GMBMFB Mailbag: answering questions

I’ve received a couple of questions via Formspring, so I thought I’d take the time to answer them here.

What advice can you give to someone who’s just starting out a blog? Were there times you just wanted to give up on your blog?

There were more than a few times where I wanted to give up on my blog. In fact, some of you might remember when I was still blogging anonymously, someone publicly outed my identity in a comment this blog. I couldn’t believe someone would be so cruel, and decided that I was going to kill this blog. I went and purchased a new domain name, and set up an entirely new website. I was seconds away from deleting GMBMFB. Thankfully, someone talked me out of it. Shortly after that, I started blogging as myself anyway, so it all worked out.

As for advice I would give someone who is just starting out – it takes a lot of dedication and time to run a blog. I wouldn’t say that I’m a successful blogger compared to everyone else out there, but I’ve been able to steadily increase my traffic and readership over the years. If  you’re looking for advice to make money, I’m not the right blogger to talk to. But if you’re looking to learn and grow and become a part of an online community, I would suggest connecting with like-minded bloggers by commenting on their blogs, as well as getting in on the conversation and connections happening on Twitter. Feel free to e-mail me if you’d like to chat! I can’t guarantee a particularly timely response, but I do try to get back to people within a couple of days if I can. :)

Have you thought about going on a year-long travel again?

Actually, I never stopped thinking about it. It’s something I really do want to experience. Recently, it’s been on my mind a lot. I’ve spent my whole adult life waiting for someone to travel with, only to be disappointed. And at this point in my life, I’m beginning to realize that if I don’t actually set a goal to do this trip – with or without someone, I might never get to do it.

Now, I’m not saying that I’m just going to pack up and leave tomorrow. But I do need to think about what I want over the long term, and I think doing Kiplinger’s 10 Financial Commandments exercise really helped me focus a bit more on what I want out of life, besides financial independence. :) So while I do like where I am right now, we’ll see what happens in the future.

5 Responses to “GMBMFB Mailbag: answering questions”

Author comments are in a darker gray color for you to easily identify the posts in the comments

1. AMD says:

   Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 05:42am at 5:00 am

   Krystal I don’t think you give yourself enough credit! She’s been a huge help to me starting up my blog. After a good year or so of reading PF blogs I felt I really wanted to start my own, but had no idea where to start. Krystal gave me great advice (recommended hosting sites, a little wordpress 101, free photo imaging sites) that helped me get off the ground. Very much appreciated.
   AMD´s latest post —> Should I be Investing More?

   Reply
2. Michelle says:

   Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 06:04am at 6:30 am

   I’m new to blogging also! I love your website and it has definitely inspired mine.

   I also want to go on a year long trip, and I do have someone who would do that with me. My BF can take one sabbatical at his work where he would still be gaining seniority and would be allowed to take however much time off as he wanted. Unfortunately, I do not get the same. :(
   Michelle´s latest post —> Painting our plain bathroom

   Reply
3. My Own Advisor says:

   Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 08:19am at 8:09 am

   I like your responsesm especially the one about blogging. It’s true, it does take time, but it can be very rewarding on many fronts.

   I’m glad you didn’t kill your blog. It’s a solid read, with great contributors. You should really give yourself credit, it’s due!

   Looking forward to meeting you and others at the PF conference in Toronto next fall. Should be fun, because you and Preet are involved!

   Cheers,
   Mark
   My Own Advisor´s latest post —> You Voted: Best Canadian Bank Stock

   Reply
4. munchkin says:

   Thursday, October 20, 2011 - 04:37pm at 4:02 pm

   so glad you didnt quit your blog! It is one of the first I check in the morning! :)

   Reply
5. Karylle Lynch says:

   Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 06:44pm at 6:20 pm

   Wonderful post!
   You say,
   “I would suggest connecting with like-minded bloggers by commenting on their blogs, as well as getting in on the conversation and connections happening on Twitter.”
   Thank you for this suggestion. I know you’re a great blogger and has lots to share about it. Moreover, I also find you a very humble person. :)

   Reply

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