Thanks so much to my reader, Megan, who asked this question! I am always happy to share my experiences- one of the main reasons I have a blog. :) So, here is my answer:

Blogging is my full time gig- though I mostly supplement my income with consulting, brand sponsorships, and write-ups for other sites and publications. 

Pretty much whatever you want to do in life, having a blog will benefit you. It allows people to see who you are. Read your opinion and it also shows that you can take initiative to start something on your own and follow through to publish it regularly.

I have had so many great opportunities come out of blogging, from guest blogging at Aspen Fashion Week, to riding a $2300 Equinox Derringer bike around Manhattan! 

It is ‘hard’ work though- and I put hard in ” because it should never be too much work, or else you won’t enjoy it and that will come across to your audience. Instead, I would say it is a nice balance between posting about interesting products, places and such, along with posting your opinion and perhaps advice on certain topics. My blog is known for being an eco-fashion style site. I stay within that realm most of the time, and let my readers get to know me a bit more with other personal posts that are based on personal experience or just highlight something that I think is cool.

If you can carve out a niche for yourself- that is best. If you are not sure what your niche is yet, just start blogging about what you like and soon you will find a common theme.

Once you build a name for yourself and are linked in with some other blogs (very helpful when you are building your audience) you can start to approach advertisers and talk about your traffic. More than simply having ads on your site (not my favorite or focus), you can also approach brands to sponsor you and your blog. This is the direction that monetizing a blog is moving in, so I would advise this method.

Beyond that, just do what you love and share it with your readers. Even if you don’t gain Garance Dore status, you will be able to leverage yourself and show future employers who you are on a different level that will give you an advantage.

Best of luck and let me know how blogging is working out for you, and if  you have any tips! ;)

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(top image is of Emma Grady (fellow blogger) by Tom Olesnevich from a photo shoot we did in NYC.)