We are diving right into this week’s edition of Blogger’s Corner with the business of blogging. Yes, blogging is a business and yes, you can turn your hobby blog into a business! Today we are discussing a few main points about the business of blogging, and hopefully these will get you on your way to generating the income you deserve!
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The Business of Blogging
From what I have seen, there are two distinct groups of bloggers. Those who view their blog as a business, and those who have it as a hobby. Often, those who start out as a hobby, will have the desire to start generating income, but aren’t sure where to start or what to do.
There are also those who haven’t even started their blog yet. They are probably left wondering how they should go about this whole process! Should they start thinking about money from the start? Start out as a hobby and then move to business in the future? Just wing it?
The New Blogger
I am going to start out by talking to the new blogger. The person who has a brand new blog, or may not have even created it yet. To you I ask, do you want to make money with your blog? Yes, okay then! If you want to make money with your blog, the first thing you have to do is be self hosted; don’t know what that means, then check out this post here to explain all you need to know. I know, it costs money, but you can get hosting for relatively inexpensive through sites like SiteGround (who I highly recommend). Here’s the thing, you have to spend a little money in order to make it. Trust me, every business is like this but the initial startup investment for a blog is minimal!
Now, let’s assume you have your domain and hosting all ready to go. The biggest piece of advice I have for you as a new blogger, is to go into this with a business mindset. From day one, think of your blog as a business and place value on your time. You may not be making money for six months, but you are working towards a goal!
So many new bloggers don’t approach blogging with a business mind set. They think they need to do all of these other things before they can even think about making money. That just isn’t true though. If you think of your blog as your business from jump, then you are more likely to make money faster. Now I am not saying to only do it for the money, but really think about it this way, how many other jobs or businesses are there where you are told ” oh don’t do it to make money, do it for the passion”.? I will be the first to admit you have to love what you do, but that doesn’t mean you don’t think about money as well. The two are not mutually exclusive, they can and should create a symbiotic relationship.
The Hobby Blogger
This is for those of you who have been around a while. You have your own blog, but have never really thought about making it into a business. Maybe it would be nice to make some side hustle cash, or maybe you want a full time income even. The benefit you have over the new blogger, is that you have an established audience. This makes it easier to pitch to companies and get into influencer networks.
Even though you have some established time in the game, you still need to get your mindset right. Just like the new blogger, it is time to focus on the business of blogging. Seriously, this is where I see so many people slipping and not earning what they should be. When you look at your blog as a business, you will see the growth. You have to put the work in to promote your content and connect with brands and other influencers, but first thing you have to do is to change your mindset.
Mind On Business
No matter how long you have been blogging, I can’t reiterate enough how important a mindset is. When you have a business focus, then your business will grow and money will come. I started my blog KNOWING it was going to be profitable. It took 6 months, but I was right. It was a hard fought battle at times, writing, editing, pitching companies, editing photos, and especially a lot of getting turned down. Keep your eye on the prize and your mind on business, and it will work out for you. One wouldn’t open a business just to walk away after a few months would they? Blogging is a long game, not a get rich quick scheme, but if you keep playing the game, you are highly likely to win.
Bloggers Corner
If you are loving this blogger’s corner Friday series, then I would love to have you join us at Blogging Break. It is a Facebook group for bloggers of all kinds. We get together, network, grow, and help each other. I also offer a Facebook live training every Friday in the group as well.
Jessi is a working mom to two living in Central Florida. She has a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies but decided to make her career in social media marketing and content writing. When she isn’t cooking up something new in the kitchen, she is traveling with her family and looking for new adventures!
Blogging is definitely something that’s worth all the hard work especially if you want to earn. I think this post is going to help a lot of new and old bloggers out when it comes to growing their blogs for business.
The good thing about blogging is that if you’re constant long enough, you’ll start seeing plenty of benefits.
Blogging is a lot of work, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It has been an excellent way to earn an income!
Great post! I am in the process of really reving up my blog and looking to monetize!
People don’t realize from a money-making standpoint just how much hard work goes into blogging. They think we just sit around all day, and products and junkets just appear out of nowhere.
These are many good tips for a new or an old blogger. It is fun as a hobby but most of us want to make money but it takes time and a lot of effort on a daily basis.
I love how you covered all the different kinds of bloggers in this article. I absolutely agree that if you’re in the mindset to make money, then you’ll be able to do it!
With all the hard work that blogging is, it is only logical that one eventually turns the hobby and starts making money but not everyone has a quick business mindset unfortunately
I have been very nervous to take my blog to the next level, I love it as a full time hobby but it’s scary taking that next step and hustling! But I gotta do it sometime.
So true about consistency, consistency and more consistency… It’s quite difficult when you have other work going on that pays the bills yet you want to continue with the blog. Hard to manage but it can be done and worth it in the end.
Great information for established bloggers and new bloggers. I have been blogging for almost 9 years and it has turned into a career. I love it! Thanks for the tips and inspiration.
I have been a hobby blogger for over 10 years. I have never thought of making money off of it though.
What a great post. I was definitely a hobby blogger in 2016 and late 2017 started being a business blogger!
Blogging is definitely hard work and time consuming but I absolutely love doing it. Writing has always been my passion so it’s a great outlet for me.
way to break it down! When I first started to blog I really didn’t tell anyone what I was doing but now I can tell them it’s my job!
I’m really enjoying this series on blogging! I started off as a hobby blogger, but fell in love with it. I started working hard on my blog about a year ago and started to profit from it 6 months ago.
The best thing I ever did for my blog was approach it like a business. It took a few years to get into that groove, but it was totally worth it!
I started blogging as a hobby, but after getting noticed by brands, I realized I could have my own at home business. I love everything about blogging. I must look into your Facebook group 🙂
Just requested to join your group! I’m definitely somewhere between a new blogger and a hobby blogger, and I’m ready to buckle down with my blog.
It’s a lot of hard work being a full-time blogger! Takes a lot of dedication.
This is great! I have been blogging about my biz for years and dedicating 2018 to the blog to build my biz, if that makes sense. taking all the tips I can, thanks.