Should I start a blog?

If this is a question you’ve pondered about before, this post is for you.

About three years ago, I wrote my first blog post on Mommy Diary. I’ve been blogging for years before that, both publicly and privately on sites like Xanga and Blogger. As an avid reader and writer since childhood blogging was a natural hobby for someone like myself who processed her emotions and thoughts through writing. Plus I was artistic and creative as a child, except I didn’t know just how much until after I began blogging. But more on that later.

Blogging has come a long way since I wrote my first blog post sometime in the early 2000’s. At the time I had no idea I would still be blogging many years later as a mother of three. Even when I published my first post in 2014, I had no idea my hobby will turn into a job I genuinely love and that I will eventually be called a “mom blogger.” I mean, who knew such career existed when I was a child?

As I celebrate my third year anniversary, also known as blogiversary (a funny word, I know), I want to share some things I learned about blogging over the years. I realize that I’m not a blogging expert and there are plenty of people out there who are way more experienced and credible to speak about this topic. However as someone who is passionate about blogging, who now considers blogging her job, I’d like to participate in this dialogue and discuss the secret benefits of blogging.

But first…

1) Blogging isn’t for everyone

If you’re trying to blog to replace your current job or to make money, blogging is the wrong avenue. It can take years of hard work to begin seeing an actual paycheck and even then it’s difficult make consistent income unless you work hard and continue to grow your skills. Like any other freelance profession, blogging can be a successful career or remain as a hobby. It’s really what you make of it.

So before you begin a blog, be sure to ask yourself the following questions.

1. Am I the creative + expressive + reflective type?
2. Do I see value in sharing personal stories, tips and resources with others?
3. Do I have a skill or talent I consider valuable to myself and others? Am I willing to put in the work to share them with others?
4. Am I willing to work hard without pay until I land my first job?

If the answer is no, there are probably other hobbies that are more worth your time and energy. Blogging is a lot of work and you want to make sure it’s something you will enjoy over a long period of time.

2) You can document important family events + projects

This is one of my favorite perks of having a blog. I love that I can document my family’s special days like birthdays, holidays and vacations. Having a blog often forces me to edit photos that I probably wouldn’t get around to and makes me more “present” in what I do. It’s easy to assume that bloggers are too busy sharing on social media to actually enjoy their family time, but for me it’s the other way around.

Because I have a blog, I’m more reflective and intentional about every family outing and event in case I want to share and write about it at a later time.

Because I have a blog, I’m more reflective and intentional about every family outing and event in case I want to share and write about it at a later time.

Of course there are instances when I’m not thinking about blogging at all, which makes me simply enjoy the day like everyone else. This is always an option. However, I find that such events simply become passing and temporary.

In essence when used right, a personal blog can be a valuable tool for capturing what may otherwise be fleeting memories.

A personal blog can be a valuable tool for capturing what may otherwise be fleeting memories.

3) You can grow your hobby into a monetizing talent

Whether you like to write, cook, make crafts, take photos, decorate the home, etc. running a blog helps you to grow your hobby into a talent. Blogging takes a wide variety of skills from writing, taking pictures, to basic design and tech knowledge.

By blogging, I taught myself how to use a DSLR camera, how to design with Photoshop, how to edit photos with Lightroom, the basic functions of popular web platforms like WordPress and Squarespace, how to use social media for marketing and most importantly, how to write in language that works with mainstream online readership.

To gain these new skills, I spent numerous hours of research, self-teaching and writing before I saw my first paycheck.

By blogging, your ordinary hobby will turn to a valuable and marketable talent.

If you’re an amateur cook, your cooking and food photography skills will improve greatly over time. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, your DIY talents will become more professional. No matter what your niche is, your skill will improve day by day and one day, you will find that you are much more skilled at your particular talent than you’ve ever imagined. Blogging allows anyone to turn what they love into a marketable (and monetizing) talent.

The best part? Your blog will be the perfect documentation of your growing talents.

4) You are in full control over what you share and not share

This is an important point to make because many people assume that as a blogger, one is forced to share every snippet of her and her family’s life. This is absolutely not true; a blogger has full control over what she shares and not shares with the readers.

A blogger has full control over what she shares and not shares with the readers.

There’s a way to be expressive and share honest stories with others without revealing every detail of the people or the event. In fact, there are many successful mom bloggers who are making good income and relationships without revealing their children’s names and faces.

Therefore, do not judge a blogger or a blogger’s life based on a few photos and/or posts. You can certainly get a good glimpse of the blogger’s life and personality if you’ve been following for some time. But her blog does not define her or her family.

5) You can meet some cool people along the way

It’s easy to assume that all online relationships are fake. I am actually guilty of thinking this way when I first began blogging.

However, I can tell you from firsthand experience that you can meet some really cool people as a blogger. I met many blogger friends at conferences and private events and every single one of them turned out to be exactly what they seem like on social media. In fact, most of them are more genuine, helpful and kind in person!

It’s not easy for busy moms to have regular social interaction with our mommy friends. For introverts like myself who like to stay home most of the time, blogging opens doors to many new friendships and opportunities that she would not have come across otherwise.

Blogging opens doors to many new friendships and opportunities that she would not have come across otherwise.

6) Blogs can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships and perks

Blogging opens doors to many new opportunities, partnerships and perks. As a mom blogger, you can receive products and compensation in exchange of blog posts and social media exposure. Compensation varies greatly for bloggers depending on their social reach and blog traffic. You will find many exciting collaboration opportunities and partnerships, and even get perks while traveling with your family.

Compensation varies greatly for bloggers depending on their social reach and blog traffic.

If you’re a writer like me, having a personal blog is THE BEST WAY to gain exposure. It works like direct marketing and having an easily accessible online portfolio can bring opportunities you would not get otherwise. Through this blog, I was able to obtain a personal channel on Huffington Post,  TODAY Parents and even got to publish a short story in an anthology. These opportunities would not have come my way if I never began my blog.

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Final thoughts about blogging for mothers

After blogging regularly for three years, I can confidently say that starting this blog was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a mother, writer and creative soul. It helped me to grow as a mother, improve my writing as a writer, and gain new skills. I love the fact that I have this online space that documents my growth as a 30-something year old woman, and I love being able to connect with other mothers. Through this blog, I was able to grow my passion into a marketable skill that brands find valuable.

Blogging helped me to grow as a mother, improve my writing as a writer, and gain new skills while being home with my kids.

On the flip side, blogging is A LOT OF WORK that requires professionalism, hard work and a good balance between passion/business mindset. Contrary to popular beliefs, blogging IS a real job that pays bills. Successful bloggers who are monetizing are doing so through hard work, real talent and perseverance. It’s a job that requires specific skills like writing, content creating, photography, basic design and technological skills, and like any other job, it requires one to continue to grow her talents, network and make necessary investments along the way.

Contrary to popular beliefs, blogging is a real job that pays bills. Successful bloggers who are monetizing are doing so through hard work, talent and perseverance.

Most importantly, blogging requires a great level of faith and perseverance, because you may find yourself writing, editing photos and sharing (sometimes for months and years) without seeing a dime.

Lastly, blogging requires one to grow her heart and authenticity, because successful bloggers get there not by simply networking or social climbing, but through genuine efforts that lead to quality work that speak for itself.

Blogging requires one to grow her heart and authenticity, because successful bloggers get there not by simply networking or social climbing, but through genuine efforts that lead to quality work that speak for itself.

If these are some of the qualities you’re seeking, I would highly recommend starting a blog. It’ll take time and energy yes- but if it’s the right kind of creative energy spent on what your heart desires, it’ll be worthwhile.

Are you curious to learn more? You can read about why I started blogging.

Have you thought about starting a blog? Why did you begin, or what is keeping you from starting? Please share your comments below!