Happy Monday! It’s super rainy here in CT but I love it. I wanted to do a sort of “personal” post about my profession and the changes in my career that have taken place. I worked a regular 9-5 doing all sorts of administrative/customer service gigs for all of my 20’s. I have been put in a situation where I can refocus my life and live out my dreams. It’s a blessing and definitely NOT easy, but I need to address something that has been bothering me since I began my journey.
I am moving forward with my hopes of being a event planner and world class blogger. As I move forward I have excitement and hope in my heart. You would never believe the tactless things that people say and ask you when they find out I am a blogger. I can’t imagine asking ANYONE how much money they are making doing what they do. I would never walk up to a teacher, comedian, or a doctor and ask “How much do you make and when do you get your next paycheck?” It happens to me more than you would think. I understand that being a blogger is something that is still far from traditional but really, HOW RUDE!
We internet nerds/social media junkies are for sure a different breed of people. We are on the rise daily and once you break into the scene with a POW, you create your own magic and a lot of the times, your career. Being that I am one with the internet, it all makes sense to me but I can understand if you are older or not really into the internet craziness, you might not understand this. But if there is one thing across the board that you should understand is that you don’t ask someone “How much do you make?” It is impossible for that question to NOT be rude.
Just for the fun of it, I will talk a bit more about my career goals and the personal approach when it comes to blogging. This is to help those looking into getting into the craft of blogging, and to shut up those rude folks without a filter.
Like most things that are worth it in life, making a career from blogging takes patience and time. I have been blogging on and off for over 10 years but decided to take a more serious approach to blogging not that long ago. Sprinkles and Booze is only 8 months old and I have been blessed in many ways. I have a few people within my network of friends (and family) that have been supportive, taken interest, and helped me grow at a quicker pace than usual. Also, I work around the clock. I am always thinking of ways to improve and how to make Sprinkles and Booze a solid business.
I ADORE blogging. I enjoy everything about it. Passion a great foundation to have with anything you would like to move forward with as a career. About 6 months into my venture as a blogger, I realized even if I am having tons of fun doing what I love, I need to buckle down and start figuring out how to start bringing in income. I am in a semi-lucky financial situation where I can buy a little time to figuring how to move forward, but I know for a lot of people this wouldn’t be the case.
As a lifestyle blogger, I will have many projects and opportunities within the blogosphere. There will be books, merchandise, some spokesperson gigs, sponsorship opportunities, consulting, brand partnerships, freelance writing and all sorts of fun greatness. The blog is the platform for these opportunities, but the money isn’t necessarily coming directly from the blog. So for the no filter, rude people out there, there is a lot happening on the background of it all. Bloggers don’t just sit about hoping for the best and wasting time on the internet.
Sprinkles and Booze as a geeky-glam lifestyle blog is one of the most perfect concepts for a blog that would represent who I am. I have had many ideas as to what I want the business end of my blog to be. In this process, another long time dream was born. For as long as I can remember, I was the DIY event planning queen. I used to force my entire family to come to my hand crafted tea party and puppet show Sunday brunches that were always held in my living room at the age of 6. As an adult, I would always tell people I want to be a “professional party thrower” but never took myself seriously. Well folks, I am pretty sure “Sprinkles and Booze” is the perfect platform to properly and professionally get the party started. It was definitely a beautiful mistake.
Event planning on the back end of Sprinkles and Booze ties together ALL of my passions into one giant box of awesome. My love of design, celebration, colors, love of life, and sharing are all put together and given back to the world.
For those that are closest to me, you know how excited I have been about my life as of lately. Thank you for dealing with my many freak outs, rants, tears, panic attacks, and so forth. Thank you for never questioning my dreams and believing in me. Thank you for never being that rude person that asks “how much are you making?” or doubting me.
For the bloggers out there that are losing faith, keep doing what you love and everything will fall into place when it should. Fight the good fight because in the end, it will all be worth it. Please feel free to reach out if you need a blogger friend to vent to or just for tea. I am always here for a chat and I have your back.
For all of those rude folk who can’t seem to not gain control of your mouths, I double dog dare you to walk up to every stranger you meet and ask them ask them what they do and how much they make doing it. It seems to be what you’re good at so why not make it the norm. Rude seems to be your thing.
A blog is just the latest and greatest version of starting your own business. The best part about blogging is the start up costs are pretty low and you don’t risk much of anything. If you have a blog or are thinking about starting one, DO IT UP! What do you have to lose? Let’s get this party started and silence the rudeness.
You know, most artists and media creators go through this surprise and doubt from 9 to 5’rs who don’t comprehend alternative careers. And they certainly don’t understand that if something doesn’t make you money directly, the ripples and waves it creates do trickle down to your pockets. Truthfully, we’re a society that’s hung up on what a person does for a living. As soon as job comes into the conversation there’s instant judgement or praise “Oh, your a surgeon! Oh… ah.. your in sanitation.” The real irony is that people with the spirit to create and produce original art and technology and media about society are the ones that usually bring about change that the 9 to 5’rs experience. “Yeah, you like that computer that’s making your job easier? Somebody sat in their garage and CREATED it! And the payoff came later”. Nice personal post Sprinkles, you keep Doin’ It!
Thank you so much, love!
You’re totally right. I think being that I am more of a creative I typically don’t judge people on what they do. Honestly when I hear that someone doesn’t have a “typical job” I get pretty excited and want to know more. It could be anything from a street before to working in a factory. If it sounds interesting I want to know more about what you do, not how much you make. People can be so ignorant about things.
I can’t believe that people can be so rude and insensitive! But then again, nothing really surprises me anymore. Keep up the good work! My mom always said, “good things come to those who wait” !
I can believe it. Even my generation/friends find it weird. I don’t usually tell people that I’m a blogger or that I have a blog even though it’s just for leisure.
It’s difficult sometimes explaining to someone that has no idea about the world or the world of the internet. I think it’s best to give a little hint to the hobby or if you’re trying to move forward with it as a career. It’s best to get the world as up to date as you are mainly so it’s less confusing when it is the norm.
Thank you so much darling! And thank you so much for reading the post.
This was a wonderful post! I get the same questions. “Blogger” still conjures up a guy in a dusty corner of his basement. I started using the word “publisher” and “digital media”. People respond differently to that title. I still get the questions though.
Those are two great alternatives to blogger. I am starting to tell people I am a professional party planner and blogger. They have the same reaction either way which is “How much do you make?” or “What is your real job?”. Either way, i’ve decided it’s best to not waste too much time on the rude people. Thank you for reading. 🙂
Great post!! And it’s amazing what people think is acceptable to ask others
It really is. I am always in shock when people ask such craziness but I am going to start answering them the best way I know how…like a smart ass. If you’re going to be rude to me, I will feed you some great sarcasm. I think it is only fair.
Well put! Best of luck to you on all your future endeavors!
Thank you so much darling! <3
So true, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked the question “how do you live from that”? or “do you make much money at all”? I’d be a millionaire by now. Sometimes I feel like screaming “I’ve only been blogging for 6 months people – give me a break!” lol
But I guess some people simply ask those questions because they are curious about the blogging world and care about what I do. They don’t necessarily realize that they are being rude.
x Pearl
Yeah, it can be a bit much! I’ve learned to roll with the punches. We will take over the blogger world one day at a time, my love.