My first year of blogging has been such a whirlwind, in the best way. I learned SO much that I could probably fill this post with hours of jabbering.
My last post was generally about my feelings towards one year of blogging. But in this post, I’m sharing my journey this year, and how my blog came to the point it is now. I will say it is super flattering when someone is shocked that I’ve only been doing this for a year. I’m like WHAT REALLY CAN I PLEASE HUG YOU!? But the truth is I just fooled you with my #fakeittilyoumakeit mantra that’s been going on since Glass of Glam all started.
OUTFIT DETAILS:
COAT c/o, OPTION | TOP | DENIM (I cut and frayed the hem myself) | BAG, OPTION | BOOTIES, OPTION | LIPS: REVLON COLORBURST CRAYON IN CRUSH | CHOKER
OUTFIT DETAILS:
COAT c/o, OPTION | TOP | DENIM (I cut and frayed the hem myself) | BAG, OPTION | BOOTIES, OPTION | LIPS: REVLON COLORBURST CRAYON IN CRUSH | CHOKER
I moved to DC with husband of glam in October of 2015. We already had family and really close friends here, so it wasn’t too scary. I had just quit my job doing civil defense litigation at a mid sized firm, and at 27 years old I really was not sure what I wanted to do with my life.
I knew I loved fashion and beauty. More like lived, breathed, obsessed. I went to my favorite blogger’s websites every single day, poured over magazines, and literally studied the inventory of my favorite online retailers. You get the point. Along with that, my friends and acquaintances were asking me where I got this and that, what skincare I used, what lipstick I was wearing. I was on to something, but I didn’t know it yet.
At the end of December, after living in DC for 2 months, I finally started Glassofglam.com. Choosing a name was really difficult, but I love feeling and looking glamorous, and I seriously can’t get enough beverages. Boozy and not. So Glass of Glam it was!
I read all the websites and watched all the Youtubes on “how to start a blog” and registered my domain on Bluehost (I don’t know why, maybe because they had the best deal at the time and I had no budget.) Everyone said USE WORDPRES.ORG NOT WORDPRESS.COM so I followed their advice without really knowing why.
I picked an ugly theme, took some photos on my iPhone (go through my archives if you must) and started posting. I figured it was better to go early and go ugly then to never go. I made my collages on whatever free software I had and taught myself how to install plugins and build the website I imagined. But it was still kind of janky. I remember trying to install a widget to make my instagram photos show up on my homepage and it took me like 4 HOURS. But struggling with a task is a learning experience that I know I am better for.
I finally upgraded to a better camera – a Canon Rebel SL1 (the perfect mini blogger camera!) and bought a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens to go with it. Me and my husband shot with the kit lens on auto at first, but I finally starting playing around with the settings and was able to get that blurred background that everyone covets. Now that we understand how the camera works and have confidence in what we are going for, we have so much fun shooting together and I am always (usually) proud of our work.
I also upgraded to a photo editing software called Photoshop Elements. Guys, this program is a game changer and worth every penny. It takes awhile to learn the tricks, but there is so much you can do. As SOON as my imagery started to look better (both outfit shots and collages) that’s when I started to get noticed. I know I still have a lot of growing to do, but it’s fun to look back at where you came from once in a while.
Sometimes, I have some really talented local photographers take my photos. It’s SO nice to have a creative mind take your photos and send you the final edited product. I really struggle with editing, and it takes a ridiculous amount of time for me to get photos that I am proud of. Having a professional on your team is such a treat.
Overall, I try not to compare where I am now to someone else’s middle. You know those bloggers who have been around for 10 years and have so much more experience. They make drinking a cup of coffee look impeccable. Sometimes I like to go back in my favorite blogger’s archives and see that they, too, improved along the way. It’s refreshing and gives me a little boost of confidence.
If you’re just starting out, my advice is to just go for it. Keep pushing and studying and “figuring out” how to get the website you always imagined. Pretend like you have a million viewers a day, and your content will reflect confidence and authority. Invest in your website where your gut tells you, like in a better camera and good software. But don’t just GET the toys, learn how to really use them.
I’d love to know if you have any blogging questions, although I am by no means an expert. Shoot me an email (glassofglam@gmail.com) or drop a comment and I’ll definitely answer!
–Roxanne
Currently Sipping: Perrier
Aw, I love hearing the story of how your blog started and I’m so glad we met!! Can’t wait for our next date!
Alissa
I enjoyed your post very much. Very inspirational for sure! Thanks for sharing!
~Christine
bonchicstyle.com
That’s awesome you’ve learned and grown so much in just one year of blogging! I’ve been doing my blog for a little over 9 years and I still need to grow. It’s a learning process for sure, but I love it!
-lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
Can’t believe you have only been blogging for a year. Your blog is fantastic!
michellespaige.com
Thanks, Michelle! I love your blog, too!
Blog is looking SO good!! Keep up the good work! And can we please grab ze vino? 😀
blazersandbubbly.com
Thanks you, Juju! You’re the sweetest. And YEEEEES we need a vino date!
Good for you, Roxanne, to have come thus far, and only after a year 🙂 here’s to an even brighter 2017 xo
Aw thank you for being such a positive influence! I appreciate it so much!
It’s well-deserved 🙂 have you had a chance to read my email, incidentally? xoxo
I can’t believe you have only been blogging for a year Roxanne, you slay!
Love your blog so much. Loving this look too, gorgeous coat!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Thank you, Elise! I admire your writing style in how familiar and friendly it is. It’s like I’m reading an email from a girlfriend.
I love this post! The way you started the blog is like a lean startup – You started small with a minimum viable product… A blog that functions, and then improved it along the way! It really has come so far in just a year!
Thanks, Moog! I can’t believe it has been a whole year! Crazy how quickly time goes when you’re working hard at something you really enjoy.
hard work pays off! I wish I had been more creative with my blog’s name. It was kind of rushed, lol. 🙂
You’re so right! I like your blog name! I know what you mean, though, you have an idea and you want to just start it before it slips away.
Kudos to you for the hard work. I remember when I started too. It was frustrating that I nearly gave up. Lol! I definitely need to upgrade on my camera and get an editing software. Thanks for sharing that.
You look wonderful in your outfit. Great!
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks so much for reading! I’ve had so many frustrating days! Definitely do some camera research, you won’t regret it!
I haven’t used elements. Have you tried lightroom as well? I just started using it and I’m not sure what each different program offers. For $10/month, lightroom is working well enough for now! happy new year 🙂
I haven’t tried Lightroom! I heard it is great. I think as long as you really dedicate yourself to learning one then thats perfect!
That is awesome you’ve only been blogging a year! I think your blog looks great and I would looove to read a post on your photography tips! Especially if you take photos yourself with a tripod.
Congrats on year one and cheers to many more!
-Kristin
countdowntofridayblog.com
Thank you! I don’t use my tripod much anymore, but I’ll definitely start a post on some photography tips! Great idea!
Wow! Still so impressed you have done all of this in only a year. Love your “fake it ’til you make it” attitude, even though I think you have made it! I haven’t downloaded any software to edit my photos yet, but I will look into it. I’m trying to learn how to make my website faster and reduce my image file sizes because I know it takes forever to load. If you have any tips for that, I’d love to hear! Doesn’t it feel so great when you finally figure something out? Thanks for being so real!
xx
Courtney
Thank you, Courtney! It DOES feel amazing when you finally make something work! Even if it does take 4 hours, haha.
A good plugin is called WP Smush! It will reduce your image file size automatically to make your website run faster!
It’s amazing how much you learned in a year! I’m glad that you are doing something that you love and you are great at it! Great photos and outfit today!
Time really flies! Thank you!