Hello world, my name is Chinny and I’m a serial half-hearted blogger. This is my fourth blog to date and my most personal and honest. My previous attempts included a blog ‘diary’ to post my angsty thoughts (I was super emosh in my early twenties), a blog for my professional self (in all my pretentious glory:)) and finally, my most fun attempt was a fashion blog with my dear friend, Enma and I. Though I’ve enjoyed all three, I’ve found I wasn’t entirely passionate about what I was writing, hence why all three attempts were abandoned…..but I’ve decided to take a fourth crack at it.
Prior to launching this blog, I second-guessed my decision a million times and asked myself if it was even worth blogging in this day and age. Everyone and their mama blogs these days, topics are samey and redundant and folks don’t seem to read blogs anymore. With Facebook and Instagram readily accessible, everyone’s abandoning their RSS feeds and consuming content through those apps instead.
So why go through the hassle and expense of launching/maintaining a blog and breaking your back to create content when no one will read it? To answer this question, I reached out to 5 fabulous established bloggers I know and asked why they started their blogs and most importantly, why they’re still blogging in such a saturated market. Here’s what they said:
Onieka
The original OG of blogging. Travel blogger extraordinaire. Media Personality. Journalist. Host of travel web series: “Big City, Little Budget”, and “One Bag and You’re Out”. Talented writer (her IG captions alone are something else!). Fun down-to-earth lady.
Why did you start blogging? “I started blogging back in 2005 when the internet wasn’t a thing. I blogged leisurely covering topics that connected with me. It was a way to share experiences, especially around travel. I decided to make it a full-time gig back in 2015.”
Why are you still blogging? “To be honest, I barely write these days because everything has moved to social. However, I wouldn’t let that put you off starting a blog. I would advise you to start a blog and ensure you’re writing SEO content. People are going to blogs these days to answer questions they have on the internet. To gain an audience, you need to write content that people are searching for.”
Cynthia
Fashion powerhouse. Fashion and Travel blogger. Attorney. Everyone’s color crush. African sister. Fab and lovely-to-be-around chick.
Why did you start blogging? “I started blogging as a creative outlet. Being a lawyer, I have limited creativity in this space so I started a blog as a space to share and be creative. It’s continued to evolve as my interests changed and became a great way to connect with people. Putting my ideas out there, getting feedback and meeting so many great people with similar interests.”
Why are you still blogging? “Because of the beautiful community that came about from this blog. You think you’re by yourself working and creating but there’s a community out that cares, connects and shares.”
Tina
YouTube vlogger extraordinaire. Natural hair blogger. Food blogger. Healthcare Practioner. DIYer. African sister. Warmest Heart. Wonderful Energy.
Natural Hair IG – Misst1806
Natural Hair YouTube – MissT1806
Food IG – @wellandtasty
Food YouTube – Well and Tasty
Why did you start vlogging? “I started vlogging because I felt like I wanted to be part of a community doing something great. I had learned so much from this great natural hair community and I felt I had something to add to the conversation through my natural hair journey.”
Why are you still vlogging? “I’m still vlogging because there’s space for my voice and there’s still a community and an opportunity to engage with people out there. It’s also led to new paths and opportunities. When I started doing natural hair videos, I looked into its history and what was in our products. This led to me to start looking into what I put into my body, which opened my eyes to healthy eating, which led to, Well and Tasty!”
Fallon
Superwoman in a sunny lil package. Lifestyle and Mummy Blogger. Entrepreneur. Mental Health Advocate. Wonderfully kind human being.
IG – @casadefallon
Blog – www.casadefallon.com
Why did you start blogging? “I started blogging back in 2008 as a creative outlet that I controlled. In the beginning it was more of an inspiration board for me, a place for me to share my favorite things, then about 4 years in I saw what blogging had become for others and that was when I shut down my first blog and took a year to strategize before coming back with the purpose of making this profitable. Since 2013 I have been blogging with the intent to turn my blog into a profitable brand”.
Why are you still blogging? “I am still blogging today….because I enjoy creating content and I want to share my story and help others.”
Dinah
Humble powerhouse. Lifestyle blogger. #BlackgirlWow in every way. People connector. New mama goals. Partner-in-crime. Dear friend. Kindest person I know.
IG – @dee.diary
Blog – www.deediary.com
Why did you start blogging? “I started blogging in 2016 when I met you. It started as a creative outlet for my 9-5 corporate job but now it has grown into so much more – a community. Also, a place for me to fangirl and meet new people :)”
Why are you still blogging? “Umm, so that I can continue to encourage women and shamelessly fangirl until it becomes a trend!”
And there you have it. Established bloggers, doing their thing, kicking ass and taking no prisoners. All highlighting why paying for a domain, figuring out WordPress/Squarespace/Wix, spending a considerable amount of time/money taking pictures, writing content, connecting with followers, looking for inspiration, picking themselves up when results aren’t great and leaping for joy when results exceed expectations. All showing there’s a reason to share your voice, there’s a reason to try and that reason is to connect, to help, to lift others up.
My takeaway from this is to focus on giving, connecting and community. This foundation will put you on the right path to creating a successful blog. And that’s what I intend to do.
Share your blog in the comments section below. Let’s lift each other up. Let’s connect. It really does take a village 😉
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20 comments
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Maroula Mavrogiannopoulou
January 28, 2019 at 10:34 pm
Thank you for sharing these knowledgeable ladies’ powerful words. I had never a blog myself but I am an avid reader. Also I wish you all the best with your brand new venture! Much love from the other side of the world, Athens, Greece. Maroula x
admin
January 29, 2019 at 3:02 am
You’re too kind! Thanks for your support and kind words!
Katricia
January 29, 2019 at 1:32 am
Love this post! Thanks for sharing! All the women seem incredible.
admin
January 29, 2019 at 3:01 am
Thanks so much, hun! Thoroughly agree. Couldn’t help but be inspired! 🙂
Kris
January 29, 2019 at 4:09 am
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been strategically preparing for my blog for over a year and the work/learning curve is insane! I love it but I must admit it has made me question my faith in blogging in such a saturated market (design and lifestyle). We all have a voice. Thanks for inspiring me to share mine!
admin
January 30, 2019 at 1:02 am
I’m so glad this resonated with you! Push through and bring your blog to life. Years from now, you’ll look back and marvel at how far you’ve come! Best of luck with your blog!
Mak
February 1, 2019 at 10:41 pm
Thanks so much for doing this post! Not just from your perspective but of others too. Sometimes I feel alone and a little like – whose gonna read ur stuff Mak?! But this is a great reminder that there is not only a huge community out there but so much space out there to create. Thanks for showcasing creative, colourfully dressed black women 🙂
Xoxo,
Mak
http://www.empoweringpetite.com
Chinny
February 2, 2019 at 1:10 am
I’m so glad this resonated with you, Mak! You’re right, this huge community has space for each and every one of us. Keep doing you! You have a beautiful blog!
Ngozi Okoh
February 17, 2019 at 4:40 am
Hey Chinny,
I’m so excited your (4th) blog is up! In Reading this post, it’s a great reminder that you don’t ever know someone’s story. I know chiniluv, the brand, is here to stay! You and these 5beautiful bloggers are lighting the fire under me to do the damn thing. Can’t wait to read your next post, and congratulations again!
Chinny
February 18, 2019 at 1:25 am
Awww thanks so much luv! It means ALOT! Keep shining bright luv and keep being the amazing woman and mama you are! xxx
Nma
March 1, 2019 at 10:18 pm
Very insightful post, love. You’re off to a great start, and I believe this is IT for you. By the way – there would be no enmaandi without you 😘 Thank you for everything.
Chinny
March 3, 2019 at 4:21 am
Thank you for everything luv and being so so supportive! There definitely wouldn’t have been an enmaandi without you xx
Dayna
April 19, 2019 at 3:56 am
thank you so much for sharing this article! This definitely provided motivation for me not to give up. I am still an amateur Fashion Blogger working on building my audience. Articles like these make me not want to give up 🙂 You can checkout my fashion & lifestyle blog at https://dayloustyles.net/
Chinny
April 24, 2019 at 1:34 am
I’m glad this resonated Dayna. Keep creating content that you’re passionate about and the rest will come.
Your blog is great! Thanks for sharing!
Ro
December 23, 2019 at 2:44 pm
I LOVED this post! I have also had a few blogs before the one I currently own with my husband and sometimes you do find yourself wondering is it worth it. What it comes down to for me is that I really enjoy sharing what we share on our blog and I enjoy the community I get to interact with as a result! Loved hearing your thoughts and the thoughts of other bloggers on this subject as well!
Yalana Allen
January 31, 2020 at 1:08 pm
I love this!!! I’ve been asked by people to start a blog and YouTube channel but I’ve been so afraid of failure, not getting support, and have a run of the mill blog that’s the same as everyone else. I recently decided to start one and it can be discouraging just trying to come up with a name. But this post was so helpful!!! Thanks!!!
Chinny
February 1, 2020 at 4:38 am
So glad this resonated, Yalana. There’s space for all of us on the interwebs. I say do your thing and best of luck!!
Chinny
July 15, 2020 at 1:10 pm
You’re very Yolanda! I hope kept at it. Best of luck!!
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