We’re wrapping up blogiversary week with one more post for anyone who’s starting a blog or trying to turn theirs into a business. We don’t claim to be formal blogging experts, but over four years of sharing home and DIY projects we’ve picked up a lot of lessons worth passing along. And of course there are a few pictures of Burger sprinkled through to keep things fun.
Rule #1: Let passion lead, not a business plan
For us, the blog began as a passion project. We write about DIY because it’s what we genuinely enjoy, not because it appeared on a short list of “hot topics.” When your blog springs from real interest, the necessary but less exciting tasks—editing photos, writing posts, administrative work—feel worthwhile, and the creative moments stay fun and energizing.
Rule #2: Blogging isn’t a get-rich-quick route
From our experience, blogging takes time and persistence. Building an audience and earning a living from a blog usually comes from long-term effort—hundreds or thousands of posts, consistent work, and gradual growth. Early on you may be pinching pennies, but if you’re doing something you love, that dedication is its own reward.
Rule #3: Success is unpredictable
We still don’t entirely know why our blog took off. There are countless talented creators out there, and growth often feels like a mix of consistent effort and fortunate timing. Honesty, enthusiasm, and persistence probably helped, but there’s always an element of randomness to what resonates and spreads.
Rule #4: Be yourself
This could be rule number one. Trying to imitate a successful blog or adopting a persona that doesn’t fit you rarely works. Audiences sense authenticity quickly; your voice will connect more deeply if it’s true. Don’t fake snark or contrive a persona—just be you.
Rule #5: Not everything will please everyone
Design and blogging are subjective. You’ll get fans and critics, often for the same content. Trying to satisfy everyone is a recipe for frustration. Accept that differing opinions are normal, stick to your voice (see Rule #4), and make choices that reflect what you want to create.
Rule #6: Blogging is largely a desk job
Despite a focus on hands-on projects, much of blogging happens at a computer: writing, photo editing, email, social media, and site maintenance. Projects may make for great content, but day-to-day work is often administrative and digital.
Rule #7: It’s also a creative after-hours job
The best part for us is the creative work—painting, building, and crafting. Getting to create as part of your work is incredibly rewarding and a major reason we keep going. That balance between digital tasks and hands-on projects is one of the perks of this kind of work.
Rule #8: You’ll work harder for yourself
Running your own venture means more pressure and longer hours. When your income depends on your blog, there’s an extra push to perform and to keep going. Working from home blurs the line between work and personal time, so make time for fresh air and breaks—some of our best ideas happen while walking or traveling.
Rule #9: Growth brings expenses
Blogging has real costs: hosting, site support, insurance, accounting, taxes, and the budget for projects featured on the site. As your audience grows, so can your overhead. Staying organized with finances, tracking expenses, and working with an accountant can make a big difference.
Rule #10: It’s worth it—enjoy the ride
Despite the challenges, blogging has brought us a lot of joy and fulfillment. We never expected to be where we are now, and we’re grateful for the journey. So relax, have fun, and let the process surprise you a little—don’t forget to celebrate your wins and wag your tail now and then.
Now we want to hear from you. If you blog, what lessons have you learned? If you don’t, what has your job taught you? We love hearing different perspectives—advertising taught us flexibility, not getting too attached to one idea, and how to be passionate and resourceful on the fly.
Thanks for celebrating our fourth blogiversary with us. We’re glad you’re here.
Update – We frequently get questions about professional blogging—how we built the site, grew traffic, and monetized it—so we’ve shared details about how to start a blog, grow an audience, and turn it into a full-time job.