It’s Official: I’m A Full Time Blogger/Writer (I’m Also Available For Hire)

Catherine Summers: Available for hire. You need it? I'll write it. notdressedaslamb.com

Hello, my name’s Catherine, and… I’m a full-time blogger. *Lets out a deep sigh of relief*

Six months ago I wouldn’t have dreamt in a million years I’d be saying (writing) that. At all. Yet here I am, at my PC, telling you that I have done the unthinkable: I left my full-time job after 11 years to work on the blog and be my own boss as a writer/publisher… I left in June and have been trying to decide what to do since then. I thought I knew; a few months of internships (even at the ripe old age of 41) followed by a full-time job in social media. And that would be that.

But doing the blog full time was so much more enjoyable than I expected. I had time to Tweet. I could post extra things on Facebook. I found time to finally get to grips with Google+. I drafted tons of posts for my musings and photo tips. I signed up to lots of opportunities I would normally have had to turn down due to having a 9-5. I even interviewed Gok Wan up in London even though it was a weekday and hey, I could go anytime.

I MAY ALSO THROW IN SOME SPONSORED POSTS, BUT I WISH TO WRITE THEM MYSELF AND MAKE THEM GOOD. AND INTERESTING TO READ.  I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR INTERESTS AT HEART, BECAUSE IF NEITHER OF US LIKES WHAT I’M WRITING, THEN THERE’S NOT MUCH POINT, IS THERE.

So I am letting you know, lovely (and loyal) readers, that Not Dressed As Lamb is here to stay – I’m setting up my own business as a writer. It’s going to be a tough old struggle and this is the big crunch: I therefore need to earn a living. I want you to know that I fully intend to maintain the integrity of my blog, despite having to monetise it, and I promise to bring you the same amount of outfit posts, musings and photo tips I’ve always produced. I may also throw in some sponsored posts, but I wish to write them myself and make them good. And interesting to read. (That may mean an awful lot more work for me – I could just accept pre-written posts for cash, but who wants to read those?) But in order to keep the blog going I do need to monetise it to some extent. I will, however, always have your interests at heart, because if neither of us likes what I’m writing, then there’s not much point, is there.

So fear not, dear reader. I promise to keep your interests my number one priority, along with my love for writing stuff for you (and my sanity). Cross my heart and kiss my elbow.

I’m also available for hire. As a writer. [Update January 2016: I am no longer doing this.]

This bit I have to shout from the rooftops… this is where I am unashamedly telling the world that I will write stuff for them. So I guess I am now a freelance writer. No, I am a freelance writer. I’m currently freelancing ad hoc for a digital agency and doing a lot of copywriting about all sorts of subjects, from recruitment to horses to engineering, so doing research is not a problem. Of course I’d love to write about style and fashion all the time, but meantime I’m happy to write about anything (within reason, I should say), and I actually rather enjoy the diversity of subjects I’ve been covering.

So – does your company need blog posts written for them? Do you have articles that need writing (on any subject)? Is it a one-off assignment or an on-going project? I’ll consider them all. I might even continue writing the screenplay I started writing in 1996. Or adapt it into a novel. Who knows.

Weirdly, English (or rather, writing) was my best subject at primary school. My mum always said it was a shame I stopped writing because she loved reading my over dramatic, lengthy prose. So it seems it’s a full circle that’s taken more than 30 years to go round.

But I meant what I said about maintaining integrity. I’ll keep our best interests at heart, and at the same time earn a little to keep the blog alive and well. If you want to support the blog and get yourself a bit of advertising at the same time, why not take out an ad in my sidebar? Two birds, one stone. Hopefully lots more stones thrown your way.

So that’s me: a brand new, truly scary start at the age of 41. I can’t wait…!

Catherine

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P.S. You may be wondering how I’ll afford to live. I took (mutual) redundancy from work, plus I have a supportive husband who works full time – but we still have a mortgage to pay. We’re going to treat the blog as we would a baby: I gave up a full-time job to look after a baby, we have to therefore scrimp and save to live on one income. And bring up a baby. But I’m hoping that within a couple of years that baby will become a chimney sweep or go down the mines and earn me some money out in the big wide world. Here’s hoping.

30 Comments

  1. 16 September 2013 / 12:50 am

    Congrats to you Cat. It must be so thrilling to do this full-time. All the best to you
    Sheree xxx

  2. 13 September 2013 / 9:18 pm

    I'm playing some major catch-up here (the move to Alaska kicked my ass big-time)and I know I'm a little late to the game but a huge CONGRATULATIONS just the same! It's so exciting to have been around since almost the beginning and watch you become such a success.

    Jenn
    (formerly The Suburb Experiment)

  3. 7 September 2013 / 8:36 pm

    Brilliant news!!! Yay go you!!! My dream when I turn 40 is to start the uni course I should have done when I was 18!!! Not possible at the mo with 3 small kids.
    You are an inspiration in all things fashion and also that age doesn't define who you are and is no barrier!
    Go girl!

    X x

  4. 7 September 2013 / 8:13 pm

    excellent, congrats and all the best for the future! x

  5. 6 September 2013 / 7:28 pm

    This is wonderful and so inspiring. Best of luck! I can't wait for the day when I can say that I have quit my day job… soon I hope!

  6. 6 September 2013 / 3:52 am

    good for you Catherine and for making it a baby and showering your love and effort into it. Go girl :o) x

  7. 5 September 2013 / 3:47 pm

    I wholeheartedly wish you the best of luck. I only recently discovered your blog and it instantly became a favourite. I am in the middle of a rough patch with mine – tough day job that has left me posting very scarcely this past year – but I want to continue blogging. Your blog and your attitude never fail to provide inspiration when needed 🙂

  8. 5 September 2013 / 12:06 pm

    Congratulations, Catherine! You found your true calling! Your post today is an inspiration!
    Chatty Cathy (@chockie_bickie)

  9. 5 September 2013 / 10:06 am

    Congratulations! And what an exciting decision. Your blog is one of the best and I have no doubt you will be extremely successful and you embark on this full time.

  10. 5 September 2013 / 1:53 am

    I quit my job in June to do the same. It's had its ups and downs and now I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.

    Congrats on your big next step!

  11. 4 September 2013 / 11:19 pm

    Wonderful, Catherine! Congratulations and cheers to you. I know you'll be a smashing success, following your heart. xoxo

  12. 4 September 2013 / 8:14 pm

    Brilliant news Catherine, hope all works out for you!! It's great to,be doing something as your job that you are passionate about, money isn't the be all and end all (although it does help!) and job satisfaction is not to be frowned upon! X

  13. 4 September 2013 / 8:10 pm

    Congratulations! You are truly inspirational xx

  14. 4 September 2013 / 8:00 pm

    Congrats on the move Catherine! It doesn't matter the age. I'm sure you've weight the pros and cons of being a full time blogger and since your decision is such, I am totally happy for you! I can understand your baby needs some "food" to grow so I will email you soon! =D

  15. 4 September 2013 / 6:52 pm

    Congratulations! You are brave! And such an inspiration… I don't know if I like my job any more and I've been thinking about quitting but I'm scared and I'm worried because I'm not that young…
    Anyway, best of lucks and I'm looking forward to reading all your new adventures!
    xx,
    E.
    http://www.theslowpace.com

  16. 4 September 2013 / 6:46 pm

    oh catherine, thats wonderful news im so so happy and pleased for you. This is such a wonderful step for you and im excited to take this journey with you as one of your loyal readers. Best wishes and muchos luck my lovely friend xxxx PS if youre ever in the cardiff/ wales area please let me know… we have to meet!

  17. 4 September 2013 / 6:44 pm

    Congrats- and I envision loads of success (and hard work) and more success for you. You are the bees knees, beautiful savvy stylish AND talented. If anybody's gonna make it big time, it better be someone as talented (and all the other stuff) as you. Best of luck- I'm in your corner!

  18. 4 September 2013 / 6:44 pm

    You go girl! Keep us updated on how your business is growing! I think there are several of us that would love to do this, but question if the income would be there. I hope to watch you and be inspired. You are very talented and I wish you all the best!

  19. 4 September 2013 / 5:28 pm

    What a great inspiration and challenge to pursue the dream! Hope you enjoy and feed us with lots more of your style ideas! Good luck, looking forward to a bumper packed blog!
    FF

  20. 4 September 2013 / 4:40 pm

    Good on you for following your dreams. You've done a fabulous job with your blog thus far and you can only get better.

  21. 4 September 2013 / 4:23 pm

    Good luck Catherine you will be fantastic as always xx

  22. 4 September 2013 / 4:05 pm

    Aww great news 🙂

    All the best, love your blog and style..

  23. 4 September 2013 / 3:14 pm

    Catherine, what a big step for you – congratulations!
    I have no doubt you will maintain your authenticity and integrity and your blog will always be a bonus for your readers. I am looking forward to your future posts.

    xx
    Annette | Lady of Style

  24. 4 September 2013 / 3:05 pm

    Let me just quickly stop chuckling at the line about the blog growing up to be a chimney sweep (I'm planning to send mine down the mines when it grows up) so I can say a great big CONGRATULATIONS! I've been blogging full-time for a few years now and freelanced before that, and I can honestly say it's the best decision I ever made, and I've never regretted it for a second. Yes, it's hard work (contrary to popular relief), but it's also hugely rewarding and totally worth it, so I'm thrilled that you've decided to take plunge, and know you'll have no problem making the transition to full-time blogging with integrity intact 🙂

  25. 4 September 2013 / 3:03 pm

    Good for you, enjoy it. Best of luck!

  26. 4 September 2013 / 2:41 pm

    Oh gosh Catherine, what an exciting step. I am really jealous (no, not really as I think you deserve this opportunity). Like you, my writing has always been a subject of which other people said: "you write with humor". Only, English is not my native language and that restricts me a hell of a lot. But blogging in Dutch is never going to get me an audience. The world is our playground, isn't it?
    I do hope you succeed. Focussing and putting the work into it, is half the job.
    Look at Sylvia of 40+style and Angie of You look fab. Full time bloggers. I bet they are doing nicely.
    And you are wise to know that you should never compromise your blog by too much commercial stuff or by losing your independent view.
    Wishing you every success.
    Greetje

  27. 4 September 2013 / 2:18 pm

    I am over the moon with the news.
    I feel so proud that you are following a drem and letting your wings take you where your heart is.
    I am with you all the way. WELL DONE!!!
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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