This post may contain affiliate links. If you use the link I receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank You!
Would I Recommend Starting a Blog in 2022?
Honestly no.
I am currently 20 months into blogging. At 6 months in I started a second blog that is 14 months old.
I came into blogging with no previous experience running a website, using Pinterest, writing articles, or anything else that comes with blogging.
Everything I read made it seem like you can quickly make a full-time income with affiliates and ads. Your website will get crazy traffic and you will have all this passive income.
My truth is I have spent hundreds of hours on my blog at this point have made less than $50. I said hundreds of hours. Those hours could have been spent doing so many other things to make an income.
Blogging is a lot of work, a slow burn, and has no guarantee of success.
At this point, I have written about 200 articles or posts. If I worked as a freelance writer I would have been guaranteed money for writing those posts for someone else. The issues there would be not necessarily writing what I want to write, but you see my point.
If you require an income or fast cash do not start a blog. Do something that is guaranteed to get you money.
You could also do a different side hustle that has more focus. Running a blog has you involved in many small and different tasks. It is a lot to handle. If I were just freelance writing that would be all I focus on. Instead, I am linking content, writing, checking analytics, creating pins to promote my content and so much more. Blogging has you wearing a lot of hats that are challenging to manage.
It is hard to make progress and get to the point of making a real income.
When I first started blogging I thought it was awesome and wanted to recommend it to everyone. Then I realized how much work it is and how much I am struggling to make progress.
I would not recommend blogging to my friends and family at this point.
I strongly recommend you consider different side hustles.
How My Blogging Journey is Currently Going
Let me give you a quick overview of how blogging is going for me. These are my current stats.
Blog #1
Launched in January 2021
Published Posts 115
Published Pins (Estimate) 1422
Income $32.57
Email Subscribers 5
Hours Worked (Estimate) 735
The numbers I estimate I do have recorded to an extent. I have tracked my hours worked for many months, but not perfectly. I have tracked my pins to an extent. These numbers are fair and represent the work and time I have done, but I cannot guarantee they are 100% perfect.
Blog #2
Launched in July 2021
Published Posts 66
Published Pins (Estimate) 589
Income $0
Email Subscribers 1
Hours Worked (Estimate) 359
Again the numbers I estimate I do have recorded to an extent. I have tracked my hours worked for many months, but not perfectly. I have tracked my pins to an extent. These numbers are fair and represent the work and time I have done, but I cannot guarantee they are 100% perfect.
What Should You Do If You Do Want to Start a Blog?
Ok, so I have told you I would not recommend starting a blog, however, what if you still want to do so?
What would I recommend to a new blogger?
What would I do differently?
What would I do if I started a blog today?
First, I think I would take courses. I have not taken a single course at this point. Take the knowledge of others to speed up your process. They spent time learning. Don’t spend your time, instead spend money and save time.
I went the free and cheap route on everything. I have learned by doing and by spending time researching for answers.
If you take a course the answers come straight to you.
I now know what types of courses I would take and in what order.
First, take a course to set up your blog/website.
I purchased my hosting through BlueHost. Click my link to start your blog today if you really want to dive into this crazy world. Their support team has been stellar with any challenges I have faced.
Next before writing and publishing take a course on SEO. Do not rely solely on Pinterest or other social media platforms. You want to rank on Google and other search engines.
After working through those and getting some content created take a course on Pinterest to start promoting your blog there. SEO takes time, so you can use Pinterest to start getting pageviews fast while waiting for your posts to rank.
Next either take a course or get started with building your email list.
After that take a course related to creating and selling a product, ideally a digital product.
Conclusion
I would not recommend starting a blog if you need an immediate income. However, if you have a passion and you want to share it blogging can be amazing. I am still loving and enjoying working on my blog. Certain tasks are more and less enjoyable.
I still enjoy writing and sharing tips with new moms. (That is what my primary blog is about)
I am also enjoying this second blog where I share and document my blogging journey.
Unfortunately, neither blogs are making me any real money at this point.
If you do decide to pursue blogging good luck to you!
Check Out My Articles
Steps to Take to Have a Successful First Month Blogging
How Much Time Commitment Do You Need to Launch a New Blog?
The Exact Steps I Would Take If I Launched My Blog Today
7 Ways Blogging is the Perfect Career for Moms that Want to be Home