The Power of Blogging-Yes, Blogging Can Be a Well Paid Career

Recently, I’ve found I’ve had to explain to a fair few people in the ‘real world’ what a blogging career actually means.

Questions of late-

‘What, you earn a good living from blogging?’

‘How can you blog for a job?’

‘You earn more than when you were as a TV director, really?’

‘You have staff?’

I get it, this is a pretty new career in a brave new online world, one that has only become a full time job for most over the last few years (including myself) as the digital landscape exploded- but I must admit, I’m getting a little bit weary of all the presumptions around blogging, that if someone doesn’t quite understand it, they perhaps don’t value it.

And I don’t want to be a defensive person. That’s just not me.

I hate having to explain that I charge high fees, work with global brands and blogging pays well. Yet I do and I just have. I earn more than when I was a full time TV director. I employ 3 people.

It’s there for the taking, people.

That doesn’t mean a blogging career has to offer you high earning power to be valued either. That’s not how ‘art’ works.

Plus, not everyone wants to blog for a job.

I don’t mean to rant and heck, this isn’t meant to be a show-off post, I started this blog, like all bloggers without spending a penny. No overheads, no obligations. That’s the beauty of blogging. Create and opportunities will come.

I also appreciate that not everyone wants to make blogging their full time job-they don’t want to monetise their blog so they can keep it ad-free or don’t have the time or inclination to combine sponsored posts with personal ones along with social media work, consultancy, and potential modelling deals, endorsements, TV and online work and all the rest that I do regularly-and that’s OK, but many of us, we ‘digital influencers’  as PR’s like to refer to us, do just that, we influence and we’re paid well to do so.

I didn’t actively pursue this as a career, as it didn’t even exist as one when I started out in November 2010 and I certainly would blog even if I didn’t earn a penny from it, simply because I LOVE IT.

Blogging nourishes me and I’m lost without this space of mine and I’m grateful my blog is also my job, that every day I get to share my life and loves as my career-that I make videos for brands I’m passionate about and I’m able to use my voice for the better good, sharing charity campaigns and supporting those in need.

This job stimulates and satisfies me like no other. I work on my time and on my terms. It works for my family and offers me freedom and control and most importantly, it never feels like work because it’s so INCREDIBLY fun!

Want to be paid to wear these clothes, create recipes, go on holiday? Yes, it’s a dream job.

And of course, it requires hard graft and commitment to growth, I never stop honing my voice, acquiring new skills and passion. We are nothing without passion right?

I just can’t wait until professional blogging is deemed as more of a ‘normal job’ by society as a whole.

‘Hi Mrs Career advisor I want to be a pro blogger please’.

I welcome the day when I don’t have to explain my job to anyone. Honestly.

And I know that day is coming.

It’s almost here.

And the lesson I suppose is not to assume or judge, everyone’s experience and position will vary-many others, bloggers or not, might not realise quite how much they can even earn or the valuable possibilities blogging can bring.

You don’t need a million readers or followers to earn a great living, although of course, that helps- targeted niche audience matter-they are the ones advertisers want to attract and nurture.

There will always be a desire for talented writers, photographers and filmmakers on digital platforms so work at your blog game and keep delivering.

Yes, I’m an established blogger, yes my blog turns 5 in 2 weeks and this has been my full-time job for 3 years, but I started right at the beginning like we all do.

Bloggers, I simply say, be proud and stand tall, whether you choose this as career or not, whether you call yourself a professional blogger or not, because we’re only getting stronger, bigger, better and more kick-ass by the day.

Blogging pays.

The sooner everyone realises that, the better. For all of us.

Bloggers, if you want to read my many posts offering blogging tips and how to make your blog, your job, click HERE.

Photo by Kirsty Mattsson Photography

 

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