Blogs aren’t for everyone. In fact, blogs aren’t for most people. However, if you’re thinking of starting a blog, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
1) Am I willing to devote time to blogging?
2) Do I have the “spare change”, needed to start a blog?
3) Do I have a basic knowledge of computers?
4) Can I type, halfway proficient?
5) Is my grammar and spelling good?
6) Am I willing to learn, that which I don’t know?
7) Do I have knowledge of a lot of topics, or a lot of knowledge on one topic?
8.) Do I think I can make millions with a blog?
9) Will I have the time to post to my blog on a regular basis?
10) Will I be able to sustain a blog, for longer than three months?
11) Do I love to write?
12) Five years from now, will I be sorry I didn’t start a blog today?
13) Will I be upset, if I don’t make any money blogging?
If you answered yes to all questions, except #8 and 13, you probably have what it takes to start, and maintain a blog. If you answered “yes” to #8 and #13, and are only blogging for dollars, plan on having to struggle most of the way.
If you don’t like to write and share what you know with others, or if you feel you need to put a “price tag” on your posts, more than likely, your blog will fail.
Most probloggers who are making money blogging, will admit, money was the result of loving to write and share. Money was not why they started blogging.
As of today (9/12/07), Techorati is tracking 104.4 million blogs. In March of 2007, that number was 70 million. Blogs come, blogs go. Ask yourself, do you have what it takes to start a blog, that will stand the test of time?
Great post! I asked all the questions to myself… I think for most questions, I pass (phew!). The biggest challenge is the time #9. This week, I got a sudden business trip so my blogging rhythm got distracted for a few days (and now I am back in cafe trying to catch up!).
When you read Problogger, you feel overwhelmed, with how much time you may need to spend a day….
60 minutes writing an article. 60 minutes visiting other blogs and commenting. 60 minutes improving features on your blog. 30 minutes analyzing the statistics and tweaking SEO. 30 minutes trying to work on ads on your sites….
Asako,
Thank you for the comment. Glad you passed 🙂
Yes, blogging is very, very time consuming, if….you want to do it right. I don’t even clock my hours anymore, as it’s like having a second full time job (even though blogging is technically classified as a “hobby”).
#9 – regular posting is very important, especially if you want your blog to be “crawled”.
But, don’t beat your self up, if life take you away from your blog for a short period of time. One great thing about WordPress is the ability to post date your posts (see my post on that: https://bloggingwithoutablog.com/how-to-post-date-your-posts-wordpress/). If you have several posts pre-written, post dating them would work out great if you know you’re going to be away from your computer.
P.S. Enjoy those lattes. I know they inspire you. 🙂
You are right. I will back in cafe tomorrow to write up a bunch!