11 Things I Told My Best Friend Before She Started Blogging

So I was chatting with my besty Rebekah the other day (as one does) and she hit me with a biggie: “Okay, I think I want to start a blog. Like… for real.”

Now, before I launched into a full TED Talk about blogging, I took a beat. Because I’ve been doing this for over 17 years (gasp – I know, that’s a digital eternity). I’ve seen the internet grow up, crash, rise again, and twist itself into algorithmic knots. But you know what? Despite all the ups and downs, blogging is still one of the BEST things I’ve ever done… for my business, my sanity, and my bank account!

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So here’s what I told her, straight from my blogging brain to yours. If you’re thinking about starting a blog today, buckle up, this one’s for you!

1. This Is THE Time To Start (Seriously, Get In Now!)

You know how people always say, “You should’ve bought that stock back in the day?” Yeah, blogging is kinda like that right now. Tons of bloggers bailed when Google pulled the rug out with its updates… traffic dropped, spirits dropped, and the scene thinned out.

BUT… that means there’s room. Like, legit room for new bloggers to come in, build their corner of the internet, and actually stand out. Especially if you’re unemployed or underemployed, this can be a whole new career path!

2. Blogging Is a Long Game – So Pick Topics You Actually Love

Here’s the thing: if you’re just chasing trends or trying to pick a “profitable niche,” you’ll burn out. Fast. Blogging takes time, especially in the beginning.

I’ve been at it for almost two decades, and I never run out of things to write about because I blog about what I actually care about… marketing, crafting, and caregiving. These are parts of my life, so the ideas flow naturally. If you’re in this for the long haul, your content needs to be stuff you LOVE.

3. Start With Good Hosting – You’ll Thank Yourself Later

Don’t cheap out here, friend. If you’re just dabbling, sure, go for the budget option. But if you want to turn your blog into a real business, get solid hosting.

I use Deep Roots Hosting and LOVE them because they actually help with techy stuff (bless). Plus, it’s pay-by-traffic, so when you’re starting out, it’s super affordable. Good hosting = less stress, faster site, and someone to email when your screen turns white and you panic (which has happened to me more than once)!

4. Email Lists Are Not Optional Anymore (Do It From Day One!)

Real talk: your email list is your lifeline. I get around 20% of my traffic just by sending out my semi-weekly emails. That’s a big chunk, and it boosts my ad income, too!

I use Kit and adore them! And no, you can’t just BCC everyone from your Gmail account. That’s a one-way ticket to spam town and possibly some legal drama. Use a real provider and start that list ASAP!

5. No Niche? No Problem!

Gone are the days when you had to laser-focus your blog around one single topic to make it work. These days? You can blog about whatever lights you up, as long as you’re offering value and staying consistent!

Google isn’t handing out traffic to new bloggers based on tight niche focus anymore, so if you want to write about your dog one day and your favorite glue gun the next, GO FOR IT. (Yes, glue guns matter. I will die on that hill!)

6. Ad Networks Are More Accessible Than Ever – Say Hello to Mediavine Journey!

Back in the blogging stone age, you needed 25K–50K monthly views to qualify for ad networks. Now? Mediavine has this amazing thing called Journey, where you can start earning ad income at just 10K monthly views.

WHAT?! YES. This is a total game-changer for new bloggers who want to see some income sooner rather than someday maybe if the traffic gods allow it!

7. Your Email List Will Shrink – And That’s Okay

I know it feels personal when someone unsubscribes. Like, “Wait… don’t you like me anymore?” But honestly, it’s not you.

If you’re sending out useful, interesting, value-packed emails, then the unsub is THEIR issue. Maybe they’re decluttering. Maybe they’re in a weird season. You keep doing you, and trust that the right readers will stick around (and open everything you send!)

8. Know Who You’re Talking To (Your Reader Is Queen)

I told you this and I’ll tell you again: know your reader! My people are mostly women over 45 who are interested in crafting or entrepreneurship.

They like hearing about my life, my family, and what I’m working on. I don’t need to guess what they want because I ask, I listen, and I show up like a human, not a robot. That connection? That’s where the magic happens!

And with so many scammers slapping up AI generated blog sites, being human is going to be a game changer in the coming years!

9. B2C Beats B2B for Blogging Bucks

If you want to make money blogging, focus on a business-to-consumer (B2C) model. It’s SO much easier to get traffic from people looking for “how to use Mod Podge” than “how to start a business.”

My crafting blog gets about 3X the traffic of my marketing blog, and it’s because regular people (who aren’t entrepreneurs) are Googling stuff every day. Your blog IS the business, so make it serve people, not just businesses!

10. There Are No More “Blogging Rules” – So Set Your Own

All those rigid “rules” about needing a niche, sticking to one format, or posting X times a week? Outdated. Obsolete.

You get to make your own blogging rules now! Be consistent, yes. Show up with value, YES. But otherwise? You do you. Use your voice. Try new things. Create stuff that feels exciting, not exhausting!

11. Show Up Authentically – Because That’s What People Come Back For

At the end of the day, people read blogs because they connect with YOU. Not your perfectly optimized headlines or your Pinterest pin game (though, yes, we want those too).

What keeps readers coming back is your voice, your stories, your little quirks and tangents. So don’t be afraid to show up real. The more “you” you are, the more your blog will stand out in the sea of sameness!

Wrap-Up: Ready to Start Your Blog, Like… Today?

Starting a blog today is one of the smartest things you can do, especially if you’re dreaming of a more flexible, creative, and income-generating life!

The playing field has shifted, and new bloggers who are passionate, authentic, and consistent have a real shot at building something amazing. So take these tips, give yourself permission to be messy and bold, and START!

Here are some more great articles that you might love!

• How To Make Money Writing Blog Posts
• A Case For An Anti Niche Blog
• Choosing Your Lifestyle Blog Topics and Categories for Affiliate Marketing

Source: https://marketingartfully.com/11-things-i-told-my-best-friend-before-she-started-blogging/