On October 7, 1994, a software developer named Dave Winer published a brief notice on his website Scripting News. He did this using software he’d created–software that helped usher in a new form of content creation that would come to be known as ‘blogging.’ This allowed anyone with an Internet connection to become a publisher and share their views with the world. The Web has changed a lot over the past 30 years, and with the rise of social media, people sometimes like to say that blogging is dead. But the reality is that the blogosphere remains a vital part of the digital landscape–there are currently over 600 million blogs–as it enters its fourth decade.

Is blogging still relevant today?

The short answer is: yes. You can do a lot with X, Bluesky, and Instagram, but they’re ultimately geared toward shorter, more ephemeral content. They’re great for sharing GIFs and hot takes, but they’re less well suited to discussing, say, the appointment process for the Archbishop of Canterbury. Sure, these platforms often let you string together a bunch of smaller posts into a meatier thread, but there’s always a danger that people won’t read the whole thing. 

For long-form content, blogs are still king. You can take as much space as you need to develop your ideas, and you can cite sources to buttress your arguments. Blogs also provide your content with staying power. Whereas most social media posts make an initial splash and then vanish into obscurity, a blog can ensure your insights remain available for years to come. They’re also great ways to establish yourself as a thought leader within your particular field. With search engine optimization (SEO), you can make sure your content is highly discoverable, thereby growing your audience and bolstering your reputation. 

Things to consider before starting a blog

Like any project, what you get out of your blog will be directly proportional to the effort you put into it. If your posts look like a cat with the zoomies walked across your keyboard as you were writing or your readers can’t tell how you’re adding value, chances are you’re not going to make much of a splash. 

The first thing to consider is whether you actually need a blog. Blogs are powerful tools, but they’re not panaceas. You should consider a blog if you’re interested in providing dynamic content, and you’re willing to put in the time and effort necessary to keep things fresh. You won’t be doing yourself any favors if visitors find your blog and everything on it is years old. If you don’t think you can commit to regular updates, you might be better off creating a website rather than a blog.  

Here are some other things to think about:

• Do I enjoy writing? If you hate it, blogging probably isn’t for you. If everything you write is done with gritted teeth, you’re only going to make yourself miserable in the long run. 
• Am I comfortable writing? You don’t have to be the next Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but you should at least have a solid command of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Spellchecks and grammar checks can help you fix slipups, but it’s best to avoid making them in the first place. If you’re not comfortable with your writing skills, ghostwriters or editors might be the solution. 
• Can I devote the time necessary to blogging? Blogging can be a real time-hog. Choosing topics, drafting, and editing all take time, and while the process will likely go faster as you grow into your role as a blogger, it’ll never become instantaneous. In fact, there will be times when it goes even slower due to writer's block, research problems, or technical issues. Blogging also requires commitment. You’re not going to acquire a huge following overnight. There will be many moments when you feel like you’re typing into the void, but if you build it, they will come. 
• Am I tech savvy? One of the great things about blogging is that you don’t need to be an HTML guru to throw your hat into the ring. There are all kinds of easy-to-use platforms that can allow people to start a blog with no technical knowledge. Of course, if you do have that knowledge, you can often customize your experience quite a bit, but that’s really just gravy.
• Do I know what I want to write about? This might seem like a no-brainer, but you really need to have a game plan before you start your blog. That doesn’t mean you have to come up with an editorial calendar with five years’ worth of content, but you should at least have an idea of the area you’d like to focus on. If you’re always frantically searching for things to write about, you could easily lose momentum. 
• How much money do I want to spend? There are blogging platforms for all budgets, and there quite a few good options that won’t cost you any money at all. But the downside to a free blog is that you may not have the full rights to your content. If you post something that annoys your provider, they can potentially shut you down. You’re also more likely to face intrusive advertising on your blog, which can undermine the user experience for your readers.
• Do I want my blog to stand alone? A blog can either be its own entity, or it can be part of a larger website. For example, an academic might go for the former approach since it allows them to highlight their thought leadership while a small business owner might choose the latter to showcase their products along with their ideas (studies have shown that businesses with blogs get 55% more visitors to their websites than those who don’t have a blog).
• Do I want to monetize my content? There are a number of ways you can make money from blog content, including affiliate marketing, paid subscriptions, and advertising. Syndication is another option. Not only can it provide a source of passive income, but it can also help you bring in a wider audience.

How to start a blog?

Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, you’ll have to make a new set of decisions.

• Choose your platform. Free options include Wordpress.COM, Blogger, and Medium can also be good options. Not only are they easy on your wallet, but they’re quite intuitive to use, too. Many of them also offer a wide range of templates you can use to customize the look of your blog. Paid options include Wordpress.ORG, Hostinger Website Builder, and Joomla. 
• Choose a name. You’ll want something that’s memorable without being too long. If you’re hoping to use your blog in your professional life, you should make sure the name is appropriate for work.
• Pick an aesthetic. Many blogging platforms offer a wide variety of templates that you can use to customize the appearance of your blog. It may be tempting to go with the first one that strikes your fancy, but you should take the time and sift through the options. You want to settle on something that is both visually appealing and also distinctive. In other words, don’t choose the default, and don’t choose something that makes your blog look like a MySpace page from 2006.
• Publish your first post. Take your time with this. If you’re new to writing, take care to edit your work. This isn’t just a matter of spotting typos. You’ll also want to make sure your content is saying what you want it to say and saying it in a way that feels natural. You might ask a friend or colleague to read over the piece or even read it to yourself out loud. Don’t worry too much about things like SEO. It’s important, but you should take the time to familiarize yourself with your blog before getting too deep into the nitty-gritty details. 
• Think about future content. It’s a good idea to always have a list of topics on hand. That way, you can minimize the chances of being derailed by writer’s block. 

Blogs are still alive and kicking

Blogging has come a long way since that October day when Dave Winer told his friends and colleagues about Marc Canter’s singing prowess. The blogosphere remains relevant. Whether you’re looking to share knowledge, build a community, or enhance your personal brand, blogging can be a powerful tool. It also allows for depth of coverage that can’t be replicated by social media. It can be easy to rush in, but savvy creators know to take the time and come up with a plan before hitting ‘publish.’

• Blogging requires time and effort. If you can’t keep it up to date, having a blog may do you more harm than good.
• There are many different blogging platforms to choose from. Some are free, while others charge fees. Free options can be perfectly valid, but always read the fine print.
• Consider what you hope to achieve with your blog and plan accordingly.

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