I will be the first to admit that while I LOVE blogging, it doesn’t come without it’s downsides. My biggest challenge lately has been deciding where I’m going with this blog. Today, I wanted to discuss 8 truths about blogging that some people may not realize. If you’re considering starting a blog or just started one, you won’t want to miss this 🙂
8 Truths About Blogging
You’ll lose your motivation. This might happen in day two or year two, but at some point, you’re going to lose your motivation and wonder why exactly you’re even bothering with blogging. Try your best to fight through this if you do want to eventually make a significant income from your blog. And, if you really lost your motivation, perhaps give yourself a full two weeks off and re-evaluate once your break is over.
Writing is a small part of it. When we think of bloggers, we think of writers. While that’s true, writing really is just a tiny part of blogging. It takes me about an hour (sometimes less) to write a post. But then I have to create an image, schedule it across social media platforms, respond to comments, and continue promoting it for basically the rest of my life. Writing is roughly 20 percent; promoting, marketing and tech is the rest.
Income comes and goes. I’ll have a month where I make a few hundred in affiliate sales and think “oh good! It’s only going to go up from here!” …and then I sell nothing the next month. This is just all a part of it. Eventually, though, I do think everyone can get to a point where they are making more consistent income.
You’ll make some incredible friends. Other bloggers really do make the best of friends. I’ve met some incredible people through this little blog of mine who really “get” me. Since moving across the country less than two years ago, making friends hasn’t been the easiest thing. However, thanks to blogging, I never feel lonely.
Opportunities will come your way. You never know when you’ll get an email with a job offer or a brand that wants to work with you. If you put yourself out there, it WILL happen. Stay positive!!
You have to be passionate about your subject. This blog is a personal finance blog where I also talk a good amount about blogging. While I like both subjects, they’re not my only passions. Hence why I started a new blog. Now I feel like I have an outlet to write about whatever I want between my two platforms.
It can be addicting. I can’t imagine not blogging. I love connecting with my readers and other bloggers, thinking of new things to write about and new ways to promote myself, and checking my stats and my growth. I recently hit over 100,000 pageviews in the past 30 days, which feels GREAT! Keep in mind I have been blogging since September 2014 consistently, so this is proof that it does take time to grow a blog.
The income potential really is limitless. I’ve watched many fellow bloggers and freelancers go from making a few extra hundred per month to a few extra thousand to a few extra TENS of thousands. It might not seem like this can happen to you, but I truly believe that anyone who works hard at their blog and sticks with it will eventually produce an amazing income. Keep at it!
What truth would you share about blogging? If you don’t blog, are you thinking of starting one? What is stopping you from making the leap?
Christina @ Embracing Simple says
atI love your honesty Sarah!! These are all so true! It took me a little over a year to start losing my motivation, but man oh man am I feeling lost with blogging lately too. It is difficult to have the same fiery passion for such a long period of time, but I’m hoping that it eventually comes back for me in a few weeks. You really hit the nail on the head with all of these though, this is a great resource for someone who is considering starting a blog, but might not realize all that goes into it!