4 answers
Pearl
Student
India
24
Questions
Asked
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My question is for bloggers: How did you get started with blogging?
Did you explore different niches before settling on one? And if someone is blogging more like a digital diary, what advice would you give them?
Thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to share their insights I would really appreciate it.
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4 answers
Lindsey Flagg
Marketing Content Specialist
18
Answers
Crown Point, Indiana
Updated
Lindsey’s Answer
My first blog was definitely a digital diary format. Over time, I experimented with different review blogs instead of my more general life content, and eventually landed on music reviews as my preferred niche. I have also shifted back and forth between WordPress, LiveJournal, Medium, and Blogger through the years, and have found that all of these platforms have their benefits and drawbacks.
If you are looking to make MONEY off a blog and make it your career, however, you may have to find a sweet spot between what you enjoy writing about and what gets clicks and views on the internet. There are SEO research tools like Ubersuggest, Google Trends, and AnswerThePublic that could help you work this out. You also would need to learn about ad revenue programs like AdSense and AdWords—and/or affiliate blogging—in that case. You might also want to learn more about creating your own website before you commit to creating a blog.
If you specifically want to write a digital diary, my best advice from past experience would be to not overshare personal details and thoughts. Remember that everything you write online can be saved and stored by others, possibly forever. This advice also goes for anywhere else you share information online, even LinkedIn. You can talk about your experiences and feelings without divulging all of your deepest secrets!
One more piece of advice: Whether you want to make money on a blog or just want to write one for fun, the marketing, project management, technology, and communication skills you will learn will still be valuable. You might even find an online community of fellow bloggers and readers and build a professional network!
Check out free online courses about blogging, writing, SEO, and related topics to help you gain more insight into what skills you need and possibly find inspiration for what topics interest you.
Consider taking free online courses on any topic that interests you to learn more about it and see if you could potentially write about it on a blog.
Consider trying an article writing platform like Medium to get a start with writing before committing to creating a blog.
If you are looking to make MONEY off a blog and make it your career, however, you may have to find a sweet spot between what you enjoy writing about and what gets clicks and views on the internet. There are SEO research tools like Ubersuggest, Google Trends, and AnswerThePublic that could help you work this out. You also would need to learn about ad revenue programs like AdSense and AdWords—and/or affiliate blogging—in that case. You might also want to learn more about creating your own website before you commit to creating a blog.
If you specifically want to write a digital diary, my best advice from past experience would be to not overshare personal details and thoughts. Remember that everything you write online can be saved and stored by others, possibly forever. This advice also goes for anywhere else you share information online, even LinkedIn. You can talk about your experiences and feelings without divulging all of your deepest secrets!
One more piece of advice: Whether you want to make money on a blog or just want to write one for fun, the marketing, project management, technology, and communication skills you will learn will still be valuable. You might even find an online community of fellow bloggers and readers and build a professional network!
Lindsey recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for the advice, Lindsey.
Pearl
Madeleine Graham
Freelance
24
Answers
Flint, Michigan
Updated
Madeleine’s Answer
Hello Pearl,
I use www.blogspot.com as both a diary and a platform to discuss my published work. I've also shared articles on LinkedIn. Many bloggers have successfully monetized their blogs though that is not my objective, and I write about various topics on mine. Although wordpress.com is an option, I prefer blogspot because it tracks the reach of my articles with an international map.
I often think about writing a book and plan to use some of my blog content for it. One advantage of blogging is the ability to save drafts on www.blogspot.com, so there's no rush to publish. My background in journalism gives my writing a journalistic touch.
Best wishes with your projects, and I hope this information helps.
I use www.blogspot.com as both a diary and a platform to discuss my published work. I've also shared articles on LinkedIn. Many bloggers have successfully monetized their blogs though that is not my objective, and I write about various topics on mine. Although wordpress.com is an option, I prefer blogspot because it tracks the reach of my articles with an international map.
I often think about writing a book and plan to use some of my blog content for it. One advantage of blogging is the ability to save drafts on www.blogspot.com, so there's no rush to publish. My background in journalism gives my writing a journalistic touch.
Best wishes with your projects, and I hope this information helps.
Thanks for the help.
Pearl
Rich Feitelberg
Novelist
26
Answers
Quincy, Massachusetts
Updated
Rich’s Answer
When I started writing my first novel I started a blogger to chronicle the journey. But what I found is coming up when new content was hard and writing regularly a major chore. Since the blog was free I eventually stopped. More recently I returned to blogging about comic book history but even that I don’t keep up with. It requires a discipline I reserve for novel writing.
Thank you, Rich!
Pearl
Jeff Gallup
Sales Consultant
2
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Jeff’s Answer
I started blogging as a personal diary of sorts for sure. I used blogspot as it was relatively easy to use, especially for someone new at the process. My personal diary quickly turned to more of a review blog as that tied will with my passion for barefoot/minimalist running, and discovering my way through the trail/ultra running community.
For me, what made it easy to create content for, and keep at it, was the fact that it reflected my passion. I certainly think that is key, because blogging can take some work for sure. And of course, today it seems more that the blog itself is more of a back drop to typical social media presence such as Facebook, Instagram etc.
As for me, its a bit more quiet now on my blog just due to life and other pursuits, but again, if you have a passion, certainly run with it in a blog and see what happens!
Good luck!
Jeff https://barefootinclined.blogspot.com/
For me, what made it easy to create content for, and keep at it, was the fact that it reflected my passion. I certainly think that is key, because blogging can take some work for sure. And of course, today it seems more that the blog itself is more of a back drop to typical social media presence such as Facebook, Instagram etc.
As for me, its a bit more quiet now on my blog just due to life and other pursuits, but again, if you have a passion, certainly run with it in a blog and see what happens!
Good luck!
Jeff https://barefootinclined.blogspot.com/