So… why blog? If starting your own site is something that’s been on your mind then you’re in the right place. There are pros and cons to starting a blog, but the upside certainly wins if you do it right.
The most common reason for not pursuing your passion:
*sigh* ” I want to start a blog but I just don’t have time right now.”
Stop right there. If this is what’s holding you back then time management is going to be your new best friend. Many bloggers, including myself, manage full-time jobs, personal life, and a blog at the same time. Time is absolutely what you make of it. Because I find it so important, I will have a whole post covering time management up soon.
What you need to understand is you do have time (and plenty of it). Sporadically trying fit everything in is not going to work if you have other obligations. Setting a schedule for each of your activities and carving out times to do them is when you’ll be able to step back and think… well that wasn’t so bad!
Now that we’ve covered the #1 thing holding you back, let’s jump into WHY you should consider starting a blog. There are so many great reasons to start a blog that I could never name them all. Instead, here are my 5 reasons launching your blog can positively impact your life and the lives of those around you.
1 | Creative Expression
Maybe you work in a field that has you deep in crunching numbers or heaps of paperwork with a severe lack of required creativity. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, many of us face this during our careers unless you’ve chosen to go in a more creative direction.
Starting a blog will give you the outlet for creativity you long for and will result in higher productivity when you take yourself back to work. Why? Because the longing won’t be quite as strong since you’re satisfying that creative nag on your own time. Blogging will also encourage you to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone. You’ll realize your creative limits aren’t what you thought they were!
2 | Personal Growth
I can’t speak enough to the personal growth blogging has given me. Through lots of trial & error, failures, and great successes I have come to realize the reality behind our favorite saying hard work pays off. Having a blog is similar to running your own business in the sense that it gives you many responsibilities.
Having changed Bianca Blogs several times, I know first-hand how your personal brand changes with your interests and growth (age, career, etc.). As you advance in your writing and develop a more solid brand you will see the impact it has on your life. You will likely become more passionate in other areas, more confident, and you’ll appreciate the outcome of the time you put in. Seeing your vision come to fruition leaves you with a sense of pride!
3 | Building a Skillset
If you’ve ever scrolled through your favorite bloggers feed you’ll pick up on the quality of design and features throughout the site that stand out to you. The building that goes into your site will take longer than most everything else. Between learning a new platform, changing your theme, and adapting to your brand you will have your hands full.
That being said, all of the work that goes into the blog (aesthetic and written) will leave you walking into life with a whole new skillset. Having this blog has opened opportunities for me throughout both my career and education. It has been something I’ve been able to help and train others on. Another key point is improving your writing which can sometimes fall off after you’ve graduated and are no longer pressed to write essays or practice written word.
4 | Making Connections
Having a blog, especially in a specific niche, will introduce you to new people, places, and things. As you become more involved in the industry you will meet other bloggers, brand representatives, and notable mentors along the way. These connections can be beneficial to both your blog and career (if you are not blogging full-time).
The most important thing to focus on is harvesting these connections and keeping them from fading after your initial meeting. To put it this way, once the seed is planted you need to water it and watch it blossom into something greater. Connections don’t just happen. When you meet someone and make a connection with them you want to make sure that you’re continuing the conversation and providing them value as well.
5 | Earned Income
The one you have been waiting for… INCOME. What’s better than doing what you love and making some extra cash from it? Not much. If you put the time and thought into your blog then it should come easier. Know, though, that the money you make is something you work for so the content and value needs to be reflective of that.
If these excite you and have you scrambling to put that blog together then I would recommend sitting down and brainstorming what you’d be passionate writing about. It’s important you feel a connection to the topics and ideas you have set out for yourself. It’s personal branding. Reach out to me with your ideas and questions so I can help you!
Top 3 Signs It’s Time to Rebrand:
1 | Your passion has dwindled
2 | The content feels forced
3 | Your values have changed
If any of these apply to you then it’s likely time to take a look through all of your content and decide where your passions currently are. It’s okay to take a break if that’s what you need or to revise new content to mesh with your current interests. Your audience can usually tell when the passion for content starts to die down. Sharing only content you are proud of will stand out; even if it means you can’t post every day. If you aren’t happy then why blog?
The Original Why Blog:
