Why I Blog (AKA How I Started Blogging)

I first discovered blogging back in the mid-90s. It wasn’t called blogging then. Thank heavens that Yahoo Geocities no longer exists because my first content creation efforts were truly appalling.

In 2006, my darling husband Kevin asked me to “do something with the computer” to help generate leads for his transport business.

At the time, I was on maternity leave with two little ones. Given the choice between daytime TV and helping him out, I helped.

This decision changed my life.

I did some research on generating leads for our business and all of the advice was just beyond me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m well educated (post graduate education), but I had no idea what these companies were talking about!

It was the time-honoured procrastination method (checking email) that sent me to a site called BT Tradespace. The site promised to help me grow my business. All I had to do was follow the instructions.

And I did.

Upload a logo. Check.

Add a website URL. Check

Blog or Podcast?

It was here I hesitated. What the hell is blog or podcast?

I clicked the blog option and discovered that blogging was a type of writing but online. Hell no! I hate writing. I couldn’t write for toffee. I won’t be doing that at all!

How the present-day me mocks 2006 me!

Podcasting? That was speaking, and everyone knows that’s worse than writing… I’ll blog.

And thus, began my online marketing career – doing something that I didn’t have a clue about, or the required skills for, in order to grow our business.

My first blog post was 50 words and took 2.5 hours to write.

I’d rather root canal treatment without anaesthesia than write those first few blog posts.

The site instructed me to do these activities 3 times a week, every week.

And I did.

At least I had something to show Kevin about growing the business, it may as well be this or I’d be back watching daytime TV.

Fast forward six weeks.

“I don’t know what this blogging thing you’re doing is, but it’s making the phone ring.”

I smiled at Kevin – yay it’s working! Heart goes skippety skip skip skip. Brain says yes! We can quit writing, we never liked it anyway.

“Can you do more of it?” he says.

“Sure” I reply with far more confidence than I feel...

And that’s how I became the queen of content. Purely by accident, with zero writing ability.

My sites have been listed by Forbes, as top websites. I’m the only Brit on this Forbes list, I was listed three times in total. I’m recognised as an influencer by Brand Republic, Top Rank Blog, Onalytica (top 50 social media marketer, top 25 content marketer in Europe). The Guardian (for PR and Marketing) and many, many other accolades.

I’ve written blog posts that have generated 7 figure contracts. I’ve written content that’s raised 5 figures in 3 days for the horrific Grenfell Towers tragedy.

I've written content that I love. I’ve published content that I hate. I’ve written content that will make you cry. I’ve written content that’s made me cry.

If I can blog to grow a business you can too.

Join the Free Business Blogging Challenge, or jump straight into First Page Famous here.

Whatever one you choose, I know you'll have a lot of fun!

Sarah x