Are you considering starting a blog?
With the popularization of video content platforms like YouTube and Facebook, you might think the idea of blogging is outdated.
Research shows otherwise:
Source: Expresswriters
Businesses are expected to spend $300 billion on content marketing this year, yes that’s with a capital B.
And that’s not all, According to WordPress Stats (January 2019):
- Over 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages each month.
- Users produce about 70 million new posts and 77 million new comments each month.
And that’s JUST WordPress! Never mind other blogging platforms such as Wix, Blogger, Tumblr, Medium, Squarespace, etc.
Now that you know blogging isn’t dead, let’s get to the reasons why you should start a blog TODAY!
- Make Money
Let’s get it out of our system, most people contemplate starting a blog to earn money. If that’s the reason you landed here, don’t feel bad because you are not alone.
Be it making a little extra money on the side, or quitting your 9-5 to become a millionaire… blogging can make it happen.
Now, don’t believe every guru out there trying to sell you their get rich quick online course. It takes hard work to make money blogging.
If your main reasoning for starting a blog is to earn money, be ready to put in the time and effort it takes to succeed.
Below are great examples of people who worked their behinds off and are currently living off the earnings from their blogs.
Hopefully, some will inspire you, just as they did me:
Quit his job making $35,000-a-year working in a cubicle to travel the world and write about it.
That was back in 2004, today Matt’s blogging adventures have helped him gross over $750,000 per year.
Most of his income comes from selling travel guides and affiliate marketing.
Think you could survive making that kind of money?
She is a stay at home mom, who started a blog three years ago, hoping to support her family financially.
Today, her gross income is over $12,000 a month which she earns through product sales, affiliate income, and ads.
Look her up on Youtube. She can help you understand what it takes to make money blogging.
Samantha and Domenic are a married couple who love their family and enjoy home-cooked meals.
They turned their passion for cooking into their blog, and are currently generating over $9,000 in monthly income.
Most of their money is earned through selling e-books and placing strategic ads throughout their blog.
FYI: I love buffalo chicken wings and cannot say enough about how delicious this recipe turned out to be.
R.J. started his blog towards the end of 2016 while working a full-time job.
He wanted to share his knowledge of building wealth, and “living the good life” as he calls it with other people.
Fast-forward to 2019 and he is earning over $10,000 through advertising ads, affiliate marketing, and course sales.
Do you want to live the good life?
Taylor started her blog back in 2017 in hopes of teaching others about blogging and earning a full-time income from it.
As of December 2019, her net income is over $2,000 and growing each month.
She has an upbeat personality and a great writing style. Following her journey will help you understand the ins and outs of running a blog.
I can go on and on about people who are making money from their blogs, but I think these five examples show that people from all walks of life are making it happen.
Whether your goal is to become a millionaire or just make a few extra bucks, there is an opportunity for all.
- Love for Writing
Love putting pen and paper together?
Switch over to a keyboard and I don’t think you could make a better match.
Even Romeo and Juliet would be jealous of this couple.
I am not a big fan of writing but I love learning, researching, and teaching so writing is something that I have learned to appreciate.
However, if you love writing there is no better reason to start a blog.
It doesn’t even matter what you write about.
Obviously, all writers have a passion for something… so if this is you, take action and start a blog.
As a writer, starting a blog provides you an open-ended platform to write a never-ending book about whatever topic crosses your mind.
- Teach People
I feel good teaching people so this resonates with me.
There is something about seeing someone’s expression when they learn something new that makes me feel like I just hit a home run.
No matter what you decide to write about, there is always someone out there that can learn something from it.
Perhaps you never meet that person, but that individual will always remember you.
Some people that enjoy your blog will end up communicating with you and becoming acquaintances.
However, there will be an even bigger group that will never reach out.
Similar to how most of us never thank our teachers after we leave their classroom, even though we take with us valuable lessons that help us throughout our lives.
There is no telling how many people you will reach with the teachings from your blog.
- Tell Your Story
Everyone has a story, but not everybody is willing to share the ups and downs of their life.
Some people choose to tell their story to inspire others, and some to make money from it.
Regardless of your reasoning, blogging is probably the best medium to tell your story if you want to reach the masses.
- You Need a Creative Outlet
Don’t know what to do with all that creativity you have pent-up inside?
Believe it or not, it takes a lot of creativity to be a successful blogger.
Start a blog today and unleash the beast!
Being creative gives you a leg up on the competition.
Be it writing, taking pictures, making videos, or creating podcasts. Blogging will put your creativity to good use.
- Make better use of your spare time
We all love to relax, but sometimes too much relaxation can become mundane.
There are plenty of things you can do in your spare time, and blogging is certainly one of the best.
Be it to make money, teach others, or tell your story, blogging is a great way to make use of your spare time.
- Fame and Authority
You’d be surprised to know how many bloggers are living the celebrity lifestyle.
Some of these bloggers have become well-respected authorities in their area of expertise and so can you.
Heck, celebrities themselves are turning to blogging in order to grow their brands.
There is nothing wrong with wanting fame or aspiring to become an authority on a subject.
It is what you do with that fame and authority that counts.
- Interact with Others
Nothing will ever replace face to face interaction.
However, in today’s digital world, the preferred method of communication is texting.
81 percent of consumers trust information found in blogs for making decisions and over half of the US population is reading blogs.
Think there is a good chance you will be interacting with your blog readers?
I would say so!
… Be it by texting, commenting, or directly reaching out to you. Many of your blog readers will want your personal opinion prior to making certain decisions.
Therefore, interacting with others is just a simple blog away.
- Researching is Your Passion
Sometimes I lose track of time when researching something that I am interested in and I know I am not alone.
If you enjoy researching, blogging is for you.
There is always room for growth, even for topics that you may feel an expert in.
Regardless of what you choose to write about in your blog, there will always come a time in which you get writer’s block.
What better way to push past it than researching what other people are saying about these topics?
… And putting your own spin on it?
As the great Albert Einstein said: “once you stop learning you start dying.”
- You Want a Flexible Job
I was shocked to find out that 85% of people around the world hate their jobs.
That means almost 9 of 10 people spend at least 8 hours a day being unhappy.
You might be thinking… What does that have to do with blogging?
You know the one thing that running a blog can provide you which most jobs cannot?
Flexibility!
Nobody reading an interesting blog post cares about the time it was written or posted. All they want is to be educated on said subject the moment there is a need.
Don’t like working mornings? sleep in and blog in the afternoon or at night.
Don’t get me wrong, becoming a successful blogger takes hard work, commitment, and consistency.
However, it doesn’t require you to have to work during specific hours of the day.
Heck, if you are as lucky as Nomadic Matt you can even travel the world while “working.”
- Attract More Local Clients
Not all bloggers make money online. Some use the platform to drive potential clients to their local businesses.
Example: Last week my car’s headlights went out. Not thinking twice about it, I drove down to the nearest AutoZone.
Come to find out, the bulbs alone were going to cost me $120 which I thought was absurd.
Long story short, I searched on Google for the bulbs and came across a local website that had a tutorial on how to change the bulbs.
Towards the end of the tutorial, they had a link to their website where I could buy the bulbs for $26.99.
The store was a 15-minute drive so I am sure you know what I did.
You get my drift. Depending on what services your business provides, there is always a way to grow your client base through blogging.
- Spend More Quality Time With Your Loved Ones
This goes hand and hand with flexibility but I cannot stress this enough.
We already established that almost 9 of 10 people in the U.S. hated their jobs. This cannot be a good thing for life at home.
No matter what your loved one’s schedules look like, blogging can allow you to work around it and spend more quality time with them.
This is one of my top three reasons for starting this blog.
- Create Opportunities for Yourself and Others
You never know who will come across your blog. Some people have found their dream jobs because of it.
Perhaps you would like to learn from people like Tim Ferriss. I personally read his first book “The 4 Hour Work Week” and learned plenty from it.
You are probably thinking that there is no way a big shot such as Tim Ferriss would give you the time of day.
Wrong!
Think about it this way… what does Tim Ferriss do?
He sells products!
What if you contacted him with an offer to put him in front of your large audience in exchange for an interview?
He might decline, but I am sure that if your audience was large enough and he felt he could gain something for it, there would be no hesitation on his part.
The opportunities you could open up for yourself by becoming a successful blogger are endless.
Not to mention that as your blog grows and you start earning a good income from it, you might decide to hire outside help to handle some of the tasks you no longer wish to do.
Sounds a lot like the American dream doesn’t it?
Conclusion
Get off the couch and start your blog already 🙂
I know it’s not easy, but it’s rewarding.
Over the next week, I want you to try something…
Think of topics that you feel knowledgeable in and write them down on a piece of paper.
Next, write an article about one of those topics and ask yourself if a novice on that topic can learn something from it.
… If your answer is yes, then its time for you to become a blogger.
What is your reason for starting a blog in 2019?
FAQ’s on starting a blog:
Why is blogging so popular?
Blogging is popular because it's easy to get started and you can do it during your spare time or full-time. There are no limits on what you can do as a blogger. Not to mention that as a blogger you have the potential to make as much money as you want (provided that you are willing to put in the effort).
Is it a good idea to start a blog in 2019?
Yes, but that depends on you. If you want easy money and quick results then you shouldn't. However, if you are willing to work hard and push through the tough times then starting a blog is right for you.
What is the purpose of writing a blog?
This is completely dependant on you. Some people start a blog to make money, and others just to share information with others. A blog is and becomes whatever you want it to be. Blogging can be a hoppy or you can turn it into a business.
What should my blog be about?
Your blog should be about something you feel passionate about. This will make it easy for you to write content and actually enjoy being a blogger.
Do bloggers get paid?
Yes, bloggers get paid by placing ads on their sites, selling products and services, or through affiliate marketing (earning a commission by creating a sale for another person or company).