Hey everyone!
Before we get started on my no-BS answer to: “Should I start a blog?”
I realize that this is a weird blog post for me. I usually write about mindset, stress, self-love, and mindfulness.
But oddly enough, one of the most common questions I get asked is: “Should I start a blog?”
To which, I respond back with a question: “It depends, what do you want to do with your blog?”
Usually, I get one of two answers:
- A blank stare followed with a ‘uhh..well..uhh’
- So I can make money and maybe someday leave my job that I hate/pay off student loans/buy a house etc etc etc.
Which to be fair, these are all perfectly fine answers!
And I know – you’ve probably read 1,000 blogs just like mine who are telling you to ‘do it!” and ‘follow your dreams!” and then very abruptly input their affiliate link for a hosting site or pitch you their coaching package. *slurps tea*
So listen, I value money. I respect money. I celebrate money. It’s an exchange of energy. Which is why I know you’ve worked hard for your own money. Instead of trying to get you to spend $138 bucks on setting up your own blog with some affiliate link where I get 30%, I think it’s important to ask yourself what your intentions are of creating a blog.
(For the record, I’m not against affiliate links. I use them myself but there is a time and a place!)
Let me break it down!
- You have a ton of knowledge on a particular subject like underwater basket weaving. You want to share all of your tips and tricks with the other underwater basket weavers of the internet. You would write blog posts for fun and really enjoy the community aspect of blogging.
But maybe you only post a blog once every few months. You don’t want to spend too much time and money on your blog – it’s a fun hobby that you really enjoy doing on the weekends to keep your mind off of your day job. (Keyword: HOBBY)
- You want to build a business, a brand and make it a career path. You have a ton of knowledge or strong interest in a particular field or craft. Like scrapbooking. (I’m not being ironic or condescending with these examples! I’ve actually seen very successful blogs like this!) and you want to teach the scrapbookers of the internet how you print graphics on your pictures or create a scrapbook gift in 5 steps – but you’re not interested in doing it for free.
So, if you’re going to start a blog, you’re down to invest a little bit of money to purchase your domain name and maybe a theme. You’re willing to learn some out of the box skills; marketing, sales funnels and utilizing social media like it’s your freakin’ job. You’re also willing to consistently post on your blog and show up every.single.day. for your audience to provide valuable content.
(Keyword: Consistently)
Your mindset starting a blog MATTERS.
So here’s the thing – if you want to start a blog because you like writing and you want to start a new hobby on the weekends or when you have free time…I say GO FOR IT! It’s actually a great space to find other people all around the world who are interested in the same things that you are. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met through blogging and all of the knowledge I’ve learned from them.
Maybe it could eventually turn into a business but if doesn’t – at least you’re doing something you truly enjoy.
But if you want to start a blog and turn it into an income stream or a full-on career – you need to be willing to do the work, learn new skills and ultimately – push yourself WAY out of your comfort zone.
Let me give you some background to my story, in case you’re totally new here and you aren’t familiar with me.
I started livingbreely.com about a year and a half ago. At the time, I was struggling with my anxiety and really needed some way to funnel my creative energy. I began documenting the things that I was doing to help with my anxiety. I started posting about meditation, mindfulness, self-love, self-care, stress management, and anxiety tips + tricks.
Then I started doing some more research on blogging and reaching out to other bloggers and realized – wait…they do this as like…their job?! Full-time?! Like they actually make money, like real money and not just get paid in products?!
Around that time – the emails started rolling in from women around the world who were connecting with my story and thanking me for this post and that meditation practice.
I had this giant push to create an actual business around my blog, which required me to start thinking differently.
Starting a business is not intuitive it is a learned skill. We don’t wake up in the morning and feel inclined to learn how to market or build sales funnels or how to set up courses and coaching.
It is desire and discipline that we either must currently possess or develop become the fuel for your business.
To be quite frank – it’s a lot of work. It’s not easy. You’re going to fail in the beginning. Things aren’t going to go as planned. You are going to want to throw your computer against a wall on a Friday night. It is HARD. Your family and friends may not support you at first. People will tell you ‘that’s already a saturated market/idea.’
But it is worth it. And you will develop areas of yourself that you didn’t know you had in you. You will get to wake up and create things that you love and you’re proud of. You will get to prove to yourself that you are wildly capable. And to feel really proud of yourself for creating a life and business that you love, well, I’m not sure there is a better feeling in the world?
This isn’t to sound discouraging for those who do want to start a blog and turn it into a business. For the right person – this advice would excite them. For the wrong person – this advice would terrify them. No tea, no shade, just facts – from someone who had an idea and was crazy enough to turn it into fruition.
Drop a comment down below if this was helpful for you!
Or do you have a blog? Drop your link down below, I’d love to check it out!
I first started blogging to express myself. Now, I have several personal blogs and niche blog. Not only do they serve as my outlet, they also help me learn a lot and connect with people.
I think blogging has to start as a hobby and you have to love it. If the money comes they great, but I don’t believe it’s a good reason to start x
This post is something that I really need. I am about to land my first blog and I just need something that would enlighten me doing this.
I started blogging since a year ago and I never thought I could come this far. Blogging has so many benefits and one really have to experience it themselves.
I haven’t made my blog to monetize. I blog because I love to write. And this post is very much to point which I really appreciate.
ATM I blog to connect with people who are interested in my topics. However, I would eventually like to earn some money from my blog. It would be nice to have a little extra money for an annual vacation and to cover my blog expenses.
I think if people have every intention of WORKING HARD to keep their blog active, then YES – they should start a blog. However, all too often people start blogs only to stop a few months later because they get unmotivated or life gets in the way, or INSERT SOME OTHER EXCUSE. I have been blogging for 7 years, consistently (every Tuesday)… People just need to come up with a schedule that works for them and also realize if they miss one post here and there, NO BIG DEAL 😉
I started my blog a year and half ago. The first year I developed content, readership and following, this year I worked solely on monetization, and sponsorship all I can say is so far so good. The Hobby it going well. I still love it, it is now profitable and I can invest further into making it more of a business.
This is such a great post and it really gives an information to all persons that wants to start their blog. I think making your own blog is not easy but it will become easy if you put passion, exert your time and effort, uniqueness and your consistency. You really have a great tips and thank you for sharing this with us.
An honest post! I work on my blog everyday. If I didn’t like doing it then I wouldn’t have stuck at it for this long. It has to be more than a way to make money.
Love the honesty (and the off-the-cuff examples)! I didn’t start my blog to make money, but I work on it everyday. It’s a hobby that may eventually turn into something else, but I’m not planning on quitting my day job anytime soon.
Blogging is not easy, takes dedication. It is also very rewarding, I am a happy health coach and blogger,
If anyone ask me this question then my answer would be if you’re passionate about it then go ahead what you’re waiting for. Though it’s a really difficult job to handle but if can manage doing well then who cares
Great insight and honesty! I think some people have no idea how much work, time and thought goes into making a profitable blog. Sure, I could do this as a mere hobby. But I don’t do anything half way. I’m determined to make this thing take off. Really enjoy your writing style!
This is a great post! I think that is so much more than most people think. And, writing a blog to keep track of personal stories is much different than writing a blog for an income and business.
This was really helpful. I recently started in this whole world of blogging. Thanks.
This post covers some of the most important questions that people need to answer before assuming blogging as an easy alternate career. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a great and honest post. Blogging for anything more than a hobby is hard work. I love to write and decided several years ago that I do want to do my blog full time, but am just now (past few months) taking the plunge into putting forth the effort of making that happen. My full-time job was the ‘safe’ option, but I’ve been put in a position where I’ve decided to go for it with my blog. It’s where my heart is, and I will never know unless I give it my all and try!
I started my blog quietly and with no big plans seven years ago and I am so glad I did. Things are so different now, but I don’t regret a moment of it.
I took a big leap and started my own blog, I’m now building my DA score and eventually once i already have a strong engagement that’s the time I will monetize my blog. Writing is not easy, this has been my outlet from the past months.
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