Let’s be honest for a second. If you scroll through Instagram and click on wannabe “influencers,” there’s a good chance that they have a link to their blog in their bio. It seems that everyone is a blogger at this point. Everyone wants to be a fashion blogger or a travel blogger. Hell, I am typing this right now on my lifestyle and travel blog.
It can be extremely daunting if you haven’t started a blog yet but deep down know you want to. You might think to yourself, “why start a blog when everyone else already has one?” This thought never occurred to me when I started a blog but it definitely has crossed my mind since then.
If there are so many bloggers out there, why should I continue this one? And then I take a step back and remember what this blog has gotten me, which I’m going to share with you to encourage you to start a blog or to continue the one that you may already have.
Disclaimer: If you want to start a blog just to make money and become insta-famous, this post is not for you and you should probably just stop reading now.
Blogs are great portfolios
Are you interested in writing for others as a career? Blogs are one of the best portfolios out there. Blogs give your potential clients an understanding of your writing style and your voice. It helps them decide if it’s a good match for their brand or company. You don’t even have to be writing about the same topics for them to gain an understanding of how you are as a writer. I write about travel topics but have used my blog as a portfolio to gain me a job writing for health coaches, marketing agencies, and outdoor companies, none of which I cover on my personal blog. I have also written for other travel blogs and travel magazines because of Roaming Riley.
You have your own voice
There’s a very good chance that there’s something you are passionate about. Whether it’s fashion, medicine, fitness, or dogs, there’s something to be said about writing about what you love. Readers can tell when someone writes about what they love.
*cliche moment* No one is you and that is your power. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on Pinterest looking up blogs for a travel destination and not finding what I need. And that’s why I write about my trips. That’s why I write so many blogs about Arizona. Because as a native, I know there are other’s who need that information and it’s not out in the world. Or it’s not the exact information that they’re looking for.
You have an answer that no one else has
Much like what I just talked about when I mentioned you have your own voice, there’s a good chance that you have an answer that no one else has. Have you searched knitting tips but can’t find what you’re looking for? Or searched for makeup tips using only drug-store makeup and came up empty? Or maybe you’re just a wiz with money and know how to become a millionaire by 30. There are other people searching those same things and coming up short. If you have the answers to those questions, answer them in a blog. Share your knowledge with the world.
You have a passion for writing
I’m going to be 100% real with you right now. I did not start this blog to make money or become famous on the internet. If that was the case, I would have given up a while ago because I am nowhere near there yet. In fact, making money has never really crossed my mind with this blog. I write because I have a passion for writing. Having a blog has made me want to become a better writer and strengthen my skill, something that I had never thought about growing up. If you had asked me in high school (even college) if I was going to end up being a writer, I probably would have said hell no and went about struggling to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up.
You want to gain new skills
When most people think of blogging, they think that you sit at a desk, take 20 minutes to whip a post, post it on Facebook, and move on with your day. Yet it’s so much more than that. There’s SEO, using social media as a marketing tool, understanding plugins, keyword research, affiliate links, and more. All of these skills can be extremely useful if becoming a social media manager is something that you’re interested in. And even if it’s not, these are skills that help you become a stronger blogger. As they say, knowledge is power.
If you’re thinking of starting a blog, this is your sign to pull the trigger. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s useless or that you can’t make a name for yourself doing it. If you’re passionate about it, there’s a very good chance that you can make a career out of it, despite its popularity. After all, how many new bands do you discover on a daily basis? And there are literally hundreds of thousands of musicians out there. All it takes is your dedication and your love for writing. And f**k everyone else who says you can’t do it.
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