ELENA PETERS | MIDLIFE BLOGGER

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When I first started blogging back in 2014, I had no idea I could make money blogging. I did it to share information and give support to a group of people that I felt had little to no resources/community online.

My husband has bipolar disorder and though I could find a ton of information for those suffering with mental illness, the articles written for family and/or spouses were few and far between. I wanted to fill that gap and started blogging mainly to help other partners like me, not feel so alone in their struggles.

I no longer have that blog. Mainly because (knock on wood), my husband has been stable for years and it is hard for me to get in the frame of mind of when he was not. Plus, let’s face it, you have to embrace the good times when you can cause you never know when things can drastically change.

That original blog made me fall in love with blogging. So when my I found my purpose/enthusiasm for it’s concept lacking, I decided to start another blog just for me. Two or three more really but whose counting lol.

I started this blog, to share my blogging tips and Making Midlife Matter for women over 50 trying to find their purpose in their second half of life.

Starting Making Midlife Matter changed my whole life. Though I was always able to make a decent amount of money offering VA services and coaching with this blog, MMM was able to make what I truly call passive income, day after day, month after month.

MMM is the reason I can legitimately call myself a full-time blogger. I quit my day job years ago because of it and haven’t looked back.

Now I know what you’re thinking. I began blogging years ago and now the blogosphere is over-crowded and it’s impossible to start a blog in 2020 and make money blogging.

Plus, you know, the virus…

But that’s simply not true.

The opportunity to make a good income online is still viable. You have to be more focused and intentional with your content then when blogging mainly consisted of posts that looked like online journals. That is true.

But making money blogging in 2020 can still be done. If you write for your audience and make them feel connected to you, your traffic will grow and your income sources will multiply. If, and here’s the big if, you are patient and consistent with your blog.

Whether you are thinking of starting a blog, you are a newbie blogger or you have been blogging for years and haven’t managed to make any money with your blog, this list if for you.

I want you to know, this can be the year you create a solid income online.

10 Reasons Blogging Is The Smartest Way To Start Your Own Online Business In 2020

1. Low intro costs.
Seriously. Tell me any other business, online or in real life, that you can start for the cost of one specialty take out coffee per month? In fact, if you are not sure if blogging is right for you, you can start a blog on a free platform like WordPress or Blogger and then transfer it to self-hosting when you are ready to up level.

I am totally not a “you have to self-host” snob. I get it if you are not ready to commit or you don’t have the money right now to start. And believe it or not, you can make money on the free platforms too. You just have to know the rules and limitations.

It really depends on how you want to make money. Personally, I make a majority of my income with ads. Therefore I must be on self-hosted. Do your research and decide what way to go is best for you.

And BTW, does low intro cost mean it will always be cheap to have a blog? Absolutely not. I have to be honest with you here. As you grow, you may want to take courses, upgrade plugins or your theme and hire assistants.

Then, blogging may become more expensive for you. But hopefully by that time you are making an income that at least covers your costs and puts some money in your pocket.
 
2. It’s a great side hustle.
With no commitments to be anywhere at specific times or having to put in X number of hours dictated to you by someone else, blogging truly is the perfect side hustle.

• Away this week on vacation with no wi-fi? No Problem.
• Sick? Take care of yourself.
• Appointments got you tied up? No worries.
• Or you just don’t feel like blogging this week? Who cares!

You are your own boss and get to set the schedule. There is absolutely no pressure and no deadlines except the ones you put on yourself. And you are a good boss and very understanding if real life gets in the way. How awesome is that!

Bonus: You don’t have to quit your day job to get started. You can do both.

3. There is always room for your voice.

The niche you decide to blog about may seem over crowded but there is always room for more. Why? Because your experiences are unique. Your approach to problem solving is different.

Don’t fall to the urge to copy anyone else’s blogging journey. Share your own stories and you will find there is room for you no matter your niche.

Embrace your idiosyncrasies and use them to help your audience/readers to connect with you. People are always trying to make a better mousetrap. Do that with your blog. Make it better and your audience will respond.

 

4. You can build it at your own pace and in your own way.

There are so many posts out there about making money in the first month of blogging and getting tons of views to a brand new blog quickly. And truly, if you want to go all in and have oodles of time, it can be done.

But you don’t have to. And please don’t get discouraged if you can’t. You can build your blog and learn about blogging at your own pace, in your own time.

Don’t get distracted by fast blogging. A much better approach is to take your time. Don’t compare yourself and your blog to anyone else. And for Pete’s sake be patient with yourself and your blog.

As well, I know it may seem that there are many bloggers out there that have the secret formula to blogging success and making money blogging. And they may very well have the key. For them.

Everyone must build their own online business themselves and figure out what works for them.

Plus, you have to decide what you want to do. You don’t have to do everything that everyone else is doing.

• Don’t like video. Don’t do it.
• Don’t want to create products. Don’t do it.
• Can’t figure out how to drive traffic to Instagram. Maybe your people aren’t there.

Remember, this is YOUR BUSINESS. You are in control. That is the true beauty of blogging.

 

5. People spend an awful lot of time and money online.

Ok. Truth time. I hate that app that tells me how much time I spend online.

Yikes! And I am not the only one that has a lot of screen time logged every week. Yesterday I was at the doctor’s office waiting with my dad for his appointment and I was flabbergasted at the plus 70+ crowd on their devices in the waiting room.

This tells me that no matter your age group or demographic you are writing for on your blog, they are online. And they aren’t turning off anytime soon. You have a great opportunity to reach your audience anywhere they are.

Bonus: People loooove the convenience of online shopping and feel secure doing so. Your audience is willing and able to open their wallets if they like you.

 

6. It’s never too late. You can start at any age.

I don’t care if you are 5 or 105, you can start a blog or online business. It is never too late, or too early (tell your grandkids!) to create a space on the internet to share your stories.

And truly, what a great way to keep your mind active. I thought my learning years were long over before I started my blogs. Ain’t so! There is always something new to try. It keeps me young, involved and active (debatable).

I think starting a blog is good for your body, mind and soul!

 

7. Reach a world wide audience.

You don’t have to worry about covering a topic that is very niche specific (like knitting hats for cats that have anxiety problems)  because chances are that somewhere around the world, there are people that will get you and want to learn from you.

The online world gives you the opportunity to reach them no matter where they are. Create great content that addresses their struggles and your audience will find you.

 

8. Can do it anywhere.

As long as you have wi-fi, you can start and grow a blog.

Many bloggers have made very successful blogs writing about being a digital nomad. And they offer tons of tips on how to do it while on the road or on safari in a far away land.

Now, you may not be a traveler but it is good to know that you can blog while waiting for your car to be repaired or in line at the DMV.

You may have a very busy real life and think you don’t have time to blog but technology allows you to create and interact with your audience anywhere you are. Take advantage of that.

 

9. Can start over.

If I started a brick and mortar business and it failed, I would probably be tapped out money wise, exhausted and fed up.

But with blogging, if something isn’t working or you want to pivot, you can do it with very little consequences.

I believe that every blog you start and fail helps you learn and grow as a blogger. You will start each new blog with experience and knowledge of what didn’t work. That’s a huge benefit.

If you have been blogging for a long time with little to no success, do not be afraid to start over. A fresh new blog can bring you new enthusiasm and perspective.

Many, many, many other bloggers that now make a huge income online had several previous blogs before finding their groove. Your next idea may be the one that does that for you!

 

10. It’s all up to you.

This can be a very scary thought but it can also be empowering. Because in the beginning of your blogging career you wear many hats, you don’t have to rely on others to get things going.

Nor do you have to deal with employees or colleagues that fall short of your expectations. Besides, office politics suck ass. Am i right?

Now maybe you would label me as controlling (I totally am.), but I don’t want to compromise my vision for my blogs and neither should you. I like that my success rests on my shoulders and doesn’t rely on anyone else.

I hope this article makes you feel optimistic. Am I trying to get you to start a blog? Absolutely. But I know that if you are reading this post, chances are you already have a blog and I want you to keep blogging.

Don’t quit.

Blogging is still a great way to make money in 2020 and it can happen for you. You just have to be patient and find what works for you.

But more importantly, I want you to enjoy blogging.

As a midlife woman, I totally embrace the Marie Kondo philosophy of only keeping the things that bring you joy.

And your blog should bring you joy.

That is the true measure of success. So if that means going back to basics, do it.

Life is too short to add another thing on your plate that feels like a “job”.

Money helps but joy makes blogging worthwhile.

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