I started blogging for money.
Not in the way that you think though… it was a way to raise money for MIND from friends and family when training for the London Marathon in memory of my friend Vic. Never did I think that this little online diary would become my ‘job’.
I blogged to share my story, and still do, but it amazes me how many people I meet at events that started blogging just to make money or get invited to cool stuff – students whose dream job is a blogger/vlogger.
I know that some bloggers/vloggers get paid a LOT, but the reality is, most of us do not. I do make some money from the blog, but not enough that I don’t have to work too (and study). I’ve blogged before about ‘Knowing Your Worth‘. It’s something that I’ve seen a lot about how much to charge for a blog post in a lot of the Facebook groups I’m in and there doesn’t seem to be a hard and fast rule. However, the bottom line is that some bloggers get paid a lot, lots get paid a little, some are overpaid, most are underpaid.
I’ve been honest in the past about how I am affected by the green eyed monster (and very ashamed of it), it can be hard seeing other influencers sharing great opportunities that I wish I’d had, or wondering why I wasn’t picked for a campaign. I even know some bloggers that are giving up their blogs because they’re being overlooked for campaigns in favour of a different crew of fitness bloggers. However, I remind myself that I never started blogging for ‘stuff’, back when I began I didn’t even know you could get freebies for writing about it online.
So if most bloggers aren’t actually paid for the time they put into their blog, what do we blog for? Personally there are a lot of reasons why I blog:
- Because I love it. No job will ever be as underpaid as blogging is, especially to start. No job would be such unsociable hours. No job would get so in the way of your life. No job would take so much of you. There is no way that I could have dedicated the time, effort and money over the past five years if I didn’t love blogging.
- You guys and anyone that has ever read my blog. Every time I see someone share a blog on social, add a comment, send me an email or chat to me about something I’ve posted it makes me feel so happy, and I know I’ve made the right decision in sharing (and sometimes oversharing) on here.
- To keep myself accountable. If I don’t run, I won’t have anything to write about! There’s a possibility that after the London marathon in 2012 I would have stopped running completely, forever, if I hadn’t loved writing this blog and wanted to keep it up. Having this blog, and reading other people’s blogs motivates me to keep training, get up for a 5am workout and chase my BQ marathon goals.
- To make a difference, even just to one person’s life. If I can make one runner feel like they are less alone on their training runs, or that they’re facing the same issues I do. Or if I can help someone start running, change some of their eating habits or make a step towards a healthier life. It was a running blog (Daily Garnish) that convinced me that I could run a marathon, and that I should be making some better food options.
- To share information, advice and experiences to people that are interested. Most of my friends don’t run (or blog) so don’t really read this, and I can’t talk their ear off about running, but I can run my mouth off about it on here. Additionally I like providing honest, impartial reviews of kit (OK not going to lie, I also enjoy testing the kit). I love reading other people’s blogs, race recaps, good runs and those that have gone run. It makes me feel better when I share something embarrassing, that I’m usually not the only person it has happened to… like realising that a gym doesn’t have towels and having to use 3 hand towels to dry myself off before a day on placement.
So my question – why do you blog, or, if you don’t blog, why do you read blogs? And what would you like to see in this space?
I just wanted to say that I love your blog. I lost two friends to cancer in the last seven months and as part of that I am training for the Moonwalk Marathon and the round the island walk (I live on Jersey, Channel Islands) 48 miles! I am hoping to raise money for my friends and as part of that I am documenting my journey of trying to get fit again over on my blog. I often turn to your blog for when I am feeling that I can’t face getting up at 5am to fit in a 8km run! Your blog is a lovely positive and inspiring space. 🙂 xx
Absolutely Charlie, I found myself nodding all the way through this post. Well not about the running bits, but you know, the rest!!
I blog because I enjoy it, and over the years have loved how my words have made a teeny difference to those who read them – that is such an amazing thing. I make enough from the ads on my blog to pay for my hosting, but that’s it; it’s my hobby and I write because I like to. I get overlooked for campaigns because I don’t have the time to develop those relationships and even if I do get picked I struggle to fit things in around a full time job so far away from London (and end up out of pocket getting to things).
I also get jealous, I wish a lot, but as nice as all those things would be – making some money, attending more events, going travelling (yes please!), that’s not what I am in it for.
This post made me smile with recognition. I’m totally with you on all this. That said, you’re doing a LOT better than most of us would-be running bloggers, and I look to you for inspiration and ideas all the time. I hope that one day I actually get paid in more than race entries and free tights, but until then, I do just generally enjoy just running and writing. And you’re totally right about needing to keep running in order to have something to write about! It’s the world’s best motivation. Equally, I think it also makes you a bit more accountable. Now that I have told the world I’m running the Geneva Marathon in May, I can’t back out now! Eeeep! Thanks for your honesty. 🙂
Good Post’ Love, G.
I blog bc I like it. Unfortunately it’s been taking on more of a “job” feel lately and has become less fun. I’m dialing it back a bit so I can get back to enjoying it again. 🙂
That happens to all of us I think, especially with all the things we ‘should’ be doing, I hate all the back end stuff, and find the emails overwhelming sometimes! I’ve started putting an out of office on when I’m super busy at uni or on holiday so that I can actually relax/focus!
I blog because I have an uncontrollable urge to share my running and food love haha.
And I keep blogging because I get some positive feedback from like minded runners and food lovers and that makes my day, even if it’s just one person now and then. Makes it all worth it.
I also love some of the local blogging events I have attended and the brilliant people I have met thanks to them.
You’re a great blogger so I hope your passion continues to thrive! 🙂
Haha thanks Peter, it really does make it worth it. Thanks for reading x
I blog because I need an outlet for what’s in my head and I keep blogging because of the community.
I love your blog! I started my blog on a whim one day and had no idea that 1) there were so many bloggers and 2) that you could make money from blogging. I just wanted to start writing about stuff! I also didn’t know it was going to take over my life for about the first 6 months until I reeled it in. I can definitely relate to see other bloggers get campaigns or cool opportunities and feeling jealous. For me, it’s not about the fame or money, I just want to do cool things and meet other bloggers so I have more people to talk blogging with!
Oh yes it can definitely take over your life. I had to try to limit my evening blogging as it was cutting into the time Tom and I spent together, and I now try to utilise my commute for blog writing, commenting and ideas!
I love this your so right especially the accountability! The only thing is I worry my blog then because a diary of training and how interesting that actually is I’m not sure…
If you like it then who cares, if you’re striving to increase blog views then yes look at which content performs best and try to recreate it! I find it’s my honest posts that seem to do best!
I love your blog, it was one of the first I found and have read regularly for a couple of years now. I find running blogs inspiring, if I’m feeling unmotivated or lazy a quick read of your blog always gets me up and out for a run!
Thanks Kirsty, I agree – blogs and instagram are great for motivating me to get off the sofa – as does the pressure to have something to put on the blog and instagram!
Hi i love your blogs/posts there very refreshing in there layout/approach always funny&humorous allowing inter actions between us and you.plenty of detail about what you have written about so you feel part of it with a nice “human” touch to them unlike some that seem very mechanical like been written by spell checker!
you have so many different angles to life like running/cycling/clothes/food/and much much more(something from fishing and would be perfect! lol)
So keep up the great work as always love seeing your items in my in box
haha afraid i have NOTHING to add about fishing but can get my Grandfather to write a guest post! Thanks so much Oscar!
I like blogs because i like getting to know the person behind the blog, sometimes you enjoy the person and their personality and this helps you warm towards them.
Things I liked when I started following were our pb times were similar, also it’s something I can read when i have free time..
I like reading about your events, some of the kit you use, destinations of races, and your journey…and your dedication! I find if I follow blogs and runners in general it keeps me keen to run when i otherwise might lose motivation.
My partner, like yours, also works in aviation and i do, like you, have my sleep patterns frequently interrupted. This can play havoc with morning runs! Especially my lsr!
Sometimes I’d quite like to a more in depth analysis of the watches you use, the trainers and the kit…and maybe the places you go….
But keep up the good work.
Thanks for the suggestions David, I have a blog planned about the Garmin I’ve been using recently (although I’m awful with technology!!) Yes the early mornings are bad but I hate the late nights more – and the weekends working!
First and foremost I blog because I enjoy writing, the writing process, and sharing stories.
I blog because I want to inspire people the same way healthy living bloggers inspired me when I was a clueless college student learning out to work out.
I blog because I love being part of this community and I’m super grateful for those I’ve met thanks to blogging + instagram.
I blog for the same reasons! It’s not only a hobby I simply enjoy but there is also SUCH a sense of accomplishment. Stellar post!
xx, Pia
http://gymbagsandjetlags.com
I agree Pia, I feel so much pride when a post I love goes live!
Hi Charlie,
I just wanted to drop by and say a big hello. I was lucky enough to feature on the Vuelio health and fitness blog awards this year. Congratulations on coming number one! 🙂 It would be great to stay in touch and see if we could collaborate on anything in the future.
Anyway, keep up the good work and I hope to chat to you soon. All the best,
Paul (aka Father Fitness)
Definitely, great blog Paul and certainly keen for some collabs!
My friend and I have just started a joint blog. For us it was about sharing experiences and showing that you don’t have to be a certain age, shape or size to swim bike run or whatever other hobby you fancy having a go at. I love reading what you get up to and it gives my ideas. If we can influence just one lady to have a go because she sees us middle aged loons having fun, keeping fit and finding friendship through our escapades then we’re happy. X
Amazing and I so agree! Congrats and keep up the awesome blog x
For a newbie blogger, this really inspired me to improve my blog <3 I also read your post "Know Your Value" and I totally agree with you. As a graphic designer, I used to design for others for free. Yeah, sad. 🙁 But I realized that I should first know my own value before others define my worth. 🙂
Thank you, Charlie, for sharing your wonderful insights! Cheers! xx
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