When I started blogging, I didn’t expect to have as much enjoyment as I have had. Blogging has taught me things I didn’t expect. I also didn’t realize how absolutely frustrating it could be at times. And how many times I would feel like I should quit. But deep down, I think blogging has been one of the best decisions of my life.
Are you considering starting a blog? Read what I have learned and see if this will encourage or discourage you. I will say that there are people that are successful in blogging, who make me wonder what made them decide to start blogging. Maybe there are people out there that think the same thing about me.
The positives
1. There are some wonderful people across the country that I would have never met and now I feel like they are my friends. We may never meet in person, but you never know. They answer questions when I need help. And they encourage me. Plus they treat me like I’m special. The Internet is not limited to the United States so you will probably end up forming friendships with others around the world. That can be fun and educational.
2. I had missed writing. I have been writing since high school. But years ago I quit. Now I’m doing it again and I have felt like something I was missing but hadn’t realized it, has returned. In Junior College, I took every English/Writing class they offered. I’ve written many devotions and a few articles for Christian magazines. Even speeches about human trafficking. And I still love writing and know I always will.
The not so positives
3. Every job, I’ve ever had, ended up with me making money, getting benefits, and working when my employer wanted me to be there. Blogging is a job that at this point I have earned nothing. I do not receive benefits like health insurance, paid vacation and holiday, nor any 401K match. I also have expenses. I’m trying to keep them low, but I have found, and other bloggers will agree, unless you spend money on training and upgrades to the plug-ins (sort of like software) you use, becoming a blogger is tough. And it does require discipline and planning ahead. If I take a vacation I work ahead and do a bit of work on my vacation. This is a job that I love and is in my opinion suited to my talents, abilities, and education.
4. It’s not easy. There is so much to learn and once you learn things, there seems to be a change or new options created. Making money takes a lot of work. Showing up every day does not make money. Selling things or having a person buy products you promote, is how most people make most of their money. I’m not very good at sales so that holds me back a bit. But regardless of my sales skills, I’m not giving up.
Have you thought about blogging? What is holding you back? Let me know how you feel in the comments section below.
