7 benefits of blogging

7 benefits of blogging

I got an invite by the television channel ITV Networks to come chat on their show, Let’s Talk about blogging. The show I was interviewed on, was pre-recorded and it aired on Saturday morning.

I was pretty flabbergasted when I got the invite via email. Yup, it was my first invite of this sort.

Anyway, let me share what I discussed with the host of the show, Julie Alli.

Firstly, she asked me what’s the difference between journalism and blogging.

Related post: 9 Lessons I Learned During My First Year Of Being A Blogger

MY BACKGROUND
I’ve been a journalist between 2008 and 2015. From March 2015, I started working at an advertising agency as a Content Writer. I started blogging in my free time in July 2016. I told Ms Alli that journalism has certain standards and ethics.

For example, you cannot write about someone and not attempt to get their version of the story. Also, in journalism, you as the journalist keep your opinion to yourself.

In blogging, you can do research like you do in journalism but journalism is more extensive.

Plus in blogging, the story is your views being shared.

MONETISING
Ms Alli asked what value can you get out of blogging and she added: “Is there a way to monetise it?”

Yes, you can make money out of blogging but you have to do research how to do this.

You can, for example, grow your following on your website (blog) and social media platforms, then sell advertising space on your site.

Or you can do sponsored collaborations like I did with RapidStudio recently – read more about it here.

Other methods you can try (I haven’t yet) are affiliate marketing, selling products and online courses.

You can also get the word out about your services through blogging. I’ve done this by doing content marketing, selling my services as a writer.

Related post: Ideas to help you start blogging

HOW BLOGGING CHANGED MY LIFE
I’ve learned that blogging is an important networking tool. There’s a saying “your network is your net-worth” and blogging has expanded my network.

For example, I’ve had so much help from my online community with my job hunting process. [For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been retrenched.] Not only do people forward me job applications but I’ve also gotten good advice on how to prepare for an interview.

From my blogging community, I’ve learned how to eat healthier and to do a detox.

Lastly, being an introvert, I’ve learned to put myself out there. I’ve gone to blogger meetups to meet new people and I’ve done some videos and posted it on my social media platforms.

life update melissajavan

BENEFITS OF BLOGGING FOR YOU
Besides monetising and using blogging as a networking tool, I’ve researched and found several other ways that blogging is beneficial:

The Huffington Post wrote an article on “Why People Should Blog” and it included that businesses can earn more exposure and become an expert in their industry.

Forbes wrote Top 10 Benefits of Blogging on Your Website and this article includes that it humanises your brand and increases search engine traffic.

The Jeff Bullas blog also gives 10 Benefits to Blogging. One of the things that stands out in this article is “You will learn”. I’ve learned so much through blogging. You can read more about the tools I learned to use for blogging, here.

If you’re a blogger, how has your blogging journey benefitted you thus far?

5 Comments

  1. My blog started as an outlet for grief, but quickly went from a hobby to a full-time job. I think my blogging journey is starting to shift somewhat, and I may tweak the direction Truly Madly Sassy is going in (hey, you can only talk about grief so much before you’re sick of it! LOL), but I have to tell you, it’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that my story not only heals me, but heals others as well. I’m so happy that we have this medium because we can reach so many people this way! Great post!

  2. Wow congratulations Melissa on being on TV! Well done girl! So true about the support and the learning. I’m trying affiliate programs and I want at some stage to do online courses too. So there is so much out there to do but I’m glad you are making a difference in your community. Thanks for all the comments, much appreciated. 🙂

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