I’ve been blogging for almost a decade. Yup, that long. But have you ever wondered how I started blogging? If you have, today is your lucky day. I made a video talking about how I started my blog and some of the things I’ve done along the way. It was fun to take a walk down memory lane {with a few sidetracks, of course} and share this with you guys.
The sound even worked properly. Yes!
And not just that, I talked about how I made a move from Blogger to WordPress, how I named my blog {that E, though} and the blogging community within Australia. I went into some of the steps I took to grow the community around my blog and why that matters. Plus there are classic stories such as the time Blogger pulled my blog down and how I started outfit blogging. It’s jam-packed.
Last night I asked the Facebook community if they had any questions or queries about how I started blogging or why, so I could answer it within this post as a bit of a value add. It was after 9 pm when I put the post up though, so well, it didn’t go well. Who knew you lot went to bed so early. Weird. Are you sure you’re following the right girl?
Here are your questions about how I started blogging.
Taryn asks: What was it that first inspired you to create the blog?
Suger answers: It’s one of those random moments actually. I came across the Blogger icon while looking around Google apps one night. I’ve always loved to write and take photos, so I just started doing that on the internet. Then once I was here, I found plus-size bloggers and they encouraged me to start sharing my outfits. The rest, as they say, is history. Haha. The video pads that out a little. But that was the inspiration; a love of creating stuff.
Carmel asks: What was uh ha moment that led you to hit publish?
Suger answers: I think the only thing that had me hit publish on that first post was that I was anonymous. I’d never planned to share my identity. Haha. Later, when I started sharing outfits, it was encouragement from the community and friends I’d made online
Julie asks: Your writing style is so honest and brave – you put it all out there! Do you ever feel too exposed in front of your audience? (Asking for an introverted friend 
)
Suger answers: I think the only time I’ve felt exposed was when people in town started to recognise me. It felt very real then, like anyone I pass on the street who might’ve read it. But I’m okay with what I share and I’ve learned to be okay with knowing other people read it.
That’s a wrap. I hope you enjoyed the casual format/chat type video and insight into how I started blogging. Getting started can be the hard; where to blog and how to get started. I hope you can see from that video that you have to dive in and figure it out as you go. No one has all the answers; if expressing yourself matters, you’ll figure it out.
I did. Sort of. Haha.
Don’t forget to check me out on YouTube if you’re there.
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Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
Loved this! I started my blog after commenting on mamammia (when it was a fun place with few ads) and people liked what I had to say. I also had begun reading blogs like Woogsworld, BabyMacBeth and Styling You. I think of your ‘e’ in suger and how it happened each time I see your blog name!!
Thank you for joining in for #lifethisweek.
Next Week’s Optional Prompt: 23/52. What I Will Never See Again. 4/6/18. Denyse
Thank you, Denyse. That Suger/Suger story is the best. Classic me. Haha.
Ahhh, the OLD DAYS, when that site was an actual resource and place of community.
This post brings back so many happy memories of the early days, M!
SSG xxx
I’m glad to hear that, it certainly felt the same way writing it. A good old walk down memory lane!
I started my blog (on Blogger) choosing to be completely anonymous – with a cat and a coffee cup as my profile pic. It took about 6 months – and finding other like minded bloggers for me to open up and own what I write and to add my face to my blog. I haven’t looked back since (fortunately I’m not recognized in the street – that would be weird!)
I loved Blogger, it was so simple and it was the easiest place to just start and learn as you went. I’m sure it still is, of course. I was anonymous for about a month. Barely. Haha. I wasn’t cut out for the anonymous life, I overshare too much. But, man, being recognised is still strange. I can’t imagine how someone with a massive following feels. Eeek.
It must be weird to get recognised! I’m so glad other plus size bloggers encouraged you to share your fabulous outfits 🙂
Di from Max The Unicorn
It really is, haha. Such a strange experience. And I’m glad they did too. I’ve been out of the outfit game for a little while now, and I miss it to be honest. Might be making a comeback, at least to Instagram before we know it.
This was really interesting – thanks for sharing that! I’ve been contemplating a blog for a long while. I sort of soft launched it, in that no one’s actually seen it yet. LOL. Not sure what it’s going to be but I finally took down the coming soon page, so now I have to keep posting. 🙂
Thank you Laurie. I’m excited to hear about your new blog. Trust me, those first steps are the hardest. It’s why I only really did it because I thought I would be anonymous. On post at a time, you’re going to love it! 🙂