When you tell someone that you’re a blogger, what would they say? I can think of a few answers. It’s true that quite a lot of people don’t really ‘get it’. It’s also true that, at the moment, there’s seems to be a bit of a general stereotype surrounding bloggers, which those of who us are bloggers know isn’t true. Yet some perceptives will never change. When I started blogging I didn’t really know what to expect. But after nearly a year and a half in the industry, it’s safe to say that some things you hear just aren’t true. Today, I’m going to let you in on some realities – and you’ll probably be able to relate to each of them too.

1. You have to plan around the weather

Oh yeah, it’s real. Especially in winter when we’re limited on daylight. We don’t want all our photos looking dull! There’s nothing worse than when you get up planning to take outfit photos and the rain is pouring. We’ve all been there. So what do you do? You check the forecast and think, ah ha! It’s not raining on Wednesday, I’ll take outfit photos then. This is the reality. Things don’t always go to plan. The sun doesn’t always shine bright enough for you to be able to take the perfect picture. I won’t even get onto the additional photography assistants – mums, partners, best friends, you know who you are.

2. You don’t get free stuff all the time

This is how the conversation usually goes:

Me: “I’m a blogger.”

Them: “Oh wow! Does that mean you get loads of really cool free stuff?”

No. No it does not. Because believe it or not, I’m not actually doing it for the freebies. I’m doing it because I love writing and communicating with like-minded people. Blogging allows me to do that.

It seems that people fall into three cateogories:

a) They completely get it and take an interest in it (my mum, boyfriend)

b) They don’t get it at all (I don’t think my grandad knows what a blog is)

c) They put you in a stereotype that is wrong (other people)

They think you’re some superstar who travels up and down the country writing stuff and takes really nice photos. But the reality is you’re actually sat at home in your sweats writing a blog post for the next day. It’s not as glamorous as some people may think, but it’s also so much more fun that way. I don’t get sent freebies just because I’m a blogger part time. What I do get is lovely comments, great feedback, and that for me, is more than a freebie will ever do.

3. Your life isn’t as Pinterest – worthy as people think

I’ve seen people send a tweet to a blogger that said ‘oh your life is so much like Pinterest.’

What? What does that even mean? Some people can take really good photos – they know how to create the right balance and include enough interest. It doesn’t mean their life is perfect. I saw a blogger tweet that their life isn’t as Pinterest-y as people think – she’d just cleaned up her dog’s sick.

My bedroom can become untidy and every weekend I have to clean the mess that my bunnies create in their little home. I make mistakes, I spill things, I do everything you do. Yet I still manage to post nice photos from time to time. It doesn’t mean my life looks like Pinterest. I don’t think anyone’s really does.

4. Your following doesn’t grow ‘just because’

I think the problem we face at the moment, and I’m not stereotyping here, but a lot of people who join the blogging community are simply doing it for the status. They’re doing it because everyone else is doing it, or they’re doing it because they want a load of followers, or to make money. But you know as well as I do that it just isn’t right. And more than that – it doesn’t work.

This community I’ve built right here? I’ve worked hard to build it. I mean, coming home from work four nights a week and spending my evening writing, working hard. Which actually leads me onto the next point where I’ll repeat myself again.

5. Blogging is hard work

I’ve heard a lot of bloggers say that you really have to love it to keep up with it. And it’s true. We’ve all been there when we feel like we’re writing to no one, yet we still carry on. Why? Well, because we love blogging. I know I do. I love writing content that I know my readers will enjoy. I love finding other posts to read and collecting them together. I love reading comments and chatting to you guys on twitter. Hell, I’ve even met one of you in real life! But that’s why the hard work pays off.

When I started this online space, I never once thought that I’d end up meeting a fellow blogger. But now I have. All because I’ve worked hard to keep going. So I’d say you have to love it, but you have to be prepared to put in the work. You can’t do a job half way.

6. ‘Haters gonna hate’

Unfortunately, there’ll always be negativity in everything we do. Every industry, every job – it all includes some people who, well, just aren’t very nice. They’ll copy your idea, steal your image or worse, say something nasty about you. It’s a tough gig. But these people usually enjoy making other people’s lives bad. As if someone has time for that?

If this happens to you, it’s important to remember why you’re doing this. Why you are blogging and why you love it so much. And if it’s already happened to you, well done. I bet you’ve come out stronger.

7. If you want to make money from blogging, it will take time. A lot of time

I’m going to be honest – of course I’d love to make money doing this hobby. I put a lot of time and effort into it so it’s only right to want to. But even saying that will make some people think oh she’s clearly just doing it for the money. But doing it for the money is probably twice or even three times harder than just doing it as a hobby. If you jump on that bandwagon, you have to be prepared to go for it head on. All out.

But at the moment, I’m quite happy just doing what I’m doing – blogging.

Can you think of any more realities of being a blogger?