So I’ve been thinking about blogging a lot lately. (Do I ever think about anything else?) Actually, it hit me while I was trying to fix my coffee maker this morning (side note: don’t try to fix your own coffee maker. Just buy a new one. Trust me on this).
Anyway, I was covered in coffee grounds and suddenly wondered: Does anyone even read blogs anymore? (And, this was actually a question my uncle asked me in 2015. It’s haunted me.) So, I got to thinking, when was the last time you read one, Tiffany? I couldn’t immediately recall. But, as I thought on this – I realized that I read them all the time. All. The. Time. They just look a lot different than the first-ever blogs I read 20+ years ago.
I hear a lot of people saying that the blog is dead.
But here’s the thing – I don’t think blogging is actually dead. It’s just… different now. Like how we all thought flip phones were gone forever, and now they’re back but all fancy and foldy. We’re back, baby. But we actually never left.
Let’s examine the blog makeover.
What Counts as Blogging These Days?
So I looked around. What type of content am I consuming now, instead of the blogs I was reading in 2008? Here’s what I noticed. Today’s bloggers are:
- YouTubers who film their entire lives (including what they eat in a day. Why do I watch these?) No, it’s not as popular as 10 years ago. But people are still doing it and earring a living. Maybe they focus only on gardening with homemade tools, or another very specialized interest. But, they are doing it.
- Instagrammers are posting pictures of their pets with long, heartfelt captions (guilty as charged. Okay, it’s my sister’s puppers – but yeah.)
- TikTokers doing dances I’m too uncoordinated to attempt (I tried once. My daughter still judges me). Or maybe they’re offering up advice. They’re doing it.
- Podcasters talking about everything from true crime to how to grow the perfect tomato.
It’s wild, right? But when you think about it, it’s all just different ways of sharing our lives and thoughts online. Which is what blogging was all about in the first place.
Why You Might Still Want a Website (Even If It’s Just to Impress Your Tech-Savvy Nephew or Non-Tech-Savvy Dad)
Before you go deleting your old blog faster than I delete my browser history after a late-night online shopping spree, hang on a sec. Having your own website is still pretty important. Here’s why:
- It’s all yours: Unlike Facebook where your aunt can comment on everything, your website is your own little internet kingdom.
- Creative freedom: Want to use Comic Sans and neon green backgrounds? Go for it! (But maybe don’t. Please.)
- Google might actually find you: With some SEO magic (which is a crazy ever-changing game), people might find your site when they’re googling random stuff at 3 AM. (Ask me how I know.)
- It’s like a hub for all your internet stuff: You can link to your TikTok dances, your podcast about conspiracy theories (are giraffes really real? IYKYK), whatever. It’s all in one place.
How to Maybe, Possibly Make Some Money From This Stuff (You Most Definitely Can!)
Alright, so you have an idea, dream and maybe even a website to accompany it. But how do you turn that into something that actually pays the bills? (Because, unfortunately, landlords and mortgage holders don’t accept “internet fame” as payment.)
Here are some ideas I’ve picked up over my two decades in “blogging”:
- Figure out your thing: What can you talk about forever without getting bored? For me, it’s actually a never-ending list of all the things. Find your niche!
- Make stuff people actually want: Whether it’s blog posts, videos, or interpretive dance tutorials, make sure it’s either helpful or entertaining. Or both, if you’re feeling ambitious.
- Actually talk to your audience: Respond to comments like they’re texts from your bestie. Ask what they want to see. Make them feel special, you know? (DO THIS REGARDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE SAYS ABOUT IT. Apologies for the all-caps, but, for real.)
- Try different money-making things: Affiliate links, sponsored posts, sell some merch. I’m still trying to figure this part out, to be honest. Who wants a Tiff Tee?
- Make internet friends: Team up with other people doing similar stuff. It’s like forming a content creation superhero team. The Avengers, but for content creators. (Okay, you get it.)
Email Lists: They’re Actually Pretty Cool (And May Be Your Bread & Butter)
Last thing before I let you go. Email lists are super important. I’ve said this from the beginning. I’ve said this long before I had a full grasp on what I was doing online or in blogging. I created community, and with that community came an email list that I could use to reach out to my community. This, was the turning point in my earnings and empire-building. Here’s what I’ve learned:
- It’s direct: You’re basically sliding into people’s inboxes (in a non-creepy way).
- It works: People are more likely to buy stuff from emails than social media. (My impulse purchases can confirm this.)
- It’s yours: Even if Instagram suddenly decides to shut down, you’ve still got your email list.
To get people to sign up, try offering something cool for free – that they actually want or need.
This will be dependent on your community avatar. Do your research into what will be a valuable asset to your community before spending hours or days creating that freebie. Hey, it may be an entrance into your super special VIP group or community.
Wrapping This Up (Because My Husband Is Questioning If I Fully Intend To Get Off Of My Computer And Get My Saturday Run In)
So yeah, is blogging dead? No! Absolutely not. It just looks a lot different today than it did in 2005 or even 2015. The main thing is to keep making cool stuff and pair it with another offering – like a TikTok account or YouTube account. Blogs are no longer daily journals. They’re the base of your business that everything else can stand on and come back to.
Whether you’re writing blog posts, making TikToks, or talking into a microphone about the best way to make sourdough bread, just enjoy the process. And hey, maybe you’ll make some money. Or maybe you’ll just make some cool internet friends. Either way, it’s a win.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go create a new TikTok account for another fun idea that has just come to mind. (I’ll get to you soon, run!) Wish me luck, and ask me about it at Bloggy Conference!
P.S. If you’ve got any tips on how to make money from blogging, let me know. I’d love to share your ideas and suggestions to everyone! (This is what we do at Bloggy Conference, it’s a whole thing.)
Photo by Markus Winkler.