When you decided to start your hustle, who did you tell first?
When I started my blogging and podcasting journey, I kept it to myself. After toying around with the idea for months, writing lists of pros v.s. cons, tons of web research, and reading any book I could get my hands on, I decided to go for it. There were days when I felt like I had found my calling, and days when I felt like I could never make it work. I enjoy my side hustle, it’s a great outlet for me. However, sometimes I feel as though my hustle is a secret, like an undercover operation!
I officially started blogging and podcasting October 2016. Since then I have scored little victories:
- I have over 10 blog posts up! Several have garnered awesome feedback!
- I’m building a small following with readers. I’m so appreciative of them!
- Even though my podcast only has 6 episodes, I have over 1100 downloads! This may not seem much to the big guns, but I have barely promoted it, and if you read my latest blog post, My Blogging Timeout, you’ll understand why.
I know what you’re thinking….Then what’s the problem?
I have Facebook pages for both my blog and podcast. When deciding who to invite to “like and follow” my pages, I was skeptical. Who would like the pages? Who the hell knows what a blog and podcast are? Who even cares?
Quite a few of my friends did follow me, and there are several that show “invited” that have yet to accept. Now, I’m not going to assume that they chose not to accept my request (especially since one of those mentioned is my Dad). It could be possible that they didn’t see the invite on their notification panel, don’t know what pages are and how to accept them, or they simply didn’t give a crap.
This is where the craziness, self-doubt, and self-sabotage come into play, and I started thinking…
- Are my blog and podcast “good enough” to share with my family and friends?
- Will they like it, hate it, or criticize my every word?
- Will they truly “support” me and what I am trying to achieve?
I know I can’t be the only person that has experienced these thoughts and feelings. To me, it seems easier to upload a blog post for a complete stranger to read, rather than family, friends, or even the coworker in the next cubicle. Or I can hope that some stranger stumbles upon my podcast and gives it a listen.
WHY AM I HUSTLING IN SECRET?
I have yet to post anything to my personal Facebook page telling all of my contacts that I have a side hustle! When I think of actually posting something, I think of 10 reasons why I shouldn’t. Is it because I’m ashamed of my content? That I may offend someone with the things I will write or say? Or the simple case of not wanting to fail and have them see it first hand? Sharing my projects with all of them will make me vulnerable. But it can also open up another audience that will help me grow.
I hate the fact that fear is holding me back from sharing. I know I can’t expect everyone (including strangers) to like everything I put out there, but the prospect of rejection from those that I am close to scares me.
I’m a member of a Facebook group that helps bloggers by allowing us to share content and ask questions. I noticed that the moderator hasn’t been posting as often as she usually does. Finally, Friday, she posted the reason why she had been MIA. She started having doubts and fears that were holding her back. Fears of failure, fears of sharing her content, fears that she simply wasn’t good enough. Mind you she has a very successful blog, runs multiple businesses, and moderates 3 Facebook groups. I responded to her post that I appreciated her honesty and totally understand what she is going through. It’s amazing how these things come at the “right time”.
If you would have asked me in September if I would have thought I’d be where I am today, I would have laughed. Uh… No!! I would have still been dreaming of making this a reality. 6 months later, I’m starting to find my way, and it may be time for me to “put it out there and let the chips fall where they may”!
Are YOU hustling in secret? Have you shared your businesses with Friends and Family? Are they supportive?
I’d love your feedback!
Until next time…
Crystal
It’s funny you uploaded this particular post! One day I was just rambling on about how I read so much I should start a blog. Haha and whaddya know. The only person I told when I realized what a great idea it was, is my cousin Khariah. Telling her actually inspired her to make a blog as well and now we’re on this journey together lol! Your content is so great and relatable! Thanks for doing what you do. 🙂
If you want to check out my cousin’s blog here’s the link…
http://brainsbeauty-budget.blogspot.com/
Have a lovely day!
Love this. I know I’ve had similar feelings. Also at times it seems like others support more than family and friends at times. I think sometimes I don’t share because I don’t want to resent friends for not sharing, commenting, liking if I’ve asked. I know it’s not fair because they might just have other interests but it definitely can feel personal.
Oh my! Do t hustle in private! From the start I only shared with my personal Facebook page! My poor fam and friends are stuck with it! Some comment. Some don’t. Some read faithfully. Some hand never looked. It’s been interesting to see who does and doesn’t. But the ones who do are the best support!! Best wishes!!
I can so understand what you are going through. I think that it is the hardest to let your family and friends to see what you are writing and just come out with it. We are all (or almost) all scared to bejudged and found lacking. But guess what you will also be surprised to see how much support you will get and it will be nice to get a feedback from people you know. So don’t you worry and stop being secretive. Your writing is great and I am looking forward to read more!
I’m not a secret blogger exactly. When I started I thought that friends and family would rush to sign up and follow me, but I heard crickets instead. Since October my blog has grown beyond my expectations. Lots of other people read it even if my family and friends don’t. So while I don’t keep it secret I don’t celebrate it in front of them either. I assume that for whatever the reason they don’t care that much and I don’t need the side-glances or disinterest, and the feelings those generate. It’s not a secret it’s just a separate compartment.
I did at first! I think that some people still don’t understand what we/I do!
OMG… you are talking about me! I did finally post one of my blog posts on my personal page about a month ago. I did get a lot of positive comments. But I even keep a lot of what I do quiet from my husband. He knows I have a blog…but I don’t even know if he reads it. If he does, he doesn’t say anything.
I guess it is harder feeling vulnerable around friends and family instead of strangers.
I totally feel this way! I’m in the process of starting a new blog (that will focus more on writing and blogging) and I’m terrified to share it with my friends and family for some reason! They’ve all been super supportive with my personal/lifestyle blog so I don’t know why I feel this way, but I’ve shared about my new blog on Twitter and on my nonpersonal Instagram account, but I can’t seem to share it with the people I actually know!
Good question…
The reaction has been a little mixed from friends and family. Some friends and family members are very encouraging and tell me that what I am doing is great. Others won’t say really anything or won’t even ask how things are going with the blog. I think when you don’t receive any support from the people you thought you would it then can cause the doubts and second guessing. Luckily though we have blogging communities and the family members that are so supportive that keep encouraging us along the way. I think we have to just dig deep and find the voice within that lead us to this venture in the first place and keep pushing no matter what.
Great post!
Going through a period of self doubt myself now! It isn’t amazing how we let our perceptions of what others think limit us? I think you’ve hit on the things a lot of us feel.
I hustled in secret for about a month, but then I couldn’t take it any longer. I told my mom, and she said I had to share it. So I believed her, and it’s been great ever since. Hustling has been the best thing I’ve done! Congrats on your success so far 🙂
This is SO relatable as a fellow blogger. There is huge insecurities with entering the social media field as it seems everyone you know will then also see if you fail. But! I say go for it, try to get past the fear and just make the best of it. I share my stuff on my personal pages all the time. I don’t get all my friends or family supporting me all the time, but I am also not hiding it. I feel it helps me stay accountable. What I am more secretive about is just how MUCH WORK this biz is.
Hi! You doing great!!! We started about the same time — my blog went live in September. .. I am slowly growing in my social media niches…. I have found that family and friends don’t always respond to requests to like a page , etc… Honestly now that I’m blogging more I’m not really sure I want them all reading what I write LOL 🙂
I didn’t tell anyone about my blog until I published my first post. Congrats on your accomplishments, you have come so far!
I am TOTALLY hustling in secret! I have posted 2 things to my personal page and pretty much crickets..including my mom. Whatever though, I am doing what I love!
I completely feel you on hustling in secret. Even now I find myself a bit awkward sometimes when I’m posting an article I’ve written or anything to do with my site.
I’ve definitely been hesitant to share my blog and side hustle with friends and family. But over the last few months, I’ve realised that I don’t really care if they don’t like it, I’m going to share my blog because I’m proud of it! There will always be people who do not like the content and that’s ok. But who knows, as long as it helps one person, I’m ok with that.
I can totally relate to this post! I’ve been blogging for awhile but most of my real life friends have no idea. I can’t seem to merge the two- and I don’t really want to. So glad someone else out there feels the same way!
Great post! Yes, I did it in reverse I actually announced all my work online to fam but no interest. I decided I didn’t want them to feel pressured so I stopped. They are aware of my start but they are not following me. I’m good with it I realized I needed to spread my wings online like I do in real life. So most of my online connects , support are from strangers. Strange but true and it’s exciting to get the professional feedback on my work.
Oooooo, I do this so much! I’m quite afraid of showing the people I know my blog😶 but thank you for the insight! It helped!
Wow girl I had no idea you had a podcast! Actually 1100 downloads sounds like sooo many! I love your side hustle, keep on keepin’ on – whether you decide to share it or not.
xoxo,
krista
Thank you!!!! 1100 really isn’t a lot when most get 5000 a month! But Hey… someone’s listening so that’s a good thing! More motivation to knock it out of the park!! LOL xoxo
Cool beans, I need more trick and tips on advertising and getting people to follow my Podcasts as I definitely don’t hustle in secret – everyone knows that I am a blogger – the Delaware Blogger.
Hi Antionette… have you joined the Facebook group for She Podcasts? It’s great! There are women who are in the same boat and wee bounce ideas off each other. I’d highly recommend it!
This definitely hits home! I’ve been so reluctant to post and share recently but I have to realize that the only way to truly be successful is to put myself out there. Great read!
Thank you Kimberly! The first step is always the hardest right? 🙂