One year ago, on January 15th 2013, I published this blog post — the first post on Be a Freelance Blogger.
Most of the universe paid no attention. But my life changed completely.
That blog post’s received 222 comments. Some of those were from me and Lauren replying to your comments, but that’s still about 200 comments more than I was used to getting anywhere else.
People were talking to me. I mean really talking — not “Great post!” but long, thoughtful comments. People emailed to thank me. And I felt kinda stupid, because Jon Morrow and Danny Iny told me this would happen, and I secretly didn’t believe them. I couldn’t imagine a life where more than 10,000 readers visit this blog in a month, and 5,700 people subscribe to read my emails.
Now I can’t imagine it without you.
I spent 2013 meeting so many new people with brilliant minds, heartfelt passions and genuine ethics. I’ve chatted with freelance bloggers and entrepreneurs around the world. I’ve taken beach holidays while I created online training programs, just like those spammy ads on the internet keep saying everyone can do… except that this isn’t an infomercial. It’s my life. It’s really happened.
It’s happened because you read, and think, and talk to me. Because you tell me when I’ve helped (and when I’ve screwed up).
It’s my blogiversary, and I’m happy you found me.
As a writer, it pains me to admit I haven’t got the right words — there aren’t enough words in existence — to tell you how much I appreciate you.
Well, either there aren’t enough, or there are only two that will do it.
Thank you.
Now go sit over there and read some birthday messages from the blogosphere while I pretend I’m not crying, dammit. There’s a big fancy prize to win at the end.
BAFB’s Birthday “Telegrams”
Happy birthday, Sophie – it’s been a pleasure watching what you’ve achieved over the past year, and I’m honored to have been a small part of that. Now onwards! Upwards! To help more people reach greater heights!
~Danny Iny, Mirasee
Happy Birthday to Be a Freelance Blogger! While you may only be a year old today, your wisdom is far more eternal. Your words are a sword cutting through the bullshit and excuses that prevent us writers from traveling our legendary paths. Many thanks to Sophie for your breathtaking courage and brutally honest advice! I raise my glass in your honor and looking forward to celebrating many more birthdays to come.
~Valerie Bordeau, Freelance Writers Academy
Be a Freelance Blogger is only a year old?! Damn. With the amount of value, credibility, and authority that your blog has, it looks like it’s been offering advice for ages. I suppose BAFB is kind of like a wise old guru in a young girl’s body. 🙂 Congrats and happy birthday, BAFB! I’m sure you’ll have many more years ahead of ya.
~Francesca Nicasio, FrancescaNicasio.com and Be a Freelance Writer
In one year, Be A Freelance Blogger has done more than some blogs do in their entire “lifetime.” It’s everything a great blog should be — consistently updated, fabulously entertaining, and gosh-darned useful. I fell in love with it as a reader and couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it as a writer and “community helper.” Here’s to another great year!
~Lauren Tharp, LittleZotz Writing
Congratulations on your blogiversary — and way to come out swinging. It’s been my pleasure to spend this year as a fan and a friend of yours. Keep blowing the doors off!
~Gary Korisko, Reboot Authentic
Congrats on your anniversary, Sophie! I remember that first blog post going live and making a huge splash 😉 You’ve done such cool stuff in just a year — best wishes for continued success in 2014!
~Dana Sitar, DanaMedia.co
Congrats Sophie… it was a great year with a lot of great info to apply. Keep going!
~Ahmed Safwan, To Start Blogging
Sophie, you are a blogging rockstar and an inspiration! Also you tend to curse when you get excited and I like that. 🙂 Congratulations to you! I wish you a fantastic birthday with many happy returns!
~Leanne Regalla, Writing that Resonates
Hey Be a Freelance Blogger! Happy Birthday! Long may you continue to grow, thrive and kick booty. Thank you for helping writers find their way, their voice and their bottle to get out there and *ROCK* their freelancing career.
~Laura Leigh Clarke, Wire Yourself for Wealth
Such an important milestone and look how much you’ve done with it in such a short time. You’re an inspiration.
~Jagoda Perich-Anderson, Conflict Tango
Congratulations Sophie! I look forward to your emails and appreciate the inspiration. Every time I receive one of your emails, I think, ok I can do this too! Again, congratulations and Happy Birthday BeaFreelanceBlogger.com!
~Claudia Sheridan, The Belgians Are Coming
Sophie – it’s been a great year getting to know you AND Be a Freelance Blogger – you’re always my top recommendation for anyone who wants to start writing for money online. Many happy returns to you, to BaFB and all of your wonderful community!
~Megan Dougherty, Mirasee
Can’t believe it’s “only” been a year for you. You’ve put out a crapload of kickass content!
~Jim Bessey, So Write Us
One year already! How the time flies… I’ve adored this blog since I first discovered it. Not only do you deliver honest, super-useful advice; you do it with a style that shows by example how it’s done. You’re the real, tail-kicking deal, and this site is an awesome resource for other bloggers. Here’s to another great year!
~Kelly Gurnett, a.k.a. “Cordelia”, Cordelia Calls It Quits
Your Turn: Win a BAFB Scholarship!
Today’s prize is the big one: every training course in the BAFB armoury. I plan to offer this scholarship prize to one reader on Be a Freelance Blogger’s birthday every year from now on.
At the end of January 17th, I’ll choose one winner to receive:
- Get Started for Freelance Blogging Success, a step-by-step training that walks you through starting up your blogging business, getting your first clients and delivering a professional blog post.
- The Freelance Blogger’s Client Hunting Masterclass [self-guided edition], an in-depth training program on how to find and win higher-paying clients who love and respect your work.
- A group mentoring session where you can get your questions answered and meet other freelance bloggers.
For your chance to win, leave your own blogiversary greeting in the comments box — tell me how long you’ve been reading the blog, and what’s the best or most useful thing you’ve learned from Be a Freelance Blogger so far.
Happy birthday, BAFB! From the myriad of freelancing resources I’ve found online, BAFB is definitely among my favorites. It’s accessible and overflowing with priceless information. The tone is friendly and supportive. I look forward to reading the updates each week.
I’ve been reading for three or four months now (a relatively short time). The most useful thing I’ve learned… that’s a tough question! If I had to choose, I guess it would be the article about alternatives to crap-paying gigs 🙂 But everything posted here is pretty much gold.
Thanks for all the dedication you put in!
Alexandra
First comment in my second year! Thanks, Alexandra. 🙂
Happy Birthday BAFB! *kazoos* *confetti* I am so happy to have found you, waaaay back in August, and of all the writing blogs I read, you are, without question, the staple of my reading diet. I’m so glad for all the advice and info I’ve gotten from your posts and suchlike, and I’m thrilled at the success you’ve had here in only a year! You rock! (But you don’t need me to tell you that 😉 ) The most useful thing I’ve learned to date … that is pretty hard! In addition to the outline of how, how much, xyz, I think the most *insightful* thing has been the rate guide, who is making how much after blogging for however many years. But everything you offer is great! Thank you again for this resource!
Thanks, Kerry – glad the rate guide’s doing its job!
Wow. I cannot imagine doing what you’ve done in a year. You blow my mind!
I’ve been a BAFB follower since July (with Raubi Perilli’s post on headlines).
The most useful thing I’ve learned is that I should step the f*ck up and be a freelance blogger. I’ve decided to start writing/freelancing/blogging full-time, and you blog has taught me not be afraid of the journey.
Happy birthday!
Woohoo! Another full-time freelance writer steps up! 🙂
I think I’ve been reading probably 8/9 months – the best thing I’ve learned is to how to pitch like a boss (practical tips are always the best).
I expect I’ll never stop publishing pitching tips. No matter how many times you cover the topic, there’s always more to be said…
Happy Blogging Bday! I’ve been reading your blog for about 3 months and I’ve learned so much! The best lessons I learned were about finding better paying clients and pitching them. From the ultimate guide to getting awesome and constructive feedback from Lauren, I’m more confident and ready to takey career to the next level.
In other words, this blog rocks! Happy Birthday♥
Lauren’s become such an integral part of what matters about this blog! I plan to make good use of her talents this year by having her provide public guest blogging guidance and feedback in our new Pitchfest contest (more on that in February).
Happy Blogiversary, Sophie — I hope they are happy tears! I’ve been reading BAFB for at least 1/2 a year. There are oodles of practical tips that are actionable and valuable, but the most important lessons that I’ve taken away from BAFB are 1) it’s ok, and sort of inevitable, not to mess up, and 2) that it’s perfectly ok just to be me (because I’m perfectly badass enough). It’s taken time for my brain to process what my heart has learned here, but I’m still chugging away. Cheers to your year 1, may you have many, many more 🙂
Thanks Jessica – and yep, we’re all “badass enough” when we get going. 🙂
Hi Sophie
I remember when your blog burst onto the scene last year. It really was an explosive launch. One minute, I’d never heard of you. Then the next you were just everywhere.
Anyway, from the outset BAFB was streets ahead of the vast majority of writer/blogger websites out there. But it’s actually got better – loads better.
The writing’s more relaxed and polished. And, of course, those tips just keep on coming.
Congratulations on a brilliant first year.
That’s the benefit of having Jon Morrow as a blog launch mentor!
I feel like I’m still finding my feet and learning every day, even now. And you’re so right about being more relaxed — the more time I spend talking with you guys, the easier the writing flows. 🙂
Sophie! Happy blog-friggin-versary, missus! I’ve only been ready for a few weeks! And you know what? I don’t remember how I discovered you (those are the best discoveries) but I’m so glad I did!
The biggest thing you’ve taught me so far (and there’s more to come I’m sure) ? That making your mark in this world isn’t about key words, or SEO, of wild dreams. It’s about having the balls to go out and get it.
– Razwana
Precisely. Have you read this guest post by Cindy Brown? She cracks me up. ;D
Freelancing Takes Balls (And Yep, You’ve Got a Pair)
Yes! Loved it!
Hey Sophie! Huge congratulations, what amazing success in a year 🙂 I have been reading the blog and following you right from the start, and to watch you flourish and build this community is just awe inspiring. Well done. I can’t isolate one piece of advice that has helped me the most, in all all honesty I am on this site every day and love what you do.
Thank you, and 2014 is going to be great x
Hi Sophie, Happy Birthday!!
I started reading this blog in June or July, I kept reading because I like your brutal honesty and sense of humor. One of the first things you taught me is that I should ‘step the f### up and be a freelance blogger’. But the biggest things I’ve learnt are to always be yourself and it’s ok to make mistakes, learn from it and try again.
Your client hunting handbook, rate guide and list of paying blogs are great resources. You have also ‘introduced me’ to some great writers and bloggers.
So thank you, and here’s to a great second year 🙂
Sue
Hi Sophie,
I already greeted you elsewhere, but here it’s again: Happy Birthday to your little one year young blog! And congrats for your success in just one short year! It’s still a little one at just one year, but so popular and talked about! Isn’t that great?! 🙂
Just like Razwana above, I discovered BAFB just on the day you started this contest last month. I subscribed, and you already remember what happened. I sure knew you before, had heard about and probably read your guest posts, from Carol and others in the writersphere,
I won’t point to any post where I learnt the most, since almost all of your posts are great and I sure will return to them from time to time. What I learnt in these almost 30 days I visited BAFB, is the habit of regularly reading a blog post and commenting, even though there are certain posts which I only read and didn’t comment on. BAFB helped me cultivate this good habit of regular reading and commenting, which I think I would have had difficulty cultivating myself.
Why did I say helped cultivate the habit? Because, it takes 21-30 days for humans to cultivate a habit, according to productivity gurus. And, BAFB did that for me.
I’m sure this happened with almost all of the other regular commenters too. But for me, it was more helpful because I wasn’t yet regularly commenting even though I knew this should be a part of the daily blogger work.
Another side effect thing which happened was to get to know many other commenters. And, not to forget two nice gifts from you (a writer site and three free domain memberships). And, a lot of posts as my favorites! I haven’t ever read any single blog as regularly like I did BAFB, yet. Even if the contest is over, that won’t change. You made it into a habit for me to come here daily. 🙂
And, one more, which I REALLY needed – the BAFB community. I had been a member of a paid blogging community for about 2 months more than an year ago. Was searching for a free community where I could post and get bloggy help. It was BAFB where I found this community. Hope to be more active there. Thanks a ton for starting such a community and not charging. I know, you have a paid community as well, which I hope to join too, when I join one of your ecourses, probably in a few months.
Thanks for reading this long comment, which could have been a short post at my own blog. 🙂
BTW Sophie,
I also wish to congratulate you on the HARD work it took to complete this contest. It was like I could SEE through the hard work you were putting in doing these almost daily posts and also choosing the winners.
I greatly appreciate that, and thank you for all this hard work you put up since a month. I’m sure everyone thanks you for this. They just may not have realized it as I did.
Thanks, Raspal! It was hard work, but a lot of fun.
What most people won’t have noticed is that at one point (I think it was around January 9th or 10th) my internet connection collapsed and I was so busy dealing with that, I never got to publish my daily post at all. *So* frustrating, and I missed a Kingdom of Paidalot “Freelance Round Table” hangout, too. 🙁
Lesson learned: always preschedule when you have the chance, just in case you can’t get online later!
I remember on 9th, I kept on checking for a new post so often, but knew something must have been wrong, or you were too tired with the hard work. 🙂
But, do you have Internet connection problems there too? I keep a backup Internet connection, especially at such an important time. I agree, prescheduling is the best thing to do.
Few people love working hard – they love sleeping hard, instead. 🙂
I started following pre-launch:) I don’t remember which site now, but I loved your guest post on one site, and signed up to be notified when the blog would start:)
I’ve been a compulsive reader ever since. I love the blog because despite being in a popular niche and featuring posts quite often, it never seems to be repeating itself. I learned a lot, so it’d be quite hard to pick one best and/or significant thing, but I guess I’ll have to go with the importance of staying true to who you are – and that it’s possible to be funny, personal, professional and authoritative at the same time. That’s one awesome brand to build, and you showed how it is possible.:) Oh, and the second thing (I cannot not mention it) – the importance of building an audience before launching the blog. Now, a lot of bloggers mention it’s importance, but I think I even sent an email to you at one point asking when you are launching it- I had been sold on the content and the brand before I started reading the posts on the blog, so that was a first-hand experience:) Happy Birthday, BAFB!
Happy Birthday, Sophie! And thank *you*!
I’ve only been reading your blog for a few short months, but your words and the words of the guests you’ve chosen have more than inspired me to pursue something I never (and I mean *never*) thought I’d be able to do: write for a living.
I hated writing in high school and college. I only loved the research part of those papers.
I always saw myself hunched over a microscope or perusing a crime scene (No, I’ve never watched CSI.) but deciding to homeschool my teens and then having another baby put those dreams on hold – possibly forever, or at least, until I was old and gray. I wanted a career so badly, but I wanted to be there for my kids, too. I chose my kids.
These past few months I’ve just been sitting on the sidelines, observing and reading, and I thought, What the hell are you doing?! Get your ass up and start *doing*!
So I started commenting a few days ago. Baby steps.
I am so thrilled about the prospect of having a career *and* being home with my kids. Bethanny’s comment about forensicmag also really opened my eyes about the topics I could pursue. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it in the first place.
Thank you for giving me that kick in the pants I needed. You do a great service for the freelance blogging world. 🙂
Happy Birthday! Have some cake for this momentous occasion! I loved the 52 free resources and checked out many of them. Also enjoyed your latest blitz of contest-you had some really great posts! Much luck with the coming years.
Happy Blogiversary, Sophie!
I’ve been reading your blog for months (I don’t know how many). I think I found you through a guest post on Carol Tice’s blog, but I’m not sure. My memory just doesn’t work as well as it used to. 😉
There have been so many valuable posts that it’s hard to choose just one thing. I am still working my way through all of the free e-books from your 52 resources for freelance writers, and I’ve yet to query all of the markets I put into my database from your list of 50+ blogs that pay well. Everything you do is awesome, and it’s cool to see how well you’ve done with this blog in such a short time. Here’s to another great year!
(not an entry)
Happy Birthday BAFB! Your blog has taught me a lot about freelance blogging especially in making up my mind that I can do this! I’m glad I found your blog, but then again for someone like me who wants to learn how to make money blogging, it’s quite impossible not to find you. 🙂 Here’s to more BAFB readers!
I have no idea how I stumbled upon your blog, but I remember thinking “Man, I gotta guest post here!” It’s what sparked the path to refining my writing style, and I haven’t looked back since.
That was way back in June. It’s so cool to see how much this blog has grown 🙂
Why You Should Step the F*ck Up to Be a Freelance Blogger
That title said it all.
Stop with the excuses, the procrastination, the waiting game.
You want success? Work for it.
Step up your game, and you WILL get to where you need to go.
I’ve been following this blog from the beginning – since Sophie was emailing people telling them about the start of her super-duper new blog that was about to arrive on the scene.
One year later, I’ve definitely enjoyed the ride. Let’s see where we go in 2014!
Happy birthday to Be A Freelance Blogger! Wow, this blog is only a year old? If you haven’t just said so, I wouldn’t believe it. 🙂
So, I had to rummage through my inbox to find the subscription confirmation email I got. That was August 12, 2013. I also had to check my Springpad app for the blog posts I bookmarked – “… Zombie Apocalypse …”, “… Jedi’s Guide …”, “52 Totally Free Resources …” and a bunch of others more.
I haven’t read everything yet, but I absolutely enjoy visiting your blog. I’ve gotten a lot of kick-ass advice, advice that opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that are out there.
Thank you, Sophie, for all the help, and I look forward to another great year of rockin’ content from Free A Freelance Blogger! I’m sure you won’t disappoint.
Sorry, Sophie, that was a typo. That should have been, “Be a Freelance Blogger,” not “Free a Freelance Blogger.” On second thought, sounds like I’m on to something there, am I not?
Maricel – Though a typo, it could make a good domain name – FreeAFreelanceBlogger.com 🙂
Free a Freelance Blogger from being just a side hustler, from their regular day job, from money tension, from doing work for free … are some ideas, if someone wants to get this domain.
You read my mind, Raspal. You read my mind. 🙂
Happy Bloggervasery I am happy to be a part of BAFB it has been my source of inspiration and will pick the contest as the best part of this blog. I started out hoping to win at least one prize, at the beginning but despite not winning any prize I feel like a winner with all the lessons I learnt from the daily posts. I always looked forward to see the name Sophie Lizard in my email and would quickly open the link sent. It has been an amazing experience for me.
Congratulations Sophie on your achievement.
You’re the best, Sophie! So excited for you and all you have accomplished in just one year. Glad to be a small part of it.
The winner of the 2014 Be a Freelance Blogger Scholarship is Maricel Rivera! [Took me a while, but I got there — my first attempt at making this announcement got hijacked by technology and wasn’t posted.]
Congratulations, Maricel, I#m emailing you now about your prize!
For everyone else, you can still get on the self-guided “training on demand” versions of both those training programs:
Get Started for Freelance Blogging Success
The Freelance Blogger’s Client Hunting Masterclass [Self Guided Edition]
Got the email. Thank you, Sophie!
Happy Birthday BeaFreelanceBlogger.com! I knew my comment was pretty late and it all because I stumble upon this community some days back, but to my amazement, I get addicted to it immediately. I just have to appreciate you for this post “52 Totally Free Resources for Freelance Bloggers” because it really contribute a lot to my online career. Thank you.