It’s my one-year Blogiversary! There is so much ruminating through my head as I write this post. Reflecting on a years’ worth of accomplishments is both frightening and exhilarating. Read on to hear how my year went, learn how to start your own blog and enter a giveaway too!
In just one year this blog has gone through so many transformations. As my blog has grown, so have I. I have become a better writer, which will surely help me as I enter graduate school, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve proven to myself that my passions can become a reality.
Although my blog has only been around officially for a year, the idea to start my blog really began about five years ago. At the time I was in college writing for several blogs including Her Campus, College Fashionista, and what was the inaugural cohort of Spoon University. I had dabbled around with BlogSpot Blogger and had a familiarity with WordPress, but I found comfort and safety in working with more recognized brands to help hone my writing.
After writing for a few semesters, I realized, I can do this myself. So thus, began the first iteration of my own blog. I created a now defunct website called, Stuff Every Girl Should Know. The main premise of the blog was to equip other millennials with insight on navigating life and all its quirks and perks (even back then, my vision for my blog was still the same). It took me only a few days to become very overwhelmed before I deleted my account and Stuff Every Girl Should Know was no longer.
After graduating, I again started working on my own blog. This time around I created, Shay Shay Tries, beta version. In its first iteration, I used a free WordPress site instead of self-hosting, and my logos were much cheesier.
While working on this beta version, I spent countless hours googling how to make my blog look official, how to get everything 100% perfect, and not long after I once again gave up and hung up my blogging hat.
It wasn’t until I became woefully unhappy with my job and bored with the routine of my life that I decided to tackle blogging again. The product of that self-realization is what you see today. Shay Shay Tries. I realized one of the main things that kept me from blogging for so long was fear. But now that I have proven to myself, I can maintain my blog, put out quality content, and gain a following over the course of the year, I feel much more confident in my ability to continue this in the long run.
Now, on this one-year blogiversary, I present Shay Shay Tries 2.0. If you check out the blog, you’ll notice there are a few subtle changes I’ve made including adding new subcategories to the Adulting, Culture, Eats, and Travel Categories.
Like I did at my 6-month blogiversary mark I have once again set goals from my blog and I hope you’ll help me in reaching them. I want to make one thing abundantly clear, I have worked my ass off over the past year to maintain authenticity in my brand and blog. All my growth has been organic and
Building My Brand
Facebook: 700 Likes
Instagram: 2,000 Followers
Pinterest: 50,000 Monthly Views
Twitter: 500 Followers
Email Subscribers: 200
Capitalizing on My Content
- I will land at least one PAID campaign
- I will start generating consistent revenue from my blog
- I will partner with more companies that reflect my brand and values
Build YOUR Brand
I want to help you. If you have been considering starting a blog for a while but haven’t been sure how to do it, now you can! I use Bluehost to host my blog and they’ve always been reliable whenever I need help. Now, you can create your own self-hosted blog at a discounted rate for your first year of $3.95/month. Head to Bluehost and start your blog today!
Please Note: As an affiliate for Bluehost if you click through and take action, I’ll be compensated.
Giveaway Time!
I’ve teamed up with several of my best blogger gal pals to host an epic giveaway for you to get started on creating your own blog. Even if you’re not ready to take the plunge and start your own blog, these prizes are sure to equip you with the tools you need to be successful no matter what.
The prizes are as follows:
- $300 Ikea Gift Card
- Bath and Body Works Candle
- Himalayan Salt Lamp
- 8 by 10 letter board
- Body Oil
- Boss Lady Mug
- Boss Babe Nameplate
- Essential Oil Diffuser
Unfortunately this giveaway is now closed but stay tuned for more great giveaways in the future.
Congratulations! It feels so good to make it through that first year. I know you’ve probably had some ups and downs, but most importantly you learned from it. Here’s to many more years!
Thank you so much <3
Congratulations! It’s so inspiring to look back and see how far you’ve come. I love that you’ve also included goals/I will statements for the future.
Thank you…and yes! I’m trying to speak these goals into existence.
Happy Blogiversary! Just entered the giveaway!
Congratulations girl! I just celebrated my first blogging anniversary in December, it’s such an exciting accomplishment! My goals for this second year are very similar to yours! Best of luck to you!
Thanks you too!
Congrats on the milestone- cant wait to check your Insta!
Congratulations girl ! This is inspiring as a new blogger (only 2 months) to keep doing what I’m doing and being myself.
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication but it’s so worth it!
Congratulations on you accomplishments. Here’s to more success with the next anniversary.
Happy one year! Here’s to many more!
This is a dope recap of your blogging journey! Are you blogging full time now?
Thank you and no not yet, though I haven’t discounted the idea yet. I still work a full 9 to 5.