Creating Meaningful Connections Through Blogging with Katy Purivance

Today is a special episode where we’re sitting down with a student from our membership, The Ultimate Blog Membership! Katy Purivance is a passionate furniture refinisher and blogger who took her love for DIY projects online. She discusses how a sense of blogging community can make all the difference when navigating the journey of blogging. Katy shares her journey from finding success on Instagram to growing her blog, finding a community of bloggers, and how a blogging community has changed the game for her.

Rediscovering Purpose Through Blogging

When Katy first started her blog in 2020, she had no idea where it would take her. After the pandemic halted her day-to-day work, she found herself restoring old furniture as a creative outlet. The initial success of selling her pieces on social media motivated her to document her experiences in a blog, despite feeling like she was learning on the go. But after diving into Instagram, where she discovered a vast network of other furniture refinishers, she began to notice something was missing from her solo blogging venture: a genuine community.

This community offered her support, advice, and inspiration that she couldn’t find while working in isolation on her blog. However, she eventually realized that her reliance on social media was limiting her creativity..

The Hamster Wheel of Social Media

While Instagram initially provided her with connection, it also began to feel like a hamster wheel that required constant content creation with short-lived impact. For Katy, because social media posts were so short-lived, it made it difficult to organize her ideas and connect meaningfully with her audience.

Katy remembered her blog and began thinking about how to turn it into a hub for her passion and expertise—one that could offer her followers more substantial and organized content.

Embracing the Blogging Community

As Katy revisited her blog, she found herself energized by the possibilities of building something more enduring and impactful. Now, rather than relying solely on social media’s fast-paced environment, she can direct her community to a space where her content remains available and searchable. Blogging, she realized, provides the flexibility to connect, share, and inspire in a way that aligns with her long-term goals.

Starting a blog, however, meant betting on herself. Katy joined our bootcamp and committed to learning everything she could about setting up her blog. This wasn’t just a side project – Katy decided to invest both time and money to get it right, setting a goal to evaluate her progress after a full year of consistency.

Investing in Blogging Community for Continued Growth

One of the most challenging aspects of blogging is that it can feel solitary. But Katy knew she didn’t have to go it alone. After launching her blog, she joined our community of fellow bloggers, The Ultimate Blog Membership. Here, she found not only technical support but a network of people cheering her on. For Katy, having this connection has been essential for motivation and accountability. This group reminds her of why she started in the first place and continues to fuel her passion.

Why Blogging Community Matters: A Look Inside

Blogging can be solitary, and for Katy, having a community to lean on has been a game-changer. She recalls how, back in 2020, she paused her blogging efforts because she lacked a support system in that arena. While she had a wonderful Instagram community, she realized that having a dedicated space to connect with fellow bloggers was missing. When she joined our community, she knew it would be essential for her journey.

Community isn’t just about learning the technicalities of blogging. It’s about connection, inspiration, and encouragement. In our membership, she’s found value in sharing insights, joining calls, and learning from guest speakers who bring fresh ideas and tools.

Building Connections and Finding Inspiration

Katy has also connected closely with a small group within our community, meeting regularly to discuss ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and set goals together. This small network allows her to get into the nitty-gritty of topics like email marketing or audience growth.

And because readers no longer engage with blogs the same way as they used to, that makes creating an intentional community even more essential. It’s so important to have people in your corner who can offer perspective, share encouragement, and spark new ideas.

Katy’s Advice for New Bloggers

Looking back on her journey, Katy has some solid advice for new bloggers: if you’re passionate about it, go for it. She reminds others to be mindful of shiny object syndrome, stay focused on their goals, and give blogging the time it needs to grow. Writing down her quarterly goals helps her stay grounded and keep her eye on her original priorities, avoiding the distractions of every new trend that pops up.

Growth doesn’t happen overnight. It requires dedication, persistence, and a willingness to learn along the way. There’s no fast track to success. It’s about putting in the effort to build a strong foundation that will support you in the long run.

Where to Connect with Katy

Katy is passionate about furniture refinishing and shares her expertise on Instagram and her website, Furniture Refreshed. She’s always happy to connect, answer questions, and offer resources to those looking to learn more about her craft.

In this episode, we covered:

How Katy started on Instagram
The hamster wheel of social media
How blogging offers a long-term solution for content creation and organization
How Katy discovered blogging community
How a blogging community can keep you motivated, inspired, and growing
Katy’s best advice for new bloggers

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:

We loved chatting with Katy about how finding a blogging community has been a game-changer for her! What did you think of this episode? Send us a DM over on Instagram: @sparkmediaconcepts and let us know!