How to Know if You’ll Be a Good Blogger -
People ask me all the time, when I tell them that I make a living working as a blogger, that they don’t have what it takes to be a blogger.
I’ve heard this so many times lately that I feel compelled to write a post explaining what it takes to be a good blogger.
I think just about everybody has it in them to be a great blogger, but they don’t know where to start.
Truly, I believe what makes someone good at blogging would also make that person great at most things in life. Whether you want to be a food blogger, lifestyle blogger, fashion blogger, or even if you want to sell your crafts online from your own website, there are certain traits you must have in order to succeed.
Related Reading >> My October 2015 Blogging Income Report
These are the first five that came to mind (mainly because they apply to me!) :)
Keep in mind this is written for the woman (or man!) who wants to start a MONEY MAKING BLOG. There are many other reasons to have your own presence online, but this is who this post is meant for….someone who wants to create a website that will earn them extra income over time.
1) You’re creative
The most successful bloggers out there are creative types. I don’t mean you have to be the “make arts and crafts or paint a picture” type of creative, I mean you must have an imagination. If you like thinking up new ideas or get excited about possibilities, you would be a good blogger.
2) You can work independently, without direction
No one tells you what to do on your blog. You get to determine everything from the blog name to the colors you use the types of posts you write. You must have the drive within yourself to do these things because nobody is going to make you. If you have that kind of self-direction, you could be a good blogger.
3) You prefer to be paid based on results
This is a big one to me. In fact, it’s probably the #1 reason I like blogging. I used to work in the corporate world where everyone had the same starting salary based on education & credentials, and everyone was lumped into pay grades. No matter how hard I worked or how well I performed, I was never going to get more than a 3% raise, and sometimes they found nitpicky reasons to make it 1% or 2% even though I did top-notch work. Blogging isn’t like that. Everyone starts in the same place — with no content and the world at their fingertips. And it’s up to you to decide how much money you are going to make. Best part is, once you figure out how to make money, every additional hour you put into your blog has the potential to ADD to your monthly income. So you can grow it however fast or big you want, depending on how hard and smart you work. Honestly, I think it’s the best game on the internet!
4) You’re a bit of an introvert
Let’s face it, I talk all day long on the blog, but I don’t actually have to talk to anyone face to face. I’m good at face-to-face and actually don’t mind speaking in front of groups, but it quickly burns me out and I have to retreat to rejuvenate. I learned recently that means I’m actually an introvert because alone time recharges me. If that sounds like you, blogging could be the perfect job for you. You get to interact with people whenever you want, but because you’re at home, you get to work in peace and take breaks whenever you need to. Sometimes I take off days at a time!
5) You desire a flexible work schedule
I can’t think of another job that’s more flexible than blogging. I get to work when I want, stop when I want, go on vacations when I want, and even work in bed/on the beach/at the park or anywhere! I love being outside, so that’s my idea of a luxurious work day….a nice sunny day, not too hot or too cold, where I can take my laptop and relax while working on something I love. I don’t have a boss breathing down my neck, and I don’t have to work any sort of traditional hours. I commonly work only from 8–9 a.m., again for a bit after the gym or when my toddler is napping, and again at night. I basically work here and there, fitting my job around my family, not the other way around. I just love it! Sometimes you just need a reason to get going on something. If a flexible schedule is something you crave, then that’s how I know you’ll be a good blogger…when we’re motivated enough, we always find a way of getting what we want!
Blogger Traits — Describe You?
If you want to create the blog of your dreams, I think you need to do a little soul searching first. If you can’t see yourself in the list of traits above, that doesn’t make you want be able to make a go of blogging. It just means you need to make sure you have OTHER traits that lend themselves to being a successful blogger. Perhaps you’re really competitive and don’t like losing at anything you do.
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