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Last updated on December 23rd, 2023
Why start a blog in 2024? Isn’t blogging dead? Even though it’s a popular question, the answer is a resounding NO,
Every day, a huge number of new blog posts are published. 7.5 million to be precise. Blogs are as alive, if not more, than they were a decade ago.
Whether it’s writing about something you care about, sharing your passion or journaling your experience, any reason will do. People have many personal reasons to start a blog and they are unlikely to change any time soon.
Besides the personal reasons, it’s no secret that blogs can also make you money. To this day, blogging remains one of the more profitable ways to make money online.
Affiliate marketing or email marketing are two popular ways of monetizing your blog. It consistently shows up in lists of online businesses and blogging still has the potential of being your way out of the rat race.
Yet, are you still asking yourself “why should I start a blog?” Well, here are 7 reasons why.
Pause now and save for later!
Have a question, comment or thought to add? Leave a comment at the bottom and I’ll reply right away 🙂
1. Starting A Blog Is Easy
Although blogging is a form of online work (which, I understand, is inherently shrouded in mystery to some people), blogging itself is not complex. You don’t need a degree in computer science or a business degree. In fact, you don’t need any formal education.
This doesn’t mean that there is nothing to learn though. If your blog is going to be successful, you’ll be forced to learn new skills, like…
- Communicating your personality through your writing
- Understanding what keywords are and how to use them
- Learning how to use those keywords to write SEO-friendly blog posts
Running a blog does require certain know-how, but everyone had to learn when they were a beginner. Everyone started at zero, and if they could: you can, too.
Things like SEO (search engine optimization), wordpress, blog writing, or keyword research may sound intimidating at first but it won’t take you very long to get the basics down once you find the right how-to resources online. You’ll see your first blog post ranking in search engines in no time!
You’ll learn new things as you go -it’s impossible not to! Plus, publishing a piece of content doesn’t mean that it’s chiseled in stone. In fact, it’s recommended that you update your content as you go so you can implement any lessons you pick up along the way!
2. Starting A Blog Is Cheap
In order to start a blog, you need very little startup capital. A blog is one of the few businesses you can start for less than $50.
If you stick to the essentials, you can have your own little corner on the internet for less than $20 a month! I’m not going to write another ‘how-to-start-a-blog’ post as there are plenty of those out there already. Instead, let’s talk some more about these essentials.
There are only three things that I believe you really can’t do without. The first and most obvious one is that you need a computer. The other ones are your hosting platform and an SEO tool.
Choosing a web host won’t break the bank. There are many hosting servers that all offer a starting plan for your website that costs roughly the same $2.95. Sadly, the fact that they have a similar price tag doesn’t mean they’re the same in quality.
Don’t skip doing some research before you choose your hosting platform. Although many bloggers recommend Bluehost, keep in mind that many of them are affiliates that get paid a lot of money for every signup.
Instead, visit sites like Trustpilot and you’ll see for yourself. I won’t tell you which one to choose but my experience with Bluehost has been terrible.
Since then, I have moved to Green Geeks which has worked well for Writing From Nowhere (this blog!).
The last piece of essential “gear” you need is an SEO tool. This is the one part where things can get pricey.
The two most popular ones are SEMrush and Ahrefs. Sadly, with their monthly costs of $100+, they are quite the investment for the budding blogger.
That’s why I use and recommend Keysearch. With a monthly price tag of under $15, it is a budget option that works really well.
Just use my discount code to get 20% off Keysearch: KSDISC.
Starting a blog remains one of the most affordable businesses you can start this year. You could have your own blog up and running for under $20 a month!
3. You Can Blog About Your Passion
There’s a blog on illustrated Twitter typos and one on how to put modern captions underneath Renaissance paintings. One of my personal favorites carries the blog name Ask The Past on which you can find advice derived from medieval sources for 20th-century problems. (Apparently, a strong northern wind makes wine taste better…)
The point is: a blog can be about literally anything you want.
Whether it’s whimsical, your calling, or just an attempt to find a connection like this New York Times article illustrates, your blog is an uncapped creative outlet.
Starting a blog is one of the few ways to make money doing something that’s interesting and fun.
These fun blog examples prove that there’s an audience waiting to hear from you, no matter the niche.
Being a blogger gives you the freedom to make money with something that you choose.
Prefer to watch? Here’s our video on 6 ways a blog can change your life:
4. Blogging Is A Creative Outlet
A blog is basically a playground for creative people. It is a blank canvas that you get to fill and to mess around with until you arrive at something that you like, that is you.
From the get-go, you’re the one who decides on the layout, logo and any other visuals. You get to be as colorful or businesslike as you want to be. Every blog post requires some creativity in the illustrations it needs and there are no real wrong steps you can take.
Besides visuals, your approach to a topic is another way in which you can show your creativity. From the way you write and your sense of humor to the angle from which you approach your topic, your blog allows you to be creative and just be you.
People will find you and appreciate your blog content. How great is it to wake up to messages from people on social media telling you how much they love your stuff!
In fact, being you is the best thing you can do. Your audience will be curious about your opinions and your take on things. Don’t forget, a blog post should evoke the same feeling as you would get while talking to a friend.
Lightbulb moment: people don’t want the best blog, they want the one that they like the most.
An excellent example of this principle at work can be seen in the huge number of internet chefs. My personal favorite is Chef John from Foodwishes.com. His dry sense of humor and his style of presenting make me prefer him over some of the more famous Michelin-starred chefs.
5. You Get To Be The Change You Want To See
You must have heard of the famous saying my house, my rules? The same is true for your blog.
Your blog is a place where you get to decide what it looks and feels like. If you’re annoyed by some of the things that are common online, this is your chance to lead by example.
You can make your corner of the internet feel any way you want.
Feel like all those product reviews fail to address the environmental consequences? Then address them yourself.
Feel like something like finance is always talked about as an extremely dry topic but deserves the flash and showmanship of a lifestyle blog? Then start your own show.
Feel like parts of the internet don’t feel safe or welcoming for all people? Then create a space that’s inclusive and welcoming.
A blog allows you to discuss issues that you think are important and to offer alternatives that align with the way you see the world.
Don’t underestimate the example you can set as a blogger. You’re in the public field and your actions can have an impact on your readers.
6. Use Blog For Career
Starting a blog can be a big asset to your career. After all, blogging can help you develop amazing writing skills and basic knowledge of things like SEO.
These are skills that are often in demand and can come in handy in future job interviews!
Your blog can also be seen as a portfolio. One of the first things new employers do before a job interview is Google your name. How cool would it be if the first thing they came across was your blog?!
Just imagine a potential employer finding a well-maintained site that has tons of in-depth articles that display you as an authority in your field.
Moreover, they see that you not only possess the know-how but that you are also willing to share it. By breaking it down into manageable chunks of information you show that you’re capable of teaching as well.
Finally, no blog is an island. On your blogging journey, you will undoubtedly come into contact with fellow bloggers. Many bloggers are more than willing to share some of their experiences and wisdom. When you start blogging you will see that there is a vibrant blogging community out there that offers substantial networking opportunities.
7. Make Money
You might be surprised that I decided to put the most important reason at the end but hear me out. While it is certainly possible to earn money from your blog, it should not be the only reason you start one. Making money blogging is a long game that requires hard work and staying motivated is not easy.
That being said, the topic of exactly how to monetize your blog is a complex one that goes beyond the scope of this blog post.
Although its nature is changing, blogging remains one of the more profitable online business models. Not only that, blogging has the potential of being an excellent source of completely passive income. Every blog post you write will drive traffic for as long as it’s out there. And over time, the traffic you get from a large number of blog posts really adds up.
Although Pinterest has been a little wobbly over the past years, it hasn’t lost its potential. By growing your number of followers and impressions, you can really make your traffic explode.
Want to see how this blog makes passive income? Check out the Writing From Nowhere Shop!
Basically, your blog is part of an inbound marketing strategy. By displaying your style and knowledge you build trust and ultimately attract people that want to buy your products.
Buuuuut, generating and building up passive income is a slow process.
If making money is your only motivation, I don’t expect to see you succeed. That may sound harsh, but the amount of sweat equity required is just one of the disadvantages of blogging, and it’s one that most bloggers don’t size up accordingly when they set out to make a quick buck online.
While making passive income from your blog is certainly possible, it will take a significant amount of time.
Final Thoughts
Are you still asking yourself “why start a blog,” or has this conversation talked you off the wall and gotten you to come join the party??
Running a blog gives you the opportunity to carve out a space that can reflect who you are and what you would like the internet to be.
Finally, starting a blog in 2024 still has the potential of being your first step to passive income. Whether it is through the placement of affiliate links or selling directly to your email list, the options are still there!
Why did you start your blog? Let me know in the comments!
Bert-Jan