I LOVE Blogging. I mean it. It is one of the best things that ever happened to me, but is it for you? In the time since I have been blogging, I’ve seen many a blogger call it quits for a whole host of reasons. The good news is that you can start a blog for no money and do it from home. The bad news is that it is a lot of work, it takes a long time to build an audience, and chances are you won’t make much or any money from it. I have seen a few bloggers enjoy a meteoric rise, but that is extremely rare.
Now, are you still here? Are you still interested?
So if there are so many negatives to blogging, why even bother? Because blogging if it is for you, can enrich your life beyond measure. I treasure the encouragement from readers, blogging relationships, the opportunity to encourage others, and enjoy the outlet for my creativity, writing and photography. These are the things that keep me here.
Are you wondering if you should start a blog? Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you begin.
1.What will you write about? Your writing needs to be about a particular topic, not all over the map. Most people have certain interests, and even if you are writing half the time about a topic they love, if you are going to spend the other half the time writing about things they don’t care about, they will not stick around. Readers need to know what you’ll be talking about to determine if they want to stay. They need to know what to expect on your blog.
I write about decor, DIY stuff, tablescapes, antiquing, thrifting, cooking, and ranch life. If I threw in some very different topics like car repair, I think readers wouldn’t like that. Think of how a magazine focuses on a particular area or style. Would all of your topics work in the same magazine? On the other hand you don’t want such a narrow topic field that you run out of things to say.
2. Do you love the topic you will write about? Could you live, eat and breathe it? If you are going to have a successful blog, you are going to spend a lot of time there, so I sure hope you love your topic. Don’t pick a topic JUST because you think people are interested in it, or because you feel particularly qualified in that field. I am a very qualified in statistics, but if I even mentioned a 3 way fractional factorial design, readers would run for the exits. (Let’s just forget I mentioned that.)
Choose a topic you feel very passionate about. For example, I love gardening, but I don’t love it enough to limit myself to just gardening. I would run out of things to say soon enough. I worked as an engineer for years and years. Although I could drone on about process control, it’s not my passion. My passion is design, and I never get bored with my blog, and I am excited to come here every day.
3. Do you love to write? I mean A LOT, meaning you’ll be doing lots of writing so you better love it a lot. Like a lot of bloggers, I have probably written enough on my blog to fill a decent-sized book. Turns out that I enjoy writing even more than I thought I would. Who knew I would be such a chatty Cathy on the web?
4. Would you do it even if you didn’t get paid? A recent statistic I saw, mentioned that 81% of bloggers never make more than $200 from blogging.
I think a few people just fell out of their chairs. Let’s give them time to get back in their seats. Are you okay? I know, I feel like I just told you Santa isn’t real. Sorry.
I believe this statistic. It’s kind of like acting, a few make a lot of money, but most don’t. I hated to say it, but I want you to know.
5. What is your motivation? I am going to be blunt here. The bloggers I see go into blogging solely to make money, get burned out, frustrated, and fed up. In short, they don’t blog for long. It takes months and months, and typically years to establish a blog and build an audience. Think about why you want to blog. If you love photography and writing, you are half way there. My motivation was to discuss DIY, decor and design with others and to encourage creativity in others. That may have started out as my motivators but here’s what I got that I didn’t expect –
- I developed friendships with people worldwide that I adore.
- I was validated as a creative person
- I became a better decorator, writer, photographer, friend.
- My home looks better than it ever did before blogging.
Come back for Part II. I had a lot to say about this and broke it up into 3 posts.
Great post!
Even though I have been blogging a little over a year, I wanted to read your post and see what you had to say about it. I do love blogging and the four surprises you got from blogging are the same for me and I might add one more. I have learned to be more thrifty in my decorating because I have learned so many tips and tricks from other blogs. I don’t advertise, although I have thought about it. I think your numbers are probably pretty accurate and I’m a little concerned that advertising might somehow change the way I blog and enjoy it. I’ll be very interested in part 2. Thank you for posting your thoughts on this.
Anita, I started blogging as a place to post my pic’s (I love photography) and to meet new blogging friends. I am happy to earn about as much as a part time job every month so that is a plus. It would be interesting to learn why people fizzle out. Great post and can’t wait for part 2.
Money? That part never entered my mind! It is purely a creative outlet and place to collect & “store” my thoughts and observations.
I shall look forward to your NEXT posts – maybe I’ll discover how to make $200 🙂
I’m still new at blogging. Just got really serious about it, last fall. I’ve learned so much from other blogger friends. It does take a lot of time, but I’m really enjoying it and plan to keep blogging! Lynda
What a timely post! I just pushed the POST button last night on my new blog. Looking forward to reading more and being inspired!
Great post and look forward to the next two. This really affirms why I love to blog and it’s not a bad thing to spend so much time doing so. Thanks!
Mary Alice
Oh so true! I blog because I love the creative outlet for decorating, sharing, photography and above all, the writing! meeting others who share my interests or have a child with DS like my daughter is icing on the cake 🙂
Anita,
This is a great post and helped me a lot. I started my blog because I love to decorate and love my home and to cook and I thought I would share that and I find it fun and I love talking to people.
Cynthia
Great post! =)
I started blogging to share my love of reading, and found that I really enjoy reviewing books..to me, its not about making money at all.
I’m with you, I love blogging!
Bliss
I know I will never make money on my blog but that is fine. When I started (and for long after that)I never even knew you COULD make money blogging. The reason I did it was because others encouraged me to do one. I don’t even know how to set one up, a fellow blogger did it for me. I am VERY tech UNSAVVY and don’t even know how to change my header. I have to hire someone to do things for me. I so enjoy your blog, Anita. I am just grateful that ANYONE shows up to see what I am doing. XO, Pinky
Hi Anita..where were you 3 months ago girl…LOL…I’ve been blogging for 3 months now and I LovE This Post! very insightful and honest! Even though money never crossed my mind with blogging I found out that is very rewarding in other aspects as you mentioned. The support and love that amazingly you feel from people across the words the write in the comments makes it all worth while. On the other hand, I hope on your feature post you keep it real as well by mentioning that sometimes blogging is like being in high school all over again..there are some “elite” bloggers that really just mingle with little bloggers to save face sort of speak but not because they really need to since they already have an established audience. Getting in that club is like trying to sit at the popular girls table…everybody knows where they sit, but not everybody is invited. Thanks for your post! Again, LoVe It!
Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/
what…? I’ve been dying for your post on 3-way fractional factorial design…did I say that right? xoxo
Hi Anita! This was a great post. I consider myself an old time blogger since I started out in 2008. Things in Blogland have changed a lot since then too. It does seem that so many start blogging running and trying so hard to be something they are probably not and then they peeter out. I used to care about how many comments and followers I had, but I’ve gotten over it and just enjoy the ‘real’ friendships I’ve made and posting when I want. I’m glad I’ve met you and I so enjoy your blog! Here’s to many more wonderful years of blogging.
You are the sweetie,
Shelia 😉
What in the world is a 3 way fractional fac . . . or whatever you said . . . hehe! Seriously, I love that you’re writing about this topic, Anita. The hardest part for me is the writing. It’s like I know what I want to say but I’m not so good at putting it into words. It just doesn’t come naturally for me. Looking forward to the next 2 parts.
Thanks for such an insightful post, Anita. And Lizbeth, I also agree with your comment.
I’m looking forward to the rest of this series!
Anita, no truer words have been spoken! Your insight is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your experiences on blogging! The one perk from blogging, for me, has been meeting amazing blogger friends like you! Great post!
Well written and excellent advice, Anita!
I’m so glad YOU started…you are fun, talented, and very helpful and so real…that’s what I like the best of all!
Well said. And I couldn’t agree more. I don’t blog for bucks, but for the other things you listed. And I’ve gotta say…it disappoints a bit when a blog I love turns into a series of commercials. Not that a little extra income wouldn’t be welcomed…BTW, LOVE your stats.
-Revi
Anita,
Love, LOVE, L O V E every word you wrote…even the part about “car repair” brought a giggle…because if YOU wrote it…I’D read it!!! I LOVE your blog!!! AND, Ms.Anita…I LOVE sharing Cedar Hill Ranch with my personal friends!!!
Blogging is totally fulfilling for me!But the NUMBER ONE reason I began blogging was to encourage others to experiment in their own homes, with what they already have, to create a comfortable home for themselves and their families!!!
Little did I know that I would receive a HUNDRED FOLD the many, many blogging friendships from some of the sweetest ladies across our world!!!
Thanks for “telling it like it is”!!! A gracious follower of Cedar Hill Ranch…I’ll be back soon. . .even if it’s “car repair”!!! Ha!
Fondly,
Pat
Thanks so much for this!!! I just started a BLOg a month ago and this is very helpful. I have never expected to make money doing this, I just love decor and hope having a blog will motivate me to do more fun projects…..Even if I blog onve a week I will be very happy with myself!!!! Please stop by if you have a chance…I could use any input!!! haha
http://littlebrags.blogspot.com
Great post, Anita.
I love blogging, too.
I told myself in the beginning that I would do it until it wasn’t fun any longer. It’s become so much fun to connect with like minded women and be welcomed into such a supportive and creative environment.
I’ve been blogging with this one blog since 2010 but I still wanted to see what you had to say. I too started out just to share my ideas and decor, I love to decorate and it’s been so much fun finding like minded women who love to do the same! I never ever thought I’d make money by having a blog and I don’t, I couldn’t care less if I ever do. What I get out of it is worth so much more to me, love reading your blog and all the others too♥
Looking forward to reading more. This is a hot topic with all the classes that other Pro bloggers are know hosting. People want to make money blogging.
I have been blogging since 2006 on a family blog. Closed it down and started a blog about my creative side. I love the friendships I have developed over the years from just having a family blog. Now I enjoy new friendships with those who share similar interest.I will continue to do it blog for the just for fun.
perfect! I also think that some people that blog for money might actually last for a longer period of time, but they probably get more frustrated when they don’t hit the numbers, and in the end, blogging becomes more like a job…and there are not many people that like their job nowdays 🙂 it becomes something that you have to, not something you want to. And that will kill the creativity. Just my 2c here
Great post, and i agree with everything you said. I think the most amazing thing that has happened to me since i started blogging, was meeting such amazing women from all over the country, people i would have never known if i hadn’t started blogging. Now each one is a part of my life experience.. I consider them real friends… pretty darn cool … !
Cindy
Hi Anita,
this is really a great piece of advice. It was alot of work on your part to put together. I started my blog on a whim. One day my youngest daughter said, “Mom, you should start a blog, I think you would enjoy it”. I knew nothing about blogging. I had never visited another blog. So in ‘2009’ I started a blog just for family and a few friends. Found that I was hooked right off the bat. I’ve always loved to talk. lol! It wasn’t until ’20ll’ that I read about a blog in a magazine and decided to visit. From there my whole world changed. I stumbled upon Marty’s link party. What a joke I was trying to figure out how to link up. At that time I had 16 followers. All family, friends, and one unknown. When hubby came home and told me that I had a new follower and it was a man that I didn’t even know I thought he was pranking me. I didn’t know that people followed blogs of people they didn’t know. Was I ever a dummy! I have made very little money from my blog. I had a few people contact me to do an advertised post. If I believed in it I did. Never planned on making money. Just love blogging and the associations I have made and become friends with are priceless! Sorry, I have been rambling. But like I said, I like to talk.
hugs,
Jann
I’m curious if you know how many of your followers are non-bloggers. I have never entertained the thought of starting a blog because I am notoriously undisciplined
and I enjoy reading OTHER PEOPLE’S blogs! Are there many of us who don’t write but love to read?
Great post and great advice Anita! Looking forward to part II & III!
Great tips Anita!One of the best things about blogging is meeting other bloggers.Even if it is not in person just thought email chatting.So glad I met you through blogging!
xx
Anne
Sweet Anita, I’m quite certain I break all of the rules, but I do enjoy blogging, and I’m so glad you do, too. You have a wonderful way of sharing beauty with the world.
Anita, very very well said! You are right on every point. Even bloggers who love blogging have times the just don’t want to blog! And times that we could blog 3 times a day. I think this is a very accurate portrayal of real life blogging. Can’t wait to hear more. I’m like you, I just love love love blogging… every part!
BTW: meeting you is a big blessing to me and came through blogging!
xo
Great post! I’m looking forward to part 2 and 3. I am now your newest follower. I don’t want to miss a thing.
~Clara
Anita,
I began blogging in October 2012-and in this very short time period, I have met some of the loveliest people. I want to thank you for writing about “how to blog.” Very helpful-looking forward to part 2-
Thank you so much for your straight up post. I actually breathed a sigh of relief when you stated that only 81 percent of bloggers never make more than $200. If that is the case there are a ton of people out there spending as much time as me and doing it for the joy not the money. I sometimes feel guilty for spending (waisting) so much time writing but apparently I am in good company and I do love it. I am looking forward to reading more. I am your newest follower.
I have a blog but haven’t posted in almost a year. I just don’t have the time & I know what you mean about taking time. I wrote mostly posts about decorating or antiquing but just that little bit took time. Plus the time it takes to photograph, tweak & decide what to write about. I love your blog. I am glad you enjoy it because I would hate to lose you!
I think that blogging is a new world that you can know new people ,to create ,to see more ideas ,to learn about the life in other countries !I agree with you .The money is not the reason for blogging !
I like your blog and your special life in ranch !
Have a nice day !
olympia
I am relatively new to blogging and really enjoyed this post. Thank you so much for taking the time to put it together. I’m a new follower.
XX
Amelia
Great post. Having found a few other blogs that I really enjoyed reading, I kept finding that I was doing things at my home and began thinking…”I could share that!” Started for fun, to meet others, to share & to learn…
Looking forward to your next post!
Blessings,
Cindy
Love this! So well said and so much of it I could repeat verbatim. That is except for the statistic stuff. Oh goodness girl..you are right, that would do this math challenged girl in. 🙂
Heading over to read the rest…
I almost didn’t comment because there were so many here already! But I had to say that the series is really good and honest. I started by seeing part 3 so came back to read part 1 & 2 . I started blogging because I LOVE interior design and furniture, I love to show people that they CAN make things themselves and because I love writing and photography. I HAVE gotten sidetracked at times by feelings of inadequacy and smallness but have always managed to get back on track, even if I’ve taken a short break. I’ve made some good and loyal friends that supported me in difficult times and that may be the best result. Great advice Anita!
Very sound advise! I’ve been blogging for a year now, and I’m so glad I did it for the right reasons. I think if you are doing in solely to make money it can put too much pressure on you and set you up for failure.
Thebt part for me has been discovering other blogs and learning so much from them and being inspired by other peole.
Making friends all over the world is the perfect reward for me… I did not began blogging thinking I would ever make a penny out of it!