Are You a Potential Blogger?

 

As you know, I really don’t blog about blogging but since I have received several messages from readers asking for “advice” on how to start a blog I thought I would give you my two cents to determine whether blogging is even a possibility for you.   As I mentioned in another post I am in the process of writing an Ebook on “How to start a blog even if you are totally clueless”, but I can tell by the way my summer is going I will be lucky if I have it out by the Fall.  So for those of you who want to forge ahead and not wait, here are a few things you may want to consider in determining whether blogging is for you.

• Do you own a smart phone and a fast, reliable computer?   The reality of it is, if you don’t own both of these items don’t bother starting a blog because you will spend most of you day using both of these items constantly and if they are not current models or working well your frustration level will rise to a point which may not be tolerable.  I wanted to start a blog well over a year ago but because my computer was so slow and outdated I just couldn’t do it until my hubby bought us a new Mac at Christmas. 

 

• Do you have something in your life you are so passionate about that you could write about it 5 times a week?  In order to be a good blogger and draw readers to your site you have to offer them something that keeps them coming back and I have found people who blog with passion are able to do this.  Are you passionate about God, coupon clipping, healthy food, cycling, decorating, parenting a diabetic child, cooking, crafting or  fashion?   If so could you share your thoughts about these topics on a consistent basis, between 3 and 7 days per week?

 

• Do you feel comfortable putting yourself out there for the world to judge and scrutinize?  If not, then don’t bother to start blogging because people want to connect with the real you, not the fake you.  Also you will receive comments from readers that inspire you to blog more and make you feel so good about your life and blogging journey.  But you will also receive the other types of comments that can hurt and make you feel like giving up.   Can you look at the good and ignore the bad?  If so, you are on the right tract because blogging requires a thick skin.

 

• Do you know how to make a logo and design a website?  If not, that is ok because neither did I, but if you don’t want to pay someone to get your blog up and running you need lots of time to start your blog.  And I mean lots of time, we are talking about approximately 50 hours to get it set up so it looks nice, works properly and you have content.

 

• Do you like to take pictures of everything, including yourself?  A good blog needs pictures with every post, therefore in addition to writing the posts you need to get appropriate photos and edit them so they look appealing.  If you are camera shy, you will still need to put photos of yourself in your blog.  People want to see you, not just hear you.

 

• Do you have the time to become a blogger?  I have to tell you I had no idea how much time it would take to really get your blog out there and make some money.  It is very time consuming. I spend at least 3-4 hours, if not more on my blog 5 days a week.  So basically it is a real part time job, about 20 hours a week.  Now you can blog and spend less time, but if you spend the time to write something you probably want people to read it, therefore you need to attract readers, which takes time.

 

• Are you willing to become a Social media slut?  This means you are willing to spend time each and every day on Facebook Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+1 as the bare minimum.  You need to have the nerve to friend request people you barely know or remember, follow complete strangers on twitter and pin stuff everyday on Pinterest.  In addition you have to shamelessly promote your Facebook page, beg people to like it, ask them to follow you on Twitter and anywhere else  you choose to promote your blog.  It can be nerve racking and embarrassing but if you don’t do it, no one will find your blog, thereby you will not have readers and ultimately no revenue.

• Are you obstinate, determined, and Patient?  In order for your blog to be a success you need a least a little of all 3 of these qualities.  Success of your blog is solely determined by your own personal goals which is the good news.  You can define if your goal is 100 readers a day or 10,000 a day.  The bad news is that based on the research, it takes the average blog at least 1 year to become somewhat successful.  That is a really long time, at least in my book, to be patient and keep working without reaping the rewards you are looking for.  Can you stay the course?

• Will you feel comfortable if people recognize you in your community because of your blog?  I have to say it has been rather surprising to me but I run into people at least several times a week that recognize Tiara and I from my blog and I either don’t know them or have not seen them in 20 years.  Because of the way I write, people feel comfortable stopping me and introducing themselves or just reminding me that we were childhood friends.  I have to say I LOVE THIS, because I love talking to people and it is so much fun to reconnect with people, but if this would make you uncomfortable, you are on notice it could happen. 

• Last but not least, would your family feel comfortable being apart of your blog and putting themselves on the worldwide web? If not, blogging without your family would be a bummer.  My family shares my blogs and likes to apart of the posts, but without their support it would be impossible to find material to write about and no fun at all.

 

I personally love blogging and it is the best thing I have ever discovered but some days it is really frustrating, especially when you have writer’s block.  But if you are looking for a part time job and think you could make a go of it based on my unscientific criteria, Go for it.  The only thing you can lose is a little money, but you can gain so much.  New friendships, relationships, free therapy for yourself and eventually money.  Love it!

 

Have a great Thursday and feel free to send me a message if you have any specific questions about blogging. 

  tiffani