I've been struggling these past few months to keep up my enthusiasm and energy for blogging. If you didn't know, the blog has been my occupation for the past couple of years. I decided after leaving my last position, I would take some time and figure out what I really wanted to do with my life now. I wanted to explore writing as a career. I wanted to complete the manuscript I started about my journey with breast cancer. And I thought that blogging would be a good vehicle to help me do that.
The regular writing definitely has made my writing much better and defined my voice. I do enjoy the ability to do my own thing on my own schedule. However, monetizing the blog has been a real challenge. I've tried a number of different tactics and they have had varying levels of success. But overall, the income just isn't significant enough for me to continue this way. A few months ago, I went to the BlogWorld Conference in New York. My intentions were to figure out (once and for all) whether I would continue focusing on blogging or shift to other projects (and different employment).
Well, those were three miserable days for me. The conference was a disappointment. I've attended this conference before and came away excited and ready to set the world on fire with my blog. I learned so much at previous conferences, connected with amazing people (most of whom I still am friends with and whose blogs I read faithfully)... that I was deeply disappointed when this year's conference provided none of that. The energy wasn't the same, the participation levels were significantly lower, the quality of the vendors in the exhibition hall were lacking (they weren't unprofessional, just not good fits for any of the tools or services I could use for this blog) and the sessions were just blah. I did meet a few really nice people, so I don't consider the trip a complete waste. And I did figure out what I wanted to do with my blog. So, it was good in that sense.
What I concluded is that it is time to take my breast cancer advocacy efforts to the next level. I will continue to blog but my focus has shifted to building the web community that I've been dreaming about for the past two years.
My Dream: A virtual pink ribbon world
For the past couple of years I have been thinking and dreaming (mostly dreaming) about creating an lively online community for breast cancer survivors. A place that is beautiful and slick, inviting and private. A place where survivors can gather together and support one another. I finally got the courage to stop dreaming and try to make it work.
For the past few months I have been working really hard to gather information about what types of technologies exist that will create what I have in mind. I have also been teaching myself how to code (coding = web development, the behind the scenes language that makes your websites and mobile applications work). Learning coding is slow work for a liberal arts chick like myself. But it is very interesting. I have become immersed in learning about the new wave of technology startups (everybody wants to create the next Facebook) and the bug has bitten me.
Although my site isn't live (its not complete yet - my coding is very rudimentary), the business is being built every day. I spend my days (and nights) learning how to write business plans, plotting for the ways that I want the virtual world to work, learning code language and generally accepting that I am moving from being a blogger to being an entrepreneur. It is a wonderful transition.
Right now, I am raising capital for the business. I have a ton of things to get done before the doors open. One of my biggest expenses is hiring developers. I've been quoted prices ranging from $5,000 - $10,000 to build this site. I still have to do more market research and other things but raising this money is my highest priority. I want this site to be live within the next four months. That will be very challenging, but I'm up for it
You will notice a pink box on my blog that says "go fund me". If you click this button, you will be taken directly to my fundraising page. I am hoping that the community of followers will see value in what I am building and choose to invest along with me. Breast cancer survivors still need support after the treatment ends. We still need to connect with others who understand our journey and who can relate to all the changes our lives have taken.
We need this. I want to build this. Will you help with a small donation?
PS. My manuscript is almost complete. I plan to self-publish and use the proceeds from the sales to invest in the new company. :) #tickledpink
