Yay, it’s my bloggerversary. One year ago, today, it’s a Sher thing was launched. This website was something I had been thinking about for ages, but I was never brave enough to take the plunge, until I was.
I’m so proud of how far we’ve come, and I can promise you that things are only going to get better from here on out. In the last year I’ve learned how to better communicate with bloggers from a PR perspective, by becoming one. I’ve gained key insights into the industry that are invaluable. It’s true what they say, don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.
For example, I never used to understand why bloggers wanted PR’s to pay them to run a giveaway, we’re giving you a product worth R2 000, and it’s going to boost your following, isn’t that enough? Then I became a blogger and realised that I’m getting about 500+ entries per competition, it takes me about 4 hours per competition to collate all the entries. That’s what bloggers are charging for. Their time to host fair competitions. There have been loads of new learnings such as this one.
I’m learning and growing and hoping to create richer content every day. I’ve loved the first year of this roller coaster and I’m SO excited for what our second year has in store. I’m grateful to the brands who took a chance on me and chose to work with me, I’m even more grateful to the ones that told me they love the content I’m creating for them. Thank you to the magazines who have published my articles and the friends and families who have supported me throughout it all. I’m so grateful for the new friends my platform has allowed me to make too.
I’ve learned a lot in this year, but I still stand behind my choices. Twitter came for me hard last year when someone I was related to won one of my prizes. I lost loads of followers, but I don’t regret my decision at all. My friends and family have supported me from day one and because I put all valid entries into a random name picker and then select a winner, I believe the process to be completely fair and unbiased. So, I won’t penalise the people who know me for doing so.
I created this platform to share my voice, views and opinions and I own my truth. If I can be brave enough to empower women by talking about vagacials, O-shots and career advice, then I can be brave enough to stand up for competition rules that I think are fair. You can’t make everyone happy, but if you follow your heart, act with kindness and do what you believe is right you’ll live a good life, with a clear conscience.
I haven’t shared many personal stories about myself on the blog yet, because it’s scary ya’ll. Who are the 17 000 people reading my blog? Friends, family, colleagues, future employers? I don’t know? I’m about to trust my readers, the way they trust me with reviews.
Here’s to another great year of love, laughter and making memories. I love you all, 2019 is going to be a great year. I have a good feeling about it.
My top 10 performing posts over the last year have been the following ones, in no order;
https://itsasherthing.co.za/beauty/vagina-facials-put-parkmore-on-the-aesthetic-map/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/lifestyle/donate-to-sanbs-and-you-could-win-a-ticket-to-the-global-citizen-concert/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/lifestyle/interview-etiquette/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/lifestyle/millenials-in-the-workplace/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/lifestyle/the-recipe-for-the-perfect-selfie/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/lifestyle/this-ones-for-you-mom/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/lifestyle/hit-me-with-your-best-o-shot/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/food/festive-foodie-gift-guide/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/beauty/environ-focus-care-youth-review-and-giveaway/
https://itsasherthing.co.za/beauty/why-you-should-stick-100-needles-in-your-face/
Happy reading! xx
