To Blog and Beyond!

Blogging is now not only a hobby, but is also a talent in which people strive to make a living.  Chapter six entitled, “Blogging Brands,” denotes that blogging these days is a novel way to make money.  The reading suggests: “Ultimately, it seems, the question of whether blogging is journalism has to do with money.”  Blogging has reached an all-time high level of notoriety, especially in creating business for people in the business. 

Two things seem to matter when blogging for a brand: Truth and integrity.  Gaining the trust of readers is the name of the game.  People don’t want to feel pressured or manipulated, but want to feel that they can form their own opinions on bloggers’ suggestions and opinions.

Post Secret is one of my favorite blogs of all time. I have followed it since the Britney Spears and *NSYNC days that were middle school, making it my first blog reading experience.  It is as real and truthful as I imagine any blog could ever hope to be.  The creator, Frank Warren, decided to start an art compilation project in which he encourages people to mail their secrets on postcard to his home address.  This simple act of affixing a stamp to a secret enables people to let go of a Dirty Little Secret by mailing the inner workings of their soul   Frank Warren makes his money as a motivational speaker and author, selling books full of spilled secrets and true confessions.  The site also doubles as a suicide prevention organization for those in need of assistance.      

to a complete stranger. As a site without advertisements, how does Post Secret continue to operate?  Do you think he started Post Secret with the intention of turning the blog into a money making operation?

Bloggers with a smaller reach still maintain the equal opportunity of blogging for a brand.  Starr Struck promotes her own yoga classes, music choices, and Etsy store.  The blog succeeds as a valuable resource for women searching for a compilation of all life’s wonderful things, including her Friday posts of her selected “Simple Joys of the Week.”  In her FAQ section, she denotes her experience as a yoga teacher and student, establishing her credibility to her readers.  A multifaceted woman, the author advertises her own artwork for purchase on the site.  The many facets of this site lend itself to a blog worthy of making a living on!  Do sites with several links to advertisements, shopping sites, and other blogs overwhelm you, or interest you?