If you are thinking about going from amateur blogging to the professional world, read this article first.
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Amateur Blogger vs. Pro
Before listing the pros and cons of amateur blogging, we should probably take a quick look at what makes them different from the pros.
A professional blogger is someone who writes as a professional, and the commitment, content, tools, and resources are different from those who do amateur posts.
A professional blogger:
- Has strict deadlines
- Pays for blog hosts
- Tracks their progress
- Chooses topics based on audience interest
- Networks to make connections all over the map
- Puts a lot of time and effort into editing, details, and appearance
- Works for a company
So, how does this differ from an amateur blogger? Well, amateur bloggers have less invested in the content they create.
An Amateur blogging:
- Writes about whatever they want
- Typically uses self-host sites
- Content isn’t well organized
- Rarely relies on search engine optimization or SEO
- Are more emotionally connected to their content
These are only a few of the differences between the two types of bloggers. Except for rare occasions, it is relatively easy to spot blogs designed by professionals and those created by hobbyists.
An amateur blog will likely use a free blogging platform with a free theme and won’t put a lot of thought into keyword research or blog traffic. A professional blogger will often use a paid theme or premium theme with a more streamlined, polished look. They will grow their blogging career by focusing on things like creating great content, having a unique domain name, and doing keyword research to attract blog traffic.
Should you go pro?
Woman sitting at table with work supplies holding mug of coffee
Are you an amateur blogger considering taking the plunge and going pro? The choice really circles around your personal goals, dedication, and interests.
There is nothing wrong with being an amateur blogger, keeping up with your posts on your own time, and providing quality content that is especially important to you.
While there are many upsides to amateur blogging, it can also have disadvantages.
Pros of Amateur Blogging
Before we dive into the negative aspects of staying an amateur blogger, let’s look at the pros first.
- Less rigid time restraints: Amateur bloggers don’t have strict deadlines to follow, giving them flexibility and ample time to create their content.
- Writing freedom: Professional bloggers have to write what appeals to the audience, while amateur bloggers have much more freedom to write about what is on their minds at the time.
- Specific niche is not required: Amateur bloggers can talk about fitness one day and the cutest clothes for dogs the next. (Although we don’t recommend it.) When blogging is for fun, you can keep changing your topic whenever you want.
- No need to invest much money: Sticking to amateur blogging means you won’t have to put up much money to get started. You can start your blog with a free blogging platform like Blogger.com or WordPress.
- Control and ownership of everything: As an amateur blogger, you have complete control over your content and own it all.
Cons of Amateur Blogging
Now let’s check out the cons of being an amateur blogger compared to a pro.
- Make less money: While you can make a substantial amount of money with an amateur blog, it would take a lot more time and energy than working as a professional.
- Lack of SEO knowledge: Many amateur bloggers aren’t aware of how important SEO content is. These blogs are typically harder to find when searching on Google and other search engine sites.
- Hard to promote: It is much easier to promote professional blogs than amateur content.
- Results are slow: Most bloggers won’t see results for almost a year.
- Maintaining fresh blog content: It can be hard to continuously develop fresh blog content without the right tools and equipment.
As you can see, there are a relatively even number of advantages and disadvantages to being an amateur blogger. The choice of whether to go professional or stay amateur will significantly depend on your specific intentions for your work and what you hope to achieve with the content you create.
Young African American woman typing on computer at desk with mug and plate beside
Ways to Be a Successful Amateur Blogger
If you decide that being an amateur blogger is where your interests lie, there are a few things you can do to make your content more desirable and successful.
- Be relatable: Make sure the content you put into your posts is easy to relate to, keeping your readers interested and wanting more.
- Use relevant links: When quoting sources or stating facts, link to reputable sites.
- Backlink to your own blog: Use backlinks to guide visitors to another blog post that will offer more content, keeping readers engaged.
- Make it mobile-friendly: People use their phones more often than not to look up information or simply keep themselves entertained. When creating an amateur blog, make sure it is mobile-friendly.
- Keep it consistent: The freedom to post whatever you want whenever you want was considered a pro on our list. However, to be successful as an amateur blogger, you should publish a quality blog post regularly, even if it is only once a month.
One of the best tips we can offer amateur bloggers is to be patient and confident. There will be times when negative comments reach your inbox, which can easily deter you from continuing your work. Accept constructive criticism, but never let disrespectful opinions stop you from doing what you love.
Chances are good that you won’t see results immediately, but you can earn a decent living from amateur blogging after 6 to 12 months of hard work.
Do you want to go pro?
Pro bloggers typically earn around $45,000 a year with a quality, successful blog. This can be a decent career for those who enjoy writing, sharing their experiences, and providing information and education to others.
If you want to get into professional blogging, start with a premium blog website, additional education, quality photo apps, and a little bit of number crunching.
Take the time to investigate your current content’s success, or lack thereof, to see where you can improve. Remember, it takes money to make money, so investing in your career will propel you to new heights.
Summing Things Up
If you are on the fence about whether you should upgrade from the amateur blog world to writing with the pros, look at the information above. Use this list of pros and cons to help you decide what course of action is best for you.
