Why Blogging can be a Ridiculous Waste of Time

I often get asked, “Do you make money from blogging?”

I always respond the same way, with a knowing smile and the line “Do have ten minutes to listen to my answer?” because, if truth be told, the answer to this question is not that simple.

No one pays me for creating blog posts for my own sites.

No one pays me for promoting them, either.

But, if I DIDN’T blog, no one would know who the heck I was.

They wouldn’t learn about my freelancing writing and editing services. Nor would they know I’m an independently published author who helps others become authors too.

Blogging is a way to get in front of the right people who are eager to read what you share.

~Adrienne Smith

Guest posting is another way of achieving is, too.

Is Blogging A Complete Waste of Time?

Some people think blogging is a ridiculous waste of time.

The truth is: IT CAN BE.

Or, at least, it can feel that way… sometimes.

It’s no secret that there are many pros and cons to blogging. After we look a the benefits, we’ll look at some of the pitfalls.

Blogging Benefits

But blogging, if done properly, can be a wonderful way to:

• get noticed by Google
• add credibility to your brand or business
• acquire more leads, clients, and/or sales
• provide clips to others, if you’re a freelancer
• increase your social media presence
• network with others

Blogging Pitfalls

There are an equal amount of cons to blogging.

• Blogging can be time-consuming.
• Blogging requires a lot of promotion.
• If no promotion is done, chances are your posts WON’T be read.
• There is a small likelihood of going viral.
• If your writing is not great or valuable, there is a small chance of impressing Google.
• You might put forth a lot of effort for little or no return.

How to Become A Great Blogger: My Story

When I first started blogging, I did so on WordPress.com, which is a free platform open to everyone.

I called my blog Lorraine Reguly’s Life, because, at the time, I also thought that blogging was simply online journalling. Kind of old-school, I know.

After writing my fourth blog post EVER, something spectacular happened.

I got noticed by Google.

People began to read my posts, especially my fourth blog post. It kinda went viral. Seriously. It even ranked on the first page of Google Search.

Why?

I provided a solution to a major problem people were having. Their computers were being infected with a toolbar that was malware, which was extremely annoying to deal with. I know this because it happened to me.

I shared the story of what happened to me and my laptop, and ultimately where I found the solution for removing it.

When people began searching for answers, Google sent them to my post.

Suddenly, my blog was on the map.

Blogging Evolution

Over time, my blog evolved. As a blogger, I evolved, too.

In my quest to be a better blogger, I started reading top blogs and taking the advices of pro bloggers. I learned about SEO. I learned about blog promotion. I learned “insider” secrets, tips, and tricks. In fact, I learned so much that it felt like my brain was going to explode!

I also began to experiment with my writing.

I decided to try writing for the search engines, to see how close I could come to landing in the first slot of Google Search.

Amazingly, out the dozen posts I wrote, I was able to land on the first page for all of them, and even managed to land in the first slot of Search for my post on the Liebster Award (an award for newbie bloggers)!

Then I wrote a post about my suide attempt, which also hit the number one slot.

Google started sending more and more people my way.

Because of this, I decided it was time to monetize my site.

This involved first making the move to WordPress.org.

The Birth of Wording Well

Eventually, my freelancing business was born.

Many factors were taken into consideration when I decided to move my site from a free-hosted site to a self-hosted one.

I also hired a designer to create my logo. I added the tagline myself.

Then I installed AdSense on my website, which became yet another of my revenue streams. I had already been freelancing for a while.

(Read the complete tutorial for setting up AdSense HERE.)

I used the above image for about a year, until I decided to revamp my site.

During this part of my blog’s evolution, I hired another designer to create a new image I could use, and install a new theme on my site.

Earning Through Multiple Revenue Streams

In addition to providing writing and editing services (from which I earn the majority of my income), I also added two more services to my income streams during my revamp: coaching/consulting, and helping others become authors.

Plus, I became an affiliate for a few people as well as my web hosting company. (I wrote a humongous guide on which companies are the best.)

I have no qualms promoting Adrienne’s course for learning how to grow your blog community.

I also have no problem promoting Gina Horkey’s course 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success. (If you take this course, at the end of it Gina offers you the chance to become an affiliate of hers, too. And she pays well: 40%!)

How to Become A Great Blogger: Some Tips

In addition to the five ways for how to develop yourself as a blogger, you should also do everything on the following list if you want to become a blogging superstar:

• Study SEO.
• Research your posts.
• Write well, or hire someone to write for you.
• Edit your posts, or hire someone to edit for you.
• Promote your posts after they’re published.
• Write and publish on a regular basis.
• Network with others.
• Offer value.
• Tell a personal story that will make you memorable.
• Use the tips and tricks the “big” bloggers use.
• Never stop learning.
• Don’t give up.

Blog Your Way To Success

No one ever said blogging is easy. Making money while blogging can be difficult, too. In fact, some people think that it’s a complete waste of time, like Andrew Warner, who wrote Exactly Why Trying To Make Money Blogging Is The Biggest Waste Of Time.

However, if your writing is good (or even great!) and you promote your posts, others WILL read them. Google might even decide you’re worthy of a fine ranking.

And you won’t think your time has been wasted.

YOUR TURN:

Do you think blogging is a ridiculous waste of time? Why or why not?

Share in the comments, please!