10 reasons to start a blog in 2022

Many people asked me if blogging was still a thing during the last couple of months -and I always replied affirmatively. There are actually plenty of reasons to start a blog, especially in times like these. The pandemic challenged our creativity: when people can’t move freely, creative ideas can’t circulate freely. Finding ways to express ourselves in such times becomes a matter of sanity. Therefore, a side hustle like blogging is not just a way to spend time; it’s also one of the best ways to decompress from daily stress.

There are different reasons why people consider starting a blog. Today, and with the occasion of releasing two ebooks about blogging, I’m sharing my opinion on why you should start a blog this year. As you will see in the article, there’s never just one reason for doing things. Some people like to blog for fun, while others take it more seriously. No matter what, if you find yourself typing questions on Google, like Should I start a blog? then you are probably halfway to becoming a blogger.

So, here are 10 reasons to start a blog in 2022. If you fall under one or more of these categories and feel passionate about it, it’s probably a good time to start blogging.

*Some of the links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

10 reasons to start a blog in 2022

There’s something you want to say

Maybe you are one of these passionate people who don’t feel comfortable in the world. Many things request our support today, like Black Lives Matter or the #MeToo movement. But apart from the widespread movements, there are also smaller but equally important ones. And you want to stand for them and say your opinion out loud.

Starting a blog where you speak your mind about the things that matter the most to you is a noble ambition. Each of us has something to say, and even though one individual can’t change the world, the truth is that every voice counts. Moreover, by writing down your opinion, you also express a need: to connect with like-minded people.

Of course, it doesn’t always have to be something about world politics. Creating a blog and writing your opinion can help you be part of communities you otherwise couldn’t access. Are you a football fan? Or somebody who enjoys cinema? If you enjoy writing your opinion about the things you love, then a blog can quickly become your window to the world.

You want to build an online home for yourself

Other people are also passionate about life but less interested in the things happening around them. If you constantly try to improve your life, understand who you are, and become a better version of yourself, starting a blog can help you document your development.

Several people out there use their blogs as online journals. Do you remember the diaries we used to have in more analog eras? Writing diary-like entries is something that often connects us to our childhood. Diaries are always memory capsules: we often forget how we felt or what we thought in specific periods of our lives. Running a blog where you write about your life is like saving fragments otherwise destined to be forgotten.

Saving instants of your life is an excellent reason to start a blog. After several years of writing, you’ll have a log of past (and maybe forgotten) experiences. Moreover, the readers you’ll gain through the years can identify themselves with what you’ve been through. To share your life means also to connect. Isn’t that why most of us started blogging anyway?

Promote your work

Each one of us has a different set of skills. However, most of these skills never reach a wider audience. Yes, extroverted people have an advantage here, but some of the most talented people I met were introverts. No matter under which category you fall, your skills must be discovered (unless, of course, you don’t want them to).

It doesn’t matter if you are a musician, an anthropologist, or a carpenter. If you start a blog where you showcase your work, you can expand your skills’ discoverability. Believe it or not, there’s an audience for each of us, and by presenting the things you know to do better in life, you will soon see that people are interested.

In such blogs, what interests people the most is not just the result. It’s mainly the creative process behind the work you decide to present. Remember: not everybody can create the things you do. So why not start blogging to promote your work?

Find job opportunities (you are more than a CV)

Interconnected to the previous reason to start a blog, your online presence can also offer job opportunities. In times of uncertainty, expanding your chances to create new work opportunities is the only way. Even if you depend only on your CV, it’s much better to present a blog where you express your opinions/hobbies instead of adding just a few lines with generic interests.

What does it mean to find job opportunities through your blog? Well, it applies to several things. From the most common ones, like paid ads on your blog and sponsored content, to more advanced ones, like getting hired for a project or even finding a full-time job. This depends mainly on your niche, in other words, on the field of expertise that you blog about.

If I have to be more personal here, I’d say that more than half of the work opportunities I have gotten during the last couple of years come from this blog. I don’t write this to brag; I just add it here to show you that if it was possible for me, it could also be possible for you. Starting a blog can bring you job opportunities you couldn’t (or wouldn’t) find otherwise.

You are sick of Social Media

One could rightly argue: why should I start blogging if I already have accounts on Social Media? Social Media started as a way for people to express themselves differently. After an initial boom of creativity, though, lately, they seem saturated. The plethora of voices is always good; however, the game changed. You can’t expect massive engagement like in former years, and if you want your content to reach people, you have to pay for ads. Sad but true.

Apart from that, the Social Media landscape has become really toxic. In my opinion, nowadays, it goes beyond the toxicity levels I feel comfortable with. I don’t mean online disagreements; I mean real toxicity. Tons of fake accounts, trolls, cases of censorship, all these things irritate me. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a strategy to deal with these issues. It’s okay to have people holding guns, but it’s not okay to show a nipple. Honestly: why?

So, if you are sick of Social Media, I’d say this is one of the best reasons to start a blog. In your blog, you will be both the creator and the curator of your content. Yes, you won’t be able to reach thousands of people in the beginning. But build your blog correctly, and you’ll see the traffic flowing. Moreover, your content will be available anytime to people: if somebody visits your blog, they can find your content. You won’t depend on silly algorithm updates and similar approaches.

Last but not least, it will be easier for readers to search for what you wrote two or three years ago. Try that on Facebook…

*Bonus: Read why it’s better to run a website instead of focusing on Social Media.

Become a better writer

Self-expression is the heart of every creation. Indeed, writing might not be for everyone; some people simply don’t like it. However, for people that genuinely enjoy writing, running a blog will make them better writers.

Writing every day (hint: it doesn’t mean posting every day) will help you develop your writing skills. You’ll understand better how language works, you will start experimenting, and there will be days that you will be very proud of what you expressed. The written word is one of the oldest ways of expression; mastering it takes time and discipline. If you read your first blog post after a year or two, you will nothe difference at oncerence.

If you don’t have the writing virus, being a better writer might not sound tempting at first. However, expressing yourself is very satisfying, and you shouldn’t underestimate the number of jobs available for writers. Honestly, I found blogging one of the best ways to become a better writer because of the motivation it gave me to write every day.

Bonus: How to become a writer: expectations vs. reality and what to consider before launching a blog.

You want to be location independent

Now, if you daydream of becoming location-independent or a digital nomad, running a blog could help you achieve it. However, becoming a digital nomad means that you should really showcase good content that will be more work-oriented and less of a personal diary. The potential clients should see clearly what you can offer -and you, on the other hand, will always have to pitch ideas. Otherwise, you won’t probably survive the competition.

I have been location-independent my whole working life. I never wanted to be stuck in an office, and working 9-5 was never my thing. However, this is just a fraction of being location-independent. I assure you that you’ll also have tough times, periods of no income, and days you might work from 9 to midnight. Could you stand it? Ask yourself if that’s something for you. And be honest with yourself. If the reply is yes, save some money to survive the first months (ideally a year) and go for it.

Why do you need a blog as a digital nomad? Well, more or less, that’s where you will have to showcase your work. Moreover, your blog will slowly be where your income comes from: the products you sell, the ad revenue, the affiliate marketing links, the sponsored posts, the collaborations with clients, everything will be there. Your blog should look great, and you should optimize your content for search engines. Remember that you’ll probably have to invest some money in software etc. You need to be competitive to survive.

If you ask me, yes, it deserves the hassle. There are periods you struggle with, and there are also periods when you can make a decent living. But the fact that I can work on an airplane, at the beach, or anywhere in the world without caring about schedules is unbeatable.

You want to challenge your creativity

Sometimes we all feel stuck. And you think that the best way to escape boredom and repetition is to pursue a new hobby or develop new skills. I often believe that finding a new passion is significantly more complex than developing it. The harder step is the first one.

However, if you have a pa,ssion you never explored or suddenly became interested in something new, starting a blog can help you record your development. Don’t underestimate something that will keep you motivated to continue. And trust me, it’s a whole different thing to have an audience when you try to develop.

The people who will start following your blog will see your development in real-time. You can share the things you learned to develop; you can write about the things that worked and those that didn’t. Moreover, these readers will be your fuel: they will motivate you, offer you ideas and criticize you (hopefully creatively). A new passion, after all, makes more fun if you share it.

So, if you suddenly find yourself interested in gardening, literature, or anything else, don’t be shy. Create your little online place and start blogging about it. Shoot photos, share your passion, and tell people why you love doing it. And, who knows, you might even inspire other people to follow your path. Isn’t this one of the noblest things to do in life?

Meet new people (bloggers or not)

We have plenty of platforms nowadays if we want to meet new people. Social Media has radicalized online meetings, and platforms like Tinder seem dedicated to that. However, for people wishing to find like-minded individuals, it becomes more and more challenging. Apart from that, there are a whole bunch of shy or introverted people out there.

Starting a blog also means ,that sooner or later, people will discover it. Sure, not everybody will be on the same wavelength as you, but some of these people will be. If you run a blog, it also means that people might comment on one of your blog posts or e-mail you. And this can be extremely important for the shy ones because they don’t have to take the first step. Apart from that, a genuine comment is most likely written by somebody like-minded.

How easy is it to meet people via your blog? Pretty easy, I would say. If the person seems cool and easygoing, you can set up a meeting. Or even organize a meeting with all your blog’s readers. Of course, you don’t have to be the one waiting for people to come. You can also start visiting blogs and trying to connect. That’s how you can make a small blogging community or be part of one. Communities are at the core of everything we do in life. So why not use a blog to make new friends or build relationships?

Earn Money

Whenever people hear about serious or professional blogging, their thoughts go, of course, to earning money. And that’s absolutely normal. After all, if you have a passion for blogging and creating content, it’s fair to request something in return. But, of course, starting a professional blog will require dedication and some expenses. But, above all, it will need lots of patience and self-motivation when things won’t go as planned (hint: it will happen).

You don’t have to be a digital nomad in order to earn money. You can blog every single day from your home and write about whatever you feel passionate about: your garden, fashion, literature, cooking. Everything goes. However, the key element here is dedication and taking seriously what you do. If you want to earn money from blogging, you should treat your blog as a business. You’ll have full working days (but also flexibility), and you might have to invest money.

Blogging is still a thing, and as long as you can solve people’s questions and offer valuable content, you can be successful. However, if you want to blog for fun and earn money, you will most likely struggle. Sure, you can buy yourself a pizza if you blog for fun, but you won’t probably earn a steady income. So, if one of your top reasons to start a blog is to make money, prepare yourself for hard work.

How to start a blog in 2022

I’ll write a very short guide about starting a blog with the essential steps you need to take here. However, this quick guide intends to give you an idea about the steps of creating a blog. I have you covered if you require comprehensive information about starting and running a blog. I wrote a very extensive blogging guide here, and I also narrowed down how much it really costs to start a blog. The guide is mainly for travel blogging, but the tips and offers you’ll find apply to every kind of blog.

So, back to setting up a blog. You actually need less than half an hour. There are plenty of free options, and you can choose the one you like the most. However, if you want to be serious about blogging, I always recommend buying web hosting. What does it mean? It practically means you buy a plot of online land and set up your blog. You own the blog (unlike in Social Media, where you rent the space in exchange for your content). Even if you blog for fun, spending 250-300 $ for three years and owning everything is better.

I always recommend the products I use and know. There are definitely excellent products out there, but I prefer not to talk about them if I have never used them. I use Bluehost to run the blog you read (I reviewed it here). Here’s how you can set up a blog with Bluehost in less than half an hour.

1. Visit Bluehost via this link and get up to 60% off on any of their plans.
2. Choose your Plan. As you can read in my blogging guide, I’d pick Choice Plus because it’ll give you everything you need. However, the Basic Plan is also okay if you are on a tight budget.
3. Sign up for 3 years to get the biggest discount. Apart from that, three years is a good timeframe to a) grow your blog and b) see if blogging is something you really like doing. One year is not enough; five years might be too long. I think that buying a three years plan is the sweet spot.
4. Don’t buy any extras at this stage unless you need one. You can always buy them at a later stage.
5. Add your credit card details and pay.
6. Set WordPress. Bluehost offers a one-click WordPress installation. Practically you just hit the Install button, and everything happens automatically. WordPress is the best blogging platform -even the biggest websites in the world use it.
7. You are all set. Familiarize yourself with the interface of WordPress and write your first blog post.

As you can see, the process is straightforward. You can refer to my blogging guide for recommended plugins, software, or professional themes. However, none of them is a must at the beginning. What matters the most is to start your journey to the blogosphere and slowly build your online presence.

I wrote two ebooks covering the subject if you want to know what you should do before and after publishing your blog posts. You can buy them separately here and here. The bundle is currently on sale, and you can get both ebooks describing my blogging workflow for 6,99 euros. I believe that they will solve all the questions a beginner blogger has.

10 reasons to start a blog in 2022: epilogue

Apart from the 10 reasons to start a blog in 2022 that I described here, I bet there are probably another ten that I haven’t even thought of. And that’s actually the beauty of blogging. There are always tons of reasons to start a blog and build your online presence. What remains common for each of us is that blogging is not just a side hustle. It can sure turn into a true passion.

Ask any blogger out there. They will most likely reply that they can’t think of their lives without blogging. Turning on your laptop, logging in to your blog, and starting to compose blog posts slowly turns into a sweet routine. In times of uncertainty, like the ones we live in or in periods that creativity is suppressed, running a blog can keep us sane and offer us a variety of things: motivation, a creative outlet, a job opportunity, and a side income.

If you still search for reasons to start a blog and are highly skeptical about it, blogging might not be for you. But if you already fall under one or more of these categories, you are probably on the way to becoming a blogger. Buy your little corner on the Internet, build your online home and start writing. Like every kind of journey, blogging will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

Good luck, and let me know why you started or want to start your own blog.

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Last Updated on October 15, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos