There are two types of blogs. The first kind of blogging is done by a person as a way to ‘pen their thoughts’ and the blog serves as an online journal. The second type of blogging is done with the express purpose of making money online.
However, what starts off as the first type, slowly evolves into the second type. That's how this blog started out originally, it's where I Kept my how-to marketing articles. They were for our business and team, and it grew a following! For example, if you suffer from back pain, and it stresses you out, keeping a blog about your pain and what you’re going through can help you to release some of the pent-up stress.
Blogging can be a form of stress relief because it gives you an outlet to vent your emotions. However, if you notice people finding your blog and leaving comments supporting you, you may choose to review products that help you and so on.
If a particular back support cushion alleviates your pain, you may mention it on your blog. If it’s sold on Amazon and you’re an Amazon Associate (affiliate), someone else who is suffering from back pain may buy it through your link when they read your recommendation.
You’ll get a commission from the sale and this is the start to having a blog that makes money.
Why are you blogging
Before starting the blog, you’ll need to ask yourself why you’re doing it. What’s your purpose? Are you doing it to keep a record of your life or do you want to make money? Or both? As I mentioned above, this blog grew out of my marketing and blogging content for our own team. I was already blogging for our transport company, and I was eager to try pretty much any traffic-driving strategy on the planet. On the other blog I documented how this worked for our business.
There are so many reasons why people choose to blog. Discover yours and you can state your ‘why’ on your about page. Let your visitors know why you chose to start the blog. Tell them what inspired you to start sharing your experiences.
What are your strongest talents?
It goes without saying that blogging will require you to write. If writing is your forte, that’s great. If it’s not, you may choose to hire writers while you focus on doing what you’re good at. However, I will point out that writing is a skill, and you can learn it.
Maybe you make great videos or you excel at graphics. Focus on activities you like and you’ll be inspired to do what you love. Delegate and outsource the tasks that you’re not good at if you're unable or unwilling to learn them.
The point to note here is that if you’re blogging to release stress, you’ll need to do it yourself. If you’re doing it for marketing purposes, all you’ll need is a reliable writer.
Choosing your blogging path – which will you take?
You may choose to set up a blog just for informational purposes. Maybe you’re passionate about fishing and just love writing about it. This might be inspiration enough. Or you may love fishing and still want your fishing blog to generate revenue so that you can use the money to go on more fishing trips. It all depends on which path you wish to take.
Earning money with your blog can inspire you to live a more adventurous life since you have extra cash to do what you want.
You need to understand that a blog can not only inspire you and others, but it can provide so much value that thousands of people visit it. You’re only limited by your imagination.
