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 (writing another blog post / article ) is the last thing I feel like doing.
Fortunately, those days are few and far between.
So, what makes blogging as a business right for me — and how can you tell if blogging is right for you?
Here is a list of questions that will help you assess whether blogging suits your personality and lifestyle.
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Do you enjoy communicating with people? I mean really enjoy communicating. To foster relationships and increase readership, the most successful bloggers also respond to their blog readers' comments as well as engage people on Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn and other social media sites.
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Do you have a topic that interests you enough to talk about on an ongoing basis? The best blogs are created around a central theme or ‘niche', 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.
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Do you prefer to write, speak or make videos? Blogs attract search engine traffic primarily through written text, so if you plan to share your messages via podcast or video recordings; online transcription services will be very helpful to you.
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Do you enjoy learning new skills? The thought of learning how to install a WordPress blog and different themes (or appearances) can be intimidating for some people. Don't worry about it! Although I'm not technical by nature, I actually find ‘tweaking' my blog is a LOT of fun. AND you can always hire someone to set up your blog.
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Are you a self-starter? No one is going to tell you to “get your butt in gear and start blogging“. You need to be self-motivated and self-disciplined to start a blog and keep working on it until it is successful – or hire people to do some the work for you.
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Do you have time to invest in your blogging business? 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) for your site, much of your time will be spent moderating and responding to readers' comments as well as researching your topic.
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Do you really want to be famous? OK, ‘famous' might be stretching the point a bit, but unless you blog anonymously, you will be putting yourself out there for all the world to see. Are you prepared to have strangers comment on your thoughts, actions and appearance? Do you want people to recognize you on the street? Or worse, on the beach? 🙂
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Can you handle criticism? 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 might even get nasty… which can actually be a good thing. Over the years, I've found that my tolerance for and ability to respond to the ‘nasties' has improved dramatically. No more blood pressure spikes. 🙂
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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 and entrepreneurs. Those who can work hard through tough times are those who invariably succeed.
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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”. Your 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?
Comments, questions or suggestions? Please leave a comment below!
Cheers,
hello rosalin can you help. please tell me where to start. i have to stay with my handicap son, hand i am lost. what do i have to do firt.
I’ve just been reading the posts above with the replies posted by Rosalind, and in my (somewhat) limited experience of all things internet marketing, it surely is a breath of fresh air to see a REAL reply from the creator (in this case Rosalind) of these resources.
To me, this sort of connectivity stands head and shoulders above most other ‘internet marketers’ and puts real personality and authenticity (essential in any marketplace but especially online) into the comments.
It gives us newbies confidence not only in product endorsements, but in the fact that the author genuinely wants to help.
Top stuff indeed!
Thanks so kindly for your comment, Richard. I do try my best… hate to see folks led astray or bilked out of their hard-earned money. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
I agree Richard. 🙂
I have been blogging for awhile and like it. Before I started the blog, I was just marketing websites. Then I got your Super Affiliate Handbook and read it. I have to have say that I got a lot of useful information from that one book. One thing I like to do with my blogs is to produce a lot humor and tell about the crazy things in life. I especially like to tell about the most embarrassing moments in my life. It makes me not feel so bad when the world can also laugh with me.
Hi Allen,
Having a unique take / character on your blog is exactly the right approach. Keep up the good work and you’ll laugh all the way to the bank. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
How do I find your blog Allen?
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.
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.
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
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.
Hmm this is encouraging. Thanks for this post.
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
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 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 Rosalind Gardner’s Academy – it includes the content from the book. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
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.
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
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
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.
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 https://rosalindgardner.com/blog/sah 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 https://rosalindgardner.com/blog/sah/
Cheers,
Ros
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,
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
I feel the same way James. I don’t have a blog as of yet, but I have no idea what I would even blog about. I’m not worried about time as I am disabled so I don’t work, but I don’t know what all is involved or where to start. I mean how do you get a hold of these companies to set up an affiliation? What would I blog about? Do the products have to do with the blog itself?
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
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
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 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 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 Andrew,
My pleasure. Hope your contemplations work in your favor. 🙂
Cheers,
Ros
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 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 https://rosalindgardner.com/blog/sah/ 🙂
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,
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!
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