Blogging for Fun equals Making Money with your Blog
There are no two ways about it: you need to like what you are blogging about. If you choose a topic that is not of interest to you, one of two things is going to happen. You are either going to run out of ideas, or you are going to dread writing new posts. Either way, your blog is probably going to fail sooner rather than later.
I am a firm believe that blogging for fun is the best way to begin to make money. When you love what you are writing about, you will not care how long it takes you to garner a substantial readership. It will be more than enough to have the ability to write about a topic you are in love with. But of course, the more that you post the more traffic you will get. And as you continue with this process day in and day out, you will eventually realize that it is more than possible to make money with your blog.
Another great thing about blogging for fun is that it will show through in your posts. If I was to blog about a topic such as sewing or cooking, it would go nowhere. Readers would find out soon enough that this was not my passion, and of course, that I have no knowledge of the industry. Hopefully, this is not the case with this blog. I do my best to show my passion for blogging and freelance writing, and the results have been better than expected to this point.
When you start out blogging for fun, the money will come in the end. Simply put, you cannot expect to make money from a blog if you do not like the topic. After all, why should others find your blog interesting if you find it boring?
August 12th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Is that something you really want to admit, being a freelance writer?
Suppose I hired you to write a series of articles on sewing. Certainly, you would research it and find a passionate way to write about it, no? Why then would it be any different with a blog (or a website)?
Is certainly easier to write about a topic about which you’re passionate. And, easier to maintain a blog on something like that, especially in the early days when there is little or no money in income coming in.
But, really, you should be able to write a blog on anything you choose, just so long as you realize ahead of time what you’re going to have to invest in it to make it work.
August 13th, 2007 at 7:47 am
DCR - I have no trouble admitting that there are some topics that I am less passionate about. Of course, when clients hire me, I do whatever it takes to satisfy them.
But if it is my decision on what to blog about, I am obviously going to choose something I am passionate about. I would rather spend my time on a topic I like than one that will grow old over time!
August 13th, 2007 at 9:11 am
Talking in the blogging sense, you’re quite right.
As you say, there’s a world of difference between a one-off article you’re being paid to write, and a blog that you’re supposed to enjoy & write for, more days than not.
August 13th, 2007 at 11:40 am
one of the reasons I love my blog so much…it’s an extension on me and my interests so I enjoy every post and look forward to the next.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Another question… Does the potential for income affect your passion on a subject?
For example, let’s say I’m a niche expert (I’m not–this is just for this example) and tell you that a blog like yours on writing can make $30,000 per year if you update it daily with 2 posts and spend 2 hours daily promoting it.
But, if you do a blog on sewing (or some other topic you find boring), you can make $300,000 per year if you update it daily with 2 posts and spend 2 hours daily promoting it.
Would that change things? Could you learn to be passionate about sewing?
Obviously, the ideal is to write about something you love. But, if what you love isn’t profitable, would or could you find something else to be passionate about?
On the other hand, what if I said that you could make $30,000 per year with a blog about sewing and all you have to do is update it daily with a quality article of about 500 words or so. But, to make $30,000 per year with a blog on writing, you’ll need to post 5 quality articles daily, each of about 500+ words in length. Would that change anything?
And, of course, the answers will be different for pro bloggers vs. hobbiest bloggers.
(Please note that none of this is meant as criticism, only food for discussion.)
August 13th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
dcr - I have yet to be faced with a situation as you outlined, but it would put me, as well as many others, in a compromising position.
I would most definitely look into any opportunity that would offer a good financial return; even if the subject was not a favorite of mine. But with that being said, anytime I have the choice, with money not being a factor, I will only stick with what I love!
August 14th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
totally agree. I finally really thought that My niche is what I actually do in real life. Sales, Marketing, Business.
August 17th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
[...] From my arch-nemesis, ChrisBlogging - Blogging for fun equals Making Money with your Blog. [...]
August 17th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I would definitely recommend this approach based on my own personal experience. I’ve started blogs in niches I thought were relatively because a number of blogs convinced me that success is impossible in a crowded niche. What I ended up discovering was that those niches were empty for a reason. I’ve achieved more success with my current blog than any other blogging escapade because I decided to stop listening to the advice and blog about what I was truly interested in. The site is still young but I never expected the launch to be so successful.
I’d go so far as to say ignore those people who tell you to pick a profitable niche, or one that no-one is writing on, and simply write about what you know and love. If you do it well, success will come to you eventually.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
I completely agree. When you are blogging about something you enjoy and have writing about, it tends to be a whole lot easier to make money.