Still Blonde after all these Years — Why I started Blogging
This post The Beginning of Still Blonde After all these Years post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal domains that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My first profile picture (taken in front of a hanging tablecloth (lol) and later cropped to take out the bodacious tatas! Taken from a 5-2011 blog post: “White out, Change it up: Outfits modeled by Women over 45”
Where it all started for Still Blonde after all these Years
In the beginning, there was blonde. She went to see a movie called Julie & Julia (a 2009 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Nora Ephron starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, and Chris Messina) about Julia Child’s story of her start in the cooking profession intertwined with blogger Julie Powell’s 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child’s first book. One dark and stormy night, while Walt was away, a blog was born–October 2009.
Why the name? Still Blonde after all these Years?
In 1975, Paul Simon put out his 4th Solo album entitled “Still Crazy after all these Years”. My brother had a copy and I would steal it whenever I could. When I was trying to think of my blog name, I wanted something that captured my tagline of “Fashion and Lifestyle for the Slightly Vintage Woman” and this name just hit me- Still Blonde after all these Years. It had it all, it implied:
- a certain age of woman
- a certain gender
- a certain kind of woman (classy? ditzy? you decide)
- a certain attitude (still hanging on to the blonde)
First Blog post
My first blog post…great pictures right? I had no idea about size, lightening, or backgrounds. LOL
The first blog post I ever wrote was about makeup! Can you believe that? I really don’t hardly EVER write about makeup. My pictures were dark and small. It’s almost laughable today…but the point is, I took a photo, I talked about something and I got my start.
So many women say to me “I’d like to start a blog about…” and then they want to know HOW. I just tell them you just have to do it. You have to go down the rabbit hole, figure it out, and just get started. Ask 19 million questions as you go along, but don’t wait to have them all answered before beginning.
What have I learned over these seven years? SO MANY THINGS
In early 2010, I started doing some Fashion Blogging, see all my Fashion Posts!
Here’s some advice I would offer new bloggers, after 7 years of many mistakes:
- Watch for trends in blogging. Follow some trends, but not all so you don’t look like a cookie cutter blog.
- Join as many new social networks as you can. Watch closely what big bloggers are doing and try to build numbers in the best networks early
- Force yourself to care about photography
- Hire people to do the things you can’t
- Don’t start out on the blogger platform or wordpress.com
- Don’t use a long blog name (Still Blonde after all these years has 34 letters!!)
- Switch hosting companies when they go bad
- Build a newsletter right away
- Get a great domain name!
What I would do NOW if I was a new blogger
I would tell new bloggers to choose their domain name carefully when building their blog. I would suggest strongly that when choosing their domain name and domain URL that they think it out very carefully. Consider using a .ME domain. If I had it to do again, I might choose a great domain URL like ShelleyZurek.ME or StillBlonde.ME
WHY CHOOSE A .ME DOMAIN NAME??
Domain.ME is a domain name provider that allows anyone (personal and/or business) to create a unique, safe identity online with a domain ending in .ME. PSST! It’s important to note that .MEs are not penalized when it comes to SEO. They have the same benefits as any .COM.
A .ME is uniquely positioned to provide you with the space you need to build your personal brand and create a captivating online reputation and persona that’s a direct reflection of you. .ME domains are great for personal websites, such as blogs, online portfolios, or aliases for social network profiles. Have you seen all of our Domain.Me posts or our last Domain.ME ?
Get a .ME domain for an enhanced presence online
I haven’t been a reader since the beginning, but I am definitely a follower now. I admit it started with the giveaways but your fresh take on things really drew me in. I like the fashion advice and seeing the trends. I am a frugal shopper so I can’t always afford your sites, but I often use what you say. The photos do help make your entries, too. Seeing the style on you and seeing you really makes your blog personable. Thanks for “all these years.” 🙂
Awwwwww! Thank for being my reader as well Sherry. I really enjoy your input and stories. Here’s to a great 2017. Shelley
Everything you write sounds so genuine! Thank you for giving us insight into how things have changed.
Thanks Barbara. The Chief Blonde
I had never heard of .me domains. Really interesting. It was fun to see how things have changed over your blog years.
I think you picked a great name.
I have always loved your honest approach. Thank you for all that you do for those of us over 45. God Bless!
I don’t remember how long I’ve been reading your blog & entering your contests, but it’s been many years. Love your blog.
Hi Sarah, It seems like right from the very beginning. Sure appreciate you. The Chief Blonde
Very pretty clothese
Such great tips!! I love your blog so thank you for sharing yourself with us 🙂 I am thinking of starting one in January so these tips are super helpful!! Thank you!!
Go for it Amber. Remember just jump in! Shelley
Thanks for sharing, I so often wonder why bloggers get started. I think about starting, but just like you said – just do it. I love your blog and you provide us with such great information along with reviewing great products. I have purchased some of the products you have reviewed. Thanks for the tips on starting a blog. Gives a great overall on what to think about before beginning.
Just do it Karen!!! Thanks for purchasing some of the items I review. Hope they did what I said they would. LOL The Chief Blonde
Thank you fro the enjoyable blog. It is so interesting and informative.
Marilyn
Thanks for being my reader Marilyn! The Chief Blonde
This looks like a great story you have to tell as a blogger. The domain seems like a good choice. I love to give my input on life and other things, so I have been tempted at starting my own niche blog. I do enjoy to writing as a hobby.
Go for it Franie! The CHief Blonde
I love your store on how you started blogging! It’s always great to hear how others got started! And I love the .me domain, its so much more personalized!
Isn’t that a great approach. Don’t you wish it was there when we started? The CHief Blonde
Such a great post! This made me look back when I was just starting my blog. Love all your tips! Thanks for sharing your story!
I’ve been reading you almost as long as you’ve been blogging and it’s been amazing to not only watch you grow, but grow with you. You are a leader in your category and I love how you’ve defined your voice!
and you are my favorite blogger Jenna! So glad we are on the journey together. Shelley
A lot of good remarks. Telling about lighting is very important.
I loved the movie Julie & Julia!! I’m going to have to watch it again now LOL
Loved hearing about how you got started blogging. Everyone’s story are so interesting and no two are alike — and I’m always fascinated by how each of us fell into this career. I think I’ll do a post on how I started my own blog back in 2009, thanks to your inspiration.
Janis, Please link me up when you do! SHelley
Totally agree with caring about photography! Great pictures make all the difference!
It is so cool to look back and see all the changes my blog has done since the beginning. I am always learning new things to try. Thanks for the great information.
This is a great post. I will have to share this with my Sister. She is just starting her blog.