Hi Maria! What’s the name of your blog.
Where are you from?
Houston, Texas.
Tell us a little bit more about you and your blog, Bella Style Living.
I cover affordable, neutral fashion, cruelty-free beauty finds along with everyday lifestyle favorites.
Give us your best tip to staying on top of the blog/work/life balance?
Schedule time for everything. Maybe set aside 2 hours before bed to work on blog so that the 2 hours after my 9-5 can be spent with my family and then I can devout the time after they’ve gone to bed to my blog.
Fill in the blank. What people don’t realize about blogging is….
How much time is dedicated to putting up great content. Not only do I have to make sure I do my keyword research, bier I also have to shoot and edited photos, structure the post, and promote it on social channels. It’s a full-time gig for a one-woman show which can be very overwhelming when you work a regular 9-5 and have small children.
What are three things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
How to get started, the importance of thorough keyword research, and how much time I would have to commit to successfully grow from zero.
What’s your favorite WordPress plugin and how has it helped your business?
Yoast SEO for sure! I love getting the green light and makes ranking for keywords so much easier.
What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for a successful and professional blogger?
Great photography skills and writing skills. I try to write fun, personal, blog style but I also want to make my posts professional and with purpose.
What has blogging taught you/given you that no other career or job has before?
Creativity!! I feel like I’m wasting away at my cubicle job at a bank. I love getting to show my creative side and writing. It brings me so much joy and I hope to do it full-time some day.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out in the blog world?
Just start! I too was afraid of starting until I got the perfect camera, the perfect theme. It wasn’t until I started that I realized little by little the things that I actually needed to up level my content. You waste so much time waiting for the perfect moment, and I don’t necessarily think there is a perfect moment. But right now is a great start.
What does a typical work day for you look like? Whether you’re a full time blogger or not, we’d love to learn what your schedule looks like and how you manage it all.
Monday-Friday I work at a bank until 5 so as soon as I get home I start cooking dinner, help with homework, try to tidy up the house. Then around 8 I start working on my blog for a couple of hours. On Sundays, my husband will take my photos. It’s always a family affair so we have the kids come along. They are a great team and support system.
What’s your most recent WIN with your blog?
Being featured as Houston’s top 25 lifestyle bloggers by Feedspot!!
What is one thing in the blogging industry that frustrates you that you wish you could change?
Instagram and how brands focus more on your follower count than your talents. I wish blogs were more of a determining factor to partnerships.
How has your content changed since you first started blogging?
My photography has definitely improved and also my focus on SEO has allowed my recent posts to rank which I love!!
What’s your favorite blogging memory or highlight?
The Blog Society’s conference was a highlight. I recently went to my first one for me and I learned so much.
