If you've ever fantasized about quitting your day job and getting paid to express yourself, a blog may be a dream come true for you. Millions of people have managed to make or enhance careers by blogging--and you can join them.
Blogs make their mark on the Internet in many ways: they provide expert information, canny insight, or creative expression. Bloggers connect people, communicate ideas, endorse viewpoints, promote products, and much more--and they make money. Consider your potential online contribution--are you passionate and knowledgeable about a particular subject? Highly educated in an esoteric practice? A natural leader? Pithy? Witty? Your voice is your product--choose it wisely.
Scribbling Rivalry--Beat Your Competition Five Ways
By some estimates, there are about 200 million blogs online. The vast majority of bloggers don't come close to making a living at it. The ones who do make a living follow certain rules.
1. Treat it like a business. You can't expect to earn a business-grade income if you treat your blog like a hobby. Schedule plenty of time to work on your blog--it's crucial for building a following. Entrepreneurship career training can increase your chance of cyber success, and online degree programs make time management easier. Your blogging efforts constitute self-employment--if you don't know how to manage money, sell yourself, and grow your business, you may be setting yourself up to fail. Up your odds with an online degree--bachelor's or associate's--in business.
2. Educate yourself. Don't expect to be a slacker if you blog--winning businesses invest time and money in their endeavors. Continuing education in your chosen subject is de rigueur for successful blogging, and Web-development or -design classes can vastly improve your product. An online degree at the bachelor's level or higher enhances your credibility and is easy to work in with your blogging efforts.
3. Play well with others. Cyber-schmooze! Profitable bloggers take part in their online communities. Seek out the top dogs in yours and make friends. Exchange comments, share news, and take a leadership role in your corner of the blogscape. Attend the Blog World convention and put faces with bylines--take classes, get to know the latest blogging tools, and socialize.
4. Make money on several fronts. Blogging bucks can be earned in many ways, but don't make the mistake of relying solely on advertising. Affiliate marketing arrangements can be lucrative. Other bloggers have developed followings and then signed six-figure book deals. Not sure how to do it? Try taking a marketing class or even earning a marketing degree.
5. Toot your own horn. Some bloggers don't make the blog their career at all--they use their blogs to promote themselves in another business, such as consulting, financial planning, real estate, or law. Start by adding some writing classes to your online degree program. Bachelor's and associate's coursework abounds; a flexible schedule provides plenty of time for writing.
The Write Stuff: Careers in Blogging
Here are some popular ways to earn profits from your passion.
1. Writers and Editors: Like acting, music, and other creative professions, writing attracts many practitioners--but relatively few are successful enough to earn a living. Today's employers check out potential hires online--a fabulous blog is a great way to promote your writing skills and establish your standing. Corynne Steindler's gossip blog Jossip got her hired to write for the "New York Post," and Gawker's Jessica Coen landed an editing gig with "Vanity Fair." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers prefer to hire writers with degrees in communications, journalism, English, or other liberal arts degrees, but people with other backgrounds (for example, technical) may also find good writing jobs. Highly qualified writers can earn six-figure incomes.
2. Political Analysts: Some of the most prominent bloggers specialize in politics. If you'd love to pow-wow with power brokers and move and shake your way to the top of the blogosphere, this may be your niche. Give people a reason to seek out your opinion by earning your degree in political science. Political scientists study public opinion, decision-making, policy, and ideology. You might create or analyze a public-opinion survey, review election results, or interview public officials. The field is experiencing rapid growth, and its in-demand employees earned a median income of $104,130 in 2008.
3. Travel: Yes, you can combine writing and traveling--and yes, everyone will be jealous of you! A well-conceived and executed travel blog can net you a career as a corporate travel consultant, travel agent, tour guide, or travel companion, or you can even start your own company. According to BizReport.com, the majority of travel arrangements are made online. It reports, "Web 2.0 elements, such as video, blogs, travel bookmarking, and travel communities are giving travelers the raw information they desire to make complex travel decisions."
4. Business Consulting: According to "Business Week," "consultants establish their brands and reps with their blogs." But of course you need some expertise to advertise, don't you? That's where your business education comes in--according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 73 percent of consultants have at least a bachelor's degree. The highest demand for business consultants, according to Entrepreneur.com, is in accounting, advertising, auditing, business management, human resources, insurance, marketing, payroll, and taxes. Degrees in these fields can all be earned online--for extra marketability, go further--acquire an online master's degree in business (MBA) while building your practice.
5. Professional Blogging: Popular blogs can land sponsorship deals for as much as $25,000 per month, say consultants. Not too shabby, but how do you get there? Try time, quality content, and regular and frequent updating. What should you blog about? Whatever works for you. According to ProBlogger, posts that generate the most activity offer DIY help, "meaty" in-depth reads, stories people can relate to, Q and A, debate or controversy, humor, or lists and resources. Earning a degree in one of many subjects can boost your online skills and education, increasing your chance of creating a winning blog.
A good blog is a great way to promote your writing skills and establish credibility. There are many ways to achieve a fantastic and fun career by blogging. Put your unique combination of education, experience, and personality to work on the Web, and you too can love what you do.
Gina Pogol enjoys a fabulous career as a freelance writer and financial blogger. She earned a B.S. in Financial Management from the University of Nevada as well as a certificate in Paralegal Studies and an AS degree in Computer Programming.
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