I have been have discordant feelings about my business.
One the one hand, I had a really incredible (and unexpected) month sales-wise for my business in June and early July, including a few sales on Etsy, some commissioned pieces (including my largest commission to date), a big sale at one of the shop where I consign, and a surprise check from another shop.
This may have been my best period as far as my sales are considered. The craziest part is I had not put much effort into actually marketing my jewelry.
On the other hand, I have been busting my ass marketing my blog. I’ve been linking up posts on multiple blog hops and dutifully commenting on other blogs, I have been writing thoughtful posts on Google+ (well, minus last week), fixing links on old posts and including Pin-worthy images, and pinning and following and fixing my Pinterest boards. I have been writing heart-felt (and genuine) posts and helpful how-to’s. Only to be met with a ever-so-slight increase in traffic and left wondering what I’m doing wrong.
If I were to look solely at sales for June, I would say I had a very successful month. But if I looked at growth in my blog, then I would say that June was a bit of a flop. Instead of being over the moon about sales, I’m frustrated that despite all my effort I have been met with very little return on investment on growing my blog.
For so long, it was the jewelry that was my business, and blogging was more of a side thing, a way to enhance my business overall. But as I have started to get more involved in the blogging community and attending blog conferences, I have become more invested in my blog. Blogging is no longer a side thing, it is part of what I do.
Like so many things, I have the ability to choose how I look at this experience. I can continue to be frustrated that despite my best efforts my blog is not growing the way I would like and see June as a failure. Or I can look at the fact that jewelry sales have been up during a time when many people see a drop in sales, that I have been accepted into some competitive shows for this upcoming holidays season, and there is the promise that for the first time I may end the year with a profit.
I can also choose to look at the fact that I have built so many wonderful relationships through blogging and even got to meet a blogging friend in person this year (and hopefully more in the next two weekends), that compared to last year at this time I have actually seen an increase in traffic to my blog, that I have actually made some jewelry sales through blogging (even if it wasn’t this month), and I have had the opportunity to do some cool things because of my blogging (like having an excuse to fly to other side of the country to attend a blogging conference and learning about wine).
And like Robert Frost stated so beautiful above, I can continue to blog because I love it and I believe in the community that surrounds it. Truly, if that’s what comes of my blogging, then I’m pretty damn lucky.
If you liked this post than you might also want to check out:
- Perseverance: How do you define setbacks?
- I’m a blogger, and damn proud of it!
- Owning the tile of woman entrepreneur
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Bev, you said this quite perfectly and I will say I always notice a drop off during the summer months, only to have my numbers rebound once the fall hits and cooler weather returns, but still the numbers totally can make or break a blogger’s mood in the moment. However, like you I have told myself time and again that it isn’t about the numbers per say, but the relationships I have formed through blogging. I must say for that alone, I think we are both thankful and should be, because I think we both have made so many wonderful and amazing friendships through blogging, especially for me getting to know and call you my friend, too 🙂
I agree, Janine! Just reading my comments everyday and forming connections and friendships with people such as you makes it totally worth it.
I can so relate to your frustration. But I can also relate to your conclusion that, in the end, we have to blog for our own personal enjoyment. Everything else is just gravy. I like that you can focus on the positive aspects of blogging and not be discouraged. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Mo! I definitely have to focus on the positive because otherwise I would just want to give up, and there are so many wonderful positive things that have come out blogging that keeps me going.
I think it’s just summer.
And you have so many positives! I have a dip in comments every now and then in the summer, but like you said, we have businesses outside of our blogs that are doing well. Mine are tied together but also separate entities. My blog is not my business – whew.
I don’t know if you meant me above, but if so, it was a highlight of my year!
Yes, I definitely meant you, and it was a highlight of my year too!
Like you, my blogging is tied to my business, but also a separate entities because the blogging just grew into something more. I adore you authenticity and that you write solely for yourself, you have no other agenda other than to share your words and images. It’s what brings people back.
Blogging is tough. Attending networking events to connect with other bloggers is a fun thing to do but honestly, only a small percent of a small percent will realize a full time income from it. That’s why I gave up the pursuit of the business blogger. It made blogging so not fun. However, I agree with connecting with people and having such a wonderful on-line community. That part is nice.
Oh, I agree, I personally would never expect to make a full-time income from blogging (and am impressed with those who do!) Though I wouldn’t complain to make a bit of money from it 😉 But really, I think it has made me so much more comfortable with my writing and helped me to explore my creativity in a whole other way that really complements my jewelry-making, and the community part is what really makes it so enjoyable.