This week we are talking about the idea of blogging for more than just fun, but to step up and actually make a bit of a living on it. The one term that comes up is the idea of classifying this person as a professional blogger whereas the alternative is an amateur blogger. I have already thrown out the term that I like therapeutic blogger rather than amateur because amateur conveys a sense of inexperience, yet I know a lot of “non-professional bloggers” that have been blogging longer than I have. So I want to put my definition into the mix of what a professional blogger could be.
I will note before diving in that I do not have all of the answers and will speak about this in the different points were I am still wrestling with this definition. Yet, I am confident in what I have put up here so far.
- You Get Some Amount Of Income For Blogging.
This may be the most heavily contested part of defining what a professional blogger is. Several people who blog full-time would state that you are not a professional blogger unless your sole or primary income is from your blogging, either directly from advertisements and guest posts or indirectly from book sales or other income that results from the traffic that comes through your site. I have never been in that situation, but would contest that the definition should be instead an income from the blog that is large enough that you must declare it on your taxes. This makes it quantifiable and yet not exclusive solely to the big leagues. - You Have A Community Around Your Blog.
We constantly push that you need to be networking through social media, writing around a focused purpose, and engaging with your viewers and that is how I would define a community around your blog. This requires that you have been blogging for more than two months too. Do you have the regulars that are commenting on articles, tweets, Facebook updates, and everywhere else? Do you have advocates for your blog? Does your relationships go beyond avatars to actual faces and sideline conversations? Three yes’s means you have a community. - This Is For A Purpose.
To differentiate ourselves from the therapeutic blogger, our content, strategy, and drive is for something other than to get feelings and words off our chest. Something is driving us, be it sales or empowering others. To this point, that drive has been defined, clarified, and now what guides your writing. When people talk about your blog, they know exactly how to describe it, even if it is not fully complete. In essence, you have fully built a brand around your blog that is intentional and necessary. - You Are A Content Expert In What You Write About.
The Internet is full of posers and wannabe’s. We do not need any more bloggers out there pretending to be experts in what they are talking about. Do you do what you write about? Are you drawing from experience and education (no matter how formal or informal)? Would viewers count you as credible? That is what defines a professional blogger and anything else truly is an amateur. - Found Your Writing Style.
Every writer has their own style and every blogger should as well. The best part about blogging is that many people find a better fit to do video blog entries, graphic design posts, or the simple five-point articles that have become their norm. Amateur bloggers do not have their style down yet and therapeutic bloggers could care less, but the professional blogger rests comfortably (and is probably driven by it) in their style of blog articles.
Where do you stand as a blogger: amateur, professional, or therapeutic? Where do you want to end up?
Madeline Foster-Prosser says
I am a free lance blogger, I love to write and its a great way to work doing what you love. It is not as easy as people seem to believe. It takes a lot of time and commitment.
seventy8Productions says
You mean to say that it doesn’t take 10 minutes to write an article? 🙂 I completely agree that many people do not know the level of energy and effort that can go into a single post. I have found that it can be between one and two hours for a quality post.
kolby milton says
great post jeremy. Go pro! Blogging takes so much time. That is why people don’t do it. It takes commitment.
seventy8Productions says
Completely agree! So, where would you put yourself (either based on my definitions or your own personal ones)?
kolby milton says
I would say that I am an pro blogger. I know where I want to end up, and what I want to accomplish through my website. I want to help youth pastors communicate effectively in a digital world.
seventy8Productions says
I’d agree and that last sentence would be a sweet tagline! 😉
kolby milton says
Thanks Jeremy!