If you’re looking for a new hobby in 2021, blogging is pretty much ideal - all you need is internet access, it’s free to start, and you get to choose the amount of time you want to commit. 

However, starting as a beginner blogger can seem daunting. Maybe you’re not particularly tech-savvy, or you feel nervous and vulnerable about putting your writing out there in the world. After three and a half years of building up my little book blog, I can honestly say I’m so glad I took that initial leap!

These benefits of blogging will dispel your doubts and give the encouragement you need to set up your own rewarding, creative corner of the internet today.

Creative Outlet

There are no rules on what your blog should be about! Niches are almost infinitely varied, from lifestyle and wellbeing to travel and photography, from books to films, from food to music. You can even combine more than one if you’re undecided - how about mood-boosting playlists? Or recipes from the countries you visit?

The important thing is that it’s a subject you’ll never tire of gushing about and sharing your enthusiasm with people. There’s something so satisfying about putting your thoughts into words, then finding that those words have resonated with others too. 

A Like-Minded Community

Anyone can start a blog: teenagers, new mums, retired people looking for a new hobby. It’s inspiring to connect with so many people from different backgrounds who share your passion. 

I struggled with imposter syndrome when I first started blogging. With millions upon millions of articles on the internet, who was going to make time to read mine? However, other bloggers have always been encouraging and made me feel supported.

*Tip: You get what you give! Spend time reading, commenting and telling other bloggers what you enjoyed about their posts. This will keep your ideas flowing and make you feel engaged in the community.*

Learn New Skills

It’s reasonably intuitive that a blog is going to improve your writing. I’ve reached over 200 posts, with an average of 600 words per post - in total, more words than the average novel! It feels like a real achievement and has helped me get into a regular writing habit.

However, it’s not just about writing. You might also try your hand at graphic design, learn basic HTML or gain an insight into social media marketing.

Flexibility

Are you worried that blogging is going to become just another thing on your to-do list? You can commit as much or as little as you want - some people post every day, but I’ve found that just once a week works best for me. A fixed schedule isn’t necessary either if you’d prefer just to write whenever inspiration strikes!

Money or Freebies

Suppose you’re planning to monetise your blog, a word of warning. It can take a long time and lots of work to earn anything more than a few pounds here and there. For this reason, money-making really shouldn’t be the primary reason for starting to blog: do it because you’re passionate and let any opportunities grow authentically from this enthusiasm.

Having said that, there is some potential for perks! Free products to review, from the latest beauty trends to newly released books, are on the cards once you’ve built up a decent following.

Convinced? Here’s how to get started

If you like the sound of blogging but aren’t sure where to start, I would recommend Wordpress.com, one of the most popular platforms. They offer a free plan (which I’m still using after three years)! From my experience, it’s also lovely and intuitive for beginners, plus there’s a big supportive community of other bloggers on the same platform. 

Good luck with your blog!

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Written by Florence Edwards

Miscellany Pages Book Blog