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Wondering what is a blog and how does it work? This post gives you the insight to help you determine if blogging is best for you and if you should start one.
To be totally honest, I also didn’t know what a blog was until sometime in July 2020, when I tried writing my first draft.
I had seen blogs before, but in my mind, I always thought it was those boring professional business articles that we were forced to read in college, and I HATED it.
It was not until I met a Canadian girl on Instagram that I became obsessed with her blog. Oh, if blogging can be fun, cute, and casual? THEN SIGN ME UP!!!
Well, you can read more on why I started blogging here!
But since you’re here, let’s talk about what is a blog first and answer a few questions about how it works!
What is a blog and how does it work?
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1. What is a blog?
If you ask me, I will not give you a formal definition of what a blog is. This is because I am sure you are capable of looking for the definition in the dictionary. However, I am sure that you are looking for a more in-depth and personal explanation.
In my own definition that makes sense to me, a blog is a platform that enables you to share authentic stories, ideas, tips, tricks, or advice that relates to a specific audience.
For example, sharing your travel experience, favorite beauty tips, business tips, products you swear by, lifestyle topics, personal stories, home decor, mental health awareness topics, etc.
2. Why do people have a blog?
Generally, people have a blog for different reasons such as:
- Having a side hustle
- Professional & business purposes such as selling a product or service.
- Building a community
- Building a brand
- Popularity
- Having a creative outlet
Actually, most successful businesses/brands have a blog to help them find and form a personal relationship with their audience.
Blogging is the most authentic way to build and nurture your audience and convert them to clients who absolutely LOVE your products or services.
In addition, I learned that people don’t buy from you because you have the most enticing product or service, but because you have a relatable story.
3. Difference between a blog and a website
Think about it this way. A blog is just a type of website. However, the main difference is that in a blog, you post new articles on it regularly for your readers. For example, weekly posts.
Whereas a regular website is the main platform where you house your business profile. These may include business information, e-commerce shop to sell products, services page, business location, etc.
In addition, you don’t need to post articles on your website.
For example, a photographer might create a website to showcase their portfolio, location, pricing, and types of photography services they offer. However, if they want to connect with their customers, they can add a blog to their website. This is so that they can post about the different photography topics and reach their audience on a personal level. Such as, posing tips, best outfit colors to wear during a photoshoot, their photography journey and why they started, etc.
I don’t know about you, but I am more likely to get a professional wedding photographer with who I can connect on a personal level than one who feels like a stranger.
Basically, a blog helps you offer free value to nurture your audience.
4. Do people make money blogging?
This is the first question that people research before starting a blog. And that is a good thing.
So, to answer the question, absolutely yes, you can make money blogging. However, it is not a get-rich-quick scheme. This is because you have to work hard, strategize well, and be consistent to see results. Moreover, you have to be patient and trust the process.
For example, you can make money through:
- Affiliate marketing
- Brand deals & sponsored posts
- Advertisements
- Selling physical & digital products and/or services such as courses, ebooks, coaching, etc.
- Selling your blog
As much as it is good to know how you can make money blogging, you also have to be really passionate about the topics you post about.
Otherwise, writing will become exhausting, and your audience will be able to see through that. Thus, leading to low engagement and performance.
Related Post: How to start a cute blog for beginners
5. Types of blogs
There are so many different types of blogs. They include:
Personal
This is hobby-oriented. People write posts about their personal thoughts, truths, life experiences, and their feelings. Moreover, it is just like a coffee date with a friend or family talking openly about yourself.
Niche
This is specific topic-oriented. They include:
- Lifestyle – such as travel, fashion, beauty, fitness, healthy living, etc.
- Mom – all about parenting and being a mom.
- Food – such as crockpot recipes, Kenyan food recipes, best cocktails, vegan recipes, etc.
And many more.
One content creator tip you will hear a thousand times is that you have to niche down to speak to a certain audience. Or else if you don’t, you will be speaking to nobody.
How stressful! For multi-passionate individuals like me, we find it really hard to niche down to a specific topic. This is because we love talking about everything, which can be a good or a bad thing.
When choosing a niche, pick a topic that speaks to a specific audience but is broad enough so that you don’t run out of content.
Business
Unlike personal and lifestyle, business blogs mostly target giving more information about a product or service.
For example, an online shop for tech devices might write posts about the benefits of buying the different electronics they offer. Topics such as how is the iPhone 13 better than the iPhone 12, what is the new must-have tech device in your home, etc
And other types.
If you really don’t have a clue what to blog about, here are 50 popular blog niche ideas that could make you money. Feel free to grab them.
6. Popular blog examples
Here is a list of my most favorite inspirational lifestyle & business strategy blogs:
- Taryn Newton -Family, lifestyle, home
- Steph Jolly -Fashion, lifestyle
- By Sophia Lee -Apartment, blogging
- Pieces of Onye – Content creation, camera tips
- The Mattie James – Influencer marketing & tips
- Jenna Kutcher – Business strategies
7. How to write a blog post
Lastly, another main thing you should be aware of is that writing good posts takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, to be a successful blogger, you have to learn the best practices.
As much as I would like to tell you the step-by-step process on how to write a post that is engaging and rewarding, I thought it would be best to refer you to a qualified source if you need immediate help.
The perfecting blogging course is one of the courses I swear by for beginner and intermediate bloggers.
I took this course 7 months after starting my content creation journey, but I WISH I took it in the first month. This is because the course shows you specific examples of how to write amazing posts.
To be honest, I finished the entire course in less than two nights because it is straight to the point. And the information is so valuable that I am going to rewatch the course.
Last thoughts
In conclusion, whether you are interested in lifestyle or personal topics or whatever, I hope you have more knowledge to help you determine if blogging is for you.
Also, let me know in the comments if you’re thinking about starting a blog and what it’s about. Because I will be your number one fan.
And if this post resonated with you, please let’s be friends. Join my newsletter below, because I can’t wait to chat with you more on a personal level.
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