A guest post by Naomi Dunford from IttyBiz who emailed last week to remind me (Darren) that today is ProBlogger’s 6th Birthday and asked if she could write a birthday post. Here it is!.
I’ve sat where you sit.
I’ve devoured the articles and the blog posts and the link roundups. I’ve agonized over whether I could afford that video camera or that conference or that membership program. I’ve felt like a fool for even hoping this blogging thing could ever work.
I’ve sat right there and I know how scary it is.
Maybe I should introduce myself. My name is Naomi Dunford, and I was just like you.
I was desperate, scared and pregnant. My doctor had put me on bed-rest. I had to leave work because I was fainting all the time. Even before he was born, we knew our baby boy would have health problems.
We had intermittent web access because I could only intermittently afford to pay the bill. My husband was making very little money in a job working nights and it was going nowhere. Things did not look good.
Then I found Problogger.
I read all the archives. (All the archives.) Read some Copyblogger. Read some Chris Brogan. Slept. Drank a lot of tea. Had some panic attacks and spent a lot of time thinking about how cool it would be to be a problogger one day.
You’re waiting for the bit where I say it got better, right? Where I say I dove right in and created a blog and hustled my way to fame and fortune? Sadly, no.
I did nothing. Nothing. For a year.
I had my son. Went back to my job. Left work in the middle of my shift on my fourth day back. Went down to one (sub-poverty line) income. Flirted with the idea of starting a business. Got one half-hearted client. Put our son to bed by myself. Ate a lot of rice.
But I kept reading Problogger.
One day, Darren mentioned he needed businesses to sponsor his third birthday giveaway. Sitting there, nursing my son in the middle of the night, I had a crazy idea. I could be a sponsor. I had no idea what I was going to give, but the deadline of Problogger’s birthday was enough to get me going and get my blog launched.
I decided to give some marketing coaching. I had to fill out a form to say who I was and what I was offering, and I wrote that IttyBiz was the “offshoot blog of IttyBitty Marketing”. IttyBitty Marketing? Please. We’d had the sum total of one client and to this day, they haven’t paid me. But I had to put something in there. I sent it off, and then all I could do was wait.
(The actual story of how I went from not even having a domain name to launching my site on a Technorati Top 100 blog in four days is pretty uninteresting, although there are some juicy behind the scenes highlights and an adorable picture of Xavier here.)
I launched the blog. I wanted to email the people who commented to enter the contest and invite them to IttyBiz, but I didn’t have their email addresses. (I ended up clicking on all their links and personally emailing them via their contact pages, a process that took two full days. We worked straight through the night.) I did the same with the other sponsors.
I got some readers. Not a lot, but some. I got a little bit of traffic. A few other bloggers said some nice things about what I wrote. My goal was to get a thousand subscribers before Christmas. I didn’t make it.
But I kept reading Problogger.
Let’s flash forward three years.
My blog now employs six people. We have over 20,000 readers. We’ve helped more than 1000 people quit their job. As an affiliate, we sold enough copies of Teaching Sells to fund a school in Cambodia.
My husband quit his job. We’re unschooling our son. We moved to England for a while. We bought a little house. We finally got a car. We went to Cuba and Ireland and SXSW and Blogworld a few times. I threw a party in Austin and Darren came.
We’ve had ups and downs. I got pregnant again and lost the baby. Burned out. Missed some deadlines. Had a few site crashes. Got hacked a couple times. Did some stuff I’m not proud of. Did some stuff I’m very proud of.
And we’re home. My husband kisses my little boy goodnight seven days a week.
But here’s the really crazy part.
Nothing special happened.
I didn’t just happen to get a column in the New York Times. Nobody invited me to be on Oprah. I didn’t conveniently score a book deal. Despite my repeated attempts, I’m still not married to Brian Clark. I didn’t do anything special. The gods did not smile on me.
I just kept reading Problogger.
The point of all of this?
Please don’t give up. I know it’s terrifying. I know you are under indescribable pressure to do something serious with your life and grow up and forget your crazy blogging dreams. I know that some days, this is the hardest thing you’ve ever done.
I know your family thinks you’re crazy. I know you feel completely alone. I know you feel like it’s never, ever going to work.
But what you’re reading here? It works. I promise. Please don’t lose heart.
Happy birthday, Problogger. And thank you, Darren. I am blessed to have you as my mentor and honoured to have you as my friend.
Naomi Dunford writes at IttyBiz.
I can’t really say anything here that would match emotion and storytelling of this post, Naomi, but I wanted to comment anyway just so you knew I, and probably thousands of others that won’t ever comment on this article, am really moved by your story.
I already knew your history from reading Ittybiz, but each time I see it and how you tie it to some of life’s most important lessons, it hits me in a new way.
Well thank god.
“Please don’t give up. I know it’s terrifying. I know you are under indescribable pressure to do something serious with your life and grow up and forget your crazy blogging dreams. I know that some days, this is the hardest thing you’ve ever done.”
This is the thing that will remind me to kick my ass and keep going. Thanks and well done.
Naomi, how is that you know just what I need to hear? That’s what I love about reading you, your messages are so relevant and they just totally resonate. I’ll be reading this one over and over.
Thank you Naomi and Darren for being so damn awesome, inspiring, and generous with your time and information. You both rock many people’s world’s.
Wow!! This post is just too loaded. I have read it twice already. Problogger is the blog to visit everyday. Truly inspiring story. The starting point is always the hardest. Believe me there will be many challenges. You might even reach a roadblock but keep going because in the end – you will eventually make it.
The problogger archives is worth devouring. I appreciate your courage Naomi.
Said it before, I’ll say it again. I love this girl.
Amazing post Naomi and very inspiring while not being inspiring (if that makes sense). It’s nice to see that just plain hard work can pay off.
Happy Birthday to Problogger also. It is truly one of the blogging world’s greatest resources. I have no doubt that it has influenced the lives of many bloggers for the best.
Naomi, Thank you so much for sharing your story. After all, blogging is so much about telling our stories. This year I have gotten serious about blogging and for the last few months had found the time to blog each day (actually sometimes several days go by then I write 3-4 posts and schedule them). Anyway, the point is some people call me crazy for spending this much time blogging. I, however, learned that I inspire others and help myself in ways I can’t even begin to measure. After 15 years in business we are ready to launch into the stratosphere over the next few months. Only one thing changed in my life. I started taking my blog (and thus my story) seriously.
I believe :)
Naomi, this is such a brilliantly written post! I have been blogging since 2007 and really had no idea of the possibilities!
You have given me such inspiration and food for thought!
Thank you
Hugs
Lee
Very inspiring… Everyone knows you should never give up but this really brings it home to this particular site. I too find a lot of value and some great relationships here.
awesome story .. powerful and moving .
Happy birthday Problogger.net and thanks for your wonderful story, Naomi.
Naomi – what more can I say but “thank you”
Just last week I too was devouring the Problogger archives and came across some D.Rowse wisdom how all successful bloggers had been at it for at least 3 years – so just keep at it.
After reading that (I am into my second year) and now after reading your post, the steely look of determination is back and the anxiety of overnight success is dissolving.
Thanks…
You just made my day Naomi & Darren. Written perfectly so you can soak up all the goodness.
Now, I MUST go read problogger :)
Wow.
It’s amazing not only what Darren has done for the blog but for thousands of bloggers and future bloggers. I congratulate you Darren for your hard work and dedication. You were the place I went to when I first started 3 years ago!
I’ve learned a lot, been guest posted on your blog 4x and love reading your newsletter and posts!
To be honored by so many wonderful bloggers is fantastic. Thanks for keeping family, blogging, and business in perspective for all of us.
Happy Birthday!
Wow, what an emotional and beautiful post.
Since I am newer to the blogging world I only knew you “as the most amazing small business marketer, that everyone knows, and she is totally awesome!”
But now, you are a real person. A real super cool person that has gotten through rough times and came out better on the other side. You are a real inspiration. Thanks to you, and thanks to Darren for helping you.
:)
Very inspirational post! I love reading these types of stories! Thank you very much!
Somehow the reality is more magical than the fairy godmother version, isn’t it? So glad you kept going, and grateful for the reminder.
Beautiful post! EXACTLY what this beginner needed to read.
WOW!
What a great reminder that we have what it takes, that there are no miracle cures, and to be on the lookout for the mentors that can help us.
Thanks for spurring us along!
Happy Blog Birthday Darren! What an incredibly cool story. Anyone who knows me knows that you practically have to stab me to get me to cry but darned if I didn’t tear up. There is something so powerful about hearing someone else’s story, their challenges and how they overcame them to renew your heart and mind that maybe there;s hope for you yet. Many thanks for sharing your story and to you and Darren for paying it forward over and over.
Thank you. I needed that. I love this because it makes me feel less crazy, lol.
I wonder if its mere coincidence that problogger’s b-day is a week away from mine, and that I came here looking for encouragement to keep blogging, and that I found it.
Thank you. Again.
I have tears in my eyes as I type this. Thank you. I needed that today. You don’t know how much I needed that.
Or perhaps you do.
In any case, thank you.
Naomi,
As usual, you sucked me in fast…and I was totally engaged & moved by your post…so much so that at one point I realized I was reading it out loud.
You are an amazing writer and this is an awesome post to honor Problogger’s b-day.
**Happy Birthday Problogger!
I am going to print this out and put it over my desk to read over and over. (I considered getting it tattooed on, but it is a little lengthy and I couldn’t find the right spot)
Inspirational as always, Naomi. Thank you.
I stuck with it. My friends and family did/do not get it and my husband wanted me to quit it because did not ‘get it’ but guess what? I can now supplement his income while still being at home with the kids so now he kinda likes it AND the best part is this: I did not give up – I KNEW it would happen.
Oh Naomi . . .
Bloody brilliant article
I swear this is one of your very best!
You’ve touched thousands of people yes . . but OMG we , the ‘newbies’….we need to hear this.
Honest down to earth information
Thank you so very much for being so willing to just ‘lay it out there’!
And to Problogger . . . very happy birthday . . .And yes, Thank God you are here for ‘us’
Once again, with gratitude for such an inspirational post ~
This is one of the most beautiful success stories I’ve ever read mainly because it’s so real. I’m not seeing any hype or any false hope, just real challenges, real experiences, and real persistence that led to your success. Happy birthday Problogger and thank you for the inspiring post Naomi!
If the beautiful post wasn’t moving enough,
the heart-felt comments attest to the power of Naomi’s writing, story and hard work. But Naomi left out the part that comes after “I just kept reading Problogger” — which she’d done all that first year without action.
The vital key to the keen success and determination at the core of this swell story is what most of us forget: “I just kept reading Problogger… AND worked my ass off DOING what I was learning…”
Inspiration + education + determination + ACTING ON IT ALL = a guest post due soon, from each of these readers and commenters, about their own power of not giving up. We look forward to the many nifty blog bizzes that Darren and Naomi inspire and educate…
I, too, am so much richer for your good works, Happy Blogday to the both of you ~
~GirlPie
This article was exactly what I needed to read today. Thank you. There’s no such thing as talent, you need to put the hours in to get good at something. Thanks for the reminder
There is only one word I would change in this whole awesome article. Thanks for this.
“Please don’t give up. I know it’s terrifying. I know you are under indescribable pressure to do something serious with your life and grow up and forget your crazy {—blogging—} dreams. “
I was in tears and ready to give up last night, Naomi. Then I got a message in my inbox – “The power of not giving up.” Thank you.
Thank you so much Naomi for reaching out to grab us at that exact point where you know we are, for you have been there too.
Your honesty, generosity and transparency are powerful. Your words found me during a low and are encouraging me to continue going after my writing dreams, and also to share my personal journey more with my readers.
Thank you for proving, once again, that success is not appearing on Oprah or landing big movie deals. Success is creating the life you want with the people you love and inspiring people you will never meet to do the same.
Thank you for sharing your pain, your losses, your setbacks so that we will know that we are not alone in our hurt and that perseverance, not quitting, is the way up and out.
Thank you for choosing to share with us what staying the course with Problogger has done for you.
Thank you and Happy Birthday Problogger.
Thanks, Naomi! Right author on the right topic at the right time. I’m at the point of seriously considering abandoning all hope. Or, rather, I _was_. Thanks for the inspiration!
Holy cow, guys.
I go out for dinner and come back to THIS! Thank you so, so much for your support and very kind words. I’m blessed and touched and blushing.
Happy Birthday Darren and ProBlogger! And a very inspiring post, Naomi. Delving back into the archives is such a good idea – not only are there great pointers but it is interesting to follow the evolution of this site as well.
Wow! The most encouraging, inspiring thing I’ve read all week!
Thanks for sharing!!
Good on both of you. Best blogs ever. Happy Birthdays and a very Happy Autumnal Equinox!
Good on both of you. Best blogs ever. Happy Birthdays and a very Happy Autumnal Equinox!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Happy birthday Darren and Problogger. And happy birthday IttyBiz.
Thank you for this lovely post Naomi, you have made me cry, :) and decide to not lose hope and keep going.
Darren-Thanks for running this post. It’s excellent. Yes, I do read often, btw.
Naomi? You just got yourself a new subscriber. Pat yourself on the back.
Goosebumps + tears
Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for this post. I really really needed this advice right now.
Thank you.
I almost gave up.
What an inspirational post. Thanks for the reminder. We all need it.
Fantastic story. I have *not* read all of Problogger but I read all of this article and I loved the sincerity and genuine voice behind it, Naomi, and I think you are extremely brave and patient and I feel rejuvenated again about my blogging prospects – and of course I will look more into these archives Darren has put together over the last 6 years……!
That’s what I’m talking about, The power of pesistence is an important key to sucess, your story is quite inspiring
I started my blog four years ago, changed it’s name and purpose just 3 months ago and now things finally start to turn around in a positive way for me. I haven’t reached my goal of earning a complete living off of my blog/business yet but I’m slowly inching my way forward.
Naomi and Darren helped me get where I am right now! Without you guys, I’d be working in some call center and thinking about suicide. This may sound extreme but it’s true!
So thank you guys for saving my life and inspiring me every day!
Naomi,
I’m not gonna close this tab on my browser for a few days at least. This is something I’ll want to read again and again. Just to believe that it really is possible.
Thank you for posting this.
And happy birthday Problogger!
Thanks for a very touching story. Everyone has said what I wanted to say and more.
Happy Birthday Problogger.