Should You Start Blogging? Ask Yourself These 7 Questions

To blog or not to blog? For thousands of writers around the world, that’s the big question. It’s very possible to make thousands of dollars a month, simply by blogging about something you love.

However, it’s important to note that not all bloggers make this much money. In fact, research from Lifehacker shows that only 13 percent of bloggers make more than $1,000 monthly. The majority (63 percent) make less than $100 per month, with 38 percent of bloggers making less than $10 per month!

Overall, only a select few make it big. It’s only those who have a great platform, an excellent marketing strategy, and a niche people love who are able to make a comfortable living.

With so many risks, it’s important to ask yourself if blogging is right for you. It’s very possible to have overwhelming success, as long as blogging is something you’re passionate about and you approach it in the right way.

Here are some things to consider before deciding if blogging is right for you.

Do you enjoy blogging?

The most important thing to consider is if you actually enjoy blogging. If writing is something you dislike, it’ll be hard to stay patient in the beginning, while you wait for returns to materialize. Writing isn’t for everyone, so if you find yourself loathing the idea of logging into your blog, you might want to rethink this career.

Do you have a topic you can write about endlessly and still retain followers?

Most people enjoy blogging if they love their subject. Make sure you’re passionate enough about the topic to write about it week after week. You’ll find plenty of different subtopics to explore, and keep your content fresh and engaging, if you choose something you love.

“Pick something that energizes you, excites you and keeps you going,” internet marketing guru Neil Patel says in one of his blog articles. “Here’s why this is important: You’re going to be dealing with this topic a lot. You don’t want to be saddled with a topic that makes you want to punch someone. You want to dive into something that gives you joy.”

Do you have the time to post content regularly and engage with followers?

Time commitment is a huge factor because starting a successful blog takes a lot of time. You can’t approach a blog half-heartedly and hope to glean enough followers to make a living. Constant connection with your blog and social media accounts is vital as you post updates and communicate with followers.

It’s also important to spend time researching. Reading other blogs in your niche is a must if you want to stay competitive, and studying news and trends related to your subject will add value to your material and increase your engagement.
In the end, the responsibilities of a profitable blogger are equal to a full-time job.

Do you have the right skills and talents in the content creation department?

Can you write? How are your photography and image editing skills? Have you made a quality video? These skills are required if you want to stay competitive. Your content should be polished, without grammar and spelling errors, and multimedia elements can enhance readership and generate new leads.
Patel also recommends having experience in your subject matter to make up for the skills aspect. “You’re going to go deep into this niche,” he says. “If you don’t know much about the topic, blogging is going to be slow and painful.”

How do you feel about the public spotlight and backlash that can come from your blog?

Bloggers that make more than $1000 per month are almost always found in the spotlight. They have thousands (if not millions) of followers online, and their presence is constantly searched for mistakes. Are you ready for that kind of attention?

Additionally, the web has turned into a hub of opinions, whether right or wrong. Freedom of speech gives readers the power to write almost anything they like in the comment section of your blog. If you start a blog, you need thick enough skin to handle the backlash you’ll receive.

Are you social?

The more people you know, both online and offline, the more successful your blog will be. It’s hard to generate readership when you don’t have an existing following.
Social media is key to enhancing your blog posts. If you’re shy about posting on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, you’ll either need to get over that or choose a different career, because you can’t hope to compete with other bloggers without the help of social media.

Patel also recommends using social media to develop your blogging voice. “I’ve discovered that social media research really helps me to get into the persona development mindset,” he says. By researching other bloggers and your followers, you can deliver content that readers will be continually interested in.

Are you willing to put in the work?

This level of hard work will be different than simply completing a challenge in an office. You’ll be working long hours to launch the blog and chasing your dreams on a lack of sleep. Starting a blog is much like starting a business, and it’s only those who put in the work that reap the rewards.

These are questions that all serious bloggers have asked themselves before diving into the blogging world. More often than not, unsuccessful blogs are a product of poor planning, lack of skills, and an inability to commit the time required.

If you’re able to throw your entire being into the blog at the start and keep it going strong, you’ll eventually make your way into that top 13 percent.

from Feedster http://www.feedster.com/blog/larryalton/should-you-start-blogging-ask-yourself-these-7-questions/