Say Hi Society + Blogging For $$$

My friend Janssen recently created the Say Hi Society as a local, affordable alternative to some of the big blog conferences that all the cool kids seem to attend. (I'm looking at you, Alt Summit!) Janssen is pretty hard core when it comes to blogging--she's really good at what she does--so I was excited to see what she would pull together.

The first event was a couple weeks ago and, no surprises, it was great. It included all my favorite things about blogger events: wonderful people, tasty treats (courtesy of Sodalicious), and solid info on how to be a better blogger.

Megan + me + Alicia being utterly ridiculous. Which is exactly why I love these people.

Alex of AVE Styles taught us how to up our Pinterest game. Honestly, it's not something I'd ever given much thought to; mostly I use Pinterest to get inspiration and find yummy recipes. But since I started using some of Alex's tips I'm already seeing more engagement and gaining followers on Pinterest. Girl clearly knows what she's talking about!

Heather shared some great info on working with brands as a social media influencer. I was thrilled to chat with her for a few minutes about what she does as a campaign coordinator for Collective Bias. When she found out I've been blogging for a decade and have never made a dime, she was shocked.

I can't say I blame her. That's a long time to commit to something you aren't paid for! Of course, my blog has evolved quite a bit since it started. I'm not writing under a pseudonym any more, for one, and my content isn't quite so random. But I enjoy writing and taking photos. I've made some truly wonderful friends through blogging. I'm grateful I've kept it up all these years. That said, I'm ready to do more.

Janssen + Brooke. More wonderful human beings. (Just out of frame: the anonymous Feisty Harriet, who is as great in person as she is online.)

Part of my plan for transferring to a new site includes working with sponsors and affiliate networks in the hopes of bringing in a few extra dollars. I wanted to get a little more guidance in that area from this Say Hi event...and I totally did. But I'm still nervous.
I'd hate to start sounding like a commercial or feel like a sellout. I don't want to feel obligated to write; I want to write because it brings me joy. Turning this into a "real job" means risking some of that, which worries me.

And yet...what do I have to lose? If I decide I hate writing sponsored posts, I can stop. If I'm working too hard and not making enough to feel like my efforts are justified, I can slow down. Our family doesn't need additional income, so anything I get out of this is cream.

Mostly, I hope you'll be patient with me as I navigate these changes. It'll be a new challenge to balance authenticity and monetization. Wish me luck!

All photos by Red Poppy Photo.