Hi Natalie! What’s the name of your blog.
Where are you from?
Raleigh, North Carolina.
Tell us a little bit more about you and your blog, Natalie Yerger.
I blog classic, feminine outfits that work for everyday life. I also share a bit of hair health/styling content, anti-aging skincare content, and occasional peeks into our home. I’m married to an entrepreneur, have a golden retriever that I love, am introverted, and *love* all the creative aspects of blogging (writing, taking photographs, editing) as well as anything involving data (SEO, Google Analytics, Insights, etc.).
Give us your best tip to staying on top of the blog/work/life balance?
Planning and grace! Digital project management tools like Asana and social media planning apps like Later are lifesavers. I’m not a type-A person by nature, so these help me stay on track. Also, I don’t believe that balance is always possible, so I give myself grace when I work long days or on the weekends.
Fill in the blank. What people don’t realize about blogging is….
How much work it involves when you don’t have a team. You’re the writer, editor, photographer, graphic designer, SEO specialist, social media manager, customer service representative…it’s the most involved job I’ve ever had.
What are three things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
- To plan all my content far in advance.
- To reach out for help from experts when I hit roadblocks.
- To anticipate burnout and hire help before I even needed it!
What’s your favorite WordPress plugin and how has it helped your business?
I love the SEMRush Writing Assistant to help ensure my posts are search engine-ready.
What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for a successful and professional blogger?
Oh man, I could go on and on! I think the core quality is a passion to help others. As far as skills, verbal/written communication, editing, project management, understanding of data, and an aesthetic eye.
What has blogging taught you/given you that no other career or job has before?
To release work before it feels perfect, to be kind to myself, and to be consistent.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out in the blog world?
Find a mentor *in* the fashion/beauty/lifestyle blogging industry who saw success after the Google and IG algorithm changes in 2015/2016.
What topic do you most enjoy writing about?
I love long-form posts about topics readers feel highly motivated to find information on. I also *love* writing product reviews! Two of my most popular blog posts are my Dyson Hair Dryer review and a post I wrote about how I stopped coloring my hair to go back to my natural color.
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.
I typically wake up at 6:15am, drink a big glass of water, have a cup of coffee, and journal for a few minutes to get my thoughts on paper. I then change into my workout gear and head outdoors for a sweat sesh in the warmer months (in the winter, I head to the gym). Once I get home I make breakfast, shower, get ready, and I’m at my desk by 9/9:30. I use my Golden Coil planner to write down all that I want to accomplish that day, and then I write a length of time next to it (15 min, 30 min, 60 min) so that I can use my time-blocking cube alarm to ensure I stay on track. I break at noon or so for lunch, and I try to do something enjoyable for 15 minutes or so, like play with my dog, get outside, etc. If I primarily did content creation in the morning, I’ll do more admin work (writing, editing, data, emails) in the afternoon. If I did admin work in the morning, I’ll do content in the afternoons. I usually sign off by 5:30pm, walk my dog, and then prep for dinner. If my husband is out for the night, I may log on in the evenings, but I try to keep nights reserved for relaxation, downtime, friends, and hobbies.
What would your dream partnership look like? From the brand, the content, all of it! Dream up your perfect collaboration.
My dream collaborations are with brands that share my values of classic femininity, quality, and meaning in fashion/hair/makeup. A new summer or fall collection with a mid-range fashion brand sounds amazing, and a remote shoot location with warm weather sounds pretty appealing right now!
What’s your most recent WIN with your blog?
My pageview goal was 50,000 by the end of 2020, and I’m happy to say that I far surpassed it with over 90,000 views in December.
What is one thing in the blogging industry that frustrates you that you wish you could change?
I wish it was more broadly respected, and I wish influencers wouldn’t do things that make it less respectable (in my opinion, posts in exchange for free product, engagement pods, loop giveaways, click-bait style content, buying followers, likes for likes, etc.).
How has your content changed since you first started blogging?
I *really* try to think about how the content I’m about to share will serve my reader. I no longer share journal-style lifestyle content, but I will share personal posts if I feel it will help my audience in some way or establish a more authentic connection with them.
What’s your favorite blogging memory or highlight?
Last year I started making a significant monthly income and was finally able to put 90% of my time toward my blog and scale back my freelance business. Surpassing my monthly pageview goal was a huge highlight as well!
