the ability at that point to look at the brand and make the decision whether or not it aligns with my brand and it’s something I think would in some shape or form benefit or resonate with my followers. A lot of times I have to say no, but when I say yes it’s because it’s genuinely something I enjoy organically *and I’m getting paid to talk about it to boot* orrr again, I feel like it’s a worthwhile message to share. Sometimes it’s tough, sponsored posts usually have their air of “fake” around them but it’s just simply not the case. If people knew how much I turned down vs agreed to it’d blow your mind cant win em all but sponsored posts (mostly on social these days) are how I am able to keep going! I am lucky that I really do mostly partner with brands Im familiar with and a fan of. It can get pretty contrived in the blogging world though sometimes, like “I know you don’t actually drink that skinny tea.” everyone’s got a price, but I’ll never sacrifice my brand like that.
  
  SOME bloggers do make money with Ads on their site, I used to, but it clogged up my site and it wasn’t worth it at the end of the day. I have one partnership with Shopbop right now because I shop with them the most out of any other online retailer – so it makes sense. We work on trade, which is awesome. It wouldn’t be sustainable if I had no other income but luckily I am not focused on getting ads on my site so it works out.
  
  Feel free to ask ANY questions you have girl, and let me know if there’s any types of blog posts you want me to dive into! Maybe it’ll even be about this! ❤️
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Liza Siegal

November 20, 2018

Hi, Caroline! Thank you SO MUCH for all your great advice! I also love reading your wonderful blog! May I just ask for your guidance? I’m also a blogger based in LA, only my blog is more about self-care, health and nutrition (it’s http://www.la-liza.com) 🙂 I’ve been blogging for awhile now and I know it’d be great to connect with people in the industry, since now it’s just me and my computer: very lonely and very limiting! 🙂 When you mentioned going out and meeting people and attending events – how and where do you FIND those people?! How do you even connect with them when you don’t know anyone? HUGE THANKS! 🙂
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  November 21, 2018
  
  Hi Liza!! So happy to hear from you! Congrats on your blog girl, love that you’re a fellow LA gal! In terms of events, depending on what your interests are I’d start showing up or buying tickets to things that make sense for you and your brand, tag properly, promote it organically type thing and you’ll get in front of the right people (who will hopefully invite you to others!). Also just start connecting with people on social you think align with your brand?! Nothing wrong with a friendly msg, like you did here The thing especially about events is that there is no shortage (especially wellness type events in LA ), and most brands really do just want people to show up. Show up to one, show your support, and it will snowball. I would go on sites like We Like LA, or Thrillist even, and check their event calendar listings? They push out all kinds of things, even if you have to pay for a few in the beginning it will be worth it to get on the circuit if you know what I mean! I think it’s also worth trying to connect to the PR firms who might be behind events and brands you enjoy. Cold email and intro yourself, be genuine in your interest in the brand – it’s always appreciated, it takes two seconds, and you have nothing to lose. Making those connections – as many as you can – is huge. Does that help at all? I am here for you girl! Feel free to email me anytime too! <3
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Liza Siegal

November 26, 2018

Dear Caroline! THANK YOU! I so very much appreciate you taking your time to respond with such a in-depth answer! And YES! It’s very helpful! Networking is something I’ve been disregarding over the last few years of blogging and I’ve been feeling very lonely and very stuck! Thanks again for everything!!!! Have a great day!!!! 🙂
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  Caroline @ Love & Loathing LA
  
  November 26, 2018
  
  Any time love, so happy I could be of any help! XO

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