In this article I will explain aspects to blogging, how to start, what you need to make it popular, and a bit if blogging is for you, and let’s start with this, because before you decide to do this you have to make sure you can do it. It takes time and effort, and it has to suit you. But if it does, you can make LOADS of extra money, and yes, some people made it their day job (F.E.: www.perezhilton.com).
Is blogging the right way to make money on the internet for you?
I hope you like to write.
First of all, you have to like to write. It has to come to you naturally, and it has to suit you. Can you just ramble on and on and on? Then it’s perfect. But if you hate to write then you might as well skip this whole guide, as blogging is not for you. Having a successful Blog means that you update frequently, have meaningful information/posts, respond to comments made on your articles, leave comments on other Blog’s in your ‘social circle’. All of these require writing, and these are all big factors in how successful your Blog will be.
Are you ok with sharing what’s on your mind?
When you are a Blogger you will make your opinions, thoughts and ideas public. And believe me, it is public. It is possible to be anonymous as a Blogger, but in the end you will have your name and details out in the public, due to your domain name being registered on your name (or should be, esp. because you might sell a Blog at some point), so the best thing to do is being public and honest about who you are from the beginning. This way visitors have an idea who you are, and it’s easier to make a relation between them, and you. They will get you with negative comments sometimes, it can seem harsh and idiotic, but toughen up and handle it professionally.
Do you enjoy the internet in general?
Being a successful Blogger means that you need to commit a large amount of time (can also be typing in between your day job, as I do). Blogging does not end with the actions of writing and publishing blog posts, it needs constant promoting, maintaining contact with other websites on blog, and checking the news constantly to be able to get inspiration for your new blog post etcetera, you get the idea. You have to enjoy reading, surfing, posting comments, making contacts, replying on comments and being on the internet and behind your PC in general for it to work.
You should have time on your hands.
To be a success, you need to be committed and put a lot of time and effort in this, you have to be disciplined and motivated, you need to make time for this. As stated before, I do it on the quiet moments in my day job. The perfect thing would be being a student or working a part time job because your partner has the main income.
You like what your Blogging.
Of course this is kind of logical, but you should like what you Blog about. If it’s something that interests you, you follow the news on the topic anyway, and it makes writing easier because you know a bit about it. Readers can also read in your writing style if you’re enthusiastic about your topic or not, if you’re not it might come over as boring and uninteresting.
There is some risk involved.
There are always risks involved in blogging, so you have to be able to take them and have some risk management in you and need to know when to stop and what to do at some point. The wrong choice might make your blog less popular or make you have downtime. It starts with thinking of a subject, making the blog, doing advertisement, trying new marketing methods to get it spread out. And all of these can ruin it and make your work useless.
Technologic.
You need to know things about the internet, software and in general have fairly ok computer/web knowledge. Internet and web technologies are always changing and need to be followed to be popular. New innovations make your Blog stand out, thus more popular. Always keep an eye open for new technologies that you do not have implemented (yet) to make your Blog easier to maintain or more fun for readers. This is a constant part of the work, just like checking news to write about, and commenting or advertising your blog.
This is it for Part 1, my next article will be about some tips and tricks for beginners, and it’s very wise to keep them all in mind before you create a Blog (That’s why it’s next).
All the other parts of this full guide to starting a Blog will be posted here in short, and complete in the articles writing forum.
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