Hobby Blogger or Pro Blogger?
The following is a guest post by Rebecca Laffar-Smith. Please feel free to catch up with the novelist and freelance writer on her blog, Writers Round-About (feed).
Most of the time blogs are run by experts in other fields; hobbyists sharing their love of their niche topic, office workers sharing their latest web finds, technicians discussing their favorite new gadgets, etc.. You write with heart, you write with passion, and you write what you know. This works!
However, blogging for a profit require elements that heart, passion, and knowledge alone won’t bring to your blog. To reach a broader audience you also need an extensive skill with language; a way to communicate beyond the narrowed view of your intimate knowledge. Yes, you love your topic, but sometimes this creates a short-sighted perspective that secludes your blog from average, non-expert readers.
Do you research? Do you stretch your knowledge? Do you answer questions? A professional writer or blogger will do these things. If you don’t, then you are already short changing your readers. Are your readers experts or do they ask questions? Do readers come to you for ideas and advice? Are they unfamiliar with the topic?
How do you reach these people? Some say they are the lost, they will never become your readers because they’re “outside your niche”, but the truth is, many interests are formed by readers who stumble into the writing or design of a blog that is outside their usual niche.
This is where hiring a professional writer, editor, or designer can contribute to the flair and professional feel of your blog. Readers can tell when a blogger is simply passionate about a topic and when they’re immersed in their subject. The air is different. Readers want to be entertained, to learn, and to experience. Creating the emotional involvement readers crave requires expert skills in language that passion for topic cannot substitute.
A hobbyist blogger can make income from their blogs but it is usually, a hobby-sized income. To take your blog to the next level you need to invest either your time, (learning to write, edit, and design), or your money. Hiring experts who can spice your blog for new readers and a broader audience can be an investment that skyrockets your blog’s value and income.
Is your blog worth the investment?
Comments
Andy MacDonald - SEO & Marketing Blog March 6th, 2008
For me i started off blogging as a hobby, but over time Ive grown more to enjoy it and started making money from it, so in time, id like to become a problogger like those of Darren Rowse, John Chow and many others out there.
Although the market is pretty saturated i think there is still a need for unique content, and not content that’s scraped from other blogs, so if you can provide that unique content, i think you will do well at it.
Good article!!
Rebecca Laffar-Smith March 6th, 2008
Learning during the process is a fantastic way to go about developing your profile and experience. You’ve already got fantastic content, Andy. A stylish new theme and header blended with posts that are broken down into smaller chunks more regularly would probably send your stats rocketing.
Rebecca Laffar-Smith March 7th, 2008
Thanks, Mike!
redwall_hp March 7th, 2008
I started managing a website as a hobby, and eventually I started a personal blog as well. Then, I started using AdSense, and eventually found ProBlogger. By the time I really launched Webmaster-Source.com, I was problogging. I’m still not making too much money, but I’m working on it.
Jeremy Steele March 10th, 2008
Mine was originally a hobby, but overtime it became a bit more than that. I’m hoping to take it to the level (at least beyond that “hobby income” level) in the next few months, but it won’t be easy.
Excellent post.