Why consider starting a blog in 2024 and How to Start up Your Own Blog. There are many reasons to start a blog, ranging from personal and professional purposes to business and income earning opportunities. Blogs can be a fun way to share information, ideas, and opinions with a wider audience. Further, a Blog can establish you as an expert in your field, connect with like-minded people, and present opportunities to earn money, not just from a personal perspective, but also as a business.
What is a Blog Article and What is Blogging
A Blog is an article, or Information created by an individual on a subject that is either close to their hearts or interests. The article written can be used to promote a Business or Enterprise to inform about services and products and drive (hopefully) more sales for that business.
In todays’ world, reaching out via the internet has become an increasingly popular way for individuals and businesses to establish their online presence and connect with their target audience.
A blog will be a created website that contains information and content, in either an article, video or perhaps a podcast format which centres around a common themed (although not always) topic. The purpose of the article (the blog) is intended, primarily, to help people.
As the person who owns or writes the blog (article) you will be known as a blogger.
Creating and starting a blog can be a great way to differentiate yourself and stand out from the online crowd and get your message or thoughts out to a wider audience.
Who Can Start a Blog
Why do people start a blog, basically because anyone can. Starting a blog is a great way, for a few hours per week to get your message out there on whatever subject you are passionate about. Just have a look at any search query you type in to an internet search engine.
You will come across articles on every subject there is, all offering thoughts, or advice, or solutions. All these articles (or Blogs) that you read are written by someone. So why not You?
Also, you can turn your passion into an income. Yes, your blogs can earn you money either as a sideline or even go on to replace and outstrip your current income.
How much can you earn from blogging? Well, that is up to you. There are no ceilings on earnings. A lot will depend on what you write about and your commitment to your subject.
What Does it Cost to Start a Blog Site
Very Little. Cost really is no barrier to entry if you want to start writing a blog. Often for the cost of a couple of fancy Coffees a month you can be on your way.
You will obviously need a platform to host your content on and some sites that can do this for you are:
WordPress: I use this, as best in my opinion for customisation
Weebly: Great for people running E-Commerce operations (online stores etc)
Medium: Gets you to Googles vast audience
Also, if you just want to try the idea first, why not look at Google Sites (sites.google.com) Here you will find free templates you can use, and publish online your own material.
You can copy your published article link and share it. You will have a prefix of: sites.google.com(then a code) but it’s a good way to dip your toe in the water.
Other Costs will be your home internet connection and your laptop (you may have to buy one if you don’t have one as I have yet to meet anyone who can type articles and up load them from a smart phone. I’m not saying it’s impossible but…)
But the biggest cost will be your time. How much you want to put in to your blog articles is up to you. If you are writing a weekly soccer update on your team performance this will take less time than someone who is posting blogs to earn an income.
Can I Earn from A Blog
The Short answer is Yes. So, the next question is, How much can I earn from a blog site? well, that will depend on a few factors such as how mature (age) your Blog site is, the content themes, and the people (traffic as it’s known) coming to your site to read your content.
But before you start counting the dollars in your mind it is best to understand how you can Monetise (earn) from your site and the key options available to you.
Your First Choice (in my opinion) will be Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Marketing
Basically, Affiliate Marketing is where you can get paid, by companies for recommending and promoting their products on your blog site. (recommend associated and linked products to your blog content)
You paste a unique (to you) link that has been provided by a company in or around your article content and if one of your readers clicks on the link and makes a purchase you will receive a commission from the parent company for that sale.
You do not need to hold any stock nor handle any of the sale requirements. You simply earn the commission for recommending the product to concluded sale.
Your second route to earning from your blog posts will be Display Advertising or Display Ads.
Display Ads
Have you clicked on an article after an internet search and when reading the article, noticed adverts from companies pasted around the article? As an example, I was reading a blog on ‘Secure Travel Rucksacks’ (I love adventure style travel) and all around the article were ads for Rucksack companies and ‘Cross Europe Rail Tickets’
If I click on those ads I am taken straight to the providing company. The Article writer will receive a commission for me clicking through (no sale yet) and in some cases a further commission if I also buy something.
Imagine how much commission could be earned by a Travel writer, if I clicked and purchased a 5 Star Cruise around the Bahamas, for Me and my family, all from an advert placed by a cruise line company in the blog article? Commissions of 7 – 11 % are not unheard of here.
Now, Display Ads will be an option as your blogs start to gain traction and your audience grows.
The third way you can earn with Blogging is to Sell Products.
Selling Products
There are sites that you can register with that will give you access to products that you can promote and sell directly on your site.
The type of product we are talking about here are usually of the digital variety and can encompass such things a E-Books, Guides, Courses online etc. You can even produce your own book and sell it online and digitally. (not as overwhelming as you may think, especially with the rise of AI assistants to help you with your content)
A couple of sites to look at:
ClickBank
IDPLR
Other ways to use a Blog to Earn Income From
If you have an E-Commerce Store, or even a ‘Bricks and Mortar’ Shop why not use Blogging to promote your products, or tell the wider world about your enterprise, high light and promote special offers etc.
In the competitive world of online advertising with products, using a blog can help you stand out. Further, you can use your blog to get Visitors to give their email address to be kept informed of Discounts, new launches etc.
Do you have a particular skill set such as Web Design, or writing or whatever. Use your blog to promote…YOU. Your services etc.
So, in Conclusion, Why Consider Starting a Blog? Well not only can it be great fun to do, but also it can be a way to build a large Income stream. (Some Bloggers earn more than $100,000 plus per month) and if you are feeling any of the following
- Dead End 9-5 job
- Sick and Tired of being Sick and Tired
- Financial constraints stopping you living your dream life
- Struggling with Debt with More month left than money
- Monday Morning Dread
- No Savings or Retirement Plan
Then why not give blogging a go. You never know where it could lead you.
Other Articles to Help You:
Reach Financial Freedom Working from Home Strategies Read Here
The Right Online Business Read Here
The Top 5 Best Online Business Ideas Read Here
How To Start A Blog For Money Making Read Here
Good Luck with Your Blogging. Let me know in the comments what your blog is about and how its going. What Challenges have you found when starting?
Best Regards
Del