Blogging isn’t For Everyone
What is Blogging? A Quick Introduction
Blogging, while well-established now, essentially involves the creation of an online journal or informational website, usually displayed in reverse chronological order (newest posts first). The person maintaining the blog (the blogger) can post new entries as often as they like – this might be several times a day, daily, weekly, monthly, or even less frequently. Posts on a blog are often related in some way, but they can cover almost any subject the blogger chooses. People maintain blogs for various reasons, and these blogs can be either private or public. This article explains the difference and also touches on blogging professionally versus blogging for personal reasons. Learn more about the history on Wikipedia.
Public vs. Private Blogs: Understanding Visibility
Blogs can be private or public. Private blogs are ones where only the blogger and approved individuals (like friends, family, or specific groups) can view the blog posts. Public blogs, on the other hand, are available to anyone on the internet. Public blogs can be used effectively as part of an SEO or content marketing strategy, helping businesses share information and attract visitors.
A blogger might choose to make a blog private or public depending on whether they’re comfortable with others reading the content. For example, someone creating a blog purely for venting frustrations might choose to keep it private so friends or family can’t read these personal thoughts. On the other hand, a blogger aiming to promote a cause (like fundraising on Givealittle) will likely choose to make the blog public so their message can reach a wide online audience.
Those who create blogs to express themselves creatively (through writing, poetry, art, etc.) might opt for either public or private. Some will make their blogs public because they want to reach others who might share similar feelings or benefit from reading their work. Others in this situation might keep the blog private because they prefer not to share these personal expressions publicly.
Professional Blogging: Turning Content into Income
Professional Blogging can actually be a source of income. Various companies or platforms maintain networks of bloggers and pay them to create content (check sites like ProBlogger Jobs for examples). These bloggers might be paid per post, based on the number of page views the blog receives (tracked via tools like Google Analytics), or through a combination of factors. A career as a professional blogger requires significant dedication. The blogger must be willing and able to update the blog consistently and keep the content engaging for readers.
Personal Blogging: Sharing and Self-Expression
Blogging can also be done purely for personal reasons. Some bloggers use their blog to keep in touch with family and friends (especially those overseas), while others use it primarily to express themselves or share information about hobbies or interests. Blogs created for personal reasons can be a lot of fun, but the blogger should try to avoid letting blog maintenance become stressful. A blog maintained for personal reasons should ideally be an enjoyable experience.