There is a huge blogging community today. Whether it’s a hobby, therapy or your profession, there’s so much that goes into blogging. It’s more than writing down words and posting them on a website. So, what does a blogger actually do, and how do you become a blogger?
How do you become a professional blogger?
Bloggers these days need to be:
- Creative writers
- Editors and proofreaders
- Content planners
- Website designers
- SEO and keyword experts
- Photographers
- Social media influencers
- Marketers
- Sales negotiators
- Networkers
How do you become a blogger and get paid?
The other day, someone asked me how to become an award-winning blogger. I didn’t want to sound stupid and say, “I don’t know”. A lot of people underestimate what a blogger actually does. Becoming a blogger does not happen overnight, and you do not start getting paid straight away. If you want to be a blogger, you need to be dedicated and passionate about it, or you won’t succeed.
Before starting, I never fully comprehended of how much work needed to be put in. It’s something I have had to learn over time. I’m still learning today even after years of blogging for myself, my employer and other businesses.
Many people scoff when you say you are a blogger, but it is a real profession. Unfortunately, I would be taken more seriously if I introduced myself to you as a writer or digital marketer. I think it is because most do not understand the work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lot of work, blogging can become a successful career.
Here are some of my top tips:
Pick a Niche
This is important as it is what you will become known for; however, you can diversify. As a lifestyle blog, Real Girls Wobble, means I am not pigeonholed. Over time, I have added sections to the website and publish blogs regularly about my hometown of Cardiff, including where to eat and drink, places to visit, and its history.
Thanks to my day job as a Travel and Tourism Marketing Manager, I can write about current trends in the trade, and how to get the best deals when getting away on a staycation. 2020 has been different, and my Marketing Series has also included posts on staying motivated when working from home and staying social whilst distancing.
I also indulge in my passions, cooking from scratch and publishing the recipes I have created. I also follow Slimming World, a lifestyle plan that allows me to lose weight whilst eating wholesome foods. It has also re-ignited my love for exercise – especially getting out and about on my bike.
Learn how to write
We can all write, but writing so people want to continue to read your words is a skill – but it is something you can learn. The more you do, the better you will get. There are plenty of free or low-cost creative writing courses online that you can do. Google’s Digital Garage has over 150 courses, from beginner to advanced. It can help improve skills for digital marketing and the visibility of your blog.
Incorporate SEO and keyword phrases
To be honest, this is not an easy one. We are always being told that keywords are essential to your website’s SEO success. It is accurate, and they can help you be found online, as well as boosting your organic ranking. Everyone has their own way of doing it, but here’s how I do keyword research for free.
Plan your content
Posts do not miraculously appear; you do need to put a plan in place. I look 3 months ahead but often get inspiration for Christmas in March. In my planning, I consider any events that I have been invited to, products companies have sent me review, and what topics do I want to write about?
I have a list on my phone, which I add to when I get a blog post idea. Mostly it’s so I don’t forget about it. If it is something that is currently trending, I try to get it on my website as soon as possible. I also get a Marketing or Blogger diary for the year, that includes a weekly planner, space to write your goals and notes.
You also need to consider how long it will take you to write your blog post, any research you need to do, and decide what images will be required?
Writing your blog post
I try to write something every day, especially if I have an idea churning around in my head. However, sometimes this is not the case. I often get bursts of inspiration, write several posts one day, and then nothing for days. A blog post can take me 30 minutes to write or several hours. The more you know on a subject, the easier the words will form.
If I am not feeling creative, I don’t push it. Forced content is the worst, and readers can see right through you. I have also suffered from writer’s block, most bloggers will tell you that they have had trouble with this at some point. When addressed, there are ways to work through it.
Goal setting
Setting goals and timeframes to complete these by will be highly beneficial to you. Sometimes these are more of a to-do list of mundane things like proofreading or finding time to write your blog. Some of the more significant tasks will take more time like building pages on your website, photography or creative writing tasks.
Get your camera out
No one expects you to be a professional, but like your writing, with time, your images will get better too. Most people will tell you they do not like pictures of themselves, but your readers will want to see you. So take your time to get comfortable in front of the camera. Most phones will do the job; however, a professional, affordable camera and basic editing skills will go a long way.
Like my blog post, I make a list of images I will need. Do I need to visit somewhere? I try to plan a dry day (which is hard to do when you live in Wales) to get a clear image. Do I need to show off an outfit? Will I be attending an event where I can wear it or photograph this in my house or garden? A photos session can take a couple of hours, with different props and angles, so again consider how much time you will need.
Promote your blog post
This task is probably the most time consuming, but there are tools to help you do so. I like to use Hootsuite to schedule my social media posts. There are arguments, especially with Instagram, that this should be posted manually. Still, it means that you can be organised and nothing gets missed.
I promote my blog posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. It is also vital to re-post too, even if they were written some time ago (as long as they are still relevant). You put blood, sweat and tears into them, they should not be forgotten about.
It takes time, there’s no instant success
Do not expect to have thousands of followers and readers overnight, it takes time, dedication and consistency. My blog really started to take off around the 18-month mark, and I consistently add followers every month. You want more than your partner, parents and friends to read it.
Comment on other blog posts
Catching up with your favourite bloggers, or discovering new ones, and reading their content can often give you inspiration or spur an idea. Try to comment on their posts after reading them, it shows that you have clicked on their website and read their post. In time, you’ll get a buzz when someone does this to you too.
What does a blogger actually do?
This is just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much more detail I could go into. I have to do so many other tasks with blogging, including negotiating with brands and PR agencies – but that’s a whole blog post in itself. Blogging is a passion that incorporates itself into my daily, weekly and monthly life. It is a full-time job, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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