There are already six hundred million blogs worldwide, but why start a blog? The truth is people love reading them! According to OptinMonster 77% of internet users read blogs every month. Believe it or not there are 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion blog pages each month, and blogs are now rated as the 5th most trustworthy source for gathering online data! This is probably because blogs provide niche information that Internet users often can’t find elsewhere.
After setting up my first blog, I found I was getting many readers who were more interested in how I was earning money from the blog, than the blog content itself! This is the reason why I set up Influential Gals – to share some of these secrets. I believe that when you start your blogging journey your niche will evolve and change over time as you get to know what posts gain you most traffic and where your expertise lies. Many bloggers, like myself, end up with multiple blogs.
If you haven’t already started a blog and are thinking about it, I have created a step-by-step guide on How to Start Blogging for only £3.19 per month. For this low cost you not only receive web hosting but they also throw in a domain for free if you sign up through my Bluehost link, but first let me tell you my 5 main reasons why I think you should start blogging.
1. To Connect with Other Bloggers
There is a whole community of bloggers on Twitter who all help and support each other. If you grow your social media channels alongside your blog you will connect with others who are also interested in your niche. You also can help each other out by sharing each others’ posts and leaving comments. If you already have a blog, or decide to set one up, you can follow me on Twitter and I will help you join the blogging community!
[twitter_buttons display=follow]2. To Generate a Passive Income
If you persevere, blogging can end up earning you an income while you sleep. Once you have an established readership you can earn money through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, advertising and selling your own products. Once you have set your blog up it will take time for Google to index it, and Pinterest can take up to six months to start giving you significant traffic. Once you have started however there is no limit to how big your blog could grow or how much you could earn. You will no longer be confined to the limits of your salary!
3. To Learn New Skills
Since starting my blog I’ve learned many new skills including:
- Pinterest marketing,
- How to build a Twitter and Facebook following
- How to use SEO to generate website traffic
- How to Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console
- How to search Google and Pinterest trends
- Graphic Design Using Canva to make images for my website and Pinterest
- Writing for a blog (which is a unique style)
- Basic HTML coding
4. To Have a Creative Outlet
Before I started my blog I had no way of expressing my creativity in my daily life. As a nurse this is a skill I don’t use in my day job. Since creating a blog I was able to design images using Canva and Photoshop to use on my website and for my Pinterest account. I also create logos and graphic for social media, and it allows me to write articles and get feedback from readers online.
5. For the Excitement When a Post Goes Viral!
I had my first viral post at the beginning of April 2020. It happened in the middle of the night so I didn’t see my website traffic until I woke up the next day. One of my pins on Pinterest which linked to my post 5 Ways to Boost Your Collagen Levels went viral. When this happened some of my other pins also started to go viral and I ended up with 972 people viewing my website in one day. This was the highest number I had had in a single day since setting the website up 4 months ago. You can see in the image above the spike when my site went viral.
Why did you start your blog, or why haven’t you started one? Leave me a comment below.
Blogging FAQs
Why is starting a blog a good idea?
Through blogging you can reach the billions of people that use the Internet, to promote yourself or your business. Blogging attracts people because it provides something of value to them before asking for anything in return.
Why did I start a blog?
I started my first blog as a hobby since I am interested in beauty and skincare, and wanted to share this love with others online. Many people start blogs as hobbies which later turn into businesses.
What is the point of a blog?
Businesses often create blogs to expand their online presence and connect with potential customers.
Should you start a blog in 2020?
Yes! Blogs are still popular!
I love this post, thank you for sharing! One of the best feelings in the world is blogging and people finding something from your post useful (aka viral). I’ve been working on growing through Pinterest and Twitter. The blogging community on Twitter has been absolutely incredible!
Great post! I started my blog for a creative outlet as well and to remember all my travel adventures.
Starting a blog was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve been able to connect with so many new people and learn so many skills as you mentioned.
Thanks for sharing.
Kate | thelittlecrunch.co.uk
Great post! I loved those reasons (though 2 isn’t for me) and I agree the most with having a creative outlet. I love to write reviews for books I read and a blog is perfect for that.
This is a great post – and all of these points are so true! Congratulations on the viral pin too! I started my blog in 2018 to document my experience of being on Roaccutane for my acne, and it has since evolved into everything lifestyle!
I could relate with the excitement bit! I absolutely love the rush <3
These are all great tips!! I just started in the blogging world and this was all incredibly helpful thank you so much!
Interesting & informative, hope our blog will gain traction by the summer.
I am going to subscribe just to learn more! Plus, your site is so pretty!!
Love this post! I started a blog back in 2014 because I loved writing and it was a great way for me to be creative, and is still the reason I blog! xx
– charlotte / charlottesspace.com
Through blogging you really can learn a lot. I have just recently started blogging and I must say it is a lot of hard work.
I started my blog a few months ago, and I love blogging! I haven’t gone viral yet, but hopefully soon! And it is exciting when a post get comments and love 😀
Thank you for sharing this. Super helpful and congratulations on your pin going viral. That’s like being over the moon.
Hi, great first read of the day, with some fab pointers, advice and info. With you going from beauty (like me) to blogging blogs I’m eexited to see if my blogging takes a turn to somewhere else!
Thanks for all the info.
entirely-beauty.com
This is a great post. There are so many reasons to start blogging. I started to have a little place to share my thoughts and opinions on the internet. Anyone can start a blog 🙂 x
LottieLately.com
I’ve been blogging for about 12 years in total. It’s such a great creative outlet and since I’ve shifted to make Just Live Joy into a serious blog, it’s amazing how much learning happens daily. I agree it’s a great way to connect with other bloggers as well.
I love this! I’ve been blogging for a while but it’s fun to remind ourselves not only why we started, but also the benefits of doing so, especially in regards to things like connecting with a like-minded wider community. Thanks for sharing.