Just a blogger
There is something wrong with this title, what it is? Some people may think it sums up bloggers perfectly. However it’s the word “just”. “Just” is a word that I’m trying to remove when I say “I’m just a blogger” or “I’m just a parenting blogger”. Oops there I go again. Bad me. I don’t know why I say it, but I do, and I guess that a lot of us say it too.
What we need to remember is that blogging can be rewarding even if it is a hobby, in fact it can be more than just rewarding, or be just as money making compared to any other job. So I guess that what I need to do, and I think I can speak for many other bloggers out there, is that I need to stop saying “I’m just a blogger”.
It’s not like we go around saying “I’m just a Project Manager” or “I’m just a Managing Director”. We’re proud of those roles that we’ve achieved, and we want to shout about them, and we definitely do not include the word “just” in those sentences. So why should the same apply to blogging. For some of us it’s our job, or it’s making enough income to support our family, or it allows us to travel, or provides free stuff. Whatever the reasons that we are doing it, we need to embrace blogging.
There are so many things that blogging can bring:
- Friendship. Since I started this blog 18 months ago, I’ve made so many friends. Some that I would call really good friends, and some who it’s nice to catch up when you bump into each other at events.
- Income. Blogging can bring in a serious income, some bloggers earn a six figure salary from blogging. I’ve a long way to go before we get to that stage, but it’s nice to be able to contribute some cash to the household from writing or sponsorship.
- Working with brands. Some bloggers dream of this, to be on a brands books. Or to work with brands on adhoc campaign or product launches. One of the things I love is being able to work with brands which leads me onto….
- Free stuff. I’ve lost count of how much free stuff I have received, our door bell is constantly ringing. The postman must wonder why I get so many parcels. Over the last 18 months we have received some really nice stuff that both my daughter and our family have really benefitted from.
- Holidays. It can bring holidays, although we have yet to have one (we did have a trip to Bluestone planned but sadly had to cancel). If you’re in the right niche, or a travel blogger, you will get holidays or have to pitch for trips away.
- Events. For me I love this part of blogging. It is being able to go to blogging events, learn something new, how I can improve my blog, and meet other bloggers. I love these events, although they can be nerve-wracking at first, they are somehow part of being a blogger.
There are so many reasons why it’s brilliant to be a blogger. I think that the feeling of “I’m just a blogger” stems from the fact that it is often a hobby, or secondary to our main job, or something that we feel we need to hide away, almost feeling like it’s an embarrassment. I know that I felt that way when I first started telling people.
In reality blogging brings so much, so I’m going to embrace this blogging thing and remove the word “just” when I tell people I’m a blogger. If you’re interested you’ll get my business card.
So here goes…..
If anyone hears me saying “I’m just a blogger” that’ll be £1 in the blogging swear box.
Claire x
P.S A big thanks to Sunita for making me realise at the last Lucky Things Meet Up that I need to remove the word “just”.
29 Comments
Heather Keet
I hate when people dismiss my profession because they think it’s easy. #fortheloveofBLOG
Michael McFarlane
You are more than just a blogger you are a fantastic blogger. #fortheloveofBlog
Cherie
Claire,
What a great post. I don’t even call myself a blogger, I say I have a blog. I think the ‘just’ part stems from not wanted to blow your own trumpet too, or not wanting to disappoint people, if you think your content isn’t as Amazing/ Flash as come of the top bloggers. You don’t want people to think you think you are in the same catergory as the people making six figure salaries. But you know what, they all started somewhere.
I also think ‘just’ is used when you are talking to other people who DON’T blog and think you snap a few pictures and sit down for 15 mins and write a post and wham, bam, thank you… there is a successful blog post! They have no idea what actually goes on behind the scenes.
Great piece. #fortheloveofBLOG
Cherie || Mymamamusings
Becky | Bringing up the Berneys
Blogging takes up so much time, people don’t appreciate how much effort goes into all of it. I’m nowhere near being good, but I’ve spent a fair amount of time even just researching how to make decent photos and growing traffic or writing interesting posts – and that’s before I even started! So no, you’re not “just” a blogger! Be proud of where your blog has got to, and embrace where it’s yet to go! #fortheloveofBLOG
The Tale of Mummyhood
I love this, I often don’t tell people what I do because they just don’t get it. I should give myself and blogging the credit it deserves! #fortheloveofblog
The Squirmy Popple
I agree that you should be proud of what you’ve achieved and not downplay it with ‘just’. Here’s to removing that word from the blogger vocabulary. #fortheloveofBLOG
kerry
I always say this but it is just a hobby for me so I think that’s sorta ok. I even say it as a sahm mum though…o I’m just a housewife.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Briony
I used to do this all the time but I made a conscious effort to stop and it’s been so nice. Occasionally I feel out of my depth but then I just own it and brazen my way through! #fortheloveofBLOG
The Mummy Bubble
Great post dude. Why do we have to add the word “just”. I often say I’m “just” on maternity leave at the moment. As if it’s not a full time job in itself! Building and maintaining a blog is a massive achievement, so you should definitely keep the word “just” out of it in future! Great post x #fortheloveofblog
Sunita
Ha ha I’ve stopped using the word “just” too. It’s good to be more direct about what we do, whatever our title is! Really great post and so pleased you found the Lucky Things Meet Up talk helpful. Thanks for the lovely shout out Claire. Have a good week #fortheloveofBLOG
fancypaperblog
A blogger is also a writer and a PR specialist. Not a ‘just’ at all #fortheloveofBLOG
Susie/So Happy In Town
This is a brilliant post – you’ve hit the nail on the head. I am always saying ‘I’m just a blogger’ and say it in a slightly embarrassed way as though it’s not a great thing to be. But like you, I have found so many great thing have come out of it, and I just love being a blogger, especially for the fellow bloggers I’ve met. I am now going to never say JUST again! #fortheloveofBLOG
Kiri
You should definately be proud to be a blogger, especially if thats what you do for a job. it’s “just” a hobby for me right now, and I do get a bit embarrassed saying that I have a blog, i don’t know why though! #fortheloveofblog
Claire
It’s just a hobby for me currently but I couldn’t agree more. We all need to stop thinking we are ‘just a blogger’ I’m sure many of us are guilty of it. x #fortheloveofBLOG
Helen @Talking_Mums
I find myself saying that all the time! Problem is many don’t understand what blogging is or what it entails. Most of my friends have a glazed look about them if I mention blogging so I tend not to talk about it. But I am proud of where I’ve got so far and you definitely should be your blog is fab x
#ForTheLoveofBLOG
Let your light shine Mummy
It’s one of those words that become habitual, then you catch yourself saying it, it’s so easy to slip into, but you are not ‘just’ a blogger. Blogging is something to be proud of and you are doing a fab job. xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Eva Katona
This is great. Just a little bit of lifting up I needed now. I for some reason I never say I’m a blogger – because it’s sounds so millennial, which I’m not at all! Is it bad? Feels like I’m so behind the whole blogging scene anyway. So I just say: I have a blog. But it’s fine, because that’s how it is. #fortheloveofblog
Mrs Jibril
Sunita is amazing, soon you realise that you are way more than “Just a Blogger”
Fi - Beauty Baby and Me
You are a fabulous blogger and nothing less! xx #blogcrush
Sam - StressyMama
This is a fab post. A lot of my family and friends don’t understand the whole blogging thing but I’ve gotten over worrying about that and telling people I’m just a blogger. Us bloggers put a hell of a lot of work in to our blogs so we shouldn’t use just in front of it should we. I think we have a habit of selling ourselves short don’t we. #fortheloveofBLOG
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz...
Same with being ‘just’ a mum… I think most of us are guilty of downplaying our successes #fortheloveofblog
Tooting Mama
I was thinking about this the recently and as well as a blogger you have to be a teccie, a writer, a publicist and a whole host of other things – so yup you are a blogger and more! #fortheloveofBLOG
Louise
I normally say I run a blog, rather than saying I’m a blogger! I think that it isn’t something to be ashamed of, especially if you’re able to contribute to your household income! #fortheloveofblog
Tracey Bowden
I rarely tell people what I do as I hate their views/judgement on it. You are right though I do need to lose the word ‘just’ like my family need to lose the ‘only’ as in you only have to write a few words or take a few pictures! I am not ‘just’ a blogger and do definitely more than ‘only’ take few pictures and write some words #fortheloveofblog
Helena
The word to me is one vowel away from a less attractive word. So I prefer product reviewer/product tester or social media influencer. #fortheloveofBLOG
Susie at This Is Me Now
So true! I often say “i’m just a stay at home mum” too and now “I’m just blogging a bit” to keep me busy. It is something to feel proud of but for some reason I’m more embarrassed when I tell people I actually know! Great post x #FortheloveofBLOG
Tammymum
Definitely no just about it lovey xx
Mrs Mummy Harris
Firstly, apologies for the late comment.. the lurgies have spread in the house and i’ve spent the past two nights barely sleeping and i actually went to bed at 8pm last night!!!
We are more than “just bloggers” we work our arses off all hours of the day, yes we get perks such as holidays, free stuff (which us bloggers know is not free – just a payment in non-monetary form) but we work so hard for it!
I tell people I work two full time jobs as when im on the bus to and from work, during lunch breaks and at night im always tapping away and still feel like I’m behind on things!
I think the problem is that the public see blogging to be a new trend, not realising that it is the new way forward in marketing and that we’re actually a fully fledged job, the publics perception i think is what makes us add the “just” into it! #fortheloveofBLOG
wendy
I totally get this and agree we all need to remove ‘just’ when taking about what we do. I’m guilty of not telling people I blog or down playing it when I do tell people about it. Blogging is hard work and we should all br proud of what we do xx #blogcrush