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Blog Your Way to a New Career

Posted By Darren Rowse 1st of July 2008 Miscellaneous Blog Tips 0 Comments

Today Chrissy Scivicque from OfficeArrow.com shares her story of building up her blog, selling it and then being hired to keep developing it – many bloggers dream.

There’s no denying it: blogging is now considered a legitimate way to launch the career of your dreams. The opportunities for bloggers are numerous and they only continue to grow. Take it from me: that blog you’re building may lead you in directions you never would have imagined possible.

My story is pretty cool, actually. There I was, a 28 year old Executive Assistant, struggling to find my way in what many view as a thankless career. I started my blog, The Executive Assistant’s Toolbox, in August of 2007 as a way to meet other office professionals and share my experiences in a helpful way. It didn’t hurt that I loved to write and secretly always dreamed of doing it for a living.

Now, less than a year later, my blog has been purchased by a start-up company (at a price tag many would be shocked by) and I’ve been hired by them to manage their entire content strategy and yes, write full-time. Bye bye same old, same old. Hello, career of my dreams!

The Opportunities

My story could have gone in a couple of different directions. I always treated my blog as a business. I had high hopes from the beginning, though I wasn’t quite sure of my ultimate goal. As I saw it, bloggers had the following opportunities:

Become a ProBlogger

In this scenario, I imagined working from home and making a full-time income from my blog (perhaps a few different blogs). I quickly monetized my blog with Google Adsense and Amazon Affiliate marketing and I was making a nice side income within about 4 months. But this route was going to be a long and difficult road for a non-techie like me.

Use the Blog to Promote Services

Bloggers have a huge opportunity to use their platform to promote their personal services such as coaching, consulting or freelance writing. I was considering becoming a Virtual Assistant and Career Coach – services that would have been easily promotable to my audience.

Build Blog, Sell Blog, Repeat

This has been a popular option in the recent past. With sites being auctioned off each day (some for astronomical figures!), this became an interesting possibility for me. The only problem seemed to be the time involved. Building a popular blog isn’t easy – as most of you know. I couldn’t imagine doing it many times over again. And on top of that, I couldn’t bear the thought of selling my baby. I had poured my heart and soul into this thing. The price tag would have to be pretty high…

The option I never really considered is the one that happened: “The Package Deal”

So, yes, blog sales happen all the time these days. Occasionally, the founder stays on for a while through the transition. But typically, the blog becomes under the full control of the new owner within a few months. However, in some instances, the purchaser may have a long-term need for the founder’s expertise. In my case, I had experience as an actual “member” of the target market, credibility with the audience and I loved writing. But I had little technical know-how and close to zero dollars to invest in building the site myself.

It was a match made in heaven: OfficeArrow purchased my site, merged it with theirs, and brought me on to help guide the growing business. A win-win for all. And with a hefty sum of future stock units included in that deal, I don’t feel as if I’ve completely given up my ownership interest.

Of course, I still had a touch of emotional separation anxiety as I watched my baby become a part of another family. It was exciting and scary all at once. Now I’m watching my baby grow up, living the life she always deserved. And thankfully, since I’m a part of her new family, I still get a say in her upbringing! “The Package Deal” offers the best of all worlds.

These are just some of the opportunities available for bloggers. To take advantage of any of these however, your blog needs to be something special. There are several strategies you can employ to stand out from the crowd. Tomorrow, in Part 2 of this article, I’ll share some of the things I did and why they helped me achieve “The Package Deal”.

Chrissy Scivicque is the Senior Content Manager at OfficeArrow.com – the world’s first online community created for office professionals, by office professionals. She writes a wide variety of articles to help people do their jobs more effectively and with less frustration. You can follow her journey by joining the OfficeArrow Community today – membership is free!

About Darren Rowse
Darren Rowse is the founder and editor of ProBlogger Blog Tips and Digital Photography School. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Comments
  1. This post peaked my interest. The story of your blog sounds great. I looked forward to reading it, especially the earlier posts before the buyout.

    However, if I might, gating the entire site (including the blog) behind a registration form is one the quickest ways to make me press the ‘back button’.

    Oh well.

  2. After looking at the blog and seeing the pagerank I imagine they gave you a pretty penny for it. It just looks valuable! I look forward to reading how you got your blog to portray that kind of value in your next article.

  3. Awesome! Congrats, thanks for sharing your story.

  4. Fantastic story! Really good overview of the three routes most bloggers go down. Im looking forward to hearing how you achieved the package deal dream!

  5. Wow.. that’s a really good story!

  6. I’ve been working on this new blog idea for a while. Throwing ideas around. Thinking of different concepts, etc. And I’m really hoping it can be a tool to launch myself into a new career (regardless if it is that blog or not).

    This is surely some inspiration for my cause. And my confidence has been through the roof. *crosses fingers*

    Congrats!

  7. Thanks for sharing your story, looking forward to see the next part! And congrats on your great deal, keep it up :)

  8. Absolutely great! Thanks a lot Chrissy

  9. Inspiring story…And your website is a very good read and seems to be in a good niche as well…Congrats and thanks for sharing your story.

  10. Great story and you are one lucky lady. You are getting to live every bloggers dream.

    The Masked Millionaire

  11. Nice story, congrats on realising your dream job.

  12. This is the perfect story of how entrepreneurs have to keep their eyes open for opportunity.

    Think about what you’re doing. Think about a need out there. And think about how you can fulfill that need.

    Congrats on such a great success story, Chrissy.

  13. I really enjoyed this one.

    I couldn’t see myself selling my blog either, but of course a high enough bid would change my mind. I’ve always treated my blog like a business as well but with a personal edge that is needed to make it in the blogging world. I see it as a launching pad more than anything. I can definitely see myself blogging on several other blogs, niches and even starting a blog network.

    I think the reason for your success is your passion for the niche. You’ve also decided in the beginning that this was going to be profitable and you went at it full force. It’s a sign for us all that if you’re going to go for then do it with all that you have, all the while speaking of positive results to yourself.

    The best reason to blog is for the love of blogging. Once you team that with ambition and know-how you will become unstoppable.

    Thanks for sharing and I look forward to part two.

  14. Nice story and inspiring, looking forward on your next one.

  15. Chrissie, I am envious and jealous. I look forward to reading more about how you thought your strategy out. My site started more as a release for my writing cravings – and even though I have “found my voice” and gotten great reviews I cannot seem to generate a large enough audience to entertain the dream that you have achieved. Congrats and thank you for sharing your stories and insights.

  16. Wow! Very inspiring story! Even more wonderful that you achieved this before the age of 30. I can’t wait to read Part 2. Thanks for sharing.

  17. Nice story and motivated me.

  18. Look forward to reading part two..

    jess

  19. After speaking with Chrissy last week, I’m even more convinced that the new venture will be successful.

    She knows her topic, understands her audience, and exudes energy and enthusiasm for the new arrangement.

    Go, Chrissy!

  20. Your story more than inspires me. Although I’m also using my blog to keep myself in check, this is something I would definitely consider if I manage to create something worth a little money. If i get there though, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to part with it, it is already such a motivational tool for me. Seems like you got the best of both worlds!

  21. Your experience shows a great example for up-and-coming bloggers. Very inspiring.

  22. Great story. Thanks for sharing. I know a couple of bloggers in my niche that have had successful opportunities brought on by their blog. Although they’re not nearly as good as your story, they still give me hope.

  23. Great story. I’m happy for Chrissy.

  24. That story is inspirational…I would love for this to happen to me one day, although dreams and reality aren’t one and the same. My blog would be hard to sell because there isn’t really a market for it…but I wonder if you’ve (Darren) ever been approached by potential buyers about your problogger blog…I’m quiet certain that you have,,,I’m just intrigued as to how much it would be worth…anyone got an idea???

  25. My story is not to far from this so keep the faith bloggers of limited income!

    I didn’t sell the blog though, I merged my blog into another companies website and started problogging on a salary. I’m essentially doing the same thing but now getting paid for it.

  26. Nice article. Though, I doubt you wanted to say that you’ve started blogging in the August 2007 ;)

  27. Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading about my journey. It’s been a crazy couple of months as you might imagine. I’m hoping to hear about more stories like this in the future. I think it’s an amazing opportunity for bloggers and one we don’t really think about!

  28. Nice one Chrissy .. checked your community as well.. great job :)

  29. Great! Continue blogging and sharing. Its inspiring to read about such true stories.

  30. Well done, Chrissie – I didn’t realise that many people who start and develop blogs end up selling them, and doing well out of the sale.

    I can understand that you did not want to part with your blog too readily.

    By staying on and working on it, it looks like you have got the best of both worlds.

  31. Very inspirational story, Chrissie!

    Definitely not something I’ve thought about when starting up my blog but an attractive alternative just the same.

    I wish you luck on your journey!

  32. Thank you for sharing your story with us. A new career was definitely one of the reasons I decided to start my new blogging web site last month. You have inspired me and encouraged me that it can be done, whether it is one year or three years. I just need to hang in there and continually improve what I do. Congratulations!

  33. The content of this post is truly impressive, not to mention encouraging.

    Personally, I appreciate you taking the time to provide such practical information.

  34. congratulations, any tips for us newcomers to blogging?

  35. Thanks for your tips and stories I keep following this great blog!

    http://www.lucianobove.blogspot.com

  36. Dennis says: 07/04/2008 at 6:35 am

    I went to the Executive Assistant’s Toolbox, but it of course took me to the Office Arrow site. I think everyone would like to see what your actual site looked like instead of what was produced by a company with a lot more money and Tech savy than you had.

    People starting out need to see examples of what someone starting out produced to get to where they are today, not what a company with deep pockets has produced.

    Is there any way that you can show a screen shot of what your blog looked like before it was purchased?

  37. How much time do you suggest spending on a blog? I am a personal trainer and find my schedule very busy. How often do you suggest posting?

  38. Great motivational post, especially good to read on those days when it seems like no one is paying attention.

  39. @ Dave: It’s a bit like, how long is a piece of string? Blogs can be pretty time consuming, and if you have another job too, fitting it in can be challenging.

    It also depends on how often you want to post. Most blogs are updated at least once a week. For a blog maintained by one person, I’d go for one, two or three times per week. It also depends upon how long you make your articles, and how well researched they are. If you are blogging about your job, or something you are well versed at, then the research is already there.

    Your site looks really good for helping people get fit. Good luck with it!

  40. Very interesting!

  41. This is a great post. You’ve done a great work realising your dream and turning it into reality. Very encouraging.

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