To Blog or Not To Blog – That is the Question!

by Chris Cristiano

I am often in a quandary, I am on the fence. Everyday I am faced with the dilemma to blog or not to blog. I enjoy blogging but always feel guilty that I should be using that time to research my next article or send out another query. However, I love the fact that someone, somewhere half way across the world might be interested in what I have to say but yet, I ponder if my blogging time is time well spent.

I have started many blogs over the last two years, but most have fallen to the wayside. I fool myself into thinking that I am the great observer of life and can sustain a blog with my sheer wit and opinions about Brittany’s love life, Lindsey’s crazy antics or another George Bush faux pas. I have lots to say but in reality my life is too busy to keep up with Brittany, Lindsay and George so my blogging op-eds (opinion/editorials) usually fizzle out like a spent firecracker making its last downward spiral.

Over the years, I have successfully talked myself out of starting a writing blog many times – too busy, not a good time – maybe in 6 months. I am fully aware that a writing blog can be a boost to my writing career and I am full of information vested from my years of experience as an active freelance writer. But it goes back to the same old thing – time spent blogging is not an income generating task. Hmmm, or is it?

Over the years, the art of blogging is no longer viewed as a simple egotistical extension of one’s own self worth but an acceptable medium for writers to pursue, I have reconsidered my blogging aspirations. I have followed some well-known freelance writers and watched them to do it. Their blogs are interesting, witty and full of valuable information. Through their blogs, they establish themselves as real people doing the same thing I am trying to do and created a following that lap up every word and smidgen of advice that they have to offer. I have a lot to learn and they are forthcoming with suggestions on how to write better, quicker, find markets and generate financial independence through my writing efforts. Through these talented bloggers/writers, I have become to realize that in addition to providing a valuable service to other writers, they are also generating work and subsequent income through their blogs by selling their books as well as other writer’s book, promoting their writing services, and establishing themselves as a ‘brand’ – a name synonymous with writing.

A well written blog can be a daily stop for many readers, a savvy kind of online morning newspaper specially geared to the reader’s interest. Blogs can produce income for the freelance writer through a pay-per-blog arrangement, or income generated through advertisements contained within the blog.

This seems to put a whole new spin on blogging for me; an enjoyable writing related task that gives me a creative outlet, promotes my writing and generates some much needed income. Not a bad deal for an hour of my time and a couple of paragraphs each day…