People always seem to be so intrigued about why I started blogging. They’re even more interested in how to grow as a pet influencer and blogger.
My blogging journey started with my dog’s Instagram page. I didn’t have any interest in creating an independent Instagram for my dogs. My husband started the page, but I quickly fell in love with the idea. I never could have guessed this would get me started blogging.
I realized that I could connect so easily with other dog parents, connect with brands on products that I loved, and share photos of my insanely cute dogs. So, I started posting somewhat regularly, but other than that, I had a lot to learn about how to grow on any social media platform to become an influencer.
I realized to grow that I would need to hone in on my niche. For example, I couldn’t get away with posting cute dog photos with captions that were not engaging or didn’t offer an opportunity to learn or share experiences. Instead, I needed to discover what I loved sharing about my dogs and being a dog mom, and that’s how the blog was born.
How I Started Blogging
I posted a lot on Instagram, and I wanted to start earning money for my posts. So I started focusing on what I was passionate about in the pet industry realm regarding my dogs. French Bulldogs are prone to health issues and allergies, so I am passionate about healing products, limited-ingredient food and treats, and supporting like-minded small businesses that love dogs as much as I do.
Once I started focusing on my niche, I received an offer from a brand to become an affiliate partner. They sent me a pitch offering a free product and a coupon code for my followers to earn a generous commission in exchange for one feed post per month.
I was so excited because, at the time, I only had a little over 2,000 followers. But, once I started getting a feel for promoting the brand, I quickly realized that my passion and brand loyalty made it easy to earn money talking about my favorite products.
I realized that I wanted to own my platform. Instagram was great, but starting my blog could lead to so many more opportunities. So I spent a few months prepping my web page and learning as much as possible about launching a successful blog.
Once the blog was launched, I felt that I could start pitching other brands I was interested in. My blog allowed me to share and disclose links that were always readily available to my audience. It also offered a better opportunity to educate and connect with my audience.
How I Started To Grow As A Blogger
First of all – please know that growing as a blogger doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience and hard work, but it is incredibly rewarding when you start reaching people and your traffic increases.
I began investing in my education from experienced bloggers within my niche, researching SEO, and, most importantly, building solid relationships with my audience and brands.
In my first six months into blogging, I could have never imagined Google would start organically driving traffic to my blog. However, I am constantly thrilled by how my hard work has resulted in my blog posts returning in organic google searches, and that other dog owners can find my blog.
Over time, I have also realized that meaningful brand partnerships are far more critical than many brand partnerships. I find it so much easier to earn if I focus on a tiny handful of brands, focus on their products, and build trust with my audience and followers.
Overall, blogging is a journey and can not help build relationships with people with your same interests but can also offer an excellent income. So, be patient with yourself, focus on your niche, and trust that if you’re determined to build a blog, you will be successful over time!
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