This post is inspired by two posts that i read over the week. One is Honest blogger is Honest by Elise and the other is Why On Earth Would You Like to Waste Your Time Blogging by Linda Hewett in weblogbetter.com.
In Elise’s post, she talks about how she feel about standing out and making an income on her existing blogging niche which seems to be so difficult in a competitive niche. Sure a competitive niche can make you money but definitely not enough to replace your full time income. What about Linda?
Linda gives us some good reasons why we are starting a blog and start to create content on it. In fact why are we wasting our time blogging?
Both post give me something to ponder about. Findmyblogway talks about blogging tips so definitely it falls into the blogging niche. It is a competitive niche and not easy to make any money on it(I am honest to say that was my goal initially).
Am I earning any money? No. Then am i wasting my time blogging? Some of you may answer yes while some may answer no. For me it’s a definite no.
People Are Becoming Materialistic When They Blog
I don’t know how many of you think that way. If a blog is not earning any money, then we should stop wasting our time blogging. The reason is because this is the primary goal of many people starting a blog. Majority of the people want to earn money, that’s why they start a blog. If you are unable to earn any money, you should stop wasting your time continuing.
Since blogging has started to bring in income for bloggers, blogging has changed from a passion to become money making tool. We saw people blogging full time and become professional bloggers. The success of these professional bloggers have opened a new income source for many people but at the same time majority are suck by the the glamour of blogging and wish they could have the same success.
If you are a blogger, you should know this is no easy feat. We may have been blogging for months but we can hardly earn a penny online. Is money the only factor that can motivate you to continue blogging?
People Are Forgetting The Reason That Form The Success
I won’t say you are wrong to earn an income through blogging. That’s perfectly alright but this should not be the reason for you to start a blog. The reason why people are reading blogs or visiting sites is because they need a solution to solve their problem.
The reason why you start a blog should be you focusing on helping people to solve problem even if your primary goal is to make money online. This is what form the success of those bloggers who are earning five or even six figures annually.
What Blogging Can Bring Me Besides Money
I don’t deny my primary goal of starting this blog is to earn money. Soon i knew it is difficult to stand out in this niche as there are simply too many people targeting on the same pie. Sure probably this blog can earn me some income if i fully monetize it but simply not good enough to quit my full time job.
I have eliminated the thought of making money long ago so you wouldn’t see me having ads or another monetization besides some affiliate links. Then why am i wasting my time blogging. What can blogging bring to me? Here’s why i never quit.
- Blogging gives me the motivation to chase for knowledge
I was pretty lazy when i was attending school during young. How many times did i mention that i was afraid of all this computer geek stuff in the past? Yet i am able to start a blog now, searching for tutorials, done my research and of course read up a lot of blogs. I started to learn some basic HTML, CSS and even read up ways to add some codes.
I have never been so hardworking before. If i half as hard working during school times, who knows i may be walking a different career path.
- Blogging build up my confidence in writing
114 post in this blog so far and its still counting. Each post is around 700-800 words by average and l am starting to enjoy writing. I feel i have completed a book consist of almost 100,000 words. Thats a massive achievement if you think back.
I look at my older post and compare it now, i am writing faster and slightly better.
- Blogging makes me appreciate my family more
I lost balance between time and blogging. Precisely that’s why it wakes me up in appreciating my family more than ever. I will allocate time for my young kid, play with him and read some story books to him. Our bond is getting stronger and that’s something money can’t buy.
- Blogging build up online friendship for me
It’s amazing i get to know so many people from different countries through blogging. People who lives in US, Bulgaria, India, Nigeria and Australia. How many people are able to do that without any online activity? Marcus Sheridan has written a good post about this topic. Give it a read.
- Blogging shows me the attitude towards life
The success and failure of every blogger can teach something towards how you approach life. People are successful because they work hard, persistent, determined and possess a positive attitude. People fail because they take the wrong approach, gives up easily and pessimistic.
Not only in blogging, we must always have the correct mindset even with offline activities.
Conclusion
It’s ironic that we always measure blogging with monetarily gains when new bloggers are entering the blogosphere. Look at the enthusiasm when they start. When everything fails, they come crashing down to earth and leave the blogosphere for good. Approach blogging in another perpective and i am sure you will be enjoying blogging more than you do.
What can blogging bring you beside money?
Do you think you are wasting your time?
Leave some comments and lets discuss about it.
Share This Post
I appreciate your kindness if you can share this post making use of the share buttons on top, below or at the side. Alternatively, any retweeting of the post is helpful to my blog growth. Thank you very much for doing so. I look forward to see you soon.
Cheers.
No related posts.
Excellent article.
One thing I’d like to say is you chose the wrong niche to make money with a blog.
“Blogging about blogging” is one of the hardest niches to make money. Even Darren Rowse says he earns very little from problogger. If his blog earns very little, what % can smaller blogs make.
Of course “small” can mean different things to different people.
Making money online should not be the primary focus. Blogging is not your business. I have written about it on my blog that blogging is not a viable business model.
You need to build a business in order to work full time on the internet.
If you like your 9-5 job, don’t quit. Do what you like. Not what someone else tells you
Adarsh recently posted..Accepting Credit Cards for Your Business- The Ultimate Guide
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Adarsh,
It’s hard to make money to blog about blogging. If my main purpose is to make money, most likely i am in the wrong niche.
I am not making money but i am still blogging. This is something i enjoy writing. So i don’t think i am in the wrong niche.
That’s what i am doing now, blogging my own way. You know what, if you care less about monetarily gains, you will have more freedom to do whatever you want.
Thanks for sharing your views.
Lye
This is David. Hello to all. As I am new to the internet and blogging in particular,I have a lot to sort out and to learn. Thankfully, bloggers are some of the classiest and most informative people anywhere. I need all of the information I can get and this post helps a whole lot. Thank You for posting this. I am determined to hang in there because I believe in the process.
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi David,
Welcome to the blogosphere.
I am honored you are here to look for some information that is helpful to you.
Thanks for dropping by and the comments.
Lye
Hello Lye,
I’m flattered that my post inspired you to write this one.It’s fascinating to read how many reasons there are for blogging and that making money isn’t the prime one! I never intended to make money from mine, I enjoy it for the reasons set out in my post.
And… when I stop enjoying it I’ll stop…
Linda/Positive Spin recently posted..Want to Lose Your Friends Here’s How We Do It- Why We Do It and How to Stop Doing It
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Linda,
Your post really makes me wonder whether i am wasting my time blogging.Luckily i am not.
As long as making money is not your primary concerns, i am sure you will enjoy as long as you want.
Thanks for the comments Linda.
Lye
Indeed true!
I whole heartedly agree with you! People have become materialistic while blogging. Blogging is not something for making money, engineering is
Instead, its a platform for you to express yourself and make new friends. If you have been on a money minting spree, you have missed a lot on the front.
Maria Pavel recently posted..How to Renew an Expired CNA License
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Maria,
Engineering is definitely a much more direct way to earn money
But still people will still blog because of earning money. The attraction is too big. Ear while you sleep. Who wouldn’t want it?
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Lye
I am not saying that there is any harm in money blogging! What I basically meant was that people who do not have any taste or passion for it should not hop in as I do not think there is much of a scope for sustaining themselves.
Maria Pavel recently posted..CNA Training In Hawaii
Twitter: Mazzastick
Hi Lye,
I was a long time blog reader before I became a blogger. Blogging is a business for some and a hobby for others.
I started my blog to earn money doing what I was already doing for free. Giving away information, consulting with people and so on.
The mindset of bloggers has to change in order to make a life of it.
Justin | Mazzastick recently posted..Are You Behaving Like A Reptile
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Justin
Giving away free information is what keeps the readers coming back.
Mindset is what determine how we approach blogging as an income source, it’s important we adopt a positive mindset.
Thanks for the comments.
Lye
For me it started as mostly a hobby. I didn’t intent to make money, but help others. It was fun and exciting. After some time it became time-consuming and a lot more work than I bargained for. My goal now is to help others and hopefully make a little bit for my efforts. It has been a learning experience over the years. I still enjoy it, but it would be nice to make a little more too.
Ray recently posted..Dolphin 7 Cache Tweaks
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Ray,
Yah, it’s very time consuming. As long this is something you enjoy doing and gets a lot of satisfaction, it’s worth it.
What can be the nicest when you can help others and making a little income through the process.
Glad you are enjoying it. All the best for your success.
Lye
Blogging also helps crystallize how one can raise their kids and also the messages you want to pass on.
It’s been very helpful in that way for me!
Barbara Ling, Mama Bear recently posted..RANT – I Utterly HATE Doormat Children and Adults!
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Barbara
Nothing can be more important than our family, that’s for sure.
Glad this post helps. Thanks a lot for the comments.
Lye
Twitter: ditesco
Difficult to answer Lye, because blogging in my opinion is really not a niche per se, but rather a vehicle to build relationships and gain authority (credibility and trust). This is where I think many people who is starting, fail to understand that blogging does not necessarily mean that it will bring you money. Of course, done properly and overtime, it will. You just have to have the right mindset and as you said, there are other rewards from blogging. Unless this is important, then there is really no point, right? Anwyay, my answer is that blogging is not a waste of time. Time will be wasted if all you want is money, and drive your blog towards achieving that sole goal. It won’t work..
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi DiTesco,
There is always dispute regarding this. People have different views on how they see blogging. Having a blog is a good way of sharing thoughts and build your credibility. That’s for sure.
You are absolutely right about mindset. If we do not have the correct mindset, we will always fail regardless of whatever we do.
Good points here DiTesco.
Thanks for dropping by to share your views.
Lye
I mostly blog for money. That’s a fact. But i wasn’t always like this, when i started surfing the internet i only wanted to have fun and get myself a taste of the blogging world everyone was talking about. Then i guess i got corrupted, i started having ideas that i can make money with my blog. And somewhere along the road it all became a job. There is little pleasure in blogging for me now, most of it coming from the interaction with my readers.
Antonia recently posted..The Hypnotic Connection
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Antonia,
I like your honesty. As long you have it, you will get it.
Guess we are reading too much success stories. Majority of the bloggers(including me) thought about money whey blog. There is nothing wrong actually as long you are helping people along the process.
Interaction with readers is what i am enjoying most too. It just feel good if people are able to get something out of my post.
Thanks for the comments.
Lye
True, and considering we, as pro bloggers, spend a lot of time in front of the PC, readers are like a second family.
This still doesn’t get the tiring part out of blogging, but it softens it a little.
Antonia recently posted..20 Day Persuasion Review
I would add that blogging keeps my brain active and updated.
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Mia,
Thanks for the added point. Appreciate your visit.
Lye
Hi Lye. Thanks for your explanation here. Well, yeah, to think about it again, I do feel all of those effects too. It keeps me creative, keeps me up-to-date about anything going on around the world.
Andrew Walker recently posted..ChinaStocks200 Coupon
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Andrew,
Internet is a place we can’t live without. We need to search for information and lots of things.
Thanks for the comments.
Lye
Hi Lye,
Really very nice post.Blogging is not for money,I have been an ardent learner in my life and it has changed my whole life.It made me understand how to view things with a different perspective.
Shivam Garg recently posted..BitDefender Total Security 2011 Coupon Code
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Shivam,
Thanks for liking this post. Glad you are able to look at things differently and i hope this will help you further.
Appreciate the comments.
Lye
Hi! Not everyone starts blogging for profit. For lots of people it begins just for fun or for self-expression. Of course, when you realise that it can bring you some money, you want this money. However, readers can feel if you blogging only for the quantity. They appreciate quality where they can feek soul and the writer’s character.
Blogging is a type of creative writing and if you create it brings you self-satisfaction.
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Steve,
I do agree with that. There are surely people who blog just out of passion but sadly that becomes minority now. I am sure the enjoyment of writing will diminish when it is related to money issue.
Thanks for dropping by to share your thoughts.
Lye
When people are just blogging for money, you can usually tell because the quality won’t be as good in some important aspect. Either the content won’t be great (it’ll be good, but not great), or the personality isn’t there, or the personal touch and connection, etc. Something will be missing.
You can tell when there’s heart behind a work, and when there’s not.
Delena
Delena Silverfox recently posted..Carolee Coupon Code
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Delena,
I think it’s a double-edge sword. Some will find it a motivation and work hard for it while other may lose the motivation if all things fail.
Thanks for the comments.
Lye
This is a very thoughtful post, and there’s a lot in here that all bloggers should keep in mind.
And when you tally up all of your blog posts, it really puts things in perspective just how much you’ve written…100,000 words is pretty good.
Michelle recently posted..What To Do With Your Spring Cleaning Junk
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Michelle,
When it doesn’t involve money, maybe one will see much better.
My average post is around 700-800 words, so it almost add up to this quantity and i am still interested in writing.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Lye
Your post is right on the money (pun intended
). Most people these days start a blog BECAUSE they want to make money. Whereas the people who actually make money do it for passion and the money is simply a byproduct of the amazing work they do.
Amanda Gordon recently posted..Designer Flip Flops
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Amanda,
When people found out they could make money, it’s human nature they would like to try it out. Never try never know right?
Appreciate your comments.
Lye
Hi Lye,
I have absolutely nothing against people who blog for money. In fact, I am all for it. I wish as much prosperity for the next person as I wish for myself. And I will also readily admit that the reason I started blogging was to make money.
But very few people actually make money when they blog only with the intention of making money. The MMO can be tough cookie to crack. It takes a long time with dedication and seemingly no output before serious coin starts rolling in. Very few people have the persistence to pull through this very big lull period.
Amanda.
Amanda Gordon recently posted..Benefits Of Steam Vacuum Cleaner
Hey Lye,
Agree, money is not everything….When I produce a piece of quality content, following proper research, I just feel great. I know I deliver for the people truly in need for that information. And I’m sure I get appreciation for not going for the easy way and compiling quickly something to call it the post of the day….Thanks for sharing
Alison Barrows recently posted..3 Day Diet Plan
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Allison,
True enough, sometimes this type of satisfaction just can’t be bought by money.
Great to see you Allison. Thanks for the comments.
Lye
I doubt anyone can blog only for money. It would turn out to be just another boring job you’re forced to do if you want to pay your taxes and eat.
Whoever chooses this lifestyle must also love to blog, else there are a lot of other options of making money on the internet.
Martin recently posted..CDL Classes – How to Become a Professional Truck Driver
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Martin,
You have hit the nail on the head. Even i am not not making any money but i am enjoying blogging as a passion.
Even if we need to choose a profitable niche, we need to have some interest in it.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Lye
Even if you’re not making money tight now, as long as you keep at it you will eventually.
Not all can do it, but i see potential in your writing.
Martin recently posted..CDL Classes – How to Become a Professional Truck Driver
Blogging or writing is a passion..it is important you enjoy in what you are doing.You end up looking for another career if you are not enjoying doing it..nice post
Most people start doing it for money, but i’d like to think they grow with time and come to an understanding that blogging builds a family, a group of friends, connections.
This is kind of hard to accomplish if you blog in difficult niches, but it’s not unattainable! Everyone should manage to create a micro environment where people can talk freely and meet friends while learning and reading interesting new things.
Amit recently posted..OSHA Forklift Certification Training
You clearly said that at the beginning almost everyone blogs for money, but later they come to realize that blogging doesn’t just bring you money, but also new friendships and connections. However, this entirely depends on your audience – if your blog is visited by people who don’t agree with your thinking, then you probably won’t have the same motivation to write more.
Maria Pavel recently posted..CNA Training in Louisiana
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Maria,
It’s true that visitors can motivate you to write more. I have also seen a lot of bloggers continuing writing even their post has no comments. I tend to see your passion affects a lot on that part.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Lye
HI Lye,
True, passion is a strong motivation for many people
Thanks for the warm welcome, we will chat soon again, I plan to read more posts on your blog
Maria Pavel recently posted..CNA Practice Test
Hi Lye,
I think you hit the nail right in the head. Quality blogging can only come out of true passion. If you deliver quality, everything else will follow….Very inspirational!
Tomek recently posted..Do We Need Nutrition Supplements?
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Tomek,
Thanks a lot for the compliments. I am truly enjoying myself, that’s why i can blog such a long time.
Thanks for the comments.
Lye
Great to see there are still cherishing the true values
Your post has put a big smile on my face.
Erica recently posted..Suitable Gifts For Expecting Moms
Twitter: Findmyblogway
Hi Erica,
Great to hear that and i am glad i made you smile.
Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Lye
I blog because I truly want to earn money and become famous in blogging world but then I do realize that all of those desires are selfish I’ll just think all about myself not sharing something I know to others. For now, I do blogging by means of sharing and when money come before me I will totally accept it.
Alexis Robinson recently posted..Flint River Ranch Cat Food
Blogging is such a nice way to spend time especially if you have a passion for writing. Most people want to blog just for the money and that is why they give up easily when things do not go their way. Patience pays in blogging and lack of it will just lead to discouragement.
Caesar Parisi recently posted..Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton