Do You Have What It Takes to Blog?

When I first contemplated starting this blog, I asked myself this very question. I didn’t know if I had the skills needed to be a blogger. With services like Blogger and Wordpress almost anyone can get a blog, but is that a good thing. Those services and the internet in general are riddled with dead or dying blogs that never stood a chance. Chances are the people who started them weren’t cut out for blogging.

Don’t get me wrong I am by no means a “successful” blogger; I’m fine with admitting that. I just got into the game; I haven’t even worked up a sweat. However I feel that there are a number of traits that can help you be a successful blogger and without them you are more apt to failure. When asking yourself if you have what it takes to blog, also ask yourself the following:

Do I possess any technical skill?
First and foremost are you comfortable on a computer? You have to be comfortable with the most basic of tasks before becoming a blogger. Are you comfortable with surfing the web? Can you create a word document and use a spellchecker? I’m going to assume that the answer is yes to all of the above.

Beyond those basic skills do you understand the basics behind the blog? Can you comprehend HTML or do a small fix on your blog by yourself? Although blogging platforms like Wordpress and Blogger are easy to use, sometimes it’s necessary to make a small edit here or there to get things in working order. If you can’t, you aren’t necessarily out of the game. You can always pay for that kind of work.

Can I write about my topic daily?
Yes! I’m going to make the coolest blog about Quantum Physics….wait…do I know anything about Quantum Physics? Simply picking a subject that sounds interesting won’t cut it in the blogging world. You need knowledge to backup your interest. If you can’t post at the very least 1 article per week (1 per day is better) on your topic, then you better think twice.

Am I willing to blog even if nobody is reading?
The blogosphere has a high dropout rate simply because it takes awhile for your blog to get noticed. If you are producing quality unique content, it’s only a matter of time before you get noticed. You have to be willing to continue to write even though FeedBurner says you have 5 readers. Be motivated to blog or don’t blog at all.

Am I Unique?
Is there anything about your points of view or knowledge that makes you any different than the thousands of blogs out there already on your subject? You can certainly write about the exact same thing as all the other blogs, but you won’t be noticed as much and it will be much harder for you blog to grow.

If you are able to answer “Yes” to all of these questions, then you are certainly ready to start a blog. If you can’t then re-evaluate your goals and plans and take the time to learn what you need to learn; it’s only going to benefit you in the long run.

Popularity: 11% [?]

If you like this post please Subscribe to my RSS Feed

Add This Blog Post to Other Sites:
          

Related Posts:
I’m a Blogging Failure
6 Essential Tips to Read before Starting a New Blog
Working Hard Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Working Long Hours