fall/winter inspiration – Nicole Ballardini

FULL TIME BLOGGER: I TURNED MY HOBBY INTO MY JOB

Written by nickyinsideout on January 5, 2017. Posted in 2, Fashion. 16 Comments on FULL TIME BLOGGER: I TURNED MY HOBBY INTO MY JOB

Three years ago I could only dream of answering ‘I am a full time blogger for a living‘. .

If I look back now, I was in a totally diffent place. Literally. At that time I used to work (already in fashion) and live in London, I was dating my boyfriend only since a few months and baby Emma was not even a remote plan. Instead, what was there already, was a big passion for fashion and a hobby that started mainly out of curiosity. With passion and dedication nickyinsideout kept on growing and I’ve been a full time blogger since a year now.

How did I make it?

Big passion. Hard work.

Many people still think my job is just about posting pretty pictures. It is, in a nutshell. But personally, it took much more to become a full time blogger. While I was putting every minute of my free time into my hobby I started to put more effort into my photography, I created a more professional website and I built a community on my Instagram.

I didn’t start nickyinsideout for money. I always purely followed a dream. Maybe this was the key to success? It’s always been me, sharing my personal casual-chic style, the current trends I loved and mixing and matching high street with high end brands. Becoming a full time blogger was the result of doing it every single day.

One of my priorities was always the relationship with my readers. I’ve always replied all their comments and when possible reciprocate the interest. This way I built my Instagram community. We are over 70K by now and my pictures are seen by over half million people every month, almost 700,000 to be exact! I’ve always tried to stay true to myself and only wear brands and styles I truly like and enjoy wearing. Finally, I never skip a day posting on my Instagram and I am very critical on the type of content I post. I never share a picture or an outfit I don’t like 99,9%..

Following your passion and becoming your own boss is the most scary but at the same time exciting thing! Whatever will happen, you can look back and be proud of having followed your dreams. However will go, it will make you a stronger and experienced person. That’s already worth the effort in my opinion. It’s a life changing experience. There are no ‘office hours’, no real weekends or holidays. You will be dedicating all your time and efforts to your own business and this comes hand in hand with a big personal satisfaction.

I believe we are all good at something. In my case could be styling an outfit or an image and what are you good at?

A couple of months ago, while browsing on Etsy for my vintage Louis Vuitton belt I was surprised to see so many shops owned by very talented people, following their dream, being part of a community, having so many original ideas and following their gut of taking them into life.

Etsy is going to start a very cool program at the end of this month which could help you taking your dream into reality. The best thing is you don’t need a big initial investment! Nowadays the internet becomes your best friend and Etsy is helping and guiding you in creating this all for free! The program is called Etsy Resolution. It’s a free email course, which guides you step by step through the process of opening your own Etsy shop. The programme will give you all the tools you need to start your business on Etsy.

How great is that!

Why not leaving behind the boring new year resolutions of starting the gym or giving a try to a new diet? Follow your dream and your passion instead! Who knows, with some business acumen and a little bit of luck, you might be realising your biggest dream this year and even better, making it your full time job too!