Should You Start A Blog?

Who Am I?

This post is going to be answering the question “Should you start a blog?”.

But before we get into that, this is the first blog post on the site, so I would like to say hello and welcome to Newt Blogs!

I’m Newt, and I’m excited to share a wide range of topics with you, from life lessons and entrepreneurial endeavors to various hobbies.

I hope you find the content informative, enjoyable, and valuable. To learn more about me and the blog, please visit the About Me Page.

Feelings Towards Starting A Blog

Starting a blog is an odd and exciting endeavor. You might have a flood of ideas but no clue where to begin or how to express them. You’re uncertain about your writing style or the best way to communicate your thoughts. 

The truth is, there’s no one right way. Everyone writes differently, each with a unique voice and method of sharing. That’s the beauty of it.

You just need to take a leap into the unknown. It only takes a split-second decision to step out of your comfort zone, and suddenly, you’re writing your first blog post.

It took me 25 years to reach this point, where I can say this and truly mean it. But everyone’s journey is different. Whether you’re 15 or 50, it’s never too late to start a blog or pursue whatever dreams you have.

It Takes Courage To Start A Blog

Starting a blog seems simple, but it requires courage, especially for the first time. You’re putting your voice out there, and that can be nerve-wracking. But feeling nervous is perfectly normal.

It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Don’t let anxiety stop you from reaching your goals.

Personal growth comes from taking that first step. Once you begin, you won’t look back. Years from now, you’ll remember the moment that sparked this journey and be happy you pulled through for yourself.

Don’t Let The First Post Overwhelm You

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Maybe you haven’t started yet. Suppose you’ve bought your domain, set up hosting, and your blog is live, but there are no posts.

You might be obsessing over making the perfect first post, but it just doesn’t come to you. You have a wealth of ideas, tips, and experiences to share, but you’re stuck at the start. In this situation, the best thing to do is write what feels right. 

There’s no wrong way to make your first post—just write and see where it takes you. You’re not going to produce a masterpiece from the get-go. But writing that first post brings you one step closer to becoming a better writer and blogger. 

If you really can’t think of anything and need a starting point then check out this video by Cathrin Manning.

Why Blogging Might Be a Great Idea:

1. A Creative Playground: Got ideas bubbling in your brain? A blog gives you a place to unleash all that creativity—whether you’re into writing, photography, or ranting about your favorite TV show.

2. Your People Are Out There: Blogging is a way to find your tribe. You can build a community of readers who actually get your niche interests, whether that’s cooking, tech, travel, or the weirdest pop culture takes.

3. Boost Your Cred: Want to be known as the go-to person in your field? Blogging can help you establish yourself as an expert in whatever you’re passionate about. It might even lead to cool job offers, partnerships, or opportunities to speak at events.

4. Money Potential: Sure, you’ve heard it—some bloggers make money. Ads, sponsorships, selling your own products—it’s possible to make cash from blogging. Just know, it’s not instant magic.

5. Level Up Your Skills: Whether it’s improving your writing, learning SEO, or figuring out social media strategy, blogging pushes you to learn all kinds of useful skills that can translate into real-life growth.

6. Self-Expression: Blogging can be an outlet to reflect on your experiences and document your personal journey—kind of like a digital diary, but for the world to see.

7. Meet Interesting People: From other bloggers to industry influencers, blogging connects you to folks you’d never meet otherwise. Collaborations and friendships are a real possibility here.

Why Blogging Might Not Be for You:

1. It’s a Serious Time Commitment: Blogging isn’t just jotting down a quick post and hitting publish. You’ll spend hours creating content, promoting it, and staying engaged with your readers. It’s a long-haul game, not a sprint.

2. Growth Can Be Slow… Like, Really Slow: Building an audience takes time. A lot of it. You might be blogging for months (or even years) before you start seeing real traction. Patience is key.

3. You Gotta Get Techy: Unless you’re going for a basic platform, there’s a technical side to blogging—designing your site, optimizing for search engines, analyzing traffic data. It can be a steep learning curve if you’re not into that stuff.

4. The Content Grind Is Real: Feeling the pressure to churn out content regularly? It’s a thing. Sometimes the well of ideas dries up, or life just gets in the way. Writer’s block is real, and burnout happens.

5. Money Isn’t Guaranteed: Monetizing a blog isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not a quick fix for making cash. It’s going to take time and effort, and not every blog ends up making money at all.

6. Dealing with Trolls: Once you put your thoughts out there, the internet has opinions—sometimes harsh ones. It takes thick skin to handle criticism or negativity that might come your way.

7. There Are Costs Involved: While starting a blog doesn’t have to be expensive, it’s not completely free either. Hosting fees, a custom domain, maybe a fancy theme—all those little expenses can start to add up.

Still Interested In Starting Your Own Blog?

Check out these resources which helped me:

• Prefer a visual guide? How To Build A Website with WordPress (Full Tutorial)
• Like reading blogs? How to Start a Blog in 2024
• Want the formula to write great posts? How to Write a Blog Post From Start to Finish