Today, Afford Anything turns one year old.
Exactly a year ago today I wrote my first post on this website, and geez, it was a terrible post. I’m too embarrassed to link to it.
I had no clue what I was doing when I started this site. I didn’t know HTML coding. I didn’t know how to read site metrics. I didn’t know the first thing about how search engines operate, or how to negotiate with advertisers, or how to layout a page, or what a plugin is.
Most importantly, I didn’t know how to engage with my readers. My training as a journalist taught me to stay detached and impersonal. (“Most Americans say they’re worried about retirement, a new Gallup poll finds.”) This is a fine technique when you’re discussing city council decisions for the local newspaper, but online it doesn’t fly. Readers want a human voice, and I didn’t know how to have one.
In this site’s early days, Afford Anything looked so horrible that one kind reader – in an effort to be constructive – told me that it came across as spammy. Looking back, I agree. (Fortunately, that same reader offered much-needed tips on how to improve.)
In the early days (geez, it’s only been a year – how do I already have “early days?”), when I had no readers and was blogging into an empty abyss, I looked for “small wins” to provide encouragement.
I vividly remember the first time someone re-tweeted something I said. I remember the exact spot where I stood while I read the re-tweet. I remember doing a little victory dance, the type that a football player might do after a touchdown. I remember telling my friends about it (and wondering why they looked so amused).
It seems silly now, but back then – twelve months ago – it felt like a triumph. Something I said was important enough to re-tweet! Victory dance!
I had no idea the blogging world is so complex. I had no clue that hundreds – or probably thousands — of people earn a full-time living as bloggers. I didn’t know I’d meet people through Afford Anything would become my closest friends. And I’m flabbergasted by the fact that some of the writers I admired from a distance are now my mentors.
Although I had high hopes for this site, I had no idea that Afford Anything would reach its one-year anniversary with 15,000 readers per month and growing.
So much happens in a year.
There’s a famous quote by Bill Gates that says: “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”
While there’s truth to that, I’d add a caveat: the world is changing more quickly than we’ve ever experienced. Four years ago, in early 2008, I didn’t know anyone with a smartphone or a Twitter account. Now I know very few people without one.
Seven years ago, when I started working as an entry-level reporter, spending your career in newspapers seemed like a viable option. Now it sounds quaint.
With the world changing as quickly as it does, perhaps some of us underestimate what we can achieve in a year. Or in six months. Or even in six weeks.
So aim high. Overestimate what you can do. Dive in headfirst, even if you have no clue how to begin. You’ll learn along the way, and who knows? You might be shocked at how much you can do in a short time.
Thanks to Exfordy for today’s photo.
Learn How To Escape the 9-5
Get free updates on building wealth and living to the fullest.
Zero spam.
Congrats on making it through one year! I think it will keep getting better as well. Excited to read your Yakezie Member Post too.
May you have many more good years to come!
Best, Sam
Thanks Sam!! I’m nervous about the Yakezie Post … I want it to be awesome (so of course I’m heaping pressure onto myself). 🙂 Here’s to more good years for everyone!
Happy one year! We’ve got the big 3 coming up, which is like one year on average per writer… or something.
@PK — Nice!! Happy third birthday!! I can’t imagine hitting three years … I know that’s only two years in the distance, but it sounds so far away!
Congrats on hitting the one year mark! 15,000 readers a month is a fantastic amount, too! Looking forward to reading more.
Haha, I remember doing a similar victory dance when I saw your first comment on one of my real estate posts!
Looking at the site you have now and the readership, I had no idea that it had only been a year! Congrats on all your success!
Reflecting on the year is an important step. We usually get caught up in the moment or the constant struggle to get things done. This is something all of us should do more often
Happy blogaversary! It’s so exciting to make it to the one year mark!
Congrats! I was truly surprised to hear that you have only been doing this for a year. This is a great site with fabulous content!
Congratulations Paula!! Wow, 15,000 readers a month, that’s amazing! I just celebrated my blog’s 1 yr anniversary last week. I know how much work goes on behind the scenes.
Keep up the good work.
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary. This was a very inspirational post! 15,000 readers per month! Huge progress!
Happy birthday Paula! I can’t believe Afford Anything has only been in business for a year.
Congratulations for what has been a stellar year and I wish you all the best for all of your blogging years to come!
Cogratulations of your first year! 15,000 readers a month is truly amazing!
Big Congrats on your anniversary! What a fantastic achievement of 15k readers pm! Inspirational…
Happy blogoversary! That’s wonderful! My blog is a year and a half this month.
@Daisy — Nice!! Happy 18 months!
Happy blogaversary, Paula! Wow, that first year went by quickly, didn’t it?
You’re doing a GREAT job — and all those readers are the proverbial proof in the pudding! 🙂
Happy anniversary! Here’s to another great year!
I think you’re doing so well because you’re a great writer. I’m starting to see the benefit of writing fewer posts, but ensuring that they’re good. In the early days of blogging, I think that the more posts people were banging out, the better. But less is more now. Quality is King. And you are one of the best personal finance bloggers in the United States. You’re the Kerry Taylor http://www.squawkfox of the south. She blogs once a week, but her stuff is superb. You’re similar Paula.
Alexa rankings, links, blah blah blah. They’re important. But it’s quality that will always triumph in this ten year game. And you have quality. I’m a fan. Follow Kerry as a mentor. I think she’s more “your style” than some of the other bloggers you may be considering to emulate. You rock Paula!
Congrats! It always amazes me when bloggers have such success so quickly. I have been a blogger for the past 5 years, when I started a family blog, for journaling and documenting for other family members and friends. It wasn’t until several months ago when I realized it was a lucrative business for people with passions to spread their knowledge and throughts.
I started a home improvement, DIY (do it yourself), and thrifting blog recently (www.ThriftDiving.com), and because it’s so new, I had to send out an email ASKING (begging??? Lol) friends and family to subscribe. Now I have 18 people subscribed. Ha! Now I’m a little nervous because I HAVE to post good, interesting stuff, or else people will unsubscribe!
But the thing you said that was most powerful in your post was: “Dive in headfirst, even if you have no clue how to begin. You’ll learn along the way.” That is exactly what I am doing, even as I make mistakes along the way. At least I am doing it, right?!
@Serena — Absolutely! Just doing it — as the Nike slogan says — is the most important step. I made so many mistakes, and wasted so much time, when I first started. And I’m 99 percent certain that, two years from now, I’ll look back on the stuff I’m doing today and I’ll think to myself, “Gee, I made so many mistakes back in 2012!” Errors and inefficiencies are unavoidable; diving in headfirst is the only way to work through them.
Congrats on your 18 subscribers!! That’s a great beginning … and the pressure you feel to produce epic content will help your growth.
Wish I still got cakes like that!
Congrats on your one year, and to many many more years to come. You have a fabulous blog. Sadly, I don’t make my way around to comment much to any blogs. Horrible habit, I know!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Eddie!
Congratulations! One year of blogging is a great achievement.
Congrats on the one year! I think I was one of the first places you guest posted haha
@Evan — You were!! I have to thank you for my kick-off!