Blogger Merit Badges: What It Takes To Make It to the Top

So you took the first step, congratulations. Now that you have a URL, you better post something.

Uh-oh, you can't take those pictures yourself...better call your boyfriend!

Jump, pose, snap, done. Although nobody pulls it off quite like this girl.

Posts are going well, but you gotta get your traffic up. Start that link exchange process and get goin'.

Looks like your link plan worked! Your blogging BFF's just asked you to grab coffee at the local bookshop/wireless/cafe/art space! (Starbucks.)

You've had your own style for years and have just now perfected your pose. It's yours and nobody else's, no matter who they are.

Okay, your traffic is pumping, you're an up-and-coming voice and you bow to the needs of advertisers. Get paid.

You've been at this for a while now, a fresh new look is just what the doctor ordered. Stay relevant.

You've got too much content and style for a blogspot. Time to take the excess over to instagram! Leverage them posts, babe.

Your inbox is too full of press releases, pitches and partnership opportunities. Luckily, you've brought somebody in to help you shoulder that heavy load.

You gave your two weeks notice and are going out on your own. Your parents are concerned, but you're gonna be okay.

You got hooked on instagram quick and because it's so easy, you're now hitting all platforms. Must share every detail ever.

Finally, hanging out downtown has paid off. You just got street spotted sonnn.

Click, click, flash, you just got shot for a magazine! Run down to that newsstand, you're the talk of the town.

You're just casually sitting at brunch with your friends and somebody comes up to you and goes, "Oh my god! Are you that blogger?!"

Standing room? Tsk tsk, you're off to the front row. Rubbing elbows with the best and brightest.

All the hard work on the web has paid off. You're working on your very own book, dreams comin' true erryday.

Your favorite brand gave you a ring and asked you to star in their next ad campaign that will run regionally on the web. Famousz.

A major retailer has tapped you to consult on a capsule collection that will sell in select metro area locations in the former communist bloc of Eastern Europe.

You can't walk out of the house without being recognized, you have clothes messengered to you daily and you don't give a f*ck.

The invites are starting to dwindle, your twitter following isn't so engaged and there's a new kid in town...what's happening?

Your traffic is plumetting, the book deal fell through, it's all crumbling around you. Better spruce up that resume. You had a good run.