The popularity of blogs has risen significantly over the past decade. Today, there are over 200 million blogs on the internet, many of which are among the highest viewed websites online.
The success of many of these blogs has led to everyday people quitting their jobs in a quest to blog full time. While I’m certainly not recommending that you quit your job, I do feel like this is a better time than ever to get started with your own blog
Here are some of the main reasons why you should start a blog today.
Because It Takes Time to Make Money
If you’re looking to earn money while blogging, one of the few ways to do so is to build a loyal following of readers that are interested in what you have to say. While email makes this process extremely simple, growing your readership to a point where it can make money takes time.
Since it takes time, you need to start today. Pick your niche, create your persona, and start creating valuable content for your target audience. As you continue to do this and grow your email list, you open up the opportunity to make a lot of money in the long run.
Because You’ll Improve as You Blog More
Why haven’t you started a blog yet? Is it because you don’t feel that you’re a good enough writer? Is it because you don’t think that you have anything of value to share? Is it because you are worried you won’t have time to follow through with it?
These are all common reasons that you may have apprehensions about getting started with a blog. In reality, however, they’re all just excuses.
You have just as much experience as the most successful bloggers in the world did when they first started blogging. Bloggers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Rand Fishkin, Brian Clark, and even Ariana Huffington had absolutely no experience with blogging before they decided to move forward with their first blog.
Fishkin, Huffington, and the others all found their voice as they went. They created huge blog empires, and they were eventually able to feature blog content from other experts. They’ve created popular blogs, large communities, and quite a bit of profit.
That’s because they found a way to stand out. Many people blog about SEO, but few people have Rand Fishkin of Moz’s candor, voice, and style. Instead of focusing on mistakes, or on creating the most unique content on the internet, focus on finding your own voice. Your voice is the only thing that separates your content from thousands of other blogs on the internet.
It’s what will earn you readers, followers, and, eventually, money.
You don’t have to worry about messing up, because you will. You don’t have to worry about some of your early content not getting read, because it won’t. Just know that, like the experts listed above, you will continually make improvements that will allow you to become a successful blogger.
Because It Will Improve Your Career
Regardless of whether or not you eventually make the decision to blog full time, there is little doubt that blogging will help you improve your career, no matter what that career may be.
On top of the obvious benefit of becoming a better writer, and writing stronger cover letters, you have created an avenue by which employers can find out more about you. Since your employer will inevitably search for your name before hiring, having a blog gives them the opportunity to see your ambition and communication skills in action.
Think of your blog as your living portfolio. Whenever you post something incredible, you have another piece of work to show potential employers, investors, and other influencers in your industry. Creating a real blog means creating a showcase for your work. You’ll never have to dig for examples of your past content. Instead, your portfolio is there for everyone to see.
Stop making excuses and get started with your blog today. It’s easier than ever to do, and the benefits that come with it are endles.
