Hey there,
So you are interested starting your own blog – this is so exciting! You should totally listen to that little creative voice in your head wanting a platform that is all your own. With many questions about my personal blogging journey, I’ve teamed up with Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant to share more! I also made a Blog Sweat Test below to help you guys figure out if you are ready to get started on your own brand!
SECRET CLINICAL STRENGTH INVISIBLE SOLID
Making the dream of working in a creative field a reality didn’t happen overnight. Months of late nights writing, running around town to take PR meetings, and waking up early to take sunrise photos required me to push myself. Because I hold myself to a high standard, I have the same expectations for my deodorant. I wouldn’t recommend Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid if I didn’t firmly believe in it’s long lasting protection from unexpected sweat. I just apply it once in the morning and feel confident throughout the day – whether I bump into someone on the subway or am pitching my blog in a boardroom. Absolutely love it! Remember this if you take the Blog Sweat Test later and find yourself in need of a good deodorant – Secret Clinical Strength has you covered 😊
In the fall of 2016 I was working a full time job searching for a creative outlet. Instagram was great, but you can’t really organize your content or write in depth. I loved reading new posts from bloggers like Go Fit Jo and Extra Petite for a while and felt inspired to start!
MY FIRST BLOG
I was in my early 20’s and still trying to find myself. Thinking a blog would be a great place to connect with other millennials that enjoyed self-improvement, my first website MonthfulCaila.com was born. I made up this word monthful to describe a person that thoughtfully used their month to better themselves. Then each month I would learn a new skill and write about how I gained confidence by challenging myself. After three months with my monthful blog, I had written about becoming a fitness instructor, starting a YouTube channel, and cooking at home.
MY BIGGEST BLOGGING MISTAKE
Unfortunately before I started my monthful blog I didn’t think about the sustainability of my topic. What if I don’t finish in a month? What if I run out of things to try? What happens if I want to write about my other passions like beauty or travel?
My topic was so niche that I quickly fell out of love with a blog that I worked so hard to make. Not knowing what to do next, all I felt was guilt over not loving it anymore and stress to make it work.
The hardest decision I’ve ever made in my blogging career was admitting to myself that this topic was a failure, but being ok with learning from the experience. Next I took my time crafting a new blog theme… 2 or 3 months I think… and waited until I was confident in what I chose.
BLOGGING FULL TIME
After launching the blog I have today, With Love Caila – inspired by my love of letter writing, I continued to balance my 9-to-5 desk job during the day and writing for my blog at night. I will say, I was constantly busy running around New York City trying to balance both. Being prepared was key and thankfully I discovered Secret Clinical Strength Invisible Solid to keep me covered as I bounced from place to place. I did – and still do – apply it once for protection that lasts throughout the day – one less thing to sweat about 😊
With my ultimate goal to be a full-time blogger, I needed to make sure I could still be financially independent woman so I didn’t rush quitting my job. It took about 8 months to track a consistent audience and then I took the leap!
MY FIRST BLOG: MONTHFULCAILA.COM
CURRENT BLOG: WITHLOVECAILA.COM
READY TO SEE IF YOUR FUTURE BLOG WILL BE A SUCCESS?
TAKE THE BLOG SWEAT TEST!
You have your blog idea. You think it’s a hit, but you could use a second opinion before you invest all of this time and money on taking the leap. Well, I’ve compiled 5 key questions that will help you determine if your blog topic is the right one for you 😊
After you take the test below, scroll to the bottom to see how you scored!
YOUR BLOG SWEAT SCORE
Did you put your blog topic to the test?! Hopefully you didn’t sweat too hard over it.
Below are the correct answers. Get all 5 questions correct for an A+ from me & you get a glowing stamp of approval to start your blog!
1. Why do you want to start a blog?
a. 💰 the money
b. ✍️ creative outlet
c. 😎 to be cool
correct answer: b.
Like they say on The Bachelor, make sure you’re doing it for the “right reasons.” With anything you invest time in, you should do it because you love it… not for the money or to “be cool.”
2. Do you read blogs yourself? Yes / No
If so, why?
Do you like the person? Their theme? daily posts?
__________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
correct answer: yes
But if you answered no, that’s ok too! It’s never too late to start checking out blogs and reading up on posts you’re interested in. Finding other bloggers you like will help inspire your own content. I suggest having 3 bloggers you keep up with. For example, I follow Go Fit Jo for her for her empowering voice, Stephanie Jolly for home/cooking inspo, and Dress Up Buttercup for style.
3. True or False: The url, social media handles, and email address are all available for my blog.
correct answer: True!
This is critical for consistency. Start by checking GoDaddy to make sure your website name isn’t taken. One tip, when in doubt use your name for your blog website – it’s great for branding and something people are less likely to forget.
4. How much time per week are you willing to invest in your blog?
a. 5 hours
b. 15 hours
c. 30+ hours
correct answer: they are all right!
Bloggers fluctuate with how much time they work on their site, but it’s good to set that expectation before you start. If you answered “a. 5 hours” you might consider blogging a hobby, while someone that answered “c. 30+ hours” could find fulfillment with this being their full time job.
5. Is your topic sustainable?
Yes – I’ll be able to write about this for 5+ years! I think there is an audience that would be interested in my take, plus it doesn’t feel like work when I write/photograph/read up on my topic.
No – It’s relevant right now. My niche topic may not exist in 3 – 5 years, but I’m passionate about it today though!
correct answer: yes!
It’s so important for your blog topic to be sustainable. If you don’t think so then just scroll up and read the story about my greatest blogging mistake.
Big, big thank you to Secret Deodorant for partnering with me on this post and making it possible! You encourage women to be independent and demand more – I admire your constant support & wonderful message! Secret Clinical Strength is available for purchase at Target and I recommend you try it out yourself – whether you’re starting a new blog or not!
Great quality info thanks for sharing beautiful Caila
I might want to do a blog in future thanks for sharing Caila but I think for me a travel journalist sounds better if I decide to do something other than my full time job in the future. Thank you for some god things you shared though. Know you are amazing kind soul.
One you are soooo beautiful two thanks for sharing deets on blogging. Quality content!!!!
This is great Caila!❤️ I loved hearing what your biggest mistake as a blogger was and how you have since grown from that. I came from your insta live 😉
Great new blog and very useful information. Thank you Caila also blue is a beautiful color on you 💛
Love
you do it for the right reasons and you are gorgeous! This will for sure help others who want to start one. Keep empowering everyone Caila 🙏🏻💯
Cute test and nifty tips. Caila you are so beautiful and talented. Love the quality you share With Love Caila.
Good topic
It’s true you put a lot quality in content you bring. I want to add you bring wonderful message with ur post too. So glad you aren’t like others making it about money you actually care. Thanks for being one who encourage many to make there dreams happen and keep reaching them.
You would shine on youtube vblogs u know many would’ve loved to seen that makeup tutorial of ur’s today whenever they wanted. Also more would see ur hazel eyes and u talk about how u are irish/filipino roots. Many have said u would shine doing travel and cooking show 2.You are beautiful but also you have this charm about you. Thanks for a new blog too. Very insightful and detailed quality 💯 Caila
This post is fantastic! Thank you! 🙂
I’ve been thinking about doing a blog to release my creative side so this is very helpful Caila. I might add you are beautiful and seem like a positive soul. Thank you so much for taking time and showing us this quiz and some of your own exp when you started out first. I’m glad this the blog you have it’s you to be honest..
Thanks for sharing the new blog and it will for sure help many who are thinking of doing one.
Very Very helpful Caila
you are awesome
So pretty Caila and good post along with the sweat test
Many thanks for this and you are so pretty too.
Watched ur live ig you are one beautiful person but also a beautiful soul. I hope you will consider doing more youtube videos you have this amazing presence and energy. Loved the makeup tips. Also thank you for this new blog post if we ever think on doing a blog.
You have been glowing so much and what a smile you carry. You are a natural beauty Caila. I appreciate what you share with us. Keep encouraging yourself and us in all you share with us. You are a light and also you are class act.
Want to thank you so much for posting this! See, I’ve been thinking if I want to do a blog and this is so useful.God always protect your faith, and shine through you always.
You really have a knack for blogging and more. The content is way better than many who get praised for there blogs. You actually take time and put up quality work. And you keep getting prettier ALL THE TIME. Your new pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful – inside & out!
Just watched your live from IG! Love the creativity xo
I saw your IG live playback!
Thanks for the new blog post. Interesting read how that quiz is about starting one and how u came about on urs and how learn and make it work right for one. Also slay gorgeous gal in blue.I’m glad u joined up with a brand to empower us and feel we can do anything because we can. Keep bringing us quality content love what you share. Saw ur stories let us know if you make that American cake? I feel you would shine at baking goods too as we have seen do a cake for friends in past. Good luck to ur bf on his triathlon this weekend. You have one incredible man just like you are incredible gal.
Love, thanks for the deets on starting one and the test is a good one. Maybe you can share a blog about cooking or baking in the future. Maybe do one with ur mother or cooking with u and ur bf!
Great post!
I’m actually working content and editing my first blog post for autism awareness. My son has autism and I believe sharing our story just may raise awareness and help other families in need. We want to share to raise awareness and effect change! Thank you for sharing… I’m trying to research and be prepped before I officially launch. If you want to follow me my instagram handle is @jimesgirl
Outstanding what u bring w ur blog and quality things you share with us. Keep rockin in all you do. Plus you have amazing hair and that amazing smile w amazing fashion.You are brilliant and so beautiful Caila 💁🏻
I love you Caila, you inspire so many girls including me! I love this!
Loved this blog post!
Thanks for the love on the blog Caila. I will never forget the day you emailed me to chat about your blog and I’m so glad I was a part of you just stepping out there and making life happen.
you gotta be joking with the secret ad in the middle of the blog, I had to leave after that
I don’t when you say "it took 9 months to build an audience for your blog", because you ALREADY had an audience due to you being on reality tv. You giving advice on building a blog having already had reality tv exposure doesnt apply to your average person who isnt tv-appearance-chasing.
You say these things but its not authentic. If you get rid of the ad and be honest about growing your following, I would be more impressed.
You are so inspiring to me! Thanks for being yourself and giving me hope to start my own blog!