Here at The Daily Guru we are fortunate enough to have blogging expert and enthusiast Jaclyn Carlson in our hot seat today. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Jaclyn is the founder of Blog Society as well as the author behind the Sydney-based blog, Little Paper Trees. Passionate and prone to wasting hours on Pinterest, Jaclyn has years of experience in marketing, advertising and PR and aims to put Sydney’s bloggers in the spotlight with the emergence of the incredible Blog Society.
Today we are picking Jaclyn’s creative mind about her voyage into the Blogging world, her biggest challenges, her greatest inspirations and what drives this passion-filled journey.
JACLYN, SHARE WITH US SOME INSIGHTS INTO THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB…
The ability to connect and foster collaboration. As a blogger and founder of Blog Society my journey has been passion-fuelled and filled with the incredible opportunity to reach out and bring together digital storytellers. I believe in the power of collaboration, in surrounding myself with those who seek adventure, who lead not follow and embrace failure with a smile, because let’s face it, nothing great ever came from staying in your comfort zone.
WHY DID YOU CHOSE THIS FIELD OF WORK?
As someone with past experience in marketing, advertising and PR, blogging came naturally to me. More than just a space to write, ramble and remember, blogging shifted my thinking and strengthened my creative spirit. It became an outlet and the more I wrote, the more my confidence grew and I recognised there was a whole world of women out there just like me that were waiting to be connected. That’s when the idea for Blog Society was born.
WHAT HAS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR CAREER BEEN?
On a personal level I struggle with balance and trying to strike a happy medium to nourish my inner creative while also working full time. It’s a battle many women face – either with family or careers – and I don’t believe there is any easy answer. For me, what’s worked is to know my priorities, stay focussed, organised and recognise that small steps daily can make a huge difference in accomplishing your goals.
From a purely blogging perspective, my greatest challenge with Blog Society is the uphill battle within Australia to shed light on bloggers as true influencers with unprecedented media power. Overseas that landscape has shifted but I still see a long way to go here.
WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY?
Although blogging and running events is a passion of mine, the end result often involves a far less glamorous road than most imagine. There are late nights, early mornings, technical glitches that happen at the most frustrating times, countless meetings, hours of set-up, break downs and all the ugly moments in between that make an event or blog series come to life. Despite all that I wouldn’t change it for the world, the end result makes it all worthwhile.
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR CAREER?
I’ve been so lucky and grateful to have strong, courageous women in my life – from my mother and sisters to the incredible kindred spirits I have met while launching Blog Society. Rather than one person, I credit my tribe with influencing, guiding and supporting me along the way. I’m eternally grateful for their powerful voices and lessons taught.
IF YOU COULD GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO YOUR 18 YEAR OLD SELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Trust your gut and follow your path – it will lead you to where you need to be.
YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT HAS BEEN…
The moment I decided to forge ahead with my idea of Blog Society and hit publish on my first social media post. I had a list a mile long of all the things that weren’t ready but my gut told me to go ahead anyways, so I did. The response, almost overnight, was so incredibly supportive that it gave me the courage (and energy) to keep going, slowly paving my path as I went. Even today as more milestones are met, it was finding that courage to shake off self-doubt and take the first step that I’m most proud of.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST PERSONAL CHALLENGE YOU HAVE OVERCOME?
Overcoming self-doubt and comparison to others. That fear of failure can be debilitating, especially in a world where social media continues to promote perfectionism, however by finding my voice and staying true to myself, blogging has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and live a fuller life and connect with people I never dreamed of. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and to anyone thinking about it, or doubting if they have the ability, time or courage to start blogging my advice to you would be don’t wait another minute, dive right in.
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME WHEN RELAXING?
Disconnecting – I often fail.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Regret
WHAT CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
My partner and family – at the end of the day they are what truly matter.
COMPLETE THIS SENTENCE- I REALLY WISH I HAD…
More coding and design skills – they’d come in really handy at the moment.
WHAT IS THE GREATEST LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNT IN LIFE SO FAR?
Embrace fear…stepping out of your comfort zone can lead you to wonderful places.
IF I HAD ONE SUPER POWER IT WOULD BE….
Clone myself – perhaps then I’d finally be able to tackle that ever growing to-do list?
IF YOU COULD INVITE FOUR PEOPLE TO A DINNER PARTY – WHO WOULD THEY BE?
From purely a blogging perspective I’d love to bring together some of my favourite blogging pioneers: Grace Bonney, Holly Becker, Gabrielle Blair and Jordan Ferney.
If you are interested in learning more about Blog Society- make sure you check out their website www.blogsociety.com.au
Read More Articles Written by Jaclyn Carlson
Founder and CEO of Blog Society, a global community where blogging, business and creativity collide.
