Begin to Blog: Sharing Your Passion
This will be the first in the series, Begin to Blog. As I mentioned last month in preparation for writing this series, I get so many emails from people about how to get started blogging. My goal is to have this series is to share what I have learned since creating Mommy Snacks.net last year. Many things are topics that I have researched myself. I want to be able to have one resource for those topics if you are interested in stepping out to create a blog as well!
As we go through this series, I just want to be very clear that these are my personal thoughts and experience with the vast topic of blogging. There isn't a rule book on blogging (many people sell their advice on the topic, though). I believe your blog is YOUR space on the internet! You can and should do whatever you want with it!
A good starting point for you to Begin to Blog is Sharing Your Passion! But, first, you need to figure out what it is…
What is the one hot issue you always have on your mind? The stuff you just have to share with your friends, family or random people at the market? Are you the *go-to* person for advice on something? Whatever that is, it can be the voice for a passion to beginning to blog!
It is possible for a personality to pour through a screen. I have felt it when I read or visit many sites. Knowing that people are sharing their love of whatever the content is makes it easier as a blogger to keep writing, keep it fun and interesting and keep your audience wanting more. What would that be for you?
If you try to force something that isn't there, the writing will become like work. Granted, some of what I do now has become work and I am making an income. But, regardless of whether money or sponsorships were coming in, my passion would remain the same: helping myself and others save and have hope in this hopeless economy! That was my passion long before I started this site and will continue regardless of monetization (more on that later).
Ultimately, your blog will be whatever you want it to be. But, that drive – your passion – will help you write with a purpose. Blogging can be thankless at times. Sure, you can earn money, but are you creating value? If you write with purpose, I bet you'll find some amazing people through networking and sharing your voice. You will probably even get comments and affirmation if you do! Do you want to take the time to share your passion with others?
Action Plan: Reflect on your conversations from the past week. What was the one common theme? Maybe it's your kids, your house, your cooking, your deals! That common conversation may be something for you to consider to write about!
Photo Credit: hyeah
I am excited about your series. I have been blogging for a while now and at first I was thrilled then I had gotten discouraged, being new to the neighborhood not many people were so will to help me on how to get started. I look forward to reading your blog!
I cant wait to read this series. I am new and thought I understood computers/net/codes etc… but I guess not. I feel like I’m so far lost and look at other blogs and say HOW CAN I DO THAT!!??? so thanks for posting this series. :) Amanda
I have been thinking about starting a blog for arizona because most good blog sites are based from homes on the east coast. So I have been looking at how far you have come and then to learn that you have only been doing this for a year! Good for you! I am also looking forward to reading more on this series. You are such a well written person on giving direction that I am very positive that if I decide on doing this, you will give me all the good and bad things together.
I’m excited about this series too! It’s amazing how many hits my blog has gotten since I started back in March, but you wouldn’t know it from the small number of comments. Something needs to change and I need advice! So, I’m excited to learn from you!!
I’m more than happy to get this advice from you! I feel like I’m doing the best I can with my blog, and I enjoy it, but my readership is lower than low and the comments barely drizzle in unless I give something away (which IS a blast!). I can’t wait to f ind out how to increase my readership and hopefully find some sponsors.
I am totally NEW to this whole blogging thing, but you are inspiring me to step out in faith. =) I do hope you will give some very BASIC advice. I was just checking out the WordPress site, and my head is spinning already. What is a host and how do you get one??? I’ll be watching for your updates. Thanks for breaking things down for beginners!
could you include in your series how you make money when someone subscribes to your blog through a reader like google?
Dean, I plan to talk more about monetization in one of the days. But, you don’t earn money through google subscribers, actually. You can earn through google adsense. I’ll share about that.
This is a fabulous post! Such a simple concept- to talk about what you are passionate about- but so important! Your passion shows through for sure!
Thanks!
Andrea, you continue to amaze me and I’m so proud of you! Just flipped my devotions calendar today and it is: “Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And with your wisdom, develop common sense and good judgment.” Proverbs 4:6-7
You are beyond your chronological years in wisdom and such a great role model.
Lisa, you’re so sweet!!! For any of you reading this, Lisa was a former manager of mine who is now a sweet friend! She was and continues to be an inspiration for what I do!!!
Great idea for a series…I look forward to reading the rest. I just started my blog a few months ago and am learning as I go…your site has given some excellent info!
Thanks,
Donna
I really need to know HOW to include a link into my own post. I am so baffled on how to do it.
I’m so glad that you started this, I’ve been looking forward to it!