Introduction

Becoming a ProBlogger: Darren’s Story of Blogging

During the first year of my blogging career, I worked three jobs simultaneously, studied part-time, and blogged on the side.

A common misconception that first-time readers arriving at ProBlogger.net have is that the six-figure income I’ve earned from blogging was something that I achieved overnight. It wasn’t.

Though blogging has enabled a growing number of people to earn an income, the process is rarely a quick one. For this reason I’d like to share my own story of blogging—from hobbyist to full-time blogger.

So, grab a coffee, make yourself comfortable, and relax—this could take a little while.

Once Upon a Time...

In November 2002, when I first hit “Publish” on my original (and short-lived) blog, I did so believing that this “blogging thing,” which I’d only just heard of that day, would be nothing more than a bit of fun.

I started this blog for a number of reasons, but it was largely out of curiosity, the idea of having a new hobby, and the hope that perhaps I might meet some new people with similar interests to mine.

At the time I was working three jobs.

My Three Jobs

My main job at the time was as a minister of a church, three days per week. It was a part-time job (I was not “the” minister, but one of four working in a team), and my responsibility was to work with young people.

I was engaged to be married (to Vanessa, or “V,” as I call her) and trying to save for a wedding and pay off a car loan and college fees, ...

Get ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income, Third Edition now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.