What is a blog? It’s not what it used to be

Blogging has evolved and so have I.

My first introduction to blogging

In 2005, my friend Sarah showed me something new. She had discovered Blogger (blogger.com) and had started a blog. Knowing I was a long-time writer and fellow creative, she promptly showed me the blogger.com site and the blog she had created. I thought it was one of the best ideas ever! My own “website” and free? Oh, the things I could do with one! Naturally, I had to share it with my friend Gabby, who jumped on it as well. (She’s been doing it ever since!).

A blog by definition is “a regularly updated website or web page, typically one run by an individual or small group, that is written in an informal or conversational style.” That may be the definition, but boy have times changed!

Blogging as an online journal

In the early days of blogging, an online journal was exactly what a blog was. In fact, many used to refer to it as a “web log”. One might have chosen to share it with a friend or family member, but that was pretty much the extent of it. I think that’s what I got hung up on. I was definitely not a technologically skilled girl and I wanted to do more with the sites I created, but what? How? (Yes, I said sites).

I knew it had to be possible and yet, it didn’t seem as though anyone else had figured it out yet either.

Blogging for good

I had more than one blog. In fact, I had several over the years. I loved the concept and loved sharing information. Helping others by creating a new blog became my niché.  My desire to “help” was fulfilled by creating a new site. It made me feel good to be able to get the word out for a fundraising effort, care for an ill friend, or support a family during loss. 

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Blogging for Business

My gut still told me, however, that blogging could be used for business. I started more blogs thinking I could really do something with them. One was created to sell custom-made scrapbooks during Christmastime and another was on the subject of resume writing. I figured I could show examples, provide helpful information, and then offer my resume writing services for a fee. But again, they were fun to create, but they didn’t seem to “do” much. 

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New look, new opportunities?

By 2011, the new idea was to have a custom-designed blog. That sounded like a great idea to me! I was bored with all of the basic blogger.com designs and longed for something that felt more like “me”. Maybe that would do the trick.

I don’t remember how I came across her, but I found a designer online named Kendra John. Kendra ran a graphic design business and blog called Keylime Digital Designs (now known as Kendra John Designs).  As a young mother, she was an amazing self-taught graphic designer who could really “read” her customers. She created a fabulous blog theme for me that felt just perfect. In fact, her creation is what prompted the term, “very Kim Funk”. She “got” me and I loved it. (I still do).

Blogging as a business

In the last few years, there’s been a lot of rumbling about people actually making an income from blogging. Of course, it intrigued me as it always had, but I wasn’t sold. (Insert slight eye roll and a heavy sigh).

I still longed to write, I still longed to share information and stories, and I still longed to own a business and be my own boss. Maybe, I thought, it was time to try again.

Blogging has evolved and so have I…

Along with all of the hoopla, there were a few bloggers who were actually sharing their income reports. The proof was in the pudding for some. Of course, they weren’t newbies who magically struck gold overnight, but then again I wasn’t a newbie either.

I started working towards the goal of becoming an income earning blogger in late July 2018. I have studied like crazy and read more information than I even knew existed.

And during that process, I learned (or was reminded of) a few things that truly helped me evolve and change my focus:

1. Keeping it simple is what a serious blogger does. The days of covering every subject under the sun in one’s blog are not as effective as a business. One must be seen as an “authority” in a certain area. 
2. Taking the time to assess skills and “gifts” is one of the smartest things one can do. I took part in an exercise that was eye-opening and made things very clear.
3. Teaching people how to earn a living by blogging is indeed a saturated market. However, it’s saturated because the desire is there. Many people still want to learn about blogging but have yet to find the right teacher…
4. Most importantly, hard work still pays off. Blogging success is not achieved overnight, nor without a great deal of time and effort. (My family has barely seen me during the last several weeks).

I am a helper, a communicator, a teacher, and I am ready.  With that awareness, a “few” crucial “tools”, and a newly found confidence, I begin this new journey and I am so excited!

Let’s do this!