If you’re new to my blog, you might be interested to know that I make around $30,000 a month from blogging. Naturally, this leads to a lot of questions about blogging. Recently, a reader who doesn’t have a blog asked me a question that inspired this post. I realized there are probably many others out there who are just starting to think about blogging.
Here’s what you should consider before starting a blog:
**Do you want to blog for money or just for fun?**
When I started my blog in August 2011, I didn’t expect to leave my day job and blog full-time. I began blogging as an outlet, especially after some tough times in my life. It was a way to express my feelings and track my progress. It’s fun to look back at those early posts. If you’re starting a blog, be honest with yourself about whether you want to make money or just have fun.
**How much money do you want to spend upfront?**
You can start a blog cheaply or even for free. For instance, Blogger is free, but it has its downsides, especially if you want to blog for profit. I recommend starting on WordPress. It’s affordable and offers long-term benefits. Even if you’re not blogging for profit, having your blog on WordPress means it’s truly yours.
Here are some typical costs if you don’t use Blogger:
– **Hosting:** You can get hosting through Bluehost for less than $5 a month.
– **Domain:** Usually costs around $10 to $15 per year.
– **Design:** Costs can vary. You can design it yourself for free or hire someone, with prices ranging from $100 to thousands.
**Do you even like to write?**
If you want to start a blog, you should enjoy writing. Blogging involves a lot of writing, even though it’s different from writing a college paper. Many people quit after a few months because it’s a lot of work. It takes time to write quality posts and engage on social media. But for me, it’s all worth it because I love blogging and the community that comes with it.
**Are you okay with everything being online forever?**
Remember, once something is online, it’s there forever. Even if you delete a post, there are ways to find archived versions. Be careful with what you share online.
**Do you like people?**
I once read a blog where the author openly hated people, which made no sense for a blogger. If you want to start a blog, you should at least somewhat enjoy interacting with others. Blogging involves engaging with your readers, other bloggers, and sometimes clients. One of the best things about blogging is the community, and I love being part of it.
Why did you start your blog? What tips do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
If you’re ready to start a blog, check out these articles:
– **How To Start A Blog:** This article gives detailed instructions on buying hosting, a domain, and setting everything up. It’s great for those who want to learn or have limited funds.
– **How To Make Money Blogging:** If you’re curious about making money through blogging, this article explains the different ways to do it.
– **Should I use Blogger or WordPress?**: I started on Blogger, but moving to WordPress was a game-changer. If you’re serious about blogging, make the switch.