March Freelance Writing Update – My First $500

One year ago, I launched this personal finance blog, hoping to spread inspiration about frugal living from my own family’s journey. Then, I fell in love with writing for the web and started getting published on other websites. Now I’m regularly contributing to websites and earning back the money I’ve invested in this blog and my training over this past year.

Here’s a quick timeline of my blogging-turned-freelance-writing journey:

• February 2015 – Launched Piggy Bank Dreams
• July 2015 – Began guest blogging
• August 2015 – Began ghost writing for TextBroker.com (earned less than my babysitter)
• November 2015 – Took a freelance writing course that taught me how to truly build a business and make money at writing. Learned to pitch to editors, set up my professional portfolio, and create a Hire Me page.
• January 2016 – After completing the writing course, my first major publication went viral on Scary Mommy, earning 126k shares on Facebook and becoming my first three-digit paycheck.
• February 2016 – Became a paid staff writer and continued publishing on websites like LifeHack, Penny Hoarder, and MapQuest
• March 2016 – Crossed the $500 earning mark

What’s next?

My goal is to write 2,500-5,000 words each week, centered around my two niches: personal finance and parenting.

I even have my first speaking engagement next month! I’ll be speaking at a women’s retreat about mothers who are chasing a calling (hint: Motherhood IS a calling, so that’s all of us!).

Also, I will be pursuing God’s vision for this platform by mapping out more time in my self-made crazy schedule for reading God’s word.

Samples of my published work

Here are a few articles I’ve recently published that deal directly with money, marriage, and motherhood:

1. Your Journey Out of Debt is Never Just About You – published on Our Debt Free Family
2. The Ultimate Recipe for a Financial Breakthrough in Your Marriage – published on Life & My Finances
3. Dear Tired Mom: You Are Not a Lost Cause – published on Lift Up Your Day

Have you ever had to bug to start a blog or write something? Let me know in the comments!

Photo Credit: Negative Space (UnSplash)

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