10 Reasons to Start a Blog

start a blog

I started blogging in 2007 because I wanted an outlet to share information somewhere and (hopefully) turn into a business “someday.”

Blogging hasn’t failed me once. I have loved the last 7 years more than anything. I have loved the ability to have an online destination to call my own. I have loved the ability to wake up and write about anything my heart desires. I have loved the ability to decide how much I want to share and how much I want to hold back. I have loved the ability to be part of a larger blogging community with men and women I adore. I have loved the ability to partner and work with some of my favorite products and brands. I have loved it all.

It seems like everyone I meet nowadays wants to start a blog. I gotta admit, I love it. Blogging for me has opened so many doors and has helped me create my dream job… so I think it’s awesome to see people want to “bring it online” for themselves.

Is there a blogging bubble? Are there too many blogs and bloggers? Will people just stop reading blogs at some point? Will blogs be replaced by Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Vine, Facebook, etc?

Truthfully, I don’t know.

I wish I had the magic answer. I wish I had the magic key to unlock the future, but… well, how much fun would that really be, right?

Blogging is still blogging. And the best bloggers, with great content and relevant information will always have readers. It’s that simple.

So why start a blog now? Why still give it a go?

I’m going to share 10 Reasons to Start a Blog:

1) It’s a beautiful way to chronicle and journal your life. I love looking back to posts I wrote 5 years ago and seeing what stage of my life I was in. I can gauge my growth by the ages of my kids at certain periods, and I love that about MomGenerations.com.

2) You simply have something to say. Whether you’re a foodie, a crafter, a fashionista, a gardener, a fitness buff, a mom, a teen, a beauty lover… you have information that you want to put out into the world. If you go, then GO FOR IT. Everyone is different and everyone has a different voice. There aren’t 2 bloggers that are exactly the same. Really have some fun with what you’re creating and know that if it’s important to you, it will be important to someone else.

3) You want to make money. Yes, it’s possible to make money as a blogger. I actually support my family through my work as a digital influencer. Full disclosure – it’s NOT just through my blog, it’s through many different vehicles, but it’s money in the bank. I’ll get into ways to make money online through your blog in a different posting, but keep in mind that it IS possible. You need to be smart and business savvy, but you can do it.

4) You’re looking for a way to build an audience. I’ve known many authors to start blogs. They want to find an audience before they commit to a book deal or a project. It’s a great way to build a quality audience for yourself and to really turn that into an asset for something else you’re trying to do and accomplish.

5) You’re looking for a way to get noticed. I had a friend start a blog because she wanted to become a broadcast journalist. She didn’t know how to break in on her own, so she started a blog and started posting her videos. Not only was it positive for her to do that, but her blog became almost like an audition reel. It was VERY smart move.

6) I have known MANY people who started a blog just to be able to share photos and videos and stories with the ones they love. It’s a great way to have family and friends feel connected by posting things about yourself and your growing family. Facebook is Facebook… but seeing constant streams of photos/videos/stories, it goes a long way.

7) One of the best things that came out of starting a blog for me was the people I met. Blogging is a great way to meet people, connect with people and form online relationships. As a new mom, blogging became my crutch. I loved meeting other new moms and loved going through life together with them. It’s a wonderful way to connect and feel like you’re part of something.

8) If you’re someone who has a business online or in real life, blogging is a great way to allow your customers to get to know the “real” you. Share quotes or photos or lessons or stories about yourself. Give your customer base a chance to know you and feel connected to you. It’s a wonderful additional way to help grow your “already” business. My father does this and I think it’s an exceptional idea to do.

9) If you’re someone who is already into social media with twitter, facebook, youtube, pinterest, etc… starting a blog as a “hub” is a great thing to do. It’s a wonderful way for people to find you and know that you’re in a spot where you can call “home” online. It’s just an additional extension of your already online life.

10) If you’re going through something very personal in your life, or just need a place to vent and scream or laugh and cry… a blog is a great platform to do so. You don’t need to have it known who you are, you can make it private, which is something that many people do. It’s always good to know that there’s a safe place you can go and just sort of vent and let things out.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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6 Comments

  1. 2.26.14

    Thank you so much for this, Audrey! You don’t know it, but you have been such a wonderful inspiration to me – as a mom and in starting my own blog last summer. I’m still the new kid on the blogging block, but reading your list has inspired me again to continue pouring myself out on the page. When I hear from women that it is inspiring them, and that makes it all worth it! And you were part of that. 🙂 *hugs*

  2. 2.26.14

    Great advice and thanks for the acknowledgement!
    Love, Dad
    http://www.barringtonprinting.com

  3. 2.27.14

    Love this! Great advice!! I think it’s also extra fun for you that you have your mom and sister involved too!

  4. 2.27.14

    great post Audrey!
    I started mine as a way to vent and keep myself up to date with our fast paced life, huband was always deployed, we have 6 kids, 1 with autism; and I wanted to just write 😉

    I then found support groups and got my new followers and slowly it grew, best coocky decision I ever made 😉

  5. 2.27.14

    Audrey you are such an inspiration. Thank you for this post. I thoroughly enjoy having a blog too. It’s like a creative release for me …and who knew it would lead to meeting wonderful fellow bloggers like you, your mom, your sister, cousin and other genuine women!

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