When friends and new readers see I’ve managed to make a living as a writer on my own terms, they often ask: What role did blogging play in that transition?
The truth is, my blog is the ENTIRE reason I was able to transition to working for myself.
Yup, it’s been THAT important for making my business work.
Do you ever wonder whether your blog is worth all the time you put into it? Whether you should really spend so many hours growing your online presence (especially if it’s not bringing in any money)?
It’s a question we all ask ourselves, especially if we’re short on time ““ and who isn’t?! There aren’t enough hours in the day to spend quality time with family, hit the gym, produce good work at the day job, keep up with the news and much more… and then we’re trying to grow a blog on top of all that?
Sometimes it feels insane, right?
I’m here to tell you IT’S WORTH IT.
Most of the opportunities that come my way these days find me through my blog. Or maybe they find me via a professional contact, but then that person checks out my blog and BOOM, opportunity solidified.
My blog is my biggest and best attempt at making my own luck ““ and it works.
But having a kick-ass online presence isn’t simply helpful for where you’re at right now. If you do it well, your work online will set you up for the future, too.
It will give you flexibility that most other people don’t have ““ the flexibility to pivot from job to job, create your own job, or start your own business. It will give you peace of mind in an unsteady economy, because you’ll be able to cobble together a paycheck if your employer can no longer afford you.
I can’t remember where I read this, but one author compared having a strong online presence to pounding the pavement, day after day after day — except you don’t have to do the pounding. Because once you’ve made yourself easy to find and your value easy to pinpoint, opportunities will come to you even when you’re sleeping.
This is the opportunity version of passive income. Inviting opportunities while you sleep.
That’s really what making your own luck is all about: laying the groundwork so opportunities find you and, just as importantly, being ready to act on them when they do. The easiest way to do that, by far, is producing an awesome blog. (Like this idea? Tweet it!)
So spend all the time you want building up your blog. Do it because you’re building a future for yourself. You’re giving yourself the gift of flexibility.
When you look at it that way, as a chance to cultivate opportunity, it’s an easy choice, right?
Hi Alexis,
The real issue is…what does one’s blog offer to garner a following? Mine is quite a niche blog, which I started to develop an audience for a future memoir. But I realize after spending mucho time on the blog (which I enjoyed and was personally rewarding) that it will never generate a big audience. So when you talk about spending time on one’s blog, to generate future independence, what kind of blog are you imagining? Obviously yours offers a service and lots of great advice, not to mention the books you’ve written. It’s a great marketing strategy. There are millions of writers’ blogs out there. What would you suggest to stand out from the crowd?
Hey Linda — I think you’ve answered your own question! What can you offer? How can you help others? I think informational blogs (with some personality mixed in) are easier to grow than blogs about your life. What practical advice can you give?
Hi Alexis, you speak about building your blog as part of making your own luck. Just out of curiosity, what do YOU look for when you are reading other blogs out there? What do you feel is relevant to you in terms of what the people have to offer on their respective blogs?
I look for helpful and inspiring information, plus solid writing. I read blogs about blogging, entrepreneurship, figuring out how to make a living on your own terms, and writing. I look for people who offer information that’s a little different than everyone else. Blogs that make me think!
Yes, I like the ‘make me think’ comment. Personally, I love blogs that are able to challenge my way of thinking through a good, solid argument. The upside of when your opinion is not 100% correct is that you learn something new in the process 🙂
I love this attitude! Besides, writing a blog gives us a sense of community, and that alone is worth it. Thanks!
The chances of my blog gathering a big audience are slim. However, I am changing the world one person at a time. Knowing this makes all the work I’ve put into blogging worth while.
It’s amazing how multiple blogs can result from the simple expansion of one topic alone.
For me, it is a matter of choice if you are dedicating enough on what you are doing or the craft you’ve chosen. Everything will be on trash if you think they are all not important in your life or you as a person.