What Does it Take to Become a Professional Blogger?

April 11, 2023April 26, 2023 G S MeredithBlog Posts, Blogging, Website Content

Forging a career as a professional blogger is a dream that many aspiring writers and content creators share. Becoming independent and earning good money is certainly a big attraction. And it’s seen as one of those jobs that ANYONE can do.

But it’s not as easy as many people think. Not only do you need the right skill set but plenty of determination and passion if you want to succeed.

A professional blogger is someone who creates, publishes, and manages content on a blog with the primary intention of earning a sustainable income from their online presence. This person treats blogging as a full-time job or business, using various methods of monetisation and audience engagement to achieve success.

There are numerous benefits to becoming a professional blogger. These include flexible work hours, location independence, creative control, and the ability to share your passions and knowledge with a global audience.

Additionally, successful bloggers can achieve financial independence, allowing them to focus solely on their content and online presence. Some even travel the world, living off their laptop and funding new and exotic experiences with their writing. What’s not to like?

This blog post aims to guide aspiring bloggers on their journey to becoming professionals in the field. We l explore essential factors such as choosing a niche, how to monetise your blog and the steps you needed to become successful.

By following these guidelines and maintaining a growth mindset, you could establish yourself as a professional blogger and enjoy the rewards that come with this fulfilling career path.

Finding Your Niche

The blogging industry makes up a third of the content you find on the web and just over 40% of those sites are powered by WordPress. The average blog post takes about 4 hours to write, that’s according to wpbeginner.com. It pays not to waste time.

One of the first steps to becoming a professional blogger is identifying a niche or focus for your blog.

Selecting this is crucial for several reasons: it helps you stand out from the competition, target a specific audience, and establish yourself as an expert in your field. A well-defined niche will also guide your content creation process, making it easier to plan and develop blog posts that resonate with your audience.

Identifying your interests and expertise

When choosing a niche, consider your interests, passions, and areas of expertise. Blogging about a topic you genuinely enjoy and have knowledge of will make the content creation process more enjoyable and ensure that your enthusiasm shines through in your writing. Don’t forget, this is something that you will need to sustain over time – if you run out of steam after writing 10 or 20 blogs, you’re unlikely to see much from the fruits of your labour.

To find your ideal niche, make a list of your hobbies, skills, and experiences, and evaluate which topics you feel most excited about sharing with others. Also, look at how much content and different ideas you can generate to keep your fans and followers happy.

Check out our blog post: How Long Does it Take to Rank for Organic SEO?

Analysing market demand and competition

Once you have identified your potential niche, it’s important to conduct market research to assess the demand and competition in that area. Look for existing blogs and websites covering similar topics, check out their content, and identify gaps or areas where you can offer unique value.

Use keyword research tools to determine search volume and trends for topics related to your niche. The goal is to find a balance between a niche with enough demand to attract readers, but not so saturated that it becomes challenging to establish a strong online presence.

Creating Quality Content

Consistent content production is a key factor in becoming a professional blogger. Regularly publishing high-quality blog posts not only keeps your audience engaged but also signals to search engines that your website is active and up-to-date. The big thing here is ‘quality’. It’s no use simply pumping out posts using keyword research – you need to validate your existence by producing great content.

Here are just three great tips:

Create a content calendar to plan your blog posts and establish a publishing schedule that works for you. Whether it’s once a week or several times a month, be consistent and commit to your chosen frequency.
Before you start writing, invest time in researching your chosen topic to ensure your content is accurate, relevant, and informative. Look for reputable sources and gather data, statistics, and examples to support your points.
Outline your blog post, organising your ideas and information into a logical structure. This planning process will help you create well-structured and engaging content that meets the needs and expectations of your audience.

To create engaging and informative blog posts, focus on providing value to your readers. Write in a clear and concise style, using headings and subheadings to break up the text and make it easy to scan. Incorporate storytelling and personal anecdotes to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Make sure your content is well-edited and free of grammatical errors, as this can impact your credibility as a professional blogger.

Incorporating visuals and multimedia elements

Adding visuals to your blog posts can enhance the overall user experience and make your content more shareable. These can be images, infographics, videos, and audio clips to illustrate your points and keep your readers engaged.

Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to use any media you include, and always credit the source when applicable.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a crucial aspect of professional blogging, as it helps improve your blog’s visibility on search engines like Google. You may hope that people will find your blog by chance but it’s not likely to increase your following as quickly as you would like.

A solid understanding of SEO will enable you to create content that ranks higher in search results, ultimately driving more organic traffic to your blog. The good news is it’s not difficult. Familiarise yourself with SEO basics, such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building, to ensure your blog has a strong foundation for success.

Keyword research and optimization

Keyword research involves finding relevant keywords to target in your blog posts that bring in enough traffic. You can use keyword research tools to identify popular search terms related to your niche and incorporate them naturally into your content.

Focus on long-tail keywords—specific, less competitive phrases that are easier to rank for and can drive targeted traffic to your blog. Optimise your blog post titles, headings, and meta descriptions with these keywords to improve your chances of ranking higher in search results.

You can use plug-in tools like Yoast to make this much easier and the good news is that it is free.

On-page and off-page SEO techniques

On-page SEO refers to optimising your blog’s content and HTML source code to improve search engine rankings. In addition to keywords, focus on creating high-quality, unique content that provides value to your audience. Ensure your blog’s URL structure, title tags, and meta descriptions are optimised and that your site is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate.

Off-page SEO involves external factors that impact your blog’s search engine rankings, such as backlinks from other websites. Establish relationships with other bloggers and websites in your niche and look for opportunities to guest blog or collaborate on content. Engage in social media and online forums to promote your content and generate valuable backlinks to your blog.

Building an Online Presence

Social media platforms are essential for building your blog’s online presence and driving traffic, especially in the early days as you develop your content.

Create profiles on popular platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest to share your pages, engage with your audience, and attract new readers. Use relevant hashtags, join groups or communities within your niche, and participate in conversations to increase your visibility and establish yourself as a knowledgeable resource.

Networking with other bloggers

Connecting with other bloggers in your niche can certainly help you build relationships, learn from their experiences, and gain valuable insights into the community. You might also want to attend conferences, workshops, or online events to meet like-minded individuals as well as consider joining blogger networks or associations.

Engaging with fellow bloggers often leads to collaboration opportunities, guest posting, or content sharing, which can expand your reach and grow your audience.

Guest blogging and collaborations

Guest blogging involves writing and publishing content on another website or blog within your niche. This can be a highly effective way to increase your online presence, gain credibility, and acquire high-quality backlinks.

Reach out to established bloggers in your niche and pitch guest post ideas that would be valuable to their audience. Collaborating with other bloggers or influencers on joint projects or content exposes your blog to new readers and expands your network.

Engaging With Your Audience as a Professional Blogger

Encouraging your readers to leave comments and share their thoughts on your blog posts creates a sense of community and fosters engagement. Ask open-ended questions in your content and invite readers to share their experiences or opinions. Respond to comments promptly and show appreciation for any input. This interaction is key if you want to build a loyal audience and make your readers feel more connected to you and your blog.

As a professional blogger, it’s essential to be accessible and approachable to your audience even if it’s not something you’re used to. Make it easy for readers to contact you by providing a clear contact form, comments section or email address on your blog. Respond promptly and thoughtfully to questions, inquiries, or feedback from your readers. Yes, there will be some spam but most of it should be people who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

Email newsletters are an effective way to maintain regular communication with your audience, update them on new blog posts, and share exclusive content or offers. Encourage readers to subscribe to your newsletter by providing a sign-up form on your blog and offering incentives, such as free resources or access to exclusive content. Craft engaging and informative newsletters that provide value to your subscribers and keep them engaged with your blog. Remember to maintain a healthy balance between promotional content and valuable information to avoid overwhelming your subscribers.

Monetising Your Blog

Once you’ve started to get people visiting and built up a following, you can start thinking about how you make money from your blog. There are several ways to monetise your blogging activity and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Display advertising

Display advertising involves placing ads on your blog, either through an ad network like Google AdSense or by selling ad space directly to advertisers.

These ads will be in the form of banners, sidebars, or in-content placements. You earn revenue based on factors such as impressions, clicks, or conversions. To optimise your earnings from display advertising, ensure your ads are relevant to your audience and placed strategically on your blog without negatively impacting user experience.

This can be a fine balancing act between bringing in revenue and pushing too many ads that make your pages frustrating.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way for bloggers to monetise their content by promoting products or services from other companies.

By joining affiliate programs or networks, you’ll receive unique tracking links to include in your blog posts. When a reader clicks on the link and makes a purchase, you’ll earn a commission on the sale. Focus on promoting products and services that align with your niche and are genuinely valuable to your audience to maintain trust and credibility.

Selling products or services

As a professional blogger, you can also monetise your expertise by creating and selling your own products or services. This can include digital products such as e-books, online courses, or printable resources, or physical products like merchandise, books, or artwork. Alternatively, you can offer services such as consulting, coaching, or freelance writing. When creating products or offering services, ensure they are of high quality and provide genuine value to your audience. This will help build your reputation and encourage repeat customers.

Analyzing and Optimising Blog Performance

Monitoring your blog’s performance is crucial for identifying areas of improvement and measuring the success of your strategies.

Use analytics tools, such as Google Analytics or other website-specific tools, to track various metrics such as page views, bounce rate, session duration, and conversion rates. These insights help you understand how your audience interacts with your content and which aspects of your blog are most effective in driving engagement and conversions.

Regularly review your analytics data to identify trends and patterns in your blog’s performance. Look for content that is performing exceptionally well or underperforming to understand what resonates with your audience and what doesn’t. Pay attention to factors such as traffic sources, popular search queries, and user demographics to tailor your content and marketing strategies accordingly.

Use the insights gained from your analytics to optimise your blog’s performance continually. This may involve updating or repurposing underperforming content, adjusting your content calendar to focus on popular topics, or experimenting with new promotional strategies to drive traffic.

Continuously testing and refining your approach based on data-driven insights will help you stay ahead of your competition and maximize your blog’s potential. This can be the most difficult part of being a professional blogger but it’s well worth putting in the effort to master analytics if you want to be successful.

Developing a Growth Mindset

Blogging is an ever-evolving field, and successful professional bloggers understand the importance of continuous learning. Stay informed about industry trends, new tools, and best practices by following industry news, attending conferences or webinars, and connecting with other bloggers. This commitment to learning and growth will help you adapt to changes in the blogging landscape and ensure your blog remains relevant and competitive.

Over 60 million blogs are created each year and around 80% of them fail or don’t lead anywhere. If you want to succeed, you need that growth mindset and that determination.

Adapting to industry changes

As a professional blogger, it’s essential to remain agile and adapt to changes in the industry. This may involve exploring new platforms, adjusting your content strategy to align with search engine algorithm updates, or pivoting your niche based on market demand.

Embrace change with enthusiasm and as an opportunity to grow and evolve, and be prepared to adjust your approach as needed to maintain your blog’s success.

Pursuing professional development opportunities

Invest in your professional development by taking courses, attending workshops, or earning certifications related to blogging, content creation, and digital marketing.

Pursuing professional development opportunities not only improves your skills and knowledge but also demonstrates your commitment to excellence in the blogging field, helping you stand out as a professional blogger.

The Role of Personal Drive and Determination in Becoming a Successful Professional Blogger

Becoming a successful professional blogger requires a high level of personal drive and determination. Passion and commitment are the fuels that propel you to overcome challenges, stay motivated, and persevere even when faced with setbacks.

Your love for your chosen niche and the desire to share your knowledge and expertise with others will inspire you to push through difficult times, continuously improve your skills, and strive for success.

A strong work ethic is a critical component of that personal drive and determination. Successful bloggers understand the importance of dedicating time and effort to consistently produce high-quality content, engage with their audience, and promote their blogs. Even when they don’t feel like it.

They view blogging as a long-term commitment and approach it with professionalism and discipline, setting goals and working diligently to achieve them.

Resilience in the face of obstacles

As a professional blogger, you will inevitably encounter obstacles and setbacks, such as writer’s block, technical issues, or slow growth in traffic and revenue. Personal determination enables you to remain resilient during these challenging times, learning from your experiences and adapting your approach as needed.

Embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and keep moving forward, even when the path to success seems unclear.

Self-motivation and discipline

The ability to self-motivate and maintain discipline is crucial for professional bloggers, especially since they often work independently and set their own schedules.

Develop habits and routines that keep you focused and productive, such as setting aside dedicated time for content creation, networking, and learning. Stay disciplined in your efforts to achieve your blogging goals, and celebrate your accomplishments along the way to maintain motivation and momentum.

A strong personal drive also involves a commitment to continuous self-improvement. Successful bloggers recognize that there is always room for growth, both in their skills and their knowledge of the industry. They invest time in learning new techniques, staying informed about trends, and refining their writing and marketing strategies.

Cultivating a success mindset

Lastly, cultivating a success mindset is an essential aspect of personal drive and determination. Believe in your ability to achieve your goals, visualize your desired outcomes, and maintain a positive attitude even in the face of challenges. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who share your vision and can provide encouragement and guidance.

Summary

Embarking on a journey to become a professional blogger can be both exciting and challenging. It requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to learn and adapt.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your blog to the next level, remember that your unique voice and passion for your chosen niche are what will ultimately set you apart. Stay focused, be persistent, and enjoy the rewarding experience of connecting with your audience and sharing your expertise through your blog.

What Does it Take to Become a Professional Blogger?