Exciting news today: I’m celebrating 10 years of blogging full-time! It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since I quit my day job and took the leap to run the A Lady in London blog as a business. I’ve come a long way since, and so has blogging.
10 Years Blogging
Back when I started my first blog in 2002, blogging was just a hobby. Even when I created A Lady in London in 2007 there wasn’t a business model for it.
I wanted a way to keep in touch with family and friends when I moved to London, and thought the blog would always just be that.
But a couple years later blogging had become something you could monetize and my blog had gotten a big enough following to do it.
I spent six months saving money in case things didn’t work out, then took a New Year’s plunge and went full-time at the beginning of 2010.
As excited as I was, it was terrifying at the start. I woke up every morning wondering if I’d made the biggest mistake of my life. But I hadn’t. In fact, I couldn’t believe how well things went in my first year. I still can’t.
Highlights of Full-Time Blogging
Since then there have been ups and downs, but generally it’s been an exciting adventure. 10 years of blogging for a living has allowed me to travel to over 100 countries and see more of the UK than I ever thought I would.
It’s also taken me all over London. I’ve explored way more of the UK capital than I knew existed, and I never would have discovered so much of the city if it hadn’t been for A Lady in London.
It’s even allowed me to buy a flat, and I’m so happy to have a permanent place to call home in the city.
Achievements of 10 Years of Blogging Professionally
10 years of blogging full-time has also brought me in contact with great partners, from tourism boards (many of whom enjoy kitting me out in their national dress, as you can see from this post!) to brands and collaborators.
Through them and with them I’ve not only traveled the world, but also had unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and created co-branded products.
Blogging professionally has also given me the opportunity teach classes, write blogging eBooks, give talks about blogging and digital marketing in front of audiences of hundreds of people, and speak at conferences and events all over the world.
It’s seen me featured in magazines like Stylist, on the cover of Time Out, interviewed in newspapers like the New York Times, and get my photos published in publications like Conde Nast Traveler and the FT. I still can’t quite believe those things actually happened.
The Best Part of of 10 Years of Blogging Full-Time
Above all, it’s allowed me to meet incredible people, both in person and online.
It’s been amazing to connect with so many of you over the last decade.
I’ve enjoyed blogging for you, engaging with you on social media, planning trips for you, teaching you, doing Instagram and blog coaching sessions with you, meeting you at conferences and events, running into you in airports, and generally interacting with you wherever our paths cross in the real or virtual world.
Thank you for all your support along the way. You’re the reason I’ve gotten to where I am today, and I’m so grateful to you. Here’s to another 10 years of blogging full-time on A Lady in London!
Find this post helpful? Buy me a coffee!
New here? Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email.
Pin it!
20 Comments on Lady Celebrates 10 Years of Full-Time Blogging
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Wow, so inspiring all that you have accomplished!
Thanks! I really appreciate it.
Congratulations! What a wonderful achievement. I’m
Very glad that you’ve done this as whenever I visit London I download some of your neighbourhoods and go exploring. Love it. Keep up
The great blogging.
I’m so glad to hear that!
Good Lady,
Congratulation! I really glad for you and share your happiness.
You are leading a good life doing what you love and enjoy everyday. You are a great role model.
Cheers!
Y Y
Thanks! I appreciate the kind words.
Congratulations! I read and love your blog and carry your tote! Here is to another 50 years of blogging!
Aw, thanks! I’m glad you got the tote bag.
Congratulations on you 10th year. I recall sitting next to you on a flight in the US when you had just started. I find your choice to do what you love to be encouraging for many. I have since retired and my wife and I have done several cruises to see the world. We call it the sampler platter method. I look forward to your future writings. Sincerely, M.Sterling
Wow, I’m glad you remember me after all these years!
I’m glad this worked out so well for you! I always look forward to your Twitter posts to see what’s looking good today.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you!
Congratulations! I actually have been following you since the beginning! So happy for all your success! You also helped me out on multiple trips to England!
I’d love for you to share what tips you have with monetizing your blog, I am getting to where I have significant readership with my blog and would love to take it to the next level and actually make some more substantial brand partnerships.
Cheers,
Lindsay
Thanks! Please see the pages on my blog about my eBooks, blog coaching services, and classes.
As a blogger just starting out at the ripe old age of 52 I found this blog very inspirational. Determination and a love of what you do has shown that great things can be accomplished through hard work. Love your blog site 😃
Thanks so much! I’m glad you’ve found inspiration in it.
Congratulations. You do it so well. Your photography is excellent, you writing is good and always interesting, you offer friendly, fun advice to Britain obsessed, travelling geeks like me. What’s there not to like! Here’s to ten more years 🌹
Thanks, Jeff! I really appreciate it.
A Big congratulations to You !!
Thanks!