I’m gonna warn you up front that this post covers several topics that simultaneously excite, scare, and worry me. So I will get rambly and long-winded and I sincerely hope you’ll bear with me. I aim to get the business-y bits out of the way first before diving into the abundant warm-fuzzies, so here goes:
In three weeks, on September 2, 2011, I will leave my full-time day job. On September 6, 2011, – after a long Labor Day weekend of eating and State Fair-ing and lazing around – I will officially become a Self-employed Sal. I consider myself to be a smart, capable person, and I can tackle just about any challenge without much flinching, but I’m a bit out of my depth right now. This transition represents a type of independence I’ve never sought nor had, and I’m reeling at the vast formlessness of it.
Now, I chose this change, it is the right move for me, I am fully aware of how fortunate I am, and I am completely thrilled to be striking out on my own. But in making this change I will be taking a 65% pay cut, based on current income levels. And I am mindful of the fact that I’m taking a gargantuan risk in a volatile economy, and that I need to do everything in my power to ensure stability and profitability as I make this transition. With that in mind, I’m going to explain some upcoming changes to the blog, and also ask for your help.
Changes to the blog
Once self-employed, I will rely on affiliate income and traffic-driven advertising income from this blog as my primary salary, at least initially. With that in mind, I’ll be adding an additional BlogHer ad above my own header. As someone who considers a relatively clean layout to be an important component of positive reader experience, I have hesitated to make this change. But to be frank, I will need the income that the extra ad will provide.
Considering the amount of pushback I’ve already received on truncating my posts in RSS, I will keep them full. HOWEVER, please bear in mind two things:
- Your click-throughs support my livelihood. I appreciate every one of you who reads from every possible device and using any available means. But when you click through, you are supporting me directly. Please consider visiting the site when you read my blog.
- Blog reader tools omit comments, and the comments sections of my posts are frequently richer, livelier, and more compelling than the posts themselves. I hope you’ll take the opportunity to observe and participate in our conversations once you’re here. They are, truly, conversations worth joining.
Ways you can help
As of today, the additional ad is the only pending change that may affect your user experience, and it is directly linked to supporting me and this blog. In addition, I’m going to step outside my comfort zone and solicit your support and help in some more active ways.
CONSULTS
I will be ramping up my style consultation business once I’m working on my own, and I sincerely hope to recruit some of you as new clients! To that end, I am offering $50 off in-person and online consults to any Already Pretty reader who mentions the code LOVEMYSTYLE between now and December 31, 2011. I’ve been doing both types of consults for nearly three years, and have quite the roster of delighted and satisfied clients. For a quick overview of my consulting services, click here, then drop me an e-mail for more details. And by all means, share that code with your friends!
If you’re not interested in one-on-one services, perhaps you’ll consider supporting me by purchasing my Self-Guided Mini Makeover PDF. For $5 to $10, you’ll get an expanded version of the first steps that my online consult clients undertake, plus some additional advice and content. And although it won’t be as thorough or personalized as a formal consult, it’s a great place to start.
GRAPHIC ADS
I have a few sidebar advertising spots left, and am happy to negotiate with smaller businesses. If you’re interested, drop me an e-mail for more details.
DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS
Finally, I am putting out a “tip jar,” for lack of a better term. This is the first time I’ve ever done this, and I sincerely hope that it will be the last. If you feel inclined to send me a direct monetary contribution to support my work, the button below dumps right into my PayPal account. Any amount at all will be so welcome and SO appreciated. (Please be aware that since I run a for-profit business, contributions will NOT be tax-deductible.)
And believe me when I say that even if you don’t want to or can’t do ANY of the above things, I am still unspeakably grateful for your support. Here, let me explain.
YOU made this possible
I started this blog four years ago with absolutely no agenda and no intention of turning it into a career. It wasn’t until I’d been blogging for about over a year that I realized I might be able to make it my full-time job. And it took another three years for me to feel comfortable taking the plunge. Now, believe me when I say that – in my pending self-employed state – I will also be doing loads of freelance writing, consulting, public speaking, and just about any other paid gig I can get my hands on. But without this blog, none of those opportunities would even exist for me. And without you, the blog wouldn’t exist.
The fact that you are here, reading this right now, means that I am in your debt. Your very presence supports me, and not just because of a sterile click-through. This amazing community has taught me so much about myself, my goals, my dreams, and the world around me. Your passion and compassion, insight and inspiration come pouring into this blog every single day and I am constantly honored by your contributions. You make me want to take chances, make bold choices, speak my mind, change the world for the better. Because of your support, I have a meaningful platform and increasing clout. Because of your support, I have become more aware of, attuned to, and engaged in issues that already sparked within me. Because of your support, I mustered up enough chutzpah to say, “I’m going to commit to my dreams.”
You made this possible. Every single one of you has helped me. And it feels so feeble to search for words of thanks, to attempt to describe my feelings, to scrounge around in my brain for a phrase that might capture the depth and breadth of my gratitude. There aren’t words big enough or gestures grand enough. You made this possible, this amazing adventure of mine. You’re my heroes. And I am so lucky and so grateful and so overwhelmed to find myself here.
My hope is to repay you with wild success. I want to take your belief in me and turn it into essays that convince women to love themselves, campaigns for body acceptance, seminars on dressing for inner joy, TV shows, radio, book deals, all of it buoyed by your steadfast support. I want to change the world into a more loving place, help women tap true serenity, and explode the definition of beauty. All of that is on the agenda. And if you continue your endlessly kind support, I’ll make it all happen.
I’ll make you proud. I promise. Thank you for making this change possible.
{ 183 comments… read them below or add one }
Go Sally!
I love your blog and the changes you are going to make will add to it
Congratulations, Sal! You deserve it! I LOVE your blog and wish you all the best for future success.
Good Luck Sal, wishing you every sucess once you become self employed. Pippa
I wish you great success!! i think many bloggers will be watching you to see how things go…you are taking a courageous step and I applaud you!!
Lurker here – congrats on the exciting new venture!
I wish you all the best. I know how it can be to start something completely on your own.
I like reading your blog, and although I live on the other side of the world, I like reading how women all around the world have same issues, same problem and almost the same ideas:)
I will continue reading it.
Thank you for writing.
That is so exciting – best of luck with your venture. I normally read your blog via a blog reader but am more than happy to click through if it helps.
Congrats from a long time reader and first time commenter! I’m so excited for you and your new journey.
Good luck!
I left an agency job to go out on my own this spring, and I’ve never been happier . It’s scary at first, but now I can hardly even imagine how I lived any other way.
Callie
Wooo-hooo! I am so happy and excited for you, and I know you are going to be even more successful than you’ve imagined. It takes courage. My short story: I left a high-paying corporate career when I was 38, to go to grad school and start over. It was scary and risky, but it was the best move (other than marrying husband) I ever made. My life is better every day because of that leap.
We will all be following and supporting you, as you change your own life and seek to help others change theirs. Go Sal!
Way to go Sal. I wish you every success.
You rock, Sal! I have been reading your blog a short time, just this summer, but you have been an inspiration to me. I have made difficult career decisions, too. If you do not go this route now, you will always wonder…..what if I had tried that? I have no doubt that you will be successful. I wish you the very best wishes in this new adventure!
AMAZING!! Congratulations.
I am about to celebrate my seventh anniversary as a self-employed editor and writer. It is like stepping off a cliff when you first leave secure, office-based employment, but the trade-off is worth it: to be able to shape your own career’s direction. I am confident that your business will be a great success (and remember to slow down and enjoy it!).
xo Velma
Wow, how fantastic! Good for you, and I hope to support in some way in the future. Good luck.
Congratulations Sal!
I may not have time to comment very much and join in the always interesting conversation, but you inspire me every day. I’ve left you a well-deserved tip.
Congratulations and I have no doubt at all that you will ROCK this new adventure. I LOVE your blog and look forward to travelling with you on your journey to more success
Hi Sal,
I’m so happy to hear of your success and in awe of your bravery to make such a big leap!
I am disappointed that you’ll be truncating your RSS feed. As other portions of your business take off, I hope you will reconsider. I am pleased to see that you have a mobile version of your site. Ease of viewing on a mobile device makes it more likely that I will click over to your site.
I’d love it if you kept us posted on your successes! Good luck.
What a exciting new adventure for you, Sal! I wish you nothing but the best and will be eagerly supporting you along the way. Sadly, I feel that my own foray into blogging has fizzled, as my interest in posting has greatly diminished. I still stop by here every day to see what you’re discussing, so I’m very proud of and happy for you!!
Congratulations and good luck!
Congrats on taking that scary self-employed step! You’ve done the hardest bit already, and knowing how hard you work (it’s obvious simply by the number of posts you put up, as well as all the other stuff you get involved with, not to mention gym visits!) you will make a complete success of it, while remaining your modest, stylish and thoughtful self.
You will look back in a year’s time and wonder why you waited so long to do this. I would wish you luck, but I don’t think you need it. I will wish you enough time for yourself to sit, think, chill, cycle for pleasure not to get to work, and smell the flowers as well as the coffee!
I am so proud of you and so happy for you. Big leaps are so scary! And so worth taking.
Congratulations! I know you’ll be a success. Looking forward to supporting your choices.
Congratulations. I adore your blog and think your plan sounds amazing! You’ll do great
Congrats! You are such an amazing and inspiring writer/blogger, and I know you will be successful in your new endeavor!
Best of luck to you, Sal! It’s a courageous move and I wish you every success.
Sal, Thank God I can live my dreams through you. Way to go….you’re my hero. Chris
You can do it Sal! We are behind you! I read every day and enjoy your wit, wisdom and style savvy! You inspire me to be myself!
Congratulations! I love your blog and am always so interested in the thoughtful and thought-provoking subjects you tackle. You’re going to do great on your own!
I quit my job two years ago in September to work for myself. It was terrifying–and absolutely, without a doubt, one of the best decisions I have ever made. The only thing I found myself missing was the opportunity to get dressed up every day! (Such an easy “problem,” right?)
I can’t wait to read all about your adventure.
Wow, Sal! This is great news! We’re so proud of you – thanks for choosing us to go on this adventure with you. I KNOW you will have loads of success and it’s so refreshing to see you still genuine, humble and grateful. It’s a symbiotic relationship though, dontcha think? You feed off us, be we feed off you, too! You have my support
Best of luck to you and I can’t wait to see what this brings.
PS – Is it weird/creepy that you were in my dream the other night? I’ve never met you! We were in Minnie and walking on a college campus. Strange!
I wish you all the best and hope your self-employment is a marvelously fulfilling new job!
That said, I’ll be unsubscribing. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog very much, but truncated RSS feeds are a no-go for me. I spend far too much time reading on planes and on public transit, and I find the truncated feeds to be too hard to manage on hand held devices with spotty 3G and wireless. Blogs with full feeds are simply much easier for me to read in my google reader. It’s been my rule for going on two years that when a blog starts giving my reader on partial feeds I unsubscribe.
I hope I’m the only reader you lose and that your new venture is wildly successful!
Congratulations!! I’m a Google Reader addict but will happily click through, and I’m sure my experience will only be enhanced by seeing the thoughtful comments on each post. Way to go!
I’m a big believer that we rarely regret the things we do, but rather the things we don’t risk doing. You’re going to soar!
Go, Sal, go! Congratulations on taking this momentous step: I’m sure it’ll be great for you and all your readers will be there cheering you on!
Congrats on this big change! I can’t wait to buy the style book and I’ll be sure to leave a few tips here and there. I’m so excited for you.
Bravo to you for being brave enough to pursue your dreams. Many people lack the courage to do what they really want to do. Best of luck in your new career, Sal!
My friends thank you SO MUCH for all your well wishes and support! I am overwhelmed!
I appreciate the honest feedback on truncated feeds and will give it some thought.
Congratulations! I am impressed – it’s definitely a risky endeavor, but totally worth doing. (And though I’m sad about the truncated posts, I’ll live… and click through a lot more often.)
Kudos to you, Sally, and I wish you all success. This is a dream I secretly harbor for myself and it’s inspiring to see someone already on that path.
Yay! So excited for you…you’re living the dream. My dream, anyway
Congratulations and good luck! I look forward to many wonderful things from you now that you are able to devote even more time to your endeavors. I’m a librarian and I promise if you ever write a book on style (which you absolutely should!) I will buy at least one copy for my library. And you should market yourself in the librarian conference circuit – god knows we can use all the style help we can get!
Congratulations, Sal!! I’m sure that within no time, you’ll more than make up for that 65%
Your incredible talent will rise above everything else!!
Your amazing Sal – go get em girl!
congratulations!! this is awesome/exciting news, and you absolutely deserve it
Congrats Sally! I know you will go far! Your message needs to be delivered to the world and you are just the one to make it happen.
Congratulations on ramping up the revenue stream, and I wish all the best to you on this new initiative. I for one, will gladly link through from my reader to help with the clicks, as I also enjoy the comments to your posts immensely.
Now for a request/suggestion: you have some amazing vintage/repurposed finds in your looks, that really help make a statement and bring outfits together. Please consider writing a post about your selection process and how to find a good vintage shop or network of vintage shops. I’ve personally made a commitment to reduce personal expenses and it would help me immensely. Thank you!
Oh, my goodness! How fun and exciting! Be brave, Sal–you’re gonna do great!
First, congratulations on your new endeavor. I’m a long time follower via Google Reader but have never commented. I wanted to share a different perspective and hope it is helpful. You will lose me as a reader if you truncate your posts in RSS — I have clicked through on many a post to read the discussion in the comments but am unlikely to do so on a regular basis, so if you are trying to capture more ad revenue from readers like me, might a better solution be including ads in your feed? I see ads in plenty of blogs via Google Reader (ApartmentTherapy, ChezLarsson and YouLookFab come to mind) and I know they are tracking impressions because blogs that use Google AdSense are showing targeted ads, which would lead me to assume they can read my IP address even though I’m using Reader. Is it a limitation of your blogging platform? For readers like me who prefer to use your feed, you will be better off getting the impressions you can through a reader than relying on us to click through to read and losing us completely. Please reconsider the decision to truncate!
Following up on my previous comment, here is a link with more info about including AdSense ads in feeds… http://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=107137
And I have no doubt that you will succeed. Perhaps one day I will go that route…meh, we’ll see. Is it weird that I am having a little proud moment for you!!!?xoxox
I’m so amazingly blissfully happy for you, Sally! You’re an incredible inspiration to so many people on so many levels. I’m so very, very proud of you. <3
Congratulations, Sal! This is wonderful. Good luck!
Huge, HUGE congratulations to you, beautiful lady! Here’s to many exciting times ahead! xoxo
Eeek! I am thrilled to pieces for you – Congratulations! I so appreciate and admire your openness and honesty on this post – and in general. You will do amazing things and help so many (more!) people, I know it!
I’m a long-time reader but a first-time responder who just wanted to say good luck. Today is my last day at a job I’ve enjoyed very much, then I’m heading to nursing school–reading your post about your new venture feels like a good omen on a day when I really needed a good omen. (And I’ll definitely keep reading, even if my wardrobe is about to undergo some changes through necessity.) Change is scary. Not changing is even scarier!
And well you should, Sal. Your blog has literally changed my life – you are a true style and body image guru. I was fashion blogging just a bit before, and a lot more after finding your blog, but it has remained my one constant, the blog I click to a few times a day even at hours when I know I will not find a new post yet…
I wish you so much success and I will be cheering for you all the way!
Well done!
Sally,
Huge Congrats to all of your future endeavors. I love, love, love this blog and I hope you decide against the truncated feeds.
Whoo hoo! You will be wonderful at this new venture.
Congratulations, Sally. What a big, important step for you. I wish you the best of luck, though I have no doubt that you will make a smashing success out of your new venture. As far as folks unsubscribing because of truncated feeds, here’s my view: you give an awful lot of wonderful — and free — advice. If supporting you and your blog is important to someone, then maybe it should be worth the few seconds to click through to your blog, use an app like Instapaper or Read It Later to save the content for perusal later, and be off to the next thing. Just my two cents.
Sal,
Congratulations! I am excited to follow your career and certain that you will be successful in this endeavor! You have already inspired me to redefine my own self image and find pleasure in choosing clothing (which I often consider to be a chore).
-Megan
It’s a challenge to lose the structure of a “real” job. Hope you do better with it than I have!
Go Sal! Good luck, congratulations, and all that. You’ll do great! As scary as this kind of life change can be, the payoffs can make them so incredibly worth it!
Way to go, Sal! Such an exciting new adventure in your life, but yes, also scary. I have complete faith in your ability to succeed in this new job, and look forward to continuing to follow your progress!
Well done! *hug*
Sheila
Aw shoot, I was a Google Reader subscriber, too. I catch up on blogs on my lunch break, and pretty much skim past all the click-through entries. My fingers are crossed that you can come up with a solution that works better than truncating the feed.
I wish you tons of luck on this new step for you, and emailed myself the link to your consult site (I need to work on my wardrobe!).
Congrats! What a big step!! I’m insanely jealous and I’m sure you’ll do great.
I did want to say–as others have, that I’m disappointed about the RSS feed. I ultimately end up unsubscribing to blogs that do that; it’s just such a hassle when reading from a mobile device. Could you put ads IN the feed? My husband did that for me on my blog and I think it’s a good solution rather than truncating.
I have enjoyed reading your blog for a long time now. I love it and I know you’ll be successful as a “freelancer”. Good luck and best wishes
Ilse
That’s so exciting Sal! Good luck with your new endeavor
There is no blogger more deserving of the support she has received than you. Not only do you embrace women of every size and shape, but you create a community with your readers. You draw us in to have meaningful conversations and feel good about ourselves and each other. In addition, you support your fellow bloggers! I know that you have been such an inspiration to me as well as many others and you are always there to lend your encouragement, advice and support. Thank YOU for creating a space where women can love an accept themselves. I can’t wait to support your new adventure!!
Congratulations! I’m sitting on the fence about a similar career decision and was about to make it yesterday and decided to wait one more day for some reason. So very interesting to read this post and the comments. Also hope I’ll be able to continue reading on mobile device. I believe that you will be wildly successful. Yours is the style blog that I keep coming back. I think the reason is that you make finding ones style seem possible available even for those of us past a certain age. Props to you!
Good luck, Sal!
You’re brave for doing this, but if it allows you to do what you love and live the life you crave, go for it! I will virtually cheer you on from my little work cubby because I am not as brave as you!
Ooooh congrats! And good luck! Your blog is the first one that I’ve ever really seriously read, and it has opened my eyes to style, but also so much more. I know that I’ll keep coming back!
I actually clicked through from Google Reader! Mostly to say congratulations and good luck, Sal!
Wow! I’m impressed and thrilled that you are “hanging out your own shingle”! I could never do it, but admire those with the spirit! Good luck and I’m a great fan!! Onward!!
Congratulations, Sal!! I wish you the best. Maybe you should have two different RSS feeds–a truncated one with no ads and a full-length one with ads. I know I would definitely be happy to have ads in the full-length one, since I would like to support you but I mostly read blogs on my phone where clicking through is an extra step that’s pretty slow.
I am so proud of you–and really excited for what is next. You rock!
Congratulations, Sally! I really enjoy your blog and wish you all the best.
In the interest of helping support you in this endeavor: this may be a really stoopid question, but what do you mean by “click through” (vs. simply reading your blog)?
All the best of luck to you! May you stick the landing on your leap of faith. <3
Best of luck, Sal!!! You’re a braver woman than I — I do a little freelance writing around the side, but I crave the security of my full-time gig (well, & my husband freelances, so someone has to work at a place that provides insurance
.
Btw, I collect all my blog reading thru Google Reader on the computer or Flipbook on the iPad, but I click thru to read the full story on the web. I always prefer that bec., as you noted, I get the story + comments, which I love reading, esp. on your site.
Congratulations and lots of luck on this next step Sal! I think I speak for most when I say that you’ve changed so many lives with this blog and we’ll do what we can to support you in this next step.
I do have to say: I usually click through Google reader on my own (or via facebook) but I’m not a fan of truncated feeds and it usually doesn’t make me want to click over to read the full entry (which is its intended use, I assume?) I’ll click over for you Sal but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Okay, I have mixed feelings.
I already miss the way things used to be, when you weren’t getting all the freebies. It seems like we saw a lot more remixing then, and that’s what I found interesting. There have been so many “dress courtesy of” posts lately, it just isn’t the same.
It’s also a little weird to think that you won’t be getting dressed up to go to work anymore. Will you just be getting dressed up to take pictures for the blog? I mean…I realize you aren’t becoming a hermit and will still leave the house, but clothes-for-work was also part of the attraction for me.
Oh well, from the looks of the comments it’s just me, so you should carry on just fine. Good luck.
Hmm. When I get free stuff, it’s like getting any new stuff: It gets worn more right away because it’s new. As for the ratios, I haven’t worn anything “courtesy of” this week at all! I still shop, thrift, and remix just as much as I used to, and wear what I’ve bought far more frequently than what I’ve been given.
I will post more about how and why I’ll make dressing decisions at a later date, but I have every intention of continuing to dress as a professional even though I’ll mainly be working from home. I’ll be taking meetings, doing consults, speaking engagements, press appearances and more, so no, I won’t be getting dressed merely for the blog.
(Susan – if I am overstepping, or I have the wrong idea here, feel free to shoot me down.)
I think I see where Susan is coming from. There have been a small number of blogs I used to read regularly which I gave up when it started to seem like I was reading only paid advertising. One of those was You Look Fab. Not too long ago it seemed to become the Karen Kane Show, and that turned me off. Whether Angie stopped those posts or perhaps spaced them out, I couldn’t tell you because once I stopped reading I didn’t go back. I already read quite a few blogs in my down-time at work, or when home cooking, etc. and I don’t need to devote any of that time to being “sold”.
While I fully respect the rights of all bloggers to do whatever they wish with their work (and indeed I agree that they work hard & deserve to be paid), I don’t read what I don’t enjoy, so I move on. No harm, no foul.
That being said, I don’t think Already Pretty is headed in that direction; at least, I hope not. I hope you won’t disappear on us when you become very famous and write a book, or get a TV show, but I think we all know that blogs are transient; I doubt anyone much expected you to do the exact same thing, daily, forever. Personally I’m excited to see what we get from Full Time Sal!
As daily readers we can’t help but become attached to what we perceive the blog to be, and by extension, whom we perceive the blogger to be. Sally, I hope all of your readership is happy for you and supportive. You’ve worked very hard to get to this point, and you deserve every opportunity that work affords you. ♥
Woo hoo! Way to go, Sal! The most rewarding things in life are always a little scary. I’ll be sticking with you!
How exciting! I wish you all the best and I can’t imagine how this new phase of your life could NOT be awesome.
Congratulations, Sally. You will be fine, and you’ll do great. I’ve gone back and forth between freelance and fulltime over the past 20 years, and the first time is very scary – like stepping off a cliff. But once you get used to being your own boss (or at least the illusion of being your own boss!), you’ll love it – as I’m sure you anticipate, or you wouldn’t be doing it!
I think the reason you’ve been so successful so far is that you’re sincerely passionate about the subject matter – we, your readers, can tell. There’s a need out there for your voice – and clearly you’ve got something to say.
Enjoy!
PS: I do click on your ads – they’re good ads.
Congratulations, Sal! I wish you all the best in this new endeavor!
One question: when you say “please consider visiting the site,” what site do you mean? BlogHer? Or perhaps this doesn’t apply to those of us reading the old-fashioned way with Internet Explorer on a big desktop computer?
I just bought and downloaded the mini-makeover pdf. WOW! I can’t wait to get started. I’ve recently lost a lot of weight and I need to buy clothes — lots of clothes! This is the perfect opportunity to develop my style, and reading your blog has already been a big help; I read every day, I’ve followed a lot of the “lovely links,” and I’ve studied all of the “greatest hits” posts. For years I bought clothes because they sort of fit and I didn’t outright hate them — now I’m starting to buy clothes that make me feel good, and boy what a difference it makes. Instead of just body covering, I have actual outfits! I get compliments! But it’s hard to do. A quick perusal of the mini-makeover guidelines tells me this is exactly what I need right now.
Hey friends! By “clicking through,” I mean visiting the website http://www.alreadypretty.com using a browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, etc.). Those who view through readers aren’t actually ON my site, so their views do not count toward my ad traffic.
But if you’re reading and commenting, you’re already here! Does that help?
I was JUST wondering a few days ago when you were going to take this leap. I must have smelled it coming. This is awesome. Congratulations!
(Also, as a google reader user, I do click through quite frequently to scan/read the comments, and I appreciate seeing the full posts in reader.)
Congratulations, Sal! I’m a relatively new follower and a big fan.
Those who read their subscrptions in Google Reader may want to consider using the “Next” goodie that can be dragged to a bookmark bar. Clicking it takes you through all the blog posts in Reader by taking you to that particular blog post. I love love it.
Again, congratulations and good luck!!
I didn’t realize that that’s how the “next” button works — thanks for that info!
*\o/*
Sally! How wonderful for you! I am clearly not alone when I say that I am excited for you and proud of you! And a little nervous for you as well, as your emotion when writing that post was quite palpable to us as your readers!
I already click through while reading in reader, and prod at the ads, but I will be certain to do so more frequently now. =)
Congratulations Sal! Best of luck on your new endeavor! I had no idea that reading in a reader detracted from blog traffic and revenue. I’ll be sure to click through every time!
Congratulations! You have a great blog, so I know things will work out well!
Wow! What awesome, big, scary, wonderful news Sal. I can’t wait to read along with you on this new journey.
Congratulations, Sally! You *are* a smart and capable person and I’m sure that your further endeavours will be very successful
Hey Sal, this is a brave decision but I have no doubts you will rock it! I’m already excited for the changes this will bring to your blog
By the way, I’m reading your blog with bloglovin’, is that a direct hit or is this the same as with a reader?
Relatable Style
Good luck good luck good luck! I hope you continue to receive positivity about this change in your blog and your life and that you can make this work. Thank you for telling us, your loyal readers, how we can support you in this venture, because I know we appreciate what you do and want to be a part of making it a success.
Ohmygoodness am I ever excited for you!! Here’s a giant fist-bump, high-five, pat on the back from Ohio to Minnesota! I know you’ll be great and everyone will love the changes. Way to go!
Congrats Sal! What a scary, but thrilling decision to make! I wish you the best of luck on your new(ish) endeavor!
Sally: You kick ass and I know you’re making the right decision for your life. Congratulations – it’s inspiring to believe in yourself.
Best wishes and good luck!
Oh wow, big move! Congratulations! You’ve worked long and hard to get here, and you definitely deserve it. And if anyone will succeed at this, you will
Thank you for not truncating your feeds in rss.. I too use google reader since most of my internet use is on my phone.
Well done! I think this is great news. And.. To confess my lack of techie-ness, I hadn’t even heard of Google Reader – I thought the only way to visit your web site was to … visit your site. Oh dear.
I look forward to more developments.
Good for you, Sal! Thanks for being an example for the rest of us in taking chances and following your dreams…
Sal, I have goosebumps! Seriously! Coming in waves because I am SO excited for you
This is your calling, and you are the bomb for taking the plunge. I seriously cannot wait to see how even more influential you will be on the world now. You go, gorgeous! xoxoxoxxxooo
Good luck, Sal! I love the opportunities the blog world has brought and I love to hear blogger “success” stories.
I’m for anything that gives you more time to rock the world! Please write a book!!
I will now be coming to your website to read all your posts, and just use my RSS reader as a notification that there is a new post. I have been missing reading the comments anyway
Good for you! Don’t be discouragd if some of us have trouble with change — we’ll adapt. Enjoy your freedom.
This is awesome! Congrats! I am drawing inspiration from your courage as I hope to set off on a similar venture myself in the future. I look forward to continuing to read your blog, support you as I can, and hopefully read about your self-employment ventures. I wish you the best of luck!
Congratulations to you… you will be a huge success, your blog is one of my go-to’s almost every morning, best of luck!
Sal,
I just want you to know that your blog is sometimes what gets me out of bed in the morning (seriously). You deserve all the recognition in the world for your hard work and the help you’ve given others.
Congratulations and thank you.
Cat
Sally, good luck to you! I know you’ll make a success of it.
You have honestly changed my life. I now care about what I wear more than I ever have. I’m developing my personal style. I thrift! (I used to hate it.) I now find joy in outfitting myself, whereas before it was always a burden. I will never go back to my old attitude about styling myself, or rather, my fear of styling myself, and it’s wonderful to have this new, joyful outlook to carry with me.
You have truly changed MY life, and I am in YOUR debt.
So, thank you, lady!
YAYYYYYYY! Sal, I am so incredibly happy for you and proud of you. Please let me know if there is ANY way that I can help you. I totally support jumping off the cliff, and plan to jump myself in the near future – CHEERS to wild, fabulous, reckless, and authentic money-making and soul-filling! xoxo
Dude! Tearing up, over here! Your loyal readers are loyal for good reason – you’re going to do brilliantly, and we’ll be cheering you on all the way x
I am so grateful for you folks. Truly. You amaze me.
You can do it! You will be successful if any of your previous success is any indication!
You are on TV several times a year, you have several speaking engagements a year, you write for other publications regularly.
All you needed was time to do it more! Now that you will be leaving your full time job that will be more hours a day to do Already Pretty and more time for self care too!
I usually read on google reader, but I will be clicking through to help you out
BIG congrats, Sal! Now, onward, to adventure!! =)
I think you are going to be wildly successful! I try to read your blog almost every day. It is your personality that I enjoy as much as your style advice. I find it is that way with most of the blogs I follow. They are written by women with engaging personalities.
Good Luck! I can’t wait to see what you do.
Clicked through from Google Reader to wish you all the success you richly deserve. You’re the best! xx
Just want to say congratulations and I wish you all the best!!!
I can’t wait to hear about where the full-time Already Pretty takes you! 
Go, Sally, go!!!! We all believe in you and are so excited for you!!
Great news! I generally clicked through to the site when I read, but thanks for letting me know that I always should. Best of luck!
Congrats. Its a great blog. I hope it makes you super-rich!
I’m so excited for you Sally! I love your blog, and I’m happy to support you in any way. I wish you all the best, and good luck!
Congratulations, Sally! What an exciting feeling it must be to be your own boss. I look forward to seeing the blog grow.
Clickety click! Dear Sal, I will click through to read your posts. Best of luck to my fellow Minneapoline! PS – happy haircut! looks great.
Oh sheesh. Wrote down the wrong url to my blog… not terribly important, but I at least want you to be able to know who I am! It is fixed now.
Goodluck, Sally! If anyone can do it then you can. Wishing you the best.
Hi. *waves* I haven’t really commented much, but I’ve been following you for a year or so. I’m so excited for you that you’re going to be doing this. I will be sure to stop by and comment more often to try and support you.
I’d also like to say thank you to you. Yours was the first blog I started following and I have found many, many others though reading yours. I even (very, very recently) started my own. I don’t know where it’s going to be going from here, but I just wanted to say thank you for being a part of inspiring me to reach out of my own comfort zone.
Congrats on daring to take the leap! Thanks for keeping the full posts available in RSS. If you need additional income, I wouldn’t complain if you put ads in the feed. About every other day I click through to read the comments on a given post. You’re right there’s some great discussion!
Girlfriend, you’re a star.
Congratulations, Sal! When you pursue your calling, it can’t help but lead to success and fulfillment. I am so thankful for how you have inspired me to be a bit more adventurous with my wardrobe.You are a fabulous advocate for women of all shapes and sizes. THANK YOU!
Congratulations Sal! I’ve never commented before, but I visit your blog almost everyday.I really enjoy your articles and look forward to seeing your outfit posts.
Your posts have really made me think about fashion and body image. I always thought I was too “big” for skinny jeans and leggings, but your blog gave me the courage to try them out, and you know what? I look really good in them! lol Thank you for what you do everyday! And Good luck in the future! 
Congratulations Sal! I’ve been with you almost from the start and I am SO PROUD of you!!!!!!!!!
Dedicated – daily – reader since the spring, just chiming in to say congrats and blessings on this new venture! I plan to be along for the ride!
Mazel Tov! You have truly revolutionized and brought me out of the closet as a clothes and style-lover, and my life is enriched every day because of it! So happy for you to be able to do this, can’t wait to follow you on the journey!
ooh! that is exciting and scary! good luck…and I am ok with truncated posts in RSS if it supports you. It’s not that big of a deal to me. =)
Wow! You’re very brave to do this. I’ve got a weird/challenging/sometimes awful job, but nothing terrifies me like going freelance.
Congratulations! You are going to have so much fun.
I became a self-employed writer and editor this March. The months since then have been some of the best in my life. Because I now work remotely, we went to Europe for three weeks and spend three other weeks in other cities in the U.S. – Seattle and Boston. It has been incredible.
I wish you the best of luck in your new endeavor!
Congratulations and best wishes on this huge step, Sal! That’s exciting and tremendously inspiring…as someone who hopes/intends to freelance someday after grad school (not related to my blog, but in my professional field), it’s greatto see you take steps to follow your passion and your calling…to give your time and energy to this space where you’re able to make such a difference in people’s lives. Looking forward to see what’s next for Already Pretty!
Congratulations! Like Paula, I read your blog almost every day and am usually a lurker, but wanted to say thank you for all the hard work you’ve done on this blog. I’m so glad it’s paying off for you to be able to take this leap!
De-lurking to say congratulations, Sal! Best of luck on your next adventure!
Congratulations Sal
! I cannot wait to see all the amazing things that you will do, beyond what you’ve already done of course 
.
Congratulations! I have been avidly reading your blog after stumbling over it last year and I can honestly say that it has helped me so much to think about my own style; and even more to help with my own body issues. I wish you every success!
Congratulations Sal! Your blog is the one I keep coming back to, because you are so honest and refreshing and kind. I love how passionate you are about style and self- love. You make me and all your other readers feel better with every post. I’ve realized through recently starting therapy that I don’t love and care for myself as much as I should, but your blog makes me so hopeful that one day I will do so. For me, it doesn’t necessarily have to do with my body or style (I like my clothes and the way I dress), but I read your blog for your writing and your positivity. You work so hard and you deserve all the success in the world. I’m so happy for you <3
Congratulations! You’ve helped me to look at what I wear and why differently, and you deserve this. I think it will be a fabulous change for you.
I am looking forward to seeing how you proceed from here – and I congratulate you on this step! Also, when I go to your site, I just type the address into the bar at the top of my internet browser, and it takes me to you; then I generally click to see the comments. Is this what you mean by “clicking through”? Does it work if I am just looking at the site but not reading the comments? I want to do what will help you most.
I’m so excited for you Sal! This is a big important change and I feel it’ll prove to be a wonderful turning point in your life. Congrats on getting up the courage to take the plunge — great things almost always require some risk! You’ve got a brilliant future ahead of you.
Congrats! I love your blog and can’t wait to see how it continues to grow!
Congrats! I must admit, I always wondered HOW you did all this while still having a full-time job. I was flabbergasted as to how you made that work, and travel occasionally, and go to the gym, and I’m pretty sure you also sing (or sang in a band? perhaps this was past tense…) And also occasionally did some TV spots and public speaking appearances? and started your own style consult business? And you are married (I’m married too… it’s work sometimes…)? Did I cover everything? Probably not, so how did you do all that? I remember reading a guest post you did (or interview? memories…) about how to make blogging work even with a full time (not blogging) job (or something along those lines) and you saying “I’m basically busy ALL THE TIME. Always something to work on.” And I remember thinking, “oh, I hope she still has fun, because she seems so fun, I hope she still sometimes just hangs out when she needs to.” I’m sure you did, but I value “free time” so much, that I’m always worried about having enough of it… ANYWAY… So I’m happy for you that all the work you’ve been doing “on the side” can now be your huge, overloaded, rich and fully satisfying main course. cheers!
I am so excited for you and proud of you for taking this step. You have a wonderful voice, great advice, and I wish you much success with this endeavor. Go Sally!
Sal! I’m thrilled for you and can’t wait to see where this new journey takes you. You’ve been such an inspiration to me and, obviously, many many other readers. Wishing you all the best, beautiful!
Congratulations and all best wishes as you take this exciting step! I’ll be following with interest…
I am so internet stupid; I have read your blog mostly in my reader, never occurred to me this was bad. I will be coming to the site directly regularly from now on. Congrats on this amazing new phase in your life and for pursuing your dreams.
What an exciting change, and thanks for explaining it to us. I will definitely keep on clicking through. You’ve got me hooked.
Terrific news! Congratulations on making this huge change. It’s going to be wonderful, just like you!
Sal, I meant to comment on this last week and it got lost in the shuffle on my Google Reader, but better late than never. Congratulations! It takes real chutzpah to make such a huge move, and you have it in spades, as well as talent, intelligence, and determination. Best wishes for your future endeavours.
Sal, I love reading your blog, and it’s an inspiration to me every day.
Congratulations on moving even deeper into what you love to do!!
Also, as someone who has been venturing into self-employed territory herself, I thought I’d introduce you to a book that has helped me. It’s called “The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed”. It might not apply entirely to your situation, but I thought it could be useful.
Enjoy everything and stay strong!
I am late commenting, but seriously Sal, this is awesome news! I am sure it has taken a lot of time, courage and effort for you to take the plunge, and I applaud you!
Good for you for pursuing your interests and turning them into your career! I am confident that with any changes, you will still write well about interesting topics that you sincerely care about, and create a place for others to discuss those topics. (Not like me, the Queen of the Run-On Sentence.)
Congratulations and good luck! I hope you print these comments off and look at them when things are rough, because those are 160+ well-wishes from 160+ women whose lives YOU have changed. All of your readers wish you well, and anyone who doesn’t isn’t worth a second thought. You’re going to be fabulous and we all wish you the absolute best!
This is so exciting for you! Well done for trusting your heart!!
Good luck, Sal! We believe in you!
Wow! Congratulations and the very best wishes to you. I’ve already bought the makeover pdf and have loved it. Looking forward to all the new things from a full-time blogger!
Sal, I am not an active commenter but wanted to wish you well. I will buy the makeover pdf and take it from there. Good luck!
Somehow I missed this post originally, and read it today. I even fired up my laptop to comment! First, I’m glad you decided not to truncate the posts. Like a poster above, I usually end up unsubscribing from blogs that truncate… though I doubt I’d unsubscribe from this one. I love it too much!
Second, I wanted to comment on what someone said about not “dressing for work” anymore. I’m a stay-at-home mom that found this blog a year ago. It turned my fashion life around! I didn’t even know I was in a rut. It was more that I was uninspired. I’m still not where I want to be fashionably, but more than half the week, I feel great in what I’m wearing, thanks to this blog! Yes, I have “nowhere” (important?) to go, but I still want to look and feel good about myself. I discovered that I LOVE skirts in the summer, whereas I used to hate shorts but wore them anyway and felt miserable. Even if I’m sitting at home all day with my kids because it’s too hot to go out, I want to wear something that I feel fantastic in. If I wasn’t so lazy, I might even take a picture and write about it.
Third, I do frequently click through just for the comments. I don’t often post in the comments, but I love to read them. Will do it more often now!
Thanks for re-considering on the full RSS feeds. I promise to click through whenever I’m reading on the laptop rather than the phone. I do appreciate your change or heart and will absolutely do what I can to support it!
I haven’t read all of the comments on this post, but since I did see you’re considering the truncated posts in readers, I wanted to add this thought:
I don’t mind clicking through to sites when I am reading on my laptop and see something interesting in a truncated feed, but when I am catching up on sites via my phone (more and more these days, as I have an infant), I use the Google Reader exclusively and never, ever click through. It takes too long to load the pages on my phone, and I’m in quick-scan mode at that point, so if I can’t read it in the RSS feed I skip it.
Oops! Never mind! Somehow I missed you already decided not to truncate. — J
Coming late to the party, here (I was overwhelmed with a combo of work and a huge volunteer project when you originally posted) but send you huge congratulations on this courageous and entirely appropriate venture. I took the plunge to self-employment several years ago and have never regretted it. (Among the many advantages are that you are immune to downsizing!) Your website and blog are a joyful and constructive force in the world, and I know you will succeed.
Sal–I wish you every success with this exciting step and to the extent that I’m capable, I will help you along the way.
Good luck, Sal! I love your blog! Thanks for your advice on the Levi jeans – I found a pair that fit perfectly
I know you will help a lot of people with your style advice, and well-written blog posts.
Congratulations and good luck!
May I just say … IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME!
There’s no doubt that this what you were made to do and you’re good at it. Congratulations for following your dreams – I hope you find success, satisfaction and happiness!
Congrats Sally! You will rock self-employment, you better believe it!
Congrats on taking your blog full-time. Your story is encouraging.
Sally, I’m so grateful to have found your blog. You’ve made me think a lot about what I wear, and why and how I wear it. I’m a “plus size” woman who’d almost given up on trying to look good, but I’m inspired by your thoughtful posts. I’m dressing my body better, I’m feeling better about how I look, and I realize I’m starting to treat myself with clothes or makeup instead of food. I look forward to reading each new post and seeing every outfit, so keep up the great work!
Your blog was the FIRST fashion blog I ever read & it changed my life. I started thinking differently about the clothes in my closet. I found my true passion through you! I’m now blogging (just for fun) & still very much learning the ropes of Wordpress, but I would be doing none of it if someone I follow on Twitter hadn’t retweeted one of your posts. I want to thank you & applaud your work. You are one of a kind & I wish you much success!
Congratulations on this scary move! I’ve been reading your blog for months now and I know you can pull this off.
Best of luck and much love!
So happy for you! (Am just catching up on your big news now, after a few months away from regular internet access.) Congrats on taking this big leap. I know you will thrive!
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