What is a Blogger? A Blogger is an individual that manages and maintains a blog or ongoing chronicle of information on a website. Blogging is a professional career path in 2020.
For more than 4 years, I have blogged anonymously and have avoided calling myself a Blogger.
But lately, I have become more comfortable referring to myself as a “Blogger.”
This is because full-time blogging is unquestionably my dream career. It’s actually the underlying reason why I’m a Dividend Investor and why I’m pursuing financial independence—I want more time to blog.
Eventually, my goal is to be able to respond to that “what do you do” question with “I am a Blogger.”
Although, even now, whether I have a full-time or part-time job, in the back of my mind “Blogger” is already my professional title.
The best part is that it is beginning to seem like a realistic career path now that I’ve learned how to blog.
So, the question is, what is a Blogger?
Related post: 7 Things I’ve learned from Blogging after 4 years
What is a Blog?
To understand what a Blogger is, one must know what a blog is.
So what exactly is a blog?
According to WordPress, which is the most well known blog publisher, “blog” is an abbreviated version of “weblog,” which is a term used to describe websites that maintain an ongoing chronicle of information. WordPress goes on to say that a blog features diary-like commentary that often links to other articles.
In other words, a blog is an ongoing journal of information about a particular topic(s).
Unlike a published book, a blog can be updated frequently, which means it doesn’t need to be as perfect when it is initially published.
What is a Blogger?
At first, I didn’t know what being a blogger was all about. Is a Blogger a Writer, Photographer, Marketer, Advertiser, or Artist? I thought it was a combination of a writer, marketer and photographer.
But then I learned that most Bloggers do not take their own photos, nor are they commonly as educated or skilled as novel Writers. So even though blogging has elements of photography and writing, Bloggers are not Photographers or Writers.
Anyways, back to the question, what is a Blogger?
A Blogger is an individual that manages and maintains a blog or ongoing chronicle of information on a website. Managing a blog involves publishing new articles or posts, and sharing the latest news and opinions about a particular topic(s). Such entries are referred to as blog posts.
What does a Blogger do?
Although every Blogger’s strategy is unique, there are many tasks in addition to the above description that a Blogger must do to create brand awareness and to create new content.
But for the most part, Bloggers will spend the majority of their time writing new articles or posts. In many cases, writing new articles may require research in order to support the article’s point, or for SEO purposes. After a draft has been written, an article or post must be edited, so Bloggers will also spend a great deal of time on editing.
Once the draft has been written and edited, assuming a search engine optimized keyword has already been chosen, it must be uploaded into a content management system such as WordPress. Drafts are typically written in Microsoft Word or Apple’s Pages before being transferred over to a content management system. From there, the professional Blogger will optimize the post for SEO, add links to internal and external pages on the blog, and insert affiliate links, photos, graphics, or any other relevant codes or information.
If the visual aspect of blogging is important to the Blogger, and if they are skilled, a Blogger may also be a photographer. However, most Bloggers use stock images from apps like Canva rather than take their own photography.
Lastly, a Blogger will spend time marketing their blog and its content. Marketing a blog can be done through building an e-mail list and sending out e-mails to subscribers, managing social media, networking, and search engine optimization.
Is Blogging a viable Career?
Yes, blogging is a viable career.
Although I have only reached part-time Blogger status, many Bloggers earn a living by blogging.
Of course, older generations and less technologically savvy individuals may not view blogging as a real career. But jobs as view know them are going through a massive shift because of technology.
We are able to work from home now, the internet is no longer in its infancy, education is changing, and jobs just don’t look the same as they used to.
Unfortunately, blogging was not a viable career at the time I was growing up. But I am fortunate that I am still young enough to pursue a career as a Blogger in today’s age.
For the record, though, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I would pursue a professional career as a Blogger if I was a kid nowadays.
Ways to earn Money from Blogging
I covered the ways to make money from blogging in 2019 last year.
However, I have since determined that I prefer to earn blog income through advertising via Google Adsense. But I am pursuing higher paying ad networks at the moment. I recently applied for Monumetric.
As a short summary on the ways to earn income from blogging, here are the ways I am aware of to earn income from blogging:
- Advertising networks such as Google Adsense, Monumetric, and Mediavine.
- Sponsored posts or sponsored link inserts.
- Create and sell a product (i.e.: eBook).
- Affiliate marketing.
- Consulting on blogging or your blog’s topic(s).
- Become a Freelance Writer by using your blog as a portfolio.
- Sell advertising banners or spots.
How much does Blogging pay?
At this point, there is no set salary that a Blogger will earn.
Similar to an entrepreneur, which a Blogger technically is, a Blogger’s income will vary depending on their skill level and how much effort they put in.
Simply put, a Blogger’s income will depend on how many page views their site attracts. It’s about eyeballs.
If a Blogger is able to attract a high number of page views, say a few hundred thousand page views per month, blogging can be extremely lucrative.
For example, some Bloggers earn more than $100,000 per month…
In other cases, Bloggers are earning more than $1,000 per month after only two years of blogging.
Based on my own experience, income from blogging begins to get more consistent after at least 10,000 page views per month. Otherwise it is challenging unless you’re a salesman.
Related post: Analytics, Social Media, and Blog Income Report after 1 year of Blogging.
Overall, blogging can be a side hustle or a full-time job depending on the level of effort. Bloggers can make anywhere from a few hundred per month, to more than $100,000 per month.
Blogger’s Work Environment
Another key reason I want to become a Blogger is the work environment.
Bloggers often work from home alone, or at a nearby coffee shop.
The atmosphere is usually more relaxing and controllable.
As I mentioned recently in my post about remaining calm during this pandemic, I usually have classical music playing and a diffuser running. The large windows in my room let in a lot of bright light.
In addition, I find that working from home has less distractions than the office. It’s more quiet
However, blogging requires self-discipline because there are distractions like Netflix at home.
What Traits does a Blogger require?
The most important trait to have as a Blogger is perseverance.
Many Bloggers quit before they ever get a chance to become a successful Blogger. This leads me to believe that it’s important to have a passion for blogging as well.
Related post: That’s what the f–k you do!–To become a Successful Blogger
Furthermore, an ability to be consistent with writing and publishing for years. Although some Bloggers are successful early on, it can take more than 5 years to see success for others. Everyone’s journey is unique.
In regards to personality type, in my humble opinion, introverted individuals are well suited for blogging.
Moreover, people who are analytical, creative, inquisitive, self-managed, entrepreneurial, and tech savvy are well suited for blogging.
Most importantly, you must have a passion for researching and learning more about the topic(s) you blog about. An interest in current affairs helps too.
What Technical Skills does Blogging require?
Even though Bloggers are not Writers, blogging requires basic writing skills. And it’s ok if you’re not that great at first, because it’s possible to improve over time.
Also, it helps to be skilled at Microsoft Excel or Apple Numbers if your blog requires graphics.
I would also suggest that a basic understanding of marketing is required to move past hobby blogging. Since successful bloggers need page views, one must know the various ways to drive traffic. Therefore, a basic understanding or willingness to learn social media helps, as does a research orientated nature in order to learn about SEO.
Having a background in photography or graphic design would be a plus. The nicer the blog looks, the easier it is to get a visitor passing by to give the site a chance.
Does Blogging require an Education?
No, blogging does not require an education.
However, that’s not to say that a good education would not help.
As I alluded to in the point above, a creative background in photography or graphic design would be a plus. A well designed blog can be a competitive advantage.
In addition, a background in English or any kind of writing course would likely pay dividends.
In my case, my background is in Business Marketing. Although it was hard to see the value in my education at the time, I believe it paid off in the end. A solid understanding of business or how to market a business is extremely helpful for blogging.
What is a Blogger? – Concluding Thoughts
We live in a society that defines our value by our occupation title.
Upon meeting a new person, one of the first questions we ask is “what do you do?”
This helps us to understand and learn more about what kind of person we’re dealing with.
If that’s the case, my ultimate goal is to be defined as a Blogger.
Perhaps you could say that I am fraudulently FI, though, which sounds like a good name for a blog by the way, because I am not really pursuing financial independence; I am pursuing a career as a full-time Blogger.
In summary, a Blogger is an individual that manages and maintains a blog or ongoing chronicle of information on a website. Managing a blog involves publishing new articles or posts, and sharing the latest news and opinions about a particular topic(s). Such entries are referred to as blog posts.
Moreover, becoming a Blogger is a legitimate career in the year 2020, especially with more people online than ever.
Here are a few more helpful posts about Blogging you might enjoy:
How to Blog – 6 Tactics to Build a Successful Blog
Google Ads: Why I prefer Google Adsense for Blog Monetization
9 Blogging Tools to Enhance the Experience
How an Upgrade to your Blog Theme will provide a refreshing Challenge
6 Ways Blogging gives your Career an Edge
Analytics, Social Media, and Blog Income Report after 1 year
I am not a licensed investment or tax adviser. All opinions are my own. This post contains advertisements by Google Adsense. This post also contains internal links, affiliate links, links to external sites, and links to RTC social media accounts.
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