# Discovering Blogging: My Journey and Earnings After Three Months
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Chapter 1: My Blogging Journey
In this section, I will share how I embarked on my blogging adventure, including insights from my previous post, "What Did I Earn in My First Month of Blogging?" (April 2024). I genuinely believe that it’s a captivating read, and I encourage you to check it out.
You might think I gave up after seeing just $10 in my last post, but as Gökhan Bey, the founder of Medium Turkey, noted in his article “Graves Are Filled with Writers Who Gave Up,” I have no intention of joining that graveyard just yet. So, why do I continue writing? Is it truly worth the effort for a mere $10? Let’s explore this question together.
Section 1.1: Why I Keep Writing
I find joy in sharing my experiences, particularly with those who share my passions for reading and writing. When I discover a good blog writer, I read a lot of their work, even if it isn't my usual interest. I suppose it’s natural for someone like me, who used to delve into various topics in our family’s 24-volume Larousse encyclopedia, to get lost in reading.
It’s rewarding to see the wonderful people I’ve introduced through my writing engage with my work. The thrill of having like-minded, discerning individuals who believe in self-improvement and are curious about my stories is priceless. Many fellow bloggers resonate with this sentiment, having lived through similar experiences.
Previously, I discussed the concept of passive income. The more you write, the more readers you attract, which in turn leads to increased earnings. New readers discovering my work often become interested in my past articles, resulting in one reader consuming several pieces.
Looking back, I deeply regret not starting sooner. During the lockdown, while I was binge-watching Doctor Who and following commentary videos in my home in Ku?tepe, Istanbul, I could have been writing instead. Although I didn’t initially write for profit, I must admit it’s exciting to earn something, even if it’s just a few dollars each month.
You’ll likely be surprised by the figures I’m about to share, so don’t scroll down just yet; keep reading to find out!
Section 1.2: Key Lessons Learned
Over the past three months, I meticulously crafted a total of fifteen articles. The pieces I wrote in July do not pertain to this discussion. Reflecting on my earlier comments, I can identify several things I’ve learned since then:
- Originality is Key: It's undeniable that authentic content holds a special place in the blogging world. Even when covering common topics, infuse your unique thoughts and experiences into your writing. We are all treasures; our experiences are valuable. When you incorporate your personal insights, your writing evolves, and your readers will be eager to learn more.
- Attracting New Readers is Challenging: How many people are reading books nowadays? Not many are inclined to create accounts on blog sites just to follow and read articles. The number of people joining partner programs is even lower. I have over 5,000 followers on LinkedIn, and I ensure to share my articles there, as well as on Instagram and Twitter, paying close attention to timing and hashtags. Despite my best efforts, my enjoyable running articles have not garnered enough attention, even from my fellow running enthusiasts.
- Readers Love Financial Insights: Articles discussing earnings, like “What Did I Earn in My First Month of Blogging?” (April 2024), are immensely popular. That’s why I’m writing this piece. (Following it closely is “Why I Run?”, which I also enjoyed writing about with my running team.)
- Technical Articles Require Patience: These types of writings may initially receive little attention but are eventually discovered by interested readers over time. Crafting technical content is demanding. You must provide current and accurate information while selecting the most relevant title and content. Readers interested in such topics may only visit every couple of months, but when they do, they often spend considerable time on the article, which can significantly impact your earnings.
- Utilize AI, But Avoid Plagiarism: I don’t mean to sound like a literature teacher, but content that is original and infused with your experiences is always more valuable than anything generated by AI.
- Niche Focus: It’s believed that concentrating on a few specific topics will attract more readers. This idea seems valid, but I also enjoy writing about various subjects. This is my space, and if someone following me for running wants to read about an odd experience at an Evgeny Grinko concert, why shouldn’t they? What if I don’t write anything outside of those three topics and miss out on numerous potential readers?
Chapter 2: Steps for Improvement
Note to Self: My Tasks and Goals
- Keyword Research: Many successful bloggers emphasize the significance of keywords. Rather than relying solely on my own efforts, I should focus on attracting readers through search engines. There are tools like Google Trends that can assist with keyword research, and I must familiarize myself with them to identify highly searched terms and write about them quickly.
- Read More Blogs: I need to dedicate significantly more time to this. When I check my phone settings, I realize that this platform is likely my most used app. It’s a point of pride, especially since it’s not Instagram. Yet, spending too much time here can be risky, as we've seen friends we interact with frequently shut down their accounts.
- Read More Books: I’ve embarked on a new series that promises to be both high quality and engaging: “Sci-Fi Enthusiast.” You can read the introductory piece here, and the first article titled “Dune: I’m Buried” can be found here. I definitely need to read more science fiction to produce more reviews.
I have a book that could revolutionize my writing technique: "The Art of Planned Writing" by Arif Hikmet Parı. It’s currently at the top of my "to-read" list and can be found as a rare title at Taksim Atatürk Library in Istanbul. It’s prohibited to take it out, which highlights its value. I previously read it during high school with a naive mindset to enhance my articles for the school newspaper, but now I must revisit it with a more mature perspective.
I need to write more and more…
Let’s get to the benefits of beans. As you may know, I have two accounts: one in Turkish and another in English. Interestingly, my Turkish account is generating more income, largely thanks to Medium Turkey. A big thank you to everyone; without you, my progress would be far less noticeable.
I invested around fifty dollars when opening my accounts. In just three months, I’ve already earned back the cost of one account. Even small increases in earnings bring me great joy. Of course, there are many who make considerably more within weeks. There are countless articles titled “How I Made X Dollars in X Weeks.” Unfortunately, I don’t have a unique niche that many would want to read about. I might still be in the discovery phase. There’s no rush; I'd rather progress steadily and consistently, no matter how slow.
So, what are you waiting for? Create an account, write a few stories, and join us. You don’t have to be excellent; perfection is far from necessary. We also welcome you to Medium Turkey. Let’s read, write, applaud, highlight, comment, and all thrive together. All you need to open an account is a Gmail address. If you use an Android device, you likely already have one. Perhaps your writing will earn much more than mine. We’ll celebrate your success together!
Chapter 3: Exploring Video Insights
In the first video titled "IS BLOGGING DEAD IN 2024? Is starting a blog worth it?", the creator discusses the relevance of blogging in the current landscape and whether it’s still a worthwhile endeavor.
The second video, "honest truth...should you start a blog in 2024?", provides a candid perspective on beginning a blog in today's digital climate, offering valuable insights for potential bloggers.
This is a journey worth taking, and I hope these insights encourage you to start or continue your own blogging adventure!