Hi there friend! I’m Christene and I’m a blogger!

This is such a cool and also weird thing for me to say. That’s because a little over a year and a half ago, I didn’t ever think I would be a blogger.

My Blogging Story

Before I started my blog, I used to think that only the “exceptional people” could start and run a blog. I thought that bloggers had that “IT” factor. They were in the right place at the right time. They had figured out this whole “online thing.” Basically, blogging was a completely unattainable thing in my mind.

I always thought it would be fun to have a blog, but I literally had no idea how to start. And I had zero confidence that I could actually make a blog work.

So, how did I get to where I am today? How did I start this blog?

My First Blogging Friend

It all started one day when I was browsing the internet reading my favorite blogs. I was, and still am, a huge blog reader! I was discovering new bloggers every day and one of those days I happened to discover Abby!

Abby is the author of the blog Just a Girl and Her Blog. At first, I read a few of her posts. Then, I took a tour of her home (virtually through her home tour.) Then I popped over to her about page to learn a little more about who she was. That’s when I had the first “ah-ha moment.”

As I read through Abby’s about page, I got to the part where she mentioned that she and her husband Donnie met in college at Grove City College. And maybe you know this, or don’t know this, but I also went to Grove City College and met my husband Ben there.

In an instant, Abby became the first relatable blogger to me.

You see, for some unknown reason, I had put bloggers on a virtual pedestal. They were unreachable and unattainable. They seemed perfect and like that had it all figured out. In my mind, I thought that they were definitely all living in sunny California where the weather was perfect and the scenery was picturesque.

To me, bloggers were basically unicorns. I didn’t think I could ever be a blogger. I didn’t even know anyone in real life who was a blogger.

But Abby was just like me! She went to the tiny, unknown school that I went to. She lived in a realistic home. And she lived in Western Pennsylvania (where I do), where the weather is far from perfect year round.

She was just like me…but she had a blog.

That realization was just what I needed to give me the confidence to start my own blog.

If Abby could do it, I could do it.

So, I decided right then to start a blog. And I also decided that if I started, I wasn’t going to quit. I was going to make it work.

My Limiting Beliefs

Now just because I had decided to start my blog didn’t mean I was confident at all.

Actually, I was really scared. Before I started my blog, I had all the limiting beliefs about myself…

• I can’t blog.
• I don’t even know how to write.
• I can’t take professional pictures or *gasp* use Lightroom. It’s so complicated!
• And who would even read my blog?
• Everyone probably already knows how to do what I’m sharing. Why would they want to read a blog post from me?
• I don’t even have time. How do I expect to work full-time and run a blog?

But all of those beliefs were wrong. They were just my defense mechanism because I was scared to start. I tried to convince myself that there was some reason that I couldn’t start a blog. But in reality, there wasn’t.

Average me, will all my limiting beliefs and lack of online knowledge – I could be a blogger!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. For more information, see my disclosures here.

And you know what? You can too!

You can be a blogger!

There is nothing special about me. I didn’t know growing up that I wanted to be a blogger. I didn’t know anything about websites. I didn’t know anything about photography or social media or anything when I started.

Everything I know now I learned from other bloggers.

• Bloggers who were willing to show the behind the scenes of their blogs.
• Bloggers who made this whole blogging world finally seem relatable and doable.
• Bloggers who wanted to help others.

Bloggers like Abby!

Not only was Abby the first relatable blogger that I found, but she also wrote an ebook about how to start a blog – Building a Framework.

I was hesitant and a little scared at first, but I bought Building a Framework and decided I was going to start my blog.

Building a Framework – My First Blogging Course

I wanted to share that brief overview of my blogging story because now you know my background. I started blogging with zero experience. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had the determination that I was going to make it work.

When I started reading through Building a Framework, it was like I had hired my own personal blogging coach.

In the ebook, Abby first walked me through every step of setting up my blog from scratch. All that technical stuff, like buying a domain name, finding a host, starting on WordPress, installing Genesis, getting my theme, and which plugins to use. All of that was covered right at the beginning. 

And maybe you’re thinking “Whoa!!! What does all of that mean?”

Don’t worry, Abby’s got you covered. She explains everything in easy to understand terms and shows you exactly what to do every step of the way.

After I got the technical parts of my blog going, I just kept following the ebook.

I learned…

• How to create content that’s helpful to my readers
• How to write
• How to take photos
• How to make a content strategy
• How to create an About Page
• How to setup all my social media channels
• How to create images for each social media channel
• How to make a social media strategy

Then once I got the hang of that, I moved onto learning about…

• How to set up ads on my website
• How to start using affiliate links
• How to find sponsored posts
• How to create an email list
• How to build my following
• How to connect with other bloggers

And so much more!

Building a Framework guided me every step of the way. Whenever I had a question or got stuck on something, I just went back and referenced the ebook. It really is the Ultimate Blogging Handbook.

And honestly, I still use the ebook for reference today! Seriously it’s 200 pages packed full of information. I’m always learning something new that I can implement on my blog.

Building a Framework also came with a little bonus – access to Abby’s Pinterest Group Board – Best of Blogland! This was so helpful to me when I first started because I was able to get traffic from Pinterest when I was still a totally unknown blogger.

After a while, I decided to upgrade and get the Building a Framework Course. Honestly, I really wish I would have started off with the Course! It comes with access to step-by-step video tutorials where Abby walks you through exactly how she does things for her blog.

The Building a Framework Course has videos on…

• Setting up a blog – all the technical stuff
• Editing Photos
• Scheduling Social Media posts
• Setting up an email list
• Installing Ads

And much, much more! 

Oh and I almost forgot! The Course came with even MORE bonuses. One of those bonuses was that I got access to Abby’s private Building a Framework Facebook group!

I could actually go onto Facebook, ask blogging questions, and get answers from other bloggers who were learning with me – and even Abby herself! That was pretty awesome.

Building a Framework really is the best resource for someone who wants to start a blog. Without it, I wouldn’t have known where to start or what to do. My blog probably wouldn’t be where it is today. I am so thankful for Abby and her willingness to share all she knows about blogging in this amazing resource!

The New and Improved Building a Framework

So, I wanted to let you in on a little secret about Building a Framework. Right now, Abby is relaunching an all-new, totally updated version of the Building a Framework ebook and course!

If you have ever thought about starting a blog, this is your time.

Maybe you’re like me, and you have all the limiting beliefs. Guess what? You don’t have to do it alone!

Building a Framework can help you learn the best practices for all of the major areas of blogging so you can be confident that you are starting out on the right foot from day one.

Abby is a true professional. She’s been blogging now for over 3 years and she and her husband Donnie are now full-time bloggers. That means the blog is their job! Crazy! They have such a heart for helping people start and grow their blogs!

Building a Framework takes all the guesswork out of getting started and helps you grow a thriving blog that can…

• Help others
• Give you a fun creative outlet
• Connect you with other people who share your passions
• Help you earn an income!

You can learn more about Building a Framework here!

It’s time to push those fears aside and start that blog you’ve been dreaming of! I can’t wait to see what you create!