Is Blogging Right for You?
When people ask what I do for a living, I tell them “I’m a blogger…” and 99.9 times out of a hundred, I say it with a big smile on my face.
The other .1% of the time?
Well, I must admit that there are days when blogging is the last thing I want to do. Fortunately, those days are very few and far between.
So, what makes blogging as a business so very right for me — and how can you tell if you’ll be a happy blogger too?
Here is a list of questions that will help you assess whether blogging suits your personality and lifestyle.
- Do you enjoy communicating with people? – Blogs are social media. Great bloggers respond to their readers’ comments to foster relationships and build their readership.
- Do you have a message that you want to share on an ongoing basis? – Most highly successful blogs are created around a central theme, i.e. an activity or topic of interest such as travel, food, parenting, personal growth, etc. Articles posted are almost always relevant to the central theme.
- Do you prefer to write or record? – Blogs attract search engine traffic primarily through written text, so if you plan to share your message via podcast or video recordings; online transcription services will be very helpful to you.
- Do you like to learn? – Unless you plan to have your blog installed and developed by someone else, learning how to work with WordPress and themes is highly recommended. Though not a technical person by nature, I actually find ‘tweaking’ my blog is a LOT of fun, where others run scared by the prospect to have their blogs setup by developer.
- Do you have a lot of initiative? – No one is going to tell you to “get your butt in gear and start blogging“. You need to be self-motivated and disciplined to start a blog and then build it out to the point where you can take regular (long) breaks – or hire someone to do the work for you.
- Do you have time? – Until your blog is well-established with loads of great content and a regular readership, you should plan to post to your blog almost daily. This isn’t as hard as it sounds. You can queue up posts for later delivery. In addition to creating content (articles, videos), much of your time will be spent moderating and responding to readers’ comments as well as doing research on your topic.
- Do you really want to be famous? – OK, ‘famous’ might be stretching it a bit, but unless you blog anonymously, you are going to be putting yourself out there for all the world to see. Are you prepared to have people you don’t know comment on your thoughts, actions and appearance? Do you want people to recognize you on the street? Or worse, on the beach?
- Do you handle criticism well? – Although most of your regular readers will tell you how much they enjoy your articles, not everyone on the planet will agree with you — and at times they may even be nasty. That can actually be a good thing. Over the years, I’ve found that my tolerance for and my ability to respond to the ‘nasties’ has improved dramatically. No more blood pressure spikes.
- Are you patient and persistent? – Are willing to keep working at your blog even when it seems like no one is paying attention? Are you apt to have a fit if your site goes down temporarily? Persistence and perseverance are perhaps the most important characteristics of successful bloggers entrepeneurs). Those who can work hard through tough times are those who invariably succeed.
- Do you have a sense of humor? – This could be your most valuable asset. There could well be times when things break or you’ve just made a total fool of yourself. “Stuff happens”. You ability to laugh at yourself and keep going will shine through your work and people will love you – and your blog – that much more.
I believe if you answered “yes” to all or most of the questions above, you have the basic qualities and characteristics to be happy as a blogger.
That’s not to say that if you currently lack initiative or bristle at your critics, that blogging isn’t for you.
In fact, blogging might be the right activity to help you improve those qualities and learn new skills — and make some money in the process!
Are you a happy blogger? Are there other characteristics and skill sets that you can think of that good bloggers possess? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Related Posts
- How Many Blogs?
- What I Love Most about Affiliate Blogging
- What is a Blog?
- Blogging is a “Massive Mistake”… HUH?
- Whattya Mean You’re Not Blogging Yet?
Posted / Revised on July 5, 2010 under Beginners  |
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Rosalind Gardner is a Super Affiliate blogger, author, speaker, and Internet marketing consultant. For more info, subscribe to her No-Hype, No-BS, No Spam NPT newsletter and join Affiliate Blogger PRO to get answers to all your affiliate marketing questions. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Rosalind, I enjoyed your article. I have been wanting to be a blogger for quite sometime now, and I am a novice affiliate marketer and I keep hearing everyone say that “you need a blog” but I am not sure exactly how to go about it, or maybe I am just a little nervous about doing it.
I am in the learn how to play guitar niche, and I am an affiliate for Matt Mcwilliams of Legacy affiliates, and I am also a member of share a sale network, but I haven’t made my first sale YET!
I have a couple of domains for this niche, one for the guitar and the other for the bass guitar, so I would like to start blogging on this topic, so basically my question to you is this: Should I just put up an article about learning to play the guitar and then reply back to my readers?
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Regards,
Victor
Hi Ros
Re #8, I thought I’d post a bouquet rather than a brickbat. I have always enjoyed and valued your posts, and that’s whether I fully agreed with them or not (but 99%+ I have agreed).
This article makes me contemplate whether the time is right for me given the time, continuity and written vs audio-visual elements you mention. It’s good to be challenged on these things, so thank you for continuing the great work. Andrew from Oz
Hi Rosalind,
That is a great way to sum up the necessary “skills” or attributes to being a blogger, but how about the dreaded word of “failure” when the blogs you put up don’t rank or get any traffic! Some might just give up while others will positively analyse their work and move onto the next blog etc. It’s all about mindset I believe, and how you deal with that “stuff that happens”. The thing is to Keep Learning, have an open mind and most importantly NEVER GIVE UP!
Ros, Great Post…Blogging can be so rewarding and fun. I would have to add though that it does take some time to get in the “Habit” of Blogging. As we know that this is a developed skill.
Thanks for sharing, I enjoy your thoughts…
Donna
Hi Rosalind
I believe I can answer yes to 8 out of 10. I don’t want to be famous, although I do want to be known as someone who can provide good quality information and products, like yourself.
I also don’t have much time to blog, which is why my blog isn’t as well established as I want it to be. I am persistent and I will persevere though.
I hate popping over to your blog because I just want to spend hours (which I haven’t got)reading your blog posts
Take it easy
Chris
Oh Christina,
You are more than welcome to ‘spend hours’ on my blog!
Cheers,
Ros
I can relate to the nasty comment question. I used to submit nasty comments of my own. Because I now know what it feels like to be on the receiving end, I always bite my tongue (or typing fingers) when I feel like submitting a criticizing remark.
Good plan, Marc. We have to always keep in mind that whatever we post online will stay online for the long term. Don’t want to become known for posting those nasty comments!
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Donna,
The ‘habit’ of blogging is a really good point. I guess I should have expanded on the time factor… which I may well do in another post. Thanks for the thought.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Philip,
Funny, but I wouldn’t consider a blog that didn’t rank or get any traffic a ‘failure’. Guess I’d go back and review the market research to see whether I over-estimated demand for the product or service. In any case, everything we do contributes to the knowledge pile… ergo, no failure as such.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Andrew,
My pleasure. Hope your contemplations work in your favor.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Victor,
Not knowing how to go about it, isn’t a problem. Setting up a blog is easy and there are many places to learn how to do that, including of course my own http://affiliatebloggerpro.com/
Do you play the guitar yourself?
If so, then you have the niche by the tail.
Or, you can have articles written by a ghostwriter, if not.
I would also use only one domain to promote both the guitar and bass guitar lessons. Running more than one blog (especially when you’re just starting out) can become overload really fast – and may leave you feeling overwhelmed.
Best of success!
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Rosalind,
I think that any newbie who wants to make money online should first read your book.(The Super affiliate handbook)
That itself will save him or her hundreds of dollars. I am glad that you wrote that book as it really reduced my learning curve when I first started.
All the best.
Hi Rosalind,
Thank you sharing about blogging. As you say, if the readership is not there please blog everyday. You right but sometimes i wonder what should i write everyday and will people come read it.
Anyway you write good post with a lot of information for everyone to learn and apply. Thank you
Thank you for this article, Ros – once I started blogging and really got into it, I knew I loved it. As a child, I used to love to write but got away from it. And I love to research too and, of course, I’m opiniated – which has its good and bad sides.
And I love feedback from people – good or not so good – the not so good comments make me think and I want to understand their perspective – sometimes, it’s something I had not thought about – and sometimes, well, we’ll just have to differ in our opinions about some topic.
I’d love to know your secret though on how to make a living blogging – I can’t think of anything I’d love to do more all the time if I could make a living at it!
Hi Rosalind, thanks for replying back.
I don’t play the guitar, but I am a novice bass player, which means that I play but I don’t consider myself a virtuoso, but I do want to get better at it. I also want to learn how to play the electric/acoustic guitar as well, so that is why I want to start a blog on the subject, because I am very interested in it.:-)
I do however want to get started in your http://affiliatebloggerpro.com but I will have to wait until thursday since that is when I get paid, but I have been wanting to get started with it.
That is all you hear about these days is “you need to have a blog” because it is easier than setting up a website.
Anyway, thanks for the great content on your blog. Have a great day
Regards,
Victor
Hi Victor,
Being “very interested” in your topic puts you miles ahead of the competition. Have you thought about making videos of your learning process? That could be fun for people to watch. They’d see you getting better and better day after day and get inspired themselves.
Look forward to seeing you at http://affiliatebloggerpro.com/
Cheers,
Ros
Point number 9 (Are you patient and persistent?) struck me the most because yesterday I was checking through broken links on one of my blogs and a lot of bloggers that I have linked to over time have taken down their sites. This made me wonder why this was so and I have been leaning more towards them maybe not getting the results they were hoping for. I have gone through times and still go through times where I pretty much don’t want to carry on anymore but for some reason I still do. Other bloggers need to stop by and read this post.
Excellent article Ros!
You have a wonderful way with words, and great communication skills.
Thank you for sharing….and continued Success!
From a fellow Canadian, in TO
Ray
No, I have not thought about making videos, and quite honestly, I don’t think that I would be comfortable doing that. I am kind of camera shy and I have some dental issues that I would like to get taken care of before I would want to go that route, but any other way would be fine.
Regards,
Victor
It is so nice to know that everyone starts out basically the same. This post really helped me to see the bigger picture and understand that the process takes time and attention. Sometimes it’s lonely out here when you’re brand new. Thank you and all the commenters as well.
Hi Rosalind,
I was just wondering what you think I should do?
Should I buy your book first or should I join automaticblogger pro?
I would like to get both of them, but want to get started ASAP with having some sites like yours up.
I don’t mean like the dating sites per se, but I mean the way they are set up.
I look forward to your suggestions. Thanks and have a great day.:-)
Kindest regards,
Victor
Hi Victor,
You don’t need to buy the book if you get Affiliate Blogger PRO – it includes the content from the book.
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Ros,
Thank you for your response. I will definitely sign up for your course today right after I get a haircut.:-)
I look forward to learning from you as so many others have.
Have a great day and God bless.
Warmest regards,
Victor
Hi Ros, Great post! This article made me think about some personal stumbling blocks and how I can deal with them. I enjoy your depth of thought, Ros. Thanks, Karen aka chloesmommy
Hmm this is encouraging. Thanks for this post.
Hi Ros,
Wonderful article!
Before I finish reading the whole thing, what’s in my mind is that I really am not for it. Although, I like writing, sharing my thoughts but there is something missing! Confidence?Time? I still can’t figure it out but anyway, thanks for sharing your ideas. It is a great post!
Love to read your articles.
Thank you for this article, Ros – once I started blogging and really got into it, I knew I loved it. As a child, I used to love to write but got away from it. And I love to research too and, of course, I’m opiniated – which has its good and bad sides.
David Beckham , ryan giggs , george best , eric cantona
I agree with Eric That any newbie should read the Super affiliate handbook.
I really love the freedom blogging can give people, you can do it from any where as long as you have an access to internet and you can share your ideas with people and get their feedback as well.
Hello there, Rosalind! I find your article very helpful and informative. I’ve got some ideas on what to write. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and ideas. I’ll be visiting your blog daily for more insights.