COVID\u201119 initially kept people at home and turbocharged DIY. Since 2022, time and budgets have shifted back toward services and experiences, and higher mortgage rates plus very low existing\u2011home sales tempered big\u2011ticket remodels. Yet smaller, value\u2011focused projects (paint, storage\/organization, lighting, garden) and repair\/maintenance have stayed resilient, and omnichannel habits like BOPIS\/curbside endured; see Harvard\u2019s LIRA<\/a>, HIRI<\/a>, Census retail data<\/a>, and NAR home\u2011sales trends<\/a>. Whether as a distraction from stress or as a creative outlet, people connect to DIY projects in a meaningful way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been dreaming of sharing your creations on a large scale, the path is clearer than ever: short\u2011form video on TikTok\/IG Reels\/YouTube Shorts drives discovery, while long\u2011form YouTube tutorials and Pinterest Pins deliver depth and traffic. Optimize titles\/captions for social search, label key steps on screen, and link complete materials lists where platforms allow (TikTok Creator Portal<\/a>; Instagram Creators<\/a>; YouTube chapters<\/a>; Pinterest best practices<\/a>). Though developing a successful brand is no small task, this playbook helps you build momentum while you grow across platforms over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To make sure you have all the tools to start, we spoke to DIY blogger experts about their experiences, the DIY community and what advice they have for newcomers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A DIY veteran of nearly 10 years, Sarah Fogle is the woman behind Ugly Duckling House<\/a>. Tackling projects like vintage trailer renovations<\/a> and building a floating deck, Fogle welcomes her subscribers to follow her through all of her adventures. She started sharing her videos on Facebook as a way to tell her friends about the crazy things she was finding while working on her home \u2014 like press-on nails under her carpets. Ugly Duckling House has since transformed into an online community for DIYers to connect and collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fogle said, \u201cIn the interest of committing myself to the ether of knowledge, I try to contribute to some of that with what I learn by my mistakes and learn by my successes. Both of those things are equally valid. So let’s learn together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah Symonds of Grace In my Space<\/a> is a lifestyle blogger, interior stylist, small business owner, and DIY adventurer. She was initially drawn to DIY projects at a young age through her mother. \u201cGrowing up, my mom was always tackling a new DIY to make our home beautiful on a budget. Once I moved out on my own, DIY was a necessity due to low budgets. Even after we had the funds to hire projects out, I still love to complete DIY style projects.\u201d Empowering other women to take on new projects and transform their homes is one of Symond\u2019s main goals. She said, \u201cIt gives me great joy to be able to teach others to take charge of their own homes! So many women have messaged me saying thank you for inspiring them. More often than not, they find out that they CAN do it and are empowered to keep creating their own havens.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After successfully decorating a previous rental home on a very tight budget, friends encouraged Hester Van Overbeek to create Hester\u2019s Handmade Home<\/a>. Focused on showing you that you don\u2019t need much money or carpeting skills to make your house cozy or stylish, you\u2019ll find DIY recipes, tutorials and all of Van Overbeek\u2019s ideas on her blog. With help from her cousin, Van Overbeek produces helpful videos that guide viewers through creative ways to update your home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meghan Baker, the woodworker behind Sweet Aloha Designs<\/a>, said that her start into DIY was born from wanting more. While working as a nurse for 13 years, she always felt she was fighting against the nine-to-five norm. She said, “When I stumbled onto woodworking, the feeling that I had all along, that I was supposed to be doing something different was fulfilled.” Baker started her DIY journey by filling the need for furniture in her home. Through watching YouTube tutorials and a lot of trial and error, she began to woodwork regularly and posting her work on Facebook. Her hobby turned into a business without her even realizing it. Soon her found friends were dropping furniture off to be reworked or asking her to build pieces for their home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Honoring their grandmothers with their blog name, Sara Albers and Melissa Fenlon are the ladies behind Alice & Lois.<\/a> Launching the site in 2013, both sisters have backgrounds in journalism and communications with a passion for creating. The transition to blogging was very natural for the duo since they were already sharing their projects on Pinterest and Facebook. Albers said, \u201cWe feel so lucky to be able to run a business as sisters! We love that we get to share what inspires us with so many others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Managing both Living Letter Home<\/a> and working as a full-time virtual assistant<\/a>, Carmen Smith\u2019s mission is to teach people how to love their home while staying within budget. Her love for DIY projects was born from her creativity and desire to create things she loves for less money. Smith started Living Letter Home as a way to document the remodeling of her home. \u201cWe bought our first fixer a few years ago, and I wanted to have a way to remember it in its before state, but I never thought it would turn into what our site is today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bob Barocas of Home Repair Ninja<\/a> shares his experience with home repair and DIY projects so his followers can forget stress and get things right the first time. His goal is to make it easy for people to see what works and what doesn\u2019t work. Barocas posts informative how-to guides on things like remodeling a bathroom or modernizing a kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sparking an interest in woodworking by taking a class at his local woodcraft store, Brad Rodriguez found his passion. Buying his first home allowed him to keep learning and use what he knew to modernize and update his 1905 Cincinnati house. Finding the woodworking community on Instagram was a turning point for Rodriguez and gave him the ability to share his projects on a large scale. He launched FixThisBuildThat<\/a> in 2015 to guide others through his projects and plans while giving plenty of helpful tips along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is something special about solving a problem for yourself. Symonds said that most people are drawn to the sense of accomplishment that DIY provides. \u201dKnowing that most DIY projects start out with a problem to solve and then being able to creatively come up with solutions offers great satisfaction and a self-esteem and confidence boost.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n DIY goes beyond just feeling good about the things you achieved. For those who aren\u2019t used to handling power tools or measuring things, developing those skills is something that\u2019s empowering. Many of our experts spoke about how empowering DIY projects can be for women in particular. Fogle described the unfortunate double standard she has experienced as a woman in the industry. She\u2019s been spoken down to and contractors have treated her like she doesn\u2019t know what she is doing. So instead of accepting it, Fogle said, \u201cOne of my goals has been to break down that barrier. Let’s demystify some of the products that are things you’ve never heard of. They’re not that different from a lot of products you already use and some of these things are actually very easy. It’s just that sometimes the terminology is intimidating.\u201d Baker, who has taught woodworking classes where she helped women learn how to use different power tools, described DIYing as \u201calmost addictive\u201d once you realize what you\u2019re capable of. Building confidence with tools and practices that they weren\u2019t used to led many women to keep coming back to Baker\u2019s classes and mastering tools they didn\u2019t know they could use. Community programs like Habitat for Humanity\u2019s Women Build<\/a>, Girls Garage<\/a>, and She Built This City<\/a> reinforce this empowerment by offering women\u2011centered training and build experiences, while ongoing work on better\u2011fitting PPE highlighted by NIOSH<\/a> helps make hands\u2011on work safer and more inclusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The DIY online community is extremely collaborative and in general, very positive. Fogle equated the community to the concept of \u201crising tides lift all boats.\u201d Those in the DIY community try to help each other. They share tips and give recommendations, and most importantly, give credit where credit is due. If they learn a trick from another DIY blogger, they make sure to give them credit as a way to give back and say thank you. In recent years, creator\u2011led events and platforms have expanded this collaboration\u2014from maker festivals like Open Sauce<\/a> and the Open Hardware Summit<\/a> to model\u2011sharing communities with remix culture such as MakerWorld<\/a>. If you want to really excel in the DIY space, connecting with others in the DIY space is essential. Interact with them on social media and develop those relationships. Not only is it a way to find friends and share tips, but it\u2019s a way to develop your skills and challenge yourself to do better. Many of the experts mentioned competitions that the communities hold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Collaboration by friendly competition is a big part of the community. DIYers use these opportunities to challenge each other to make something new or compare their work. Baker spoke about her experience crossing paths with another DIYer who introduced her to the build-off challenges. They serve as both a way to connect and challenge each other and help builders develop their skills and try projects they may haven’t before. Whether it\u2019s a build-off for woodworkers or a room-to-room competition for reno experts, participating in these challenges is another way to establish yourself as a fixture in the community. Online, remix and challenge features (e.g., TikTok Stitch\/Duet, IG Collabs, and community challenges on MakerWorld<\/a>) make it easier than ever to collaborate and credit contributors, while local repair networks like The Restart Project<\/a> and RepairMonitor<\/a> enable peer\u2011to\u2011peer troubleshooting and shared learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n DIY bloggers are entirely dependent on the internet. As many of the experts pointed out, running a business on the internet<\/a> requires constant learning. From knowing how to engage with your audience to looking for new social media opportunities, having an internet-based business is an ever-evolving process. Bloggers have to stay up-to-date on social media analytics as well as what their followers want to see from them. On the connectivity side, compare providers using standardized Broadband Consumer Labels that disclose typical speeds, latency, and fees in the U.S. (FCC<\/a>), and choose access technology (fiber, cable, 5G fixed wireless) that matches your upload needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bloggers live and die by their internet connection. A strong internet connection is crucial for connecting and sharing content with their community. Having a business on the internet can sometimes be challenging. Barocas said, \u201cI’ve learned that a business that relies so heavily on the Internet means appreciating the things most take for granted: that the server won’t crash, the site will be consistently up and that Google will actually index my content so my audience can view it.\u201d Running a blog also means you have to be able to log on no matter where you are. If you are working with a client and you have to connect right away, additional hardware may be necessary. Using cell phone boosters and hot spots is a way to extend your phone’s functionality, allowing you to connect your computer and other devices. In 2025, 5G fixed wireless and hotspot options have matured into practical primary\/backup links for many home offices (Ericsson Mobility Report<\/a>); for rural or disaster backup, modern LEO satellite services offer business tiers with traffic priority (Starlink Business<\/a>). For resilience, consider dual\u2011WAN routers with automatic failover and follow continuity best practices for alternate telecommunications paths (NIST SP 800\u201153 CP\u20118<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n To persist in the DIY blog space, you have to start with your passion. Many of our experts suggested that you find what makes your ideas special, so you can use that to make sure your blog stands out \u2014 that seems a little intimidating, we know. The most important point that all of our experts echoed is to start somewhere. No matter how many times you change things or how much your blog evolves from the original idea, you have to get started sometime. Smith said, \u201cIf you have it in you and even a TINY desire to share it, go for it. To be fair, running a blog \u2014 if you run it as a business \u2014 is a TON of work and people will constantly look at you sideways and think you’re just another person trying to be an influencer, but it’s completely changed our family and career paths and it’s been really cool to see.\u201d To build sustainably, repurpose one flagship tutorial into platform\u2011specific formats (e.g., Reels\/Shorts, Pinterest Pins, a YouTube deep dive), plan seasonal content with Pinterest Trends<\/a>, and review YouTube retention to refine hooks and pacing (audience retention reports<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying new things and experimenting in front of an audience can sometimes feel like it leaves little room for imperfection. Instead of shying away from what you didn\u2019t like, embrace it. Show your audience you\u2019re a normal person who has some great things to share. Being approachable is a great way to connect with your followers and encourage them to interact with you. Symonds advice is, \u201cBe authentically fearless. If you’re afraid to mess up, share that with your followers! Then, mess up on camera and show them how you figure out how to solve the problem. No DIYer is perfect the first time around, and as we mess up in front of our audience, we are able to teach them how to persevere through failure and eventually come to a solution. That kind of vulnerability and authenticity is craved by people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you sell products and turn it into a business, make sure you have all the necessary permits, insurance and bookkeeping practices. This side of things isn\u2019t always at the forefront of thought in the DIY community. So it\u2019s important to make sure you\u2019re covered, because there may not be someone to tell you about these things. Baker suggests calling your city\u2019s offices and seeing what types of things they require. It’s okay not to understand the process fully from the beginning; that’s why reaching out to people and doing your homework is crucial. Also make time for the business basics: clear affiliate\/sponsorship disclosures per the FTC Endorsement Guides<\/a>, compliant email practices under CAN\u2011SPAM<\/a>, a privacy notice and state\u2011law rights\/opt\u2011outs (e.g., honoring Global Privacy Control under Colorado\u2019s privacy law<\/a> and obligations under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act<\/a>), DMCA agent registration if you host user uploads (U.S. Copyright Office<\/a>), accessible content aligned to WCAG 2.1 AA as a risk\u2011reduction best practice (DOJ guidance<\/a>), and awareness of evolving tax reporting (e.g., IRS 1099\u2011K<\/a> threshold changes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Social media is continually changing \u2014 it may take some time before you see results. If you go in hoping to start making money right away, you\u2019ll likely be disappointed. Having an internet-based business is constantly evolving, and keeping up with the trends will be an on-going learning experience. Instead of getting lost in the weeds and devoting all of the time, you can succeed as a DIY blogger by focusing on the things you can control. Baker advises, \u201cPractice with your tools. Get to know your tools and how to use them inside and out. Feel comfortable with your tools before you start on something big that you\u2019ve invested time and money into.\u201d Devoting your time to getting better at your craft is never wasted time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being a DIY blogger is more than just making things and recording videos. Monitoring your platform, making connections and finding your own voice is all part of the job. Remember, no one starts out big. If you want to grow a huge fan base, be ready to invest your time, money and passion into every project you do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, make sure you have the best internet connection to support your DIY blogging dreams. Check out our reviews for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Rise of the DIY Blogger What was once considered to be a trend is now a movement. DIY bloggers all around the world are sharing their experiences and projects with the masses. As platforms evolve, DIY content has kept its foothold with audiences. After a COVID\u2011era surge, the home\u2011improvement\/DIY market cooled in 2023\u20132024 and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":345,"featured_media":349477,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21563],"tags":[],"post_author":[],"yoast_head":"\n Our Expert DIY Bloggers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sarah Fogle, The Ugly Duckling House <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/3EGzhKNPJEAontoKkG8bE_TMS79jymaac5Hse2_Wu7B541FIdYVZd3V2i5Qs4efALkJ4Cd12ow_27ggin5QO6E2pOOVEM9HvRU5ZpdKY8XAK81tx11QT8vc1ubhCrgfAKSxmF9km\")
Sarah Symonds, Grace In My Space<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/et2AbmdDzy1BbVZuiampuyuWCCXnFcgjuEqIbN9zWhKnBGZhlVv5RZ6AaPgfkuj31Mx0roPgiwlwn7IB773enmjw4tN8g5st_OHW75DAL7jCPOtKrcQLNMY-oWobUjaBKbU5Wzu2\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nHester Van Overbeek, Hester\u2019s Handmade Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/EGpZKtyHFijGz_OMXdDg-BlBsccQKzdHlH3ISQT4DKO2eMv7D6ZjVVuUaPM54_nkU_LlB1b9HbFuuW4wE4S3wYIxLCdChW9_qo0nt3VtBK1ONAWM4VmNkth2irM5dgrcN7J7wS1S\")
Meghan Baker, Sweet Aloha Designs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/JOxtL_6Hvq-JgB4k8ooqC6CYoXP8ccdsdLeZI9Bd8mRPRGAM8ArvsYpoXyYh3kfoRcOD2oBmjmVjWlMxARKZgC66vC-mSy7B74zU7lVyOnKPeOpQ4P91U0YLngdyPoVu45n4QctX\")
<\/p>\n\n\n\nSara Albers, Alice & Lois<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh4.googleusercontent.com\/v8qYXkpoiDWG1UJ7XF2iUPcZPV5dKjq2cWjCewrySusx5syP2M8bgAjnAL_ZTCY3HhgpkYACFK5Qmwv4dzoxE3hdra1tZECx9nRsbYooBKjHc4kDUfHd1uCvoCHX1PdXe6XL1hem\")
Carmen Smith, Living Letter Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/3Lj01HghD1cNDQwjg7wHj77We98M97gHecRnV9tEgw4nEwq7udEIq6NtgwiGy7PX1LHHqGcVNc0vcY6QCDFe9icEctSlN_Ab8xNSUpn9AVwUMMX3fPnfeH3bc3noDVp4NPz1swXz\")
Bob Barocas, Home Repair Ninja<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/ZJbLiy8OKeihYqWEv6swsq4oBXMGJrZTBt3lIcM2FUB1rZSqTaR9g2W34SIq9yWJH2_Z0Bnd_s9tT8A9UUWVzLKtB47CaIW9YxXDmxBrVnK9OrLCBRUD4jeHoFbryTnzmVHjctF2\")
Brad Rodriguez, FixThisBuildThat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/tx1hdn4ef2EKXyHIkg9Qyrw5itxXVCo-2eMucUjrtS1uVXdyml5yyX2bMUJ1sWVGhaSQCM8dcpXAMaqv4UMDCAgevFt7NevbItBGSS4zefKMy_MwYAnwslz4LhiJzaGfQdpGoJYP\")
What\u2019s so Special About DIY?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Empowerment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe DIY online community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nCollaboration <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Using The Internet to Stay Connected<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is no alternative to a strong connection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smith, who works almost exclusively online, said, \u201cIf the internet is down at home, it\u2019s a bad day.\u201d Making sure your internet connection<\/a> is strong and secure is one of the first things you have to do if you hope to run a successful online business. You may find that your current internet connection is not strong enough to regularly post live stream videos or access what you need without interruption. Run a speed test to get an idea of your internet connection to help you decide if you need to upgrade. Internet speed tests assess the latency, download speed, and upload speed of your connection, and you can benchmark against regional medians via the Speedtest Global Index<\/a>. Some popular tests are:<\/p>\n\n\n\nSupplemental devices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Advice from the Experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Embrace your passion and start your blog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nBe authentic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nDo your homework<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nDon\u2019t get discouraged <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nFinal Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n