In August 2011 I discovered blogging and decided to learn how to create a blog, which led me to start Making Sense of Cents. I knew nothing about blogging and had no plans to earn money from it.
Learning how to create a blog changed my life. I’m grateful I gave blogging a chance — figuring out how to start a blog opened opportunities I hadn’t imagined. Over time blogging has treated me well, and in this article I’ll explain how it changed my life and why you might consider creating a blog yourself.
Blogging became one of the best decisions I made. It allowed me to earn substantial income doing work I enjoy. As shown in my business income reports, my blogging-related income now exceeds $100,000 a month.
I never expected to leave my day job as a financial analyst to become a full-time blogger. I first learned about blogging when reading a magazine that featured a personal finance website. At the time I wanted to take control of my finances and pay off student loans.
Before that summer I didn’t even know what blogs were or that they could generate income. I started my blog mainly as a journal to track finances and stay motivated. It was a hobby and an outlet, but I quickly discovered how much I loved blogging.
By October 2013, after a couple of years of consistent effort, I left my day job and transitioned to full-time blogging. Learning how to create a blog transformed my life. If you’re considering starting one, I recommend giving it a try.
Blogging changed my life in many ways, including:
- I love the work I do and look forward to each day.
- I can help others improve their financial situation.
- It made early retirement a realistic goal.
- Both my husband and I left our day jobs.
- Blogging helped me pay off my student loans.
- We now travel full-time.
- I enjoy a flexible schedule.
- I am my own boss.
- Blogging provides freedom and control over my life.
There are many good reasons to start a blog, and for me it has been more than worth the effort.
11 Reasons to Learn How to Create a Blog
Blogging is enjoyable
Before starting my blog I hadn’t considered blogging as a career or pastime. Now, after more than five years, I can’t imagine not blogging. I enjoy writing, helping others, discovering new bloggers, and working on projects that matter to me. Blogging is rewarding and challenging: there’s always something new to learn, and you can reach many people through your content.
You can help others
As my blog grew, I realized the impact my posts could have on readers’ lives. A blog lets you share ideas, tips, recipes, strategies, and other useful content with people you might never meet in person. Over the years I’ve received messages from readers saying my posts motivated them to improve their finances and lives — helping readers is one of the most rewarding parts of blogging.
It’s affordable to start
Blogging is a low-cost hobby or business to begin. You can start a blog for a modest annual hosting fee and often get a free domain when you sign up for a year of hosting. I started with inexpensive hosting and learned to design and manage my site myself, which saved money and provided valuable skills.
The blogging community is supportive
Blogging introduced me to many wonderful people — fellow bloggers and readers who became friends. Connecting with others, exchanging ideas, and learning from peers is a major benefit of being part of the blogging community.
You can be your own boss
When you blog, you can set your own schedule, choose what you write about, and define your goals. That autonomy is a major advantage for people who prefer to run their own projects and set their own priorities.
Blogging helps personal growth
Blogging has helped me grow in many ways: managing my finances better, improving my writing skills, meeting diverse people, and learning business and technical skills. The continuous learning curve can be both challenging and rewarding.
No prior experience required
You don’t need prior experience to start a successful blog. I didn’t know blogs existed when I began, yet learned everything from the ground up. Success requires effort and persistence, but it’s achievable for anyone willing to learn and adapt.
Work from anywhere
Blogging enables remote work and travel. After selling our house in 2015, we began traveling full-time while I continue to run the blog. The flexibility to choose your work environment and eliminate a daily commute is a significant lifestyle advantage.
You can make a living blogging
Blogging can be a legitimate source of income. It’s not a guaranteed overnight success, but many bloggers who started as a hobby have grown their sites into full-time businesses. With dedication and the right strategies, it’s possible to earn a living from blogging.
Earn passive income
One of the benefits of blogging is the potential for passive income. Activities like affiliate marketing allow you to recommend products you use and earn commissions even while you sleep. Over time, well-implemented monetization strategies can provide recurring revenue streams.
Great platform for freelancers
A blog can serve as a portfolio and marketing tool if you want to offer freelance services. It helps potential clients find you, view samples of your work, and learn about your expertise — all of which can lead to speaking engagements, writing gigs, book deals, and other opportunities.
How To Create A Blog — Free Course
If you’re ready to learn how to create a blog, I offer a free seven-day email course designed for beginners. The course walks you through the technical steps of setting up a WordPress blog, choosing topics, attracting readers, and starting to earn income. Each day you’ll receive a concise lesson that builds on the previous one.
Course outline (free 7-day email course):
- Day 1: Reasons to start a blog.
- Day 2: How to determine what to blog about.
- Day 3: How to create your own blog (WordPress-focused tutorial).
- Day 4: How to make money blogging.
- Day 5: Tips for creating passive income from blogging.
- Day 6: How to grow your traffic and followers.
- Day 7: Miscellaneous tips to help you succeed.
If you’re interested, you can sign up for the free How To Start a Blog email course to get step-by-step guidance as you create a successful, profitable blog.
Are you interested in learning how to create a blog? What other reasons to start a blog can you think of?