Don’t you hate it when people blog about blogging? Me too. However, sometimes on rare occasion, it must be done, and this is one of those times. So my dear friends, please grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair, kick off your shoes, and stay awhile…
First and foremost, thank you for being here. Whether this is your first time visiting (hello!) or you’re a regular reader, thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit this blog. I know there are millions (billions?) of blogs out there, and I truly appreciate the fact that you have chosen to read mine.
*deep breath*
So, here’s the deal. My blog is having a bit of a mid-life crisis.
To those of you who filled out my survey, thank you! The response I got was overwhelming and eye-opening, to say the very least. In fact, so many of you left kind comments in the last section that you MADE ME CRY. Like, real tears streaming down my face. Those comments were totally unexpected, and I honestly cannot thank you enough for taking the time to write them.
My blog has hit a fork in the road, and the purpose of that survey was to help me decide which way to turn. To be completely honest, I started having second thoughts about this blog while I was pregnant. I knew my blog was changing, because I was changing, and I didn’t really know how I felt about it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue blogging, if I wanted to continue to share my life with strangers and expose my life as a new mother. As much as I love writing and sharing some of that writing here, I started having doubts about whether or not some of those thoughts should remain private. I also started feeling guilty (hello motherhood!) about the amount of time I was spending on this blog. The guilt increased even moreso when my regular freelance gig ended unexpectedly in June. I started questioning whether or not I should be spending this much time blogging, when I could be spending more of that time making money through photography or another freelance project.
Which brings me to the fork in the road. After a lot of thought and consideration and prayer, and lengthy conversations with Brett, I came to the conclusion that I needed to do one of two things: 1) Stop blogging altogether and invest my time/energy elsewhere, or 2) Start taking this blog seriously. If anyone believes I already do take my blog seriously, it pains me to tell you that you’re sadly mistaken. I check my google analytics once a quarter, and really just giggle at the keywords that have brought people to my blog. I don’t know anything about SEO, or how to increase traffic, or how to solicit advertising. I don’t know any of those things because I’ve never bothered to learn. Truthfully, I never took my blog seriously because I was never comfortable with the label blogger. I wanted to be Ashlee, that girl who has a blog, not Ashlee the blogger. I always thought that if I wanted to be taken seriously as a writer, or even as an aspiring writer, the label of blogger would ruin that for me.
And then I read this and started to reconsider. Maybe, just maybe, it’s okay for me to be a blogger. Heck, maybe I’m not meant to be published in any other way. Maybe instead of constantly questioning my ability to write, and questioning whether or not God has a concrete plan for my writing, I should just….write. And maybe the best place for that writing is here, on this very blog. Maybe, just maybe, it’s my calling to be a blogger. Maybe it’s my calling to create a public online space full of thoughts and feelings that other people can relate to. Maybe, just maybe, it’s my calling to share my life with strangers, to tell people they are not alone.
As I started reconsidering my feelings about being a real blogger, I read Joanna’s post on Blogging as a Career, and to say I was inspired is a complete understatement. It honestly boggles my mind that people can turn their blogs into a career. I’ve had people ask me in the past if this is something I would ever consider doing and I have always said no before they even finished the question. I had nothing against bloggers who were doing it, I just never thought it was for me. The thought of blogging as a career, or even a part-time career, terrified me. I feared people would see me as a sell-out, or that I would have to blog a certain amount of times each week to maintain the traffic I had promised advertisers. I feared that blogging wouldn’t be fun anymore, or that my blog would become too popular and I would get lots of mean comments from people who like to do that sort of thing. Most of all, I feared that if I started taking my blog seriously, it would change, and not in a good way. I feared that my writing would become more superficial and less authentic, more forced and less inspired.
Basically, I was feeling very confused and torn about the fork in the road. I felt like half of me was ready to take the leap and finally turn this blog, this place I’ve grown to love, into something that would not only help support my family financially, but would also become something that I could be proud of. The other half of me was just plain scared. The truth is—I love this blog. I love feeling connected to people that I’ve never met. I love the e-mails that you guys send me. I love the accountability that exists here….the accountability to write well and take beautiful pictures and most importantly, the accountability to do what I say. Without this blog, I fear that I might lose my creativity or drive, because truth be told, you bring it out in me.
In the midst of assessing the good and bad, the fears and excitement, I created a quick survey for you. You, my kind readers, many of whom have been reading this blog for years. I wanted your take on things. I wanted to find out, anonymously, how you felt about this blog, and whether or not you cared if I took it to the next level. And, well, a whopping 83% of you said a few ads wouldn’t bother you. The vast majority of you said, more or less, that you really wouldn’t mind if I started taking this blog a little more seriously. A few people even left comments at the end encouraging me to do so.
That being said, you, dear readers, gave me the little push I needed to pick a path once and for all. After weighing the pros and cons and discussing them with Brett, I have decided to (attempt to) take this blog to the next level. In fact, you can even call me a blogger if you want to.
What does this mean exactly? A few things….
1. Advertising – I am going to start exploring the idea of adding a few advertisements to my sidebar. I will probably start with ten slots, and see how it goes. The advertising will be simple and clean; you won’t see flashing banners all over this site, ever. I won’t be doing sponsored posts, but I might start doing one giveaway a month. If you are interested in advertising on this blog, please shoot me an e-mail (ashlee.gadd @ gmail.com). I would love to chat with you!
2. Comments – I am going to be much, much better at responding to comments. I promise. A few of you left notes in the survey about this and it broke my heart to know that some of you don’t leave comments because you don’t think I even read them. This could not be further from the truth and from this point on, I am going to make responding to comments a priority. I have read every comment ever posted on this blog, and I appreciate them all. I also just want to throw this out there: I LOVE E-MAILS. If you have a question or a comment, or just want to say hi or ask me what kind of stroller I registered for, you can always e-mail me at ashlee.gadd @ gmail.com. If comments are more your thing, I added a “notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail” box that you can check if you want to receive an e-mail after I or someone else responds to your comment.
3. Facebook – Can I just say how much I love that 46 people marked “Facebook is the devil” on this issue? Joking aside, I probably should have included more background info in this question. Currently, I post my blog links to my personal Facebook page, which I’m sure, annoys a lot of people who don’t read my blog. I like to keep my Facebook network pretty small, so anytime I get a friend request from someone I don’t know, I almost always ignore it. And sometimes, I realize later that the friend request came from a blog reader, and then I feel terrible. So the purpose of a WMHR page would be two-fold; 1) to stop annoying people I know in real life (who don’t read my blog) from seeing my links in their newsfeed every day, and 2) to allow me to connect and engage with readers on Facebook without having to extend my personal network. A lot of you said yes to this question, but more of you said no, although even if you said no, it probably wouldn’t really affect you either way. Basically, I’m on the fence about this. I might do it in the future, but for now, I’ll continue posting links on my personal page since I know a lot of you access my blog that way.
4. Frequency – 75% of you said you don’t care how often I post, as long as the content is good. 25% of you want me to post more often. 0% of you wish I posted less often (hooray!). I plan to keep my current pace of 2-3 posts a week, although I might start posting more “mini-posts” like a few photos and a quick thought or quote. I tend to like those types of posts on other blogs, and I think it’s refreshing to see lighter posts in between the longer ones.
5. Design – A few of you commented in the survey that you like the current design, which is so flattering and a little bit awkward because Brett and I spent, like, NO time creating it. Let me be clear: neither Brett nor I have any graphic design skills whatsoever. I wish we did, but we don’t. The design of this blog will probably stay exactly the same, give or take a few minor tweaks here and there (I still need to make a blogroll and I might attempt a new banner). I have always been a proponent of strong content/light design over strong design/light content.
Which brings me to….
6. Content – To the three people who left notes in the survey asking me to chill out with the mommy posts, thank you. I know the mommy posts have been overkill. If I’m being honest, it’s probably safe to say that I’ve gotten a bit lazy with this blog. It’s easy to write about motherhood because it’s currently consuming my life. My entire days revolve around keeping Everett fed, happy, and alive. We live in a bubble right now—a bubble where I wear the same pair of yoga pants four days in a row and put on makeup twice a week. That’s just the way it is. And while only three of you had the guts to say it, I’m sure more of you feel the same way. You told me that you missed how I used to blog, and you know what? I miss it too. While motherhood has been, and will continue to be, a big part of this blog and my writing, it will not be the only topic discussed here. I’m currently trying to find a balance, both in my real life and this blog, where being a mother is not the only thing I talk about. It’s a work in progress. I’m only three months in, and I appreciate you cutting me some slack. Thank you for being patient, and for putting up with the posts that might not be relevant to you. To the 30+ people who left comments in the survey about how much they LOVE the mommy posts, thank you for reading and for supporting me in my new role as Everett’s momma.
Okay….is anyone still reading this? If you are, thank you again for being here. If I could give you a hug and bake you a cupcake, I would.
I am excited and nervous at the prospect of taking this blog to the next level, and I couldn’t be doing it without you. Thank you for supporting me, for leaving comments, for sending me e-mails, for telling your friends about this blog, and for showing me kindness and grace as I pour my heart and soul into this virtual space. I am so, so grateful.
Love,
Ashlee
Friend, I am so so supportive of your new venture! It seems like a very natural progression. Makes me think of Oprah’s whole thing – if you love doing something, make it what you do! And it seems you not only love it, but you are good at it – I love reading your posts! [personally, I love the mommy posts too
. But I know not everyone is a momma!] So proud of you, Ashlee! xoxo, kel
Kelly´s last [type] ..3 months!
Thanks friend. Gosh I love Oprah.
Good luck with blogging..I have it that fork in the road too. I didn’t do the survey. It must have been while I offline and on vacation. I love the mommy posts too. As someone one who checks stats with the blog
There is nothing wrong with Blogging
Julie@my5monkeys´s last [type] ..Authors are RockStars–Stephanie Thomas
Ha, I actually LIKE posts about blogging – at least right now, because I’m also trying to figure out where to take my blog! So I soak in the ideas that other people have for theirs.
I’m excited that you’re keeping the blog and taking it up a notch! I’ve thought for awhile that yours is done really well already, so I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.
Kathleen´s last [type] ..Sleeping Baby.
Thanks for reading Kathleen
Yay! Congratulations on your big decision – they’re not easy to make – and best of luck as you continue on!
Jay´s last [type] ..Saskatchewan
It sounds like you’re off to a good start so far, Ashlee! I can’t wait to see what direction your blog goes. I’m glad you’re sticking with it!
I have a suggestion: consider certain days for certain topics. I love it when people do that on their blogs (I do that on my own blog, too!) so I know what to expect and can return for the features I relate to most. For instance, Mondays could be mommy posts, Wednesdays could be photography posts, Fridays could be recipes or reflection posts, etc. Something like that! Plus it might make it easier for you to plan some posts ahead of time. Just something to consider!
Laura Marcella´s last [type] ..Monday Quote Day!
Thanks for the suggestion Laura. I am trying to get more organized with my posts and will definitely think about that!!
Girl, I’m sixteen months in and I STILL have a hard time balancing mommy hood being the only thing I talk about. It’s hard not to when it’s SO consuming, and let’s face it, a full time job. Your blog is a breath of fresh air and you will forever have a reader and fan in me. <3
Ashley´s last [type] ..Cousins Say Hello [& other updates]
Thanks Ash, appreciate it!
I love this post! It seems like you’ve really thought through everything and I feel like this is such a good choice for you right now. I’m excited for you!!! And emailing now about advertising
jackie´s last [type] ..lazy Sunday [and Friday and Saturday]
Congratulations! This is very exciting for you! Good luck!
Love this post! Go get ‘em, Ashlee. You already inspire so many people with your blog and we’re all looking forward to watching it evolve.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..This is me, sharing about not sharing
i love posts about blogging. i’m always super curious about how others got started in turning their blog into a career! i’m glad you didn’t go with decision 1! i’m excited to read your blog as it evolves! good luck!
kate´s last [type] ..Weekly Series: 13 weeks
Hi Ashlee,
I really do think we have met before, but not sure when
I know your husband and his family through soccer and sports (the Gadd’s are an awesome family!) and I did go to Valley Christian for a few years so I think our path’s crossed at some point. Anyway, I stumbled on your blog through a mutual friend’s pinterest, and I’ve so enjoyed reading it! But this post, honestly it’s so good!! Thanks for your honesty and vulnerability. You are super talented in a lot of areas, and that shows here. I love the tension you are feeling between the “should I go for more” or “should I stop” and I am glad you are choosing the former (because you absolutely should be writing!), but I also think that tension will keep you authentic.
So, from a fellow writer and also soon-to-be-mama, don’t stop.
By the way, I think we would be friends if our paths crossed again
All the best to you and your family!
Hi Katie! It is SUCH a small world! This might be awkward to admit, but I used to have a huuuuuge crush on your brother Chris. Freshmen year. He was on the soccer team and I was a cheerleader, haha. I just clicked on your blog and realized I had seen it before also. Keri R liked one of your posts on Facebook and it popped up in my feed. Subscribing now so I can keep up with your pregnancy. Congratulations, and thanks for the sweet note!!
I never would have thought you didn’t have a plan with blogging. You seem so good at it! You’re a natural! I think your plans are great. For me, I don’t really want to be a big blogger. I work for a big blog, and it’s a lot of work. I like the idea of just having a place where I can be me, talk about things I like, and not have to worry about traffic and stats. Not that that’s a bad thing, but I have seen both sides of the coin and I know that for my personal blog, I wouldn’t want it to be a business. Like I said, I always thought your blog was great so I’m sure this will just make it even better!
Allison´s last [type] ..Twitter + Facebook + Not Being a Social Butterfly
I totally get it. I had a long list of pros and cons…
Ashlee – your blog is my favorite! Of all the blogs I read, I feel I relate to “you” through your blog, even though we’ve never met. I enjoy the posts on blogging, motherhood (even though I’m not a mama yet), and everything else. You are very honest and down to earth in your post, but always seeming happy which is an inspiration in itself. Keep up the good work, don’t worry we’ll still be on your team!
Michelle´s last [type] ..Salad Savvy
Thanks lady! I feel the same way about your blog, and will definitely have you on my blogroll when I get around to making one!
I’m glad the surveys helped. hopefully the fork will just turn into a very bendy (and adventurous)spoon!x
robyn´s last [type] ..ssssh…it’s a secret
Congrats and how exciting!! I wish you ALL the best in this new endeavor…you’ll do great!! And as a new mom, I really do like all your motherhood posts! It’s how I found your blog and why I keep on reading!! xo
natasha {schue love}´s last [type] ..A Dose of Pretty: Mama Sara
Ashlee I am so happy you are going to continue to blog, you scared me for a minute! I love reading your posts and seeing your photography, and I think you’re too talented not to share it all here. Good luck on taking it to the next level, can’t wait to see how your blog continues to grow!
Nice post, I myself have been thinking about starting a blog, and maybe some day turn it into a profitable blog. I have a 9 month old son (go moms!) and would like to have the opportunity to work part time instead of full time. I look forward to your future blogs! PS, I don’t mind the advertisements
I am so happy and excited for you Ashlee! I think you’re looking at this in just the right way. I also started on the path towards making blogging a career a few months ago, and while it’s been slow-going, it’s finally starting to pay off and I’m very happy with the way it’s gone. I just use Google AdSense for one ad on the sidebar (people clicking on the ad is what gets you paid through that, or if they make a purchase through the click you earn even more) and I feel like it’s a calm way of doing it. I’m so excited to see what else you have to offer!
Sarabell´s last [type] ..A Glimpse at Denver
Thanks lady! Always appreciate your comments and support
So excited for you! I haven’t been following your blog as many of your other readers I am sure but since I clicked on it the first time 6mo or so ago I haven’t stopped reading. I’d like to see how you continue to balance what you blog about- that is my struggle right now as I am a new mom, a photographer, and love to cook and maintain my home so I feel like there are lots of things I potentially COULD blog about…but never know where i should draw the line in what i SHOULD be blogging about if that makes sense. Anyway, I appreciate your heart and sincerity!
Kaylan´s last [type] ..::editing juice::
Thanks for reading Kaylan!
I think its great that you want to take this blog more seriously. This is one of my favorite blogs to read, always has been and I hope it continues that way. I understand a few people making comments about how you spend too much time blogging baby but as a soon to be Mom, I understand how its consuming. My baby isn’t even here yet and I feel like I have no idea what the heck my husband and I, or even I, used to talk about before the baby. Sometimes it irritates me that it has become all consuming but other times I think its good, talk it out and educate yourself, others around you, and your husband. There is so much to know and so many different opinions out there, so why not. My only suggestion for the blog change is that more posts are never bad, OR if you are going to do a post with a giveaway, say something else as well. I always am disappointed when I go to read a blog and its just a giveaway (a lot of the reason being because in Canada I can’t enter to win very often) but also because sometimes it seems like a quick easy out of doing a post. I love your little space here Ashlee, and as a few of my other good reads have shut down for whatever reason I am glad to see you are taking a different route (for now…. who knows what could happen). Good luck!
Thanks for that suggestion Lillian. I promise not to flood this blog with bad posts or dumb giveaways. Promise. It sounds like you and your husband need to plan a few no-baby-talk date nights before your little one arrives. It’s a lot harder after the baby is born, so make sure you do it now!
I’ve always thought of you as a blogger, and glad you do now too! By far my favorite blog to read
I’m glad the survey was helpful for you! Looking forward to seeing where you go with the blog.
Yeah! I’m so glad you aren’t leaving. I thought that was the direction you were headed at first. I for sure think you could take this baby to the next level. You’ve definitley got the skills to do so! While the mommy posts dont personally apply to me I dont mind them but maybe thats because they are usually accompanied with a picture of E baby. Best of luck with everything – I’m excited to see where you go from here!
Ashlee, I’m so excited for you in your new journey to be a “blogger” and oh so very glad you are not leaving. I might have cried if that happened. Just saying.
I am sort of happy you don’t know much about blog design. It makes me feel so much better because I absolutely know NOTHING about designing. There was a ‘make an easy button for your blog’ tutorial and it took me forever because that is how confused I was. If you learn, share tips with us!
And as much as I love your old posts even though I’m far far FAR away from being a mother, I enjoy your mommy posts. Good luck with all your plans!
Katie´s last [type] ..I can’t wait for…
Yay! I’m glad the survey was helpful for you. I must say that even though my blog is a tiny baby blog I have a dedicated facebook page for it because I promised my friends I wouldn’t bombard them with post updates. Basically it’s just keeping my blog, and my personal life a little separate. I think its a great idea for you!
Also, I love babies, I love hearing about what its like to be a new mom, and I love hearing from you, so don’t feel bad for posting a lot of baby stuff!
At the same time, if you want to keep some of the little guys life out of the papers so to speak, you get to make that decision!
Kaitlyn´s last [type] ..Dreaming about: Food
Thanks Kaitlyn. I think I will do it eventually, I just need to find the time to set it all up pretty
Thanks for reading and for your support!
Your blog is one of my absolute favorites. I can only cheer on someone else’s successes so I wish you the best of luck with this new endeavor. I’m not sure if you have written about this before but if you need some topics for new posts then I’d love to read about how you met your husband and about your wedding!
Jo´s last [type] ..Honeymoon in Normandy: Part 2
Thanks Jo! A lot of people left me post ideas in the survey, so I will add yours to the list
I did the survey and I have to say you are awesome for putting yourself out there in a survey like that. Blogging is so tough because you are never going to please everyone. I don’t have kids, so I prefer other posts- but of course there are probably so many people who do have kids and love reading all mommy posts. It’s just a personal thing, like basically all writing is!
Also I’m glad you decided to keep blogging because I enjoy reading your blog, even when it is mommy posts
Kelly´s last [type] ..So Much to Do in Jackson Hole
Thanks Kelly!
I was so worried you were going to say you were done blogging! I check your blog everyday and would have been so sad if you stopped. I love your “mommy” posts. I devour anything you write! Keep it up!
Jaclyn´s last [type] ..Marathon Training: Week 1
Thanks for reading Jaclyn
Hello! Thought I’d let you know that I’m a 23 year old reader with no kids (and no clear plans to have them, either) and I still enjoy your motherhood posts! You are a fabulous, genuine writer and it’s been a pleasure to become a regular WMHR reader. Thank you!
Alissa´s last [type] ..help?
Thank YOU Alissa! I appreciate that.
I can’t imagine not having you blog. I know it’s not a priority like it was before, but I’m glad you’re “staying”.
And I wish there was a question on the survey that said, “would you like more surveys?” haha, yes, please!
diana´s last [type] ..Let’s Talk About You
Haha. Dude. I love surveys!
I was really scared you would stop blogging, what a great waste that would have been !
It sure is difficult to put yourself out there on the web. I totally wish I would be talented and strong enough to have a blog of my own. Also it is great that Brett supports you in this project.
Anyways, keep on blogging, we love it
Thanks for reading Helen.
i am so glad you are continuing your blog–i thought then for a moment you were going to say that’s it.
and go for it ashlee, i am sure you will make it a success
Lottie´s last [type] ..sunday.
Woohoo! I was hoping this would be the result when I saw you created a survey : ) I’m excited to see where you take this blog!
Caroline´s last [type] ..Wyoming part two: grand tetons
I love this post, because I’ve felt at a crossroads before as well. You taking your blog to the next level has encouraged me to start re-evaluating some things of my own – thanks for that! Also, I love the idea of some more “moments” type posts with thoughts and pictures – you are such a great photographer how could that NOT go over well?
i am so glad you are taking this “fork in the road” with your blog, and your blog for that matter, seriously. it just reminds me that whatever God gives us in our lives we are to do them excellently. i love reading your posts and i LOVE your honesty about motherhood, marriage, life, blogging etc. i think few people in the blogging community have the courage to write to strangers about real life. you are an amazing women. hooray for making this step!
Thank you Kayla! I really appreciate that
I’ve been a long time reader (is a year and a half a long time reader??
I always thought that you took your blog seriously, I guess that just means that you’re a natural at it! While I can’t relate to the mommy posts, I love your outlook, so I continue to read, plus I love your writing style – so it keeps me coming back!
Holly´s last [type] ..the dress…
Thanks for sticking with me Holly
I need a better system for responding to comments! What are you planning on using?
LfT´s last [type] ..Project Weekend
I don’t really have a system….just trying to dedicate 25-30 minutes a day to managing comments. Are there actual “systems” for that?!!
YAY! Congratulations! I am so excited for you! I am glad you made that decision. It looks like you have a huge network of readers and supporters, so thanks for sticking with us! I did the survey and am glad that you are going to start advertising. Anything that would be helpful for you and your cute little family is a big fat YES in my opinion! My hubby does a bunch of computer/blog/design/website/computer nerd stuff if you ever need help with anything. He doesn’t follow the blog but hears about it all the time from me!
Congrats again!!!!
How have we not been on a double date yet? I feel like our husbands would get along famously….Brett is a computer nerd too. Maybe one of these days we can drop Everett off at Grandma’s house and meet up with you guys for dinner or something!
YES! That would be awesome!! Let’s definitely do it!
I’m so excited to see the new things coming up on here! I’m a new reader and I started to follow right after Everett was born, simply bc I love babies. Hahaha that kind of makes me sound stalkerish. But seriously, what 17 year old likes babies? It’s weirder that I like babies so much than it is that I followed your blog bc I like babies. Anyway, done being a creeper now. I can’t to see what’s coming!
Props to ya, lady. It’s always tricky to reevaluate in what direction to take your own blog, but if it helps in any way, I love what you’ve done here, what you’re doing here, and I’m sure, what you will do here. Rock on!
Aw, I’m so excited for your new direction…and that you’re not quitting blogging! I’m sure so many people would have been so sad about that!
jennifer blair´s last [type] ..The Parkers | Countryside Family Session
Glad you are going to continue! Good luck with balancing everything. I swear I am going to keep up with my blog, then months pass and I realize I haven’t updated at all. I know you will be able to work it all out and I am excited to keep reading!
Beth´s last [type] ..Two Pink Lines