• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Freebies
    • Pinterest Dashboard
    • Start a Blog Guide
    • Start Checklist
  • Planner
  • Blogging Tips
  • Pinterest Tips
  • Start a Blog
  • Login
  • Kristie Hill

What does it mean to be a blogger?

August 11, 2020

Ready to be a blogger? Or maybe you have friends that are bloggers or follow bloggers on Instagram. This article discusses the meaning of the word “blogger”. We are going to talk about what it means to be a blogger, what bloggers do, and how bloggers work.

The current definition of blogger, according to Google, is: a person who regularly writes material for a blog

Which is true, but there is so much more to bloggers than that.

Blogging is a credible career. Bloggers do more than write regularly. And blogging certainly isn’t a joke.

Here’s the real definition of blogger.

Meaning of blogger
Blogger (n): a person who runs a business by publishing regular online content that inspires, educates, or entertains a particular audience.

Let’s dig deeper though.

I asked a few people that I admire in the blogging community to help me describe what being a blogger means to them. You’ll see their thoughts below.

Pin it for later!

I am a blogger

Bloggers create online content

Content comes in many forms and topics. Some bloggers write about healthy living while others share decadent desserts. Some blog posts are podcast or video while others are 1,000-word essays. The common denominator being that bloggers publish regular content (frequently displayed chronologically) for an online audience.

“A blogger is an individual who has chosen to share their expertise and knowledge through an online platform. The most successful bloggers I know are those who are open and willing to teach their readers everything they know about a specific skill, art form, or practice. For example: For me personally, being a blogger allows me to share my passion for paper crafting, baking, and design with those who I would never be able to reach if it weren’t for the internet.” – Melissa, melissarosedesign.com

“A blogger is someone who educates, inspires or entertains her audience with content. They don’t publish content for the sake of filling a publishing queue. They tie every piece of content to their goals and larger marketing plan. They create content, products and services with intent to serve their audience.” – Meera, meerakothand.com

Bloggers provide value to their audience

Blogging is different than online journaling. While there are people who use a blog for journaling, today we are talking about people who are in the business of blogging.

These people write to a specific audience with the intent of providing value to their reader’s lives. Successful blog posts will inspire, motivate, educate, or entertain the intended audience.

• Bloggers Inspire
• Bloggers Educate
• Bloggers Entertain

“A blogger is someone who uses their knowledge, experiences, gifts, talents, and expertise to create content that will help and serve others.” –Abby, justagirlandherblog.com

“Blogging is definitely an interesting business and it can mean many different things. For me, being a blogger means being able to write on topics that I enjoy and helping people along the way. It’s about changing people’s mindsets and helping them improve their life. It’s about getting people to try new things and learn from my experiences and my own thoughts.” – Michelle, makingsenseofcents.com

“The definition of a blogger can be vague and hard to explain. Most people think that bloggers are nerdy computer geeks who type post after post and publish them on websites. But the definition of a blogger has evolved over the past few years. Instead of just pushing content, bloggers have evolved into online teachers. And that is exactly what I say when I explain what I do to my friends.

Bloggers don’t just share their life stories in journal format anymore, they are now online teachers, experts, and gurus on specific topics. Through teaching and helping others, you can monetize your expertise. Their personalities still shine through as they incorporate a lot of their life experiences into their teaching, but it no longer makes up the core of the content. In short, a blogger is a person who uses online content creation to teach others.” – Suzi, startamomblog.com

“A few years ago (when my blog was still a side hustle) I got a part-time job at the YMCA. When my manager introduced me to the team, she said, “watch out – he’s a blogger – so he might blog about you”. I just chuckled and thought to myself, no I would never blog about you or anything that happens here because you have absolutely nothing to do with my niche and it would provide no value to my audience.

The truth is, a blogger is someone who inspires change in their audience. Being a blogger means that you solve a specific problem for a specific group of people. That could be weight loss, dating tips, simply entertainment – whatever. It’s all about giving something to your tribe – it doesn’t matter if it’s through an article, video, podcast, or webinar.

A blogger is anyone who uses content to provide value to an online audience.” – Eli, Launch Your Dream

The Successful Blog Plan
Don’t leave your blog’s success up to chance. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive regular updates and tips about growing your blog & get instant access to Successful Blog Plan. Use this workbook guide to create a goals and strategies for your own blog – you’ll be destined for greatness.

 

 

You're going to love this! Check your inbox for an email from me (Kristie Hill). See you there.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Bloggers have many job responsibilities

Especially bloggers that are going at it solo-prenuer style. Bloggers do not simply sit down at the desk write for a little bit and hit publish. There are many tasks and skill sets needed to run a blog. Here are just a few examples:

  • Social media marketing (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, you name it)
  • Graphic Design
  • Photography
  • Copywriting
  • Editing/Proofreading
  • SEO
  • Video Editing
  • Cinematography
  • Customer Service
  • Email marketing
  • Consulting
  • Web Design
  • Storytelling
  • Podcasting
  • Publications
  • Public Relations

“Bloggers have a wide skill set that ranges from writing to marketing to photography to business to creativity to social skills and so much more.” – Abby, justagirlandherblog.com

Bloggers put a lot of time and hard work into their blogs

Going right along with the laundry list of skills bloggers might have, blogging does take time. It’s not easy money. It is a job (even if we love doing it!).

“When I started blogging, I had no idea how much work went into every single post. From the outside, it can seem like bloggers spend an hour or two writing up a post when in fact, blog posts can take anywhere from 5-20 hours per post depending on the subject matter.

Think of it this way. If you were working in corporate, you would have separate individuals for design, marketing, photography, editing, and writing. But with blogging, you take on all those roles (unless you have a team).

For me, I can spend upwards to 15-20 hours on each post, as I spend 2-3 hours conceptualizing, 2-3 hours for design, 2-4 hours for shooting & photo editing, and then another 2-3 hours on writing and promoting.” – Melissa, melissarosedesign.com

Bloggers use different strategies

“Bloggers do lots of different things, and not every blogger does the same task. Some bloggers make money one way and another blogger may not have ever even heard of it. Blogs have articles and content on their website, sometimes pictures, sometimes video, sometimes podcast, and so on. Bloggers may be active on social media, or they may generate great traffic just from having great content.” – Michelle, makingsenseofcents.com

What works for one blogger, might not work for another blogger. Each blogger has to find a strategy that works for them and their target audience. This usually means combining several different marketing techniques.

“Today’s bloggers also know that a mesh of strategy and marketing are important to turn their blogs into businesses. They also take pro-active steps to grow their blog.” – Meera, meerakothand.com

Not only do bloggers strategies differ from each other, but a blogger will change their tactics from the previous year.

“Blogging, online business, and social media are constantly changing; strategies that worked amazingly five, three, or even one year ago may be completely obsolete and ineffective today. Because of this, bloggers are always learning to adapt, innovate, and stay ahead of the curve when it comes to creating and promoting their content. They aren’t afraid to shift their focus and efforts in order to better meet the needs of their audience.” – Abby, justagrilandherblog.com

Bloggers work together

Are you surprised to see this one in the list?

Growth happens when bloggers work together. They collaborate on projects, the share each other’s articles; they encourage each other on their wins. The hashtag #communityovercompetition is a thing for a reason.

“Rather than competing with one another, bloggers have learned that blogging is best done in community, and that when they collaborate with one another, everyone can benefit. They are constantly working together to try new strategies and improve their craft in order to bring new ideas to their audiences and to the world.” –Abby, justagrilandherblog.com

Bloggers are business owners

A business is an activity that someone is regularly engaged in with the intent to earn a profit. A blog does not have to be making a profit to be considered a business. If your blog (business) experiences loss before it does increase (which, most will) then it is still a business. A blogger’s business can be full-time or part-time. It can be a solo business or bloggers can bring on employees.

Bloggers have their own brand

Whether intentional or not, each blog has a brand associated with it. Your brand launches when you hit publish on that first blog post. The brand of a blog is more than just the logo and colors of the blog’s site. The brand includes the blogger’s voice, values, the way readers feel when they read the blog. The brand also includes the images and decorative aspects of the blog. The content a blogger says/shares on social media also contributes to their blog’s brand.

“If you are in the blog industry for success and readership then there is really no choice but to brand your blog. You may not even realize that your blog already has a brand of sorts but it simply isn’t a concise or directed one. You may be able to take your existing blog brand and develop it further. Using an existing brand to create a new brand is a simple and easy conversion process that can build new readers without losing old readers.” -Olyvia Rose, Branding your blog is difficult, or is it?

Bloggers make money

As stated in the bloggers are business owners section, bloggers do make money. WOOT!

Bloggers make money several different ways, and most have more than one income stream. In a brief description, bloggers make money the following ways:

  1. Creating sponsored content
  2. Selling ad space on their blog
  3. Selling products – their own or affiliate products
  4. Selling courses or other education programs – their own or affiliate courses
  5. Offering coaching or niche related services

Bloggers are online professionals

In 2020 blogging is a professional career (it has been for many years) There are many opportunities for bloggers – and there is a lot of flexibility. Blogging is a job/business that you can make your own. It can be as big or as small as you want. Regina has even mapped out career paths for bloggers. The future is bright for bloggers.

If you want to become a blogger, you can! While background experience helps, there are no set prerequisites for getting started. First, decide on a topic to write about that will inspire, educate, or entertain people. Then you can setup your blog and you’re on your way to becoming a blogger.

Blogger looking down at cell phone. Text copy overlay says What do bloggers do?
FacebookTweetPinShares268

Filed Under: Blogging Tips, How to Start a Blog Conversation: 18 Comments

Save to Pinterest!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Riley @ LiveByYourDesign says

    December 14, 2021 at 6:50 pm

    Love this. I started my blog just over five months ago and I’m still struggling with feeling like “blogging” isn’t a Real Job. This may have something to do with the fact that, as a very new site, I haven’t reached the level of success that might perhaps lead me to be more confident and say I’m a Professional Content Creator, rather than mumbling, “I, uh, I’m working on a blog…”

    I think sometimes I don’t give myself enough credit; it takes *hours* to get a single blog post done, and I’m proud of the work I do, even if it’s not bringing in money yet. I’m just gonna have to stick with it and not let the long path ahead keep me from pursuing my dream of being a work-from-home writer!

    This was an encouraging post. Thanks for sharing! <3

    Reply
  2. Mr. Biswas says

    March 11, 2021 at 2:52 am

    I love this post and great information! Thank you very much for sharing this strategy!

    Reply
  3. Prakash says

    January 23, 2021 at 2:07 am

    Thanks for sharing this article. It’s really a helpful post.

    Reply
  4. Jenna Ronan says

    December 27, 2020 at 11:19 pm

    Kristie,

    You have also honored every blogger on this sphere. I totally agree with your definition – Blogging is all inspiring, educating and entertaining. Medium to share one’s experience and knowledge to the real seekers.

    Reply
  5. AJ Sandhu says

    October 23, 2020 at 2:16 am

    Great article Kristie, thank you very much for sharing! I am also going to start a blog and I know that your tips definitely going to help me.

    Reply
  6. Faraz Ahmad says

    November 26, 2017 at 11:27 pm

    Beautiful article Kristie, thank you very much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kristie Hill says

      November 30, 2017 at 6:23 am

      Glad you enjoyed it Faraz!

      Reply
  7. Ben says

    November 7, 2017 at 11:29 am

    Thanks Kristie for all your useful posts.

    Reply
  8. Latest IT Jobs says

    October 20, 2017 at 2:26 am

    Great Article! Thanks for sharing informaiton.

    Reply
  9. Flowdiary says

    October 19, 2017 at 6:15 am

    Nice post @Kristie. You’re doing it great, keep it up

    Reply
  10. Filip Zafirovski says

    October 10, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Great article Kristie, thanks for the share.

    I have a question.

    How important is for you as a blogger to work with other bloggers and cross promote your content?

    Kind regards,
    Filip

    Reply
    • Kristie Hill says

      October 11, 2017 at 6:04 am

      For me, it’s been super helpful to work with other bloggers. They help promote my blog and I share theirs.

      Reply
      • Filip Zafirovski says

        October 12, 2017 at 10:04 am

        Thanks for the reply Kristie!

        Followed you on Twitter 🙂

        Reply
  11. Susan Velez says

    October 8, 2017 at 4:15 am

    Hi Kristie,

    I love this and it’s so inspirational. Blogging is hard work but the great thing is that we get to help people by providing useful content, resources or advice that will help them solve a problem.

    The more people we help, eventually, the more money we make as a result of helping people.

    You’re definitely correct, blogging is hard work. I’ve personally never worked as hard as I have since I have started my blog.

    I’ve hard to learn how to promote my blog, write amazing helpful content, network with other bloggers and how to create videos for my YouTube channel.

    While it’s all time consuming and takes a lot of time and work. I can honestly say that I love watching my blog grow. My blog just turned a year old on the 6th of this month.

    In that short time, I’ve learned so much. I know that I still have a lot to learn and it’s posts like these that keep me motivated and give me the confidence to keep pushing towards my goals.

    Thanks for taking the time to share this, have a great day 🙂

    Susan

    Reply
    • Kristie Hill says

      March 12, 2018 at 6:24 am

      Glad you resonated with this post Susan. I love that you added, “The more people we help, eventually, the more money we make as a result of helping people.” The most successful business and blogs are a result of solving a problem for targeted audience. Bloggers have to inspire, educate, entertain – help their audience in some way!

      Reply
  12. Lucie says

    October 3, 2017 at 3:14 am

    Great article! …it boosted my confidence in explaining people what I actually do 🙂

    Reply
  13. Eli Seekins says

    September 28, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    This is massive! Great post Kristie. I love everyone’s different perspective on what it means to be blogger.

    Reply
    • Kristie Hill says

      September 29, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks Eli! I love the different perspectives too, but what I really love is the common denominator: adding value/helping the reader. In 2017, I think that this is they key to successful blogs!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Kristie Hill

Copyright © 2023 · Splendor Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in