FINDING MY FEET AS A PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER

For a while, I felt lost. I had left my friends and family in Denmark to pursue a new life and career in a different country. Despite a few acquaintances I knew no one in London. I’d never traveled by myself much let alone lived in another country.

professional blogger

Creativity has always played a big part in my life. I started out drawing and painting a lot as a child. It kept me calm and happy. I became good and carried on into my teenage years when most have long given up as new interests take their fancy. For a while, I contemplated making it my living. Then I discovered theatre. I watched as many plays as I could attend, more than 300 in a couple of years. From Shakespeare to Beckett, serious drama to the silliest of cabarets. I also started writing plays, directing them and often starred in them as well while still at school. Though I was a shy and quiet teenage girl. I didn’t feel confident despite my achievements.

The burning desire to pursue acting led to me apply for drama school in Denmark at the tender age of 18. I was turned down due to inexperience and my young age. Told to live life and try again in a couple of years. In the meantime, I started university. Film and media studies were the closest I could come to acting and soon I found myself passionately embracing everything these classes had to offer. Especially shooting and editing videos. I’ve always been keen to learn and the only thing I wish I had been better at would be focusing and living in the moment. I wish I could tell my younger self not to worry!

After completing my MA degree I found myself thinking about the stage again. I wanted to see where I could take it. Having always felt at home in England, London seemed like the place to be and I soon found myself googling drama schools here. Being accepted the first time I applied was a dream come true and the two years there flew by in a whirlwind of crazy characters, emotional breakdowns, successes, and love.

Taking six months off after graduating to be with my mother, who in the weeks following my graduation had been diagnosed with breast cancer meant my focus naturally shifted. I struggled to find my feet in the months after returning to London in the new year of 2012. With my agency closing down I found myself stumbling and without proper guidance. Being a foreigner meant I didn’t have a support network. I also took on various jobs to simply make a living waiting for my big break. This is, unfortunately, the destiny for many talented and hopeful artists.

Having worked in the corporate sector while studying in Copenhagen and taking on various roles within the advertising industry before relocating to London meant I had a good understanding of what I could bring to these businesses along with my MA degree. I launched a small corporate skills training business but continued to take on jobs that unfortunately didn’t allow me to fully focus. I enjoyed the tasks but missed the creative flow of acting myself rather than giving pointers to others.

BEING A MUMTREPRENEUR

Becoming a mum is one of my greatest dreams fulfilled and I realised that pursuing the stage career I secretly hoped for proved more difficult while also being a dedicated parent. There’s not much support for parents in the arts, unfortunately. That has made me question whether to return at all.

I started this blog in spring of 2015 when Caspian was only a couple of months. It was more on a whim. It was to give me something fun to do when he napped. A way to make my brain tick over. I learned a lot, especially as there was no pressure to perform or succeed.

When people asked what it was I just said: “Oh, a way to keep hold of memories”. I played it down. Then I realised the potential. In part thanks to wonderful, talented and hardworking ladies such as Aby from You Baby Me Mummy and Vicki from Honestmum. These two along with many others including Donna from What The Red Head Said opened my eyes to what this can become. What it has already become. To outsiders, the blogging world doesn’t seem like a career, a job, a way to make a living. In the short 18 months, I’ve been going, I’ve seen blogs come and go. I, too, have sometimes struggled, but have finally found my calling I will continue to expand the Scandimummy universe.

BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

As we’re about to enter a new year I’ve been taking stock of where I am and where I’m going. Over the past six months, I’ve realised what I can do, even on very little sleep. I only really started monetizing in the summer so I feel there’s scope for so much more. Though as I’m also looking after Caspian more or less full time I need to be more organised in the year to come.

Going into 2017 I will not brush off what I’ve built as something insignificant but will embrace that I’m creating a creative and profitable business for myself. I will show people that I’m proud of what I have achieved and hopefully in return, they will be proud of me.

BECOMING A VLOGGER

It wasn’t my plan to start a YouTube channel until this coming year, but a few opportunities presented themselves and in a few shorts months it’s grown from a couple of followers to over 500 subscribers. I love the creative process of shooting end editing and I’m finally putting those skills I gained almost 10 years ago into proper practice. As an actress who’s use to being handed a script, learning lines and then being directed I’m still getting comfortable with being myself on camera. Working on Vlogmas was a valuable education and I can’t wait to plan my videos for the year ahead.

I’ve loved working with brands this year as well. From smaller independent shops to international players. In working on campaigns for Baby Jogger and Neutral, part of Unilever I’ve continued to develop a style that is true to who I am as a creative person and which I feel reflects what I’ve already done here on the blog. I’m behind everything myself from building the site, designing the logo, writing and taking most of the photographs used.  I’m looking forward to show more of what I can do and continue to build lasting business relationships.

BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY LIFE

One thing I want to do it draw a sharper line between work and family life. Naturally being a family and lifestyle blogger and vlogger the two tend to merge, but I want to make sure I can switch off from time to time. Over Christmas I found myself feeling drained, so instead of trying to force out blog posts I rearranged my work station. I’ve been working mainly from our living room sitting at the table there. Now I have a little corner in the downstairs guest room. It’s overlooking the garden which is an inspiration in itself. It means I can go to work, focus and when I’m done I can come home.

I’ve signed up to helpful apps like Grum and Social Oomph so I can schedule more of my social media. I’ve ordered a Passion Planner that will hopefully arrive soon which will allow me to plan better. Before becoming a mum I never used a calendar. Everything was stored in my head. Now this is impossible and I’ve had to give in. Though with the beautiful Passion Planner I’ll be in good hands. Also, for all planners sold ones will be donated to organizations that support breast cancer awareness, the survivors, family members, and those affected by breast cancer.

For a while, I felt lost. I’m still finding my feet, but I now know where I’m going. Happy New Year! Here’s to a prosperous 2017 for everyone.


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54 thoughts on “FINDING MY FEET AS A PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER”

  3. You have done so well. My blog is just 2 years old and I’m considering making the leap to self employment. It’s scary but for me, it’s my only option. I hope 2017 is a great year for you and well done on growing your youtube Thanks for joining the #weekendblogshare

  4. Well done. You’ve done absolutely brilliantly in such a short space of time. Well done! Good luck for 2017 #KCACOLS

  5. So pleased that you have managed to great so much success in such a short time of blogging. Setting yourself an area in the house to feel ‘at work’ is definitely a great idea. I am so much more productive and focused when I sit at my desk compared to my normal blogging spot on the sofa! Good luck with growing the vlogging, I’ll be sure to check out your channel. I’ve had my channel for a couple of years but not managed to get much over 100 subscribers so I need to get working on it!

  6. Wow! How very inspiring. I’ve been blogging for 12 months and am yet to drive it successfully enough to call it my career but it’s something I’m working on for 2017. I love blogging too much not too. Congratulations on your success! xx

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  10. You’ve done brilliantly in such a short space of time! Loved reading this and finding a little more of your background xx #KCACOLS

  11. How shocking is it that I’ve known of your blog for a long time yet this is the first time I’ve read you!! One of my blog goals this year is to get my head out of my bottom and venture beyond the blogs I already read and ‘meet’ new bloggers! #dreamteam

  12. It sounds as though you have had an incredibly succesfull 18 months lovely. I’m amazed that it’s only been that long as you always strike me as being very professional and a true expert in what you do. I love the idea of having a separate place to write so that you can “come home” after you’ve finished your blog work rather than the two things merging which is what tends to happen with me. I need to be more disciplined! Wishing you every success for the year ahead and I look forward to keeping up with your blog and your amazing Instagram pictures. Thanks for sharing with #DreamTeam x

  13. Wonderful news Nadia and you certainly have the background and determination to really make this work for you. Lots of great success coming your way. Here’s to 2017 x #fortheloveofblog

  14. Well done again, it sounds like everything is coming together, gelling into place and you’re really going somewhere. Your blog is definitely your passion and that shines through, I’m sure you’ll go further and further this year #kcacols

  15. you’ve done amazingly well and you are right in terms of blogging mums to admire. such inspiration out there. I am yet to really dip my toe in the vlogging pond but really want to! it’s having the time though! good luck and look forward to reading more from you and maybe meeting up at a conference this year 🙂 #KCACOLS

  16. High five to bring up front about what a great blog you’ve created. I loved your Baby Jogger video. I didn’t realise your background but it’s so obvious having see that film. Wishing you every success for 2017 #kcacols

  17. Great post, you’ve done amazingly well and have inspired me to keep going and try to make a real career out of my blog. I admire your motivation and perseverance. Thank you for linking with #fortheloveofBLOG

  19. Sounds like you have a good solid plan for 2017, you are great in front of the camera so keep going. We’re going to ‘attempt’ to vlog this year…we’ve been putting it off. But video is king! #DreamTeam

  20. Wow! What a journey. What we dream of as a child and what we love to do as an adult are often very different things. Really inspiring to read of your journey.
    We blog about our family language learning journey and great resources for the journey. Would you like to collaborate or be interviewed on our monthly inspirational mum spot?

    Linking up from #KCACOLS

  21. I agree that finding tha balance is so important. I’ve set myself ‘blogging days’ for writing anyway and so far it’s working well. It almost feels like a mini job (that I enjoy!) I can do in the evenings. This was I get evenings off too which is so important so as not to feel that you don’t have any time off. I hope it works well for you and that you continue to grow in the way you wish. #fortheloveofBLOG

  23. Reading this just made me realise that a lot of the time, we just need a bit of a push to believe in ourselves. We have so many skills and motherhood often means women can’t always go back to the role they used to do. But through blogging, I’ve got so many business ideas, too – combining my role as a marketing strategist along with the new social media and content skills I’ve learnt. I just need to push myself to try different forms of content, like a vlog, and start approaching brands and other bloggers to take things where I really aim to. Thanks for the inspiration and keep up the fab work! #fortheloveofBLOG

  28. You have such a beautiful blog and earnest way of writing I have no doubt that you will succeed in anything. I am glad you have found such a sense of place, it must be hard moving countries and not having family, I live 5 hours from mine and that is hard enough! I started blogging in May when I had two weeks off work having a breast lump removed so love that passion planners give money to such organisations, I need a new one for this year so will get one of these if they ship to the Uk 🙂 Lots of happy thoughts and love your way for the new year honey #Thelistlinky xxxx

  29. Really enjoyed the read, thanks for sharing your journey and hope to collaborate with you again in 2017 😄👍🏾

  30. This is the first time I’ve come across your blog and I think it’s really beautiful! I read this post with real interest and felt I got to know you a little. You are clearly doing an amazing job, and your pro blogging inspirations are mine too – Aby, Vicki and Donna are fabulous.
    All the very best for your blog-ful 2017!
    Kimberly x
    #TheListLinky

  31. This is the first time I’ve come across your blog and I think it’s really beautiful! I read this post with real interest and felt I got to know you a little. You are clearly doing an amazing job, and your pro blogging inspirations are mine too – Aby, Vicki and Donna are fabulous.
    All the very best for your blog-ful 2017!
    Kimberly x

  32. Love reading posts like this that give you a better insight to the blogger behind the blog! I seriously need to start vlogging this year! X

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  34. What an incredible journey you’ve had! You’re doing brilliantly and I’m looking forward to reading more. I’m now hoping over to your YouTube channel to subscribe too – it’s one of my goals to try and vlog more too.

    Thank you for linking up to #BlogTipsNTricks

  35. I loved reading more about you in this post. You’ve done so well and you should feel really proud of yourself. Setting up a work station is something I really need to do instead of working on my lap. 2017 will be a fab year for you. Claire x

  37. Det er en rigtig fin beskrivelse af, hvad du har lavet indtil nu og hvorledes du arbejder samt alle dine overvejelser. Tillykke med at du er kommet så vidt 🇩🇰 Mor er meget stolt af dig ❤😊

  42. Congrats on everything you’ve achieved darling, it was wonderful to meet you at BritMums Live. Touched to have inspired you. Here’s to a cracking 2017 x

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