Is Your Blog A Business Or A Hobby?
Last Update: Sep 20, 2023
Blogging has come a long way since its humble beginnings as online journals. Today, it's a powerful medium where individuals can share their expertise, passions, and creativity with the world. However, bloggers approach their craft in different ways.
Some treat their blogs as serious businesses, while others see them as enjoyable hobbies. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of these two contrasting approaches and how they influence content, growth, and personal satisfaction.
Content Quality
- Business: Bloggers treating their blogs as businesses are often more focused on producing high-quality content. They invest time and resources in research, editing, and marketing. This commitment to quality can attract a loyal audience and establish the blogger as an authority in their niche.
- Hobby: Hobby bloggers may prioritize creative freedom over perfection. While their content can be authentic and relatable, it may need more polish and consistency, as seen in business blogs. This approach can still attract a dedicated following of like-minded enthusiasts.
Monetization
- Business: Treating a blog like a business involves strategies for monetization, which can include advertising, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and selling digital products or services. Business bloggers often aim to generate income from their blogs and may view it as their primary source of revenue.
- Hobby: Hobby bloggers may not prioritize monetization and may be content with covering their basic blogging expenses. They may occasionally dabble in affiliate marketing or product recommendations but typically have other sources of income.
Growth and Goals
- Business: Bloggers with a business mindset set specific blog goals, such as reaching a certain monthly income or subscriber count. They are more likely to invest in SEO, social media marketing, and email list-building strategies to achieve these goals.
- Hobby: Hobby bloggers often blog for personal satisfaction and don't feel pressured to meet specific growth targets. They may be content with a small but engaged audience and focus on enjoying the creative process.
Time Commitment
- Business: Treating a blog as a business requires significant time commitment. Bloggers in this category may spend several hours a day or week creating content, promoting their blog, and managing the business aspects of it.
- Hobby: Hobby bloggers tend to have more flexibility with their time. They may post sporadically or on a schedule that suits their lifestyle without feeling the same obligation.
Personal Satisfaction
- Business: Business bloggers can derive satisfaction from a successful blog's financial rewards and recognition. However, the pressure to meet business goals can also lead to burnout and losing the original passion for blogging.
- Hobby: Hobby bloggers often find joy in the creative process itself. They may not measure success solely by metrics but by the personal fulfillment and connections made through their blog.
In Conclusion
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to blogging. Whether you treat your blog as a business, or a hobby depends on your goals, interests, and resources.
Both approaches have their merits and can lead to a fulfilling blogging experience. Some bloggers even find a middle ground, starting as hobbies and evolving into profitable businesses as they grow.
Ultimately, the impact of treating your blog like a business or a hobby lies in how well it aligns with your values and aspirations.
Whether you're a passionate hobbyist or a savvy entrepreneur, blogging offers a platform for self-expression and sharing your unique perspective with the world.
Once again, thank you for reading my blog and your continued support (don't forget to "Like" this blog) - I wish you the best!!!
As always, your thoughts, feedback, and input are welcomed!
-Mike
Recent Comments
74
Great post, Mike!
Iβm more of a middle of the road blogger, doing it as a hobby and to generate a small income.
I put as much time into it as I can, but itβs nice not to have to rely on it to replace a full-time income. π
Frank π€πΈ
Sounds like you have that happy middle ground. Iβm not exactly in that boat, but close.
Enjoy your week!
-Mike
I like that, Abie! Thank you for your input, comment, and feedback!
I hope you have a fantastic day!
-Mike
You are so right, Abie! I have always mentored folks to let what you do in life be fueled by your passion...not by the potential $$$.
Money will follow, but if you are not passionate about what you do, all the money in the world will not make you truly happy!
-Mike
I am with Jeff on this one, Mike...Both. We are going to have to see come April when the tax lady comes calling π
Regards
As I told Jeff, Matt... I like that approach and viewpoint!
Thank you for your input and feedback!
I hope you have a fantastic day!
-Mike
I would say a little bit of both, Mike! If it generates money down the road, that is great, but if not, then that is fine too! I still have a physical business to stay on top of!
Happy HUMP Day!π«
Jeff
I like that approach and attitude, Jeff! Thank you for your input, comment, and feedback!
I hope you have a fantastic HUMP Day!
-Mike
See more comments
Great food for thought. Will answer you point by point.
Content quality: Though I probably fit more in the hobby category, there are a few things that are important to me. I love to write. I try my best to keep my content well-researched and well-written. I don't believe in compromising that.
Monetization: Though it would be fine to make lots of money with my website, I am not at all focused on money. If it comes, I'll be happy for it. It's more important to me to deliver a good message.
Growth and Goals: Yes, I do focus on the creative process, but have definite goals that I adhere to. For a couple of years I blogged twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday. I have gotten involved in a project designed to try to find a big name publisher for my plant book, and it is eating a lot of time. Also, at 85, energy level not what it used to be. Have dropped my publishing schedule to Wednesdays. However, that day is set in stone; I will not miss it.
Time commitment: Though I write more because I love it, I still believe the time commitment to be necessary. I strive for excellence. I fall short, perhaps often, but I do feel it's important. Thus, I spend quite a bit of time each week taking care of my website. That includes not just writing, but the maintenance chores that are necessary. For example, I have to spend time fixing broken links in the next few days, before they get out of hand.
Personal Satisfaction: I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from my blogging and from my interaction with this community. As I am retired, it adds an element of meaning to my life. I am so happy I found WA, and am grateful for all the opportunity it offers.
Thanks for this blog, Mike...caused some valuable thinking for me...
This is an awesome reflection Franβ¦Iβm glad you took each point and shared your thoughts. Thank you for all your thoughts and feedback!
I hope you have an awesome week ahead.
-Mike
Thanks, Mike. It will be a busy one, as I have a lot of writing to do for the book proposal.
I wish you the best of luck at that!
-Mike