how blogging launched my career – and how it can for you too!

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For some reason, I’ve been waiting to share this story for awhile – and I guess I’m not really sure why it took so long. Maybe because I knew it wasn’t going to be the quickest blog post to write {guilty!}, or because it seems daunting to type the story of my current career. Either way it’s an important one to share, especially for those who are interested in starting a blog, or turning your hobby into a full time career.  There are a lot of reasons I truly love blogging – the creative outlet of experimenting and improving with graphic design, photography and copywriting, the incredible community of women I’ve met from around the world, and the professional opportunities I’ve been able to experience because of it. 
When my blog started out, it was far from fantastic, and if you’re really looking for a laugh, please see any of these posts here, here or here. Regardless, I kept {and keep} on trucking through, When I started my blog, I was in a social media job I really didn’t love in a city I desperately wanted to leave, and my big dream was to work at an advertising agency in Chicago. Not knowing what the heck I was doing, I reached out to my blogging friend Emily {note: who I was basically creeping on hardcore} and asked her what she knew about working in social media at a Chicago ad agency. One thing lead to another, and a few weeks later I was working with her at DDB Chicago, being a social media community manager and learning the ropes of working on the creative side for a Fortune 500 Company. Obviously, I’m the luckiest lady in the whole world {and should thank Emily every goddamn day – THANKS LADY!}, but none of it would have happened if I hadn’t started this blog, or “met” Emily though hers. It’s a crazy world, isn’t it?
Now, the other side of my work life besides Charmingly Styled is my variety of freelance projects that I’ve come to love. When I’m not blogging for myself, I’m writing pieces for Beauty Bets, blogging for Summer Thornton Designs {a Chicago based interior designer}, Women’s Health online and other side projects as they come my way.  The side hustle has become such a huge part of my professional life, and I’m lucky that I’ve gotten the chance to work with so many fantastic people while flexing some creative muscles in the process. But the real reason I have any of these sweet gigs is through starting my own blog, and meeting some fabulous people along the way.

So, you wanna change careers? Find a new job? Get some side hustle in your life? 
Here’s a little advice I’ve been lucky to learn along the way: 

#1: Most people want to help you, and all you have to do is ask. 
Seriously, mom saying “it never hurts to ask” has never rung more true. Most of my jobs or freelance projects have all started by asking a simple question, usually involving a phone chat or coffee date. Put yourself out there, show your value, and explain why you’d be the best in the biz. You always get points for putting yourself out there too! 
#2: If you want something let everyone know!
You have a big audacious goal, but are to afraid to ask? Girlfriend – put it out there! You never know who might know of an opportunity, or who knows someone who knows someone.  I’ve often asked friends who have cool gigs about how they got them, and half the time they offer to put me in contact with their contact too. Don’t keep your dreams secret – put them out there for everyone to help you with. 
#3: Network your little buns off:
The more people you know, the more opportunities you’ll have in your arsenal – especially if those people are in the field you’re looking to get into. I’ve been fortunate to become friends with so many other bloggers, and a few of them have helped me along the way into freelance jobs, or even just fun sponsored posts! Be authentic, be kind, but make sure to tell people what you’re looking for – 9 times out of 10, they’re more then willing to help. 

#4: Say “Thank You” like you mean it:
And when people do help you, tell them thank you thank you thank you! I try to write a handwritten note as much as possible, but even a quick little email will do. And even if one opportunity doesn’t work out, they’ll think of you for next time knowing how appreciative you were. 
Any other tips you swear by? Please share! I’m always looking to flex my networking muscles too 🙂 xx
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15 thoughts on “how blogging launched my career – and how it can for you too!”

  1. Jessica

    It never, ever hurts to ask! I use this philosophy in every area of my life. Starting a blog is one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Charmingly Styled was actually one of the first blogs I started following and it's still a favorite to this day 😉 You rock, Miss Maya!

    26 and Not Counting

  3. Savannah Lay

    I remember meeting you & Emily at DDB, which feels like forever ago! Congrats on your success 🙂

  5. Lorraine

    And taking risks! – I ended up with one of the best things on my resume that STILL impresses people, 40 year later!!! I knew Berenice Abbott lived in Maine, and as a graduate student, I had done some work that was related to her Atget collection. I was in Maine on holiday and looked her up in the phone book! She was listed! So I phoned her and made an appointment and drove 4 hours north to her house from where I was, and ended up getting an apprenticeship with her! People are still wowed that I knew her and worked with her. I recently appraised her estate based on that experience.

  9. livinginsteil.com

    I love this post and can really relate to it. Starting my blog ignited my passion for writing and social media. As a result, I've had the privilege to meet amazing people I otherwise would not have been introduced to. I completely agree that it doesn't hurt to ask. When I was first starting I reached out to a number of bloggers I admired and they were eager to offer me advice.

    http://www.livinginsteil.com
    Vanessa

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  12. Megan Crean

    This is great advice! I am always looking for new ways to expand my blog and this post helps a lot! It is true that it never hurts to ask. Sometimes being let down is disappointing, but when something is successful, the feeling is always 10 times better!
    ~~Megan~~
    http://www.poshprime.com

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