Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 July 2009

Blogging for fun

Blogging is fun.

Even the professional that is trying to turn a blog into his primary source of income does it for fun. But there is a subtle difference between a blog that has a specific purpose and a blog that is created and maintained just for the fun of it. Blogging for fun is putting together content that you like, the things that you enjoy. You do it for yourself, for family and friends and perhaps for the world. It is a question of blogging for arts sake.

Blogging is a form of creative expression, and even when the blog becomes your main source of income, your profession, there is only one way to blog and that is for fun. Blogging has become an art form. Bloggers range from amateurs that simply blog to create a record of their lives for family and friends, to those with a serious point of view and perhaps a political agenda.

Some people simply blog for the money. Their blogs are a constant rehash of search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques, or instructions on how to make money from their blogs. Many businesses have set up their own blogs to help promote their products and even to provide help and support to their clients.

When an artist or a writer stops enjoying what they do their art dies. When the fun is no longer part of the definition of blogging, the interest dies and with it the blog.

Blogging as an art form is similar to all other creative outlets. Artists create art because of the drive for creative expression. Some are able to make a living while doing what they enjoy most. Others struggle to turn their art into a viable profession and some are content to simply treat is as a hobby.

Musicians play their instruments to express themselves. Music is their life. Some get rich and others remain poor. They play for enjoyment and satisfaction that creating music brings.

Writers are a similar breed. Many aspire to write and become rich and famous. They become journalists, novelists, copy writers or bloggers. They have a way with words and are able to express their interests in the form of language. They write for personal fulfilment, to make a statement, for recognition or to satisfy their egos. They do it for fun. Even when the writing becomes work, the fun aspect remains.

It is often said that pursuing your passion is the key to success. Pursuing your passion is fun. It provides fulfilment and satisfaction.

There are few exceptions to this rule. Some have an overriding dedication to a cause. They produce blogs in the hope that others will be influenced to support their point of view. Perhaps their blog is a political expression and will attract votes for their favourite party.

Many blogs are created with an agenda of some sort. They focus on a key interest of the blogger, be it photography, dieting or sky diving. Then there is the blog that is created just for fun. It is type of blog where anything goes. Just add whatever content you enjoy and let the rest follow. There is no theme, no agenda. Perhaps this is the definition of blogging for fun.

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

Still haven't quit my day job ...

Four months after starting my first blog, the earnings are still trickling in. The income is increasing, but rather slowly! Not enough to quite my day job. Not even enough to cover one day's earnings.

During this time I have looked into all sorts of promotional options. I have subscribed to a variety of webrings. I have tried Digg, De.lio.cious and others. I have visited a lot of blogs that offer free advice on how to earn money from your blog. The give you the opportunity to buy an ebook, or a course, or advertising - all at some cost.

I have joined blogecplosion which, I must admit, does work. But is hasn't worked well enough to provide me with an income. At least not yet.

I know that there are some people that make money from their blogs. But are these all people writing about making money from blogging? Is it a case of continuing to build traffic and slowly increasing earnings?

Please vote in my poll - do you earn money from your blog?

In the meantime I am continuing my business consulting activities. This is something that takes me to all sorts of companies and different places. These organisations provide a great source of material to write about - except for the non-disclosure agreements which mean that I'm not allowed to write about them at all. At least not while consulting to them.

My current contract is in a setting where springbok and zebras roam the grounds. A great environment! The photo was taken from some distance with my cell phone. No telephoto lens. But the scene is set.