4+ Reasons To Start a Blog (And Why Making Money Isn’t One)

There are many reasons to start a blog, and many reasons why it may not be for you.

This is a guest post by Sophia Patel 

No doubt, when you start a blog, it begins with content writing, ideas planning, and making your site looks pretty. Next thing you know you are spending hours improving your site speed and PHP coding (the bain of my life).

Ultimately, most of us aim to be yielding a profit from all this hard work. This, however, should not be one of the primary reasons to start a blog.

Here is why.

You Enjoy Writing

There is no point in blogging if you cannot stand writing posts, because quite frankly, it is the main part of the role. Spend time getting to know your niche with what you want to write about and base key ideas around this. I see many bloggers coming into this community and never knowing where to start. You should always start with key ideas and build upon them – this is the best way to formulate a niche without blogging about everything you know.

You Want to Push Yourself

I started blogging, however cliche it may be, as a new year’s resolution when I was 15 – yet 6 years later I am still typing. At the time, I was pursuing a career in Marketing, so started a blog to review products that I like and used, from a marketing and branding perspective. Now, my blog has managed to become the contending factor in getting a job as a Marketing Assistant, through the skills it demonstrates.

Blogging can become a product that you can be proud of. It is all yours, and no one else can claim it. You will need more skills than just writing content, and this is why 80% of blogs fail.

You Have Insider Knowledge

Life experience will always increase as you get older. You learn things, you make mistakes. That is the process.

Blogging can be a way of opening your knowledge streams and decision-making choices, with others. You never know, you could save others so much time. For example, my most popular post is all about Zoflora, and how to insert scented disinfectants into your life. This has all come from 3 years of experience of using the product and what I have found.

Boost Confidence

Knowing your stuff and sharing it with others can be so empowering.

Having a positive reader response can be all it takes to keep going. Whether you are a large or small blogger, people will read your content, and someone will appreciate it. After a repetitive process, blogging can become a real confidence boost.

If you are thinking about writing a blog, use it as a platform to share what you know with others, and over time, you will become more confident. The internet is a complex thing, but on your blog, you can be whatever you want to be and that is a blessing.

Why Making Money Should Not Become a Priority

It Can Take Years to Make Money Blogging

Literally YEARS.

That is a long time to be putting effort in to get no monetary reward. Being a blogger does not mean making millions, it means creating content that may have a monetary reward.

“May” is the keyword in that. Money is not a conventional aspect when it comes to blogging, and it takes time for a reward to be reaped. If you are truly willing to put the time in, you may have more success – but it will not be instant.

Bloggers Cannot Become Viral Easily

Becoming viral is not easy. Unlike Instagram, where it is all algorithm-based, a blog focuses on putting the right words in the right places.

Blogs are nowhere near as visual as Instagram, so you need to capture people through words. You need to establish SEO and understand trends to become viral. And even then, it relies on some luck. If you have written about something that becomes trendy at a later date – then you are on to something. As a blogger though, do not expect your bank balance and views to shoot up straightway – even 6 years in I get days where I basically get no views, and that is normal.

Every day will not be a payday.

Money Is Not Consistent

Like with any self-employed role, you cannot guarantee money through the door. There will always be plans and ideas that fall through, and that is completely normal.

You need to understand that “Gigs” as such are sparse in a saturated market, and many external factors (such as the economy) can decide whether you do well or not.

With all these factors in mind, a financial awareness of profit and loss is needed, because otherwise, you will end up spending more than you can afford, especially if the next monthly income is low.

Gifted Does Not Mean Paid

I learned this late on as a blogger, but it makes perfect sense. Realistically, as a larger blogger, you can ask for more and negotiate.

When starting out, however, the terms do not usually have much wriggle room. Gifted opportunities are easier for brands to get the word out, without the reliance on extra cash as compensation. You would need to evaluate whether the requirements and the value of the products work out.

If you are not making massive amounts of profit (either monetary or through the value of products) you could be underselling your blog. Know the true value of your blog and go from there – and be willing to negotiate when required.

Remember, however, that making money will not always happen with gifted items.

You Have to Build Relationships First

Building relationships is a key element of making money with a blog.

Without trust and solid networks, you have nothing to support the fact that you are a good blogger. You need the opinion of others who support you, and a public portfolio – to build trust and connections.

This is where Twitter can be your best friend! This will be the best way of making a profit. As you can image though, it will take time, and making money will NEVER be guaranteed.

Droughts are normal, and it can be difficult to motivate yourself if there is no money.

Therefore, money cannot be the main drive as one of the main reasons to start a blog, merely a bonus of the job.

About the author

I am Sophia, I am 21 and I am a town girl. I started this blog in 2015 as a new year’s resolution and an outlet for a rough few years.

6 years on, the rough years have disappeared and yet I am still typing.

My main calling is blogging help for beginners, and all things home, finance and well-being!