As a seasoned marketer, I’ve always had a foot in the professional world of digital marketing. But it’s been my personal blogging experiments – the late-night tinkering, the thrill of a viral post, the sting of radio silence – that have truly shaped my understanding of this medium. Each success and failure became a lesson, a building block in my digital education.
Now, a couple decades later (gasp!), I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come – from clunky HTML to sleek AI-assisted platforms. Yet, despite all the technological leaps, the core of what we do remains unchanged: connecting with people through words and ideas.
This journey has been my playground, my classroom, and my time capsule. Let me take you through what I’ve learned, and why I believe the best way to understand this digital world is to dive in and actually start creating.
My Blogging Experience from 1998 to 2008
I built my first website in 1998. I picked up a copy of “HTML for Dummies” and coded a rudimentary image-less page. Thankfully, I do not have a screen shot of it, but it was enough to peak my interest, AND get me a job at AT&T selling overpriced shared hosting to small businesses. From there, I played with Microsoft’s WYSIWYG FrontPage tool to build more interesting things and continue learning.
Early blogging platforms began to emerge about that time as well. Blogger, Open Diary and LiveJournal emerged first, then in 2003 TypePad and WordPress entered the game, with WordPress quickly taking the lead.
Out of curiosity, I decided to start a personal blog in 2008 – “Your Home, Only Better.” My first post was “Illuminating Mantles.” It was pretty bad and had a typo in the slug. But my goal was to learn what blogging is by trying different platforms.
I initially created my blog in Blogger. After posting a few articles, I exported it to TypePad to see what that was like. Then, like so many others, I landed on WordPress. From there it didn’t take long to move to self-hosted WordPress and YourhomeOnlyBetter.com was born.
I bought the infamous book “ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income” by Darren Rowse and Chris Garret, first published in 2008. Spoiler alert – I did not blog my way to a six figure income. But I did I learn a ton, at one point reaching 100,000 visitors per month. After a few years of blogging I was able to get picked up by HomeGoods as a regular content contributor for their blog.
My point here is that jumping in and doing beats reading about something, and it’s way more fun. I always viewed my blog as my marketing playground, where I did not need permission to try and test ideas.
The Shift to “Content Creator”
Like with any good thing, change is inevitable and growth is intentional. The evolution of blogging has led to changes in both terminology and scope.
Today, we’re no longer just “bloggers” but “Content Creators” – a term that encompasses the diverse platforms and formats we use to share our ideas and stories. This shift reflects a broader transformation in the digital landscape:
- Diversification of Platforms: Content creators now operate across multiple channels – blogs, social media, video platforms, and podcasts. Each platform requires unique skills and strategies.
- Multifaceted Skill Set: Modern content creators wear many hats. They’re not just writers, but also:
- Strategists: Planning content that aligns with business goals
- Copywriters: Crafting compelling messages that resonate with defined personas
- Photographers and Videographers: Creating amazing visual content
- Editors: Refining and polishing content across mediums
- Digital Marketers: Promoting content and building audiences
- Salespeople: Monetizing platforms and negotiating partnerships
- Rise of Influencer Marketing: Content creators with substantial followings often become “Influencers,” leveraging their audience to partner with brands and shape consumer behavior.
- Diversified Revenue Streams: The income model has evolved beyond traditional advertising:
- Brand Deals: Direct partnerships with companies
- Affiliate Marketing: Earning commissions by promoting products
- User-Generated Content (UGC): Creating content for brands to use in their marketing
- Digital Products: Selling courses, ebooks, or merchandise
- Subscriptions: Offering premium content or experiences to paying followers
- Data-Driven Approach: Content creators now rely on analytics to understand their audience, research keywords, and optimize their content.
- Community Building: Beyond creating content, today’s creators focus on creating engaged communities around their brand.
This evolution has transformed blogging from a simple online journal into a sophisticated, multi-faceted profession. It’s an exciting endeavor for those willing to learn!
What’s Next?
I stopped posting on YourHomeOnlyBetter.com back in 2020 for many reasons. But just last week I decided to dust off and refresh the blog, and start playing and learning again. After all, it still gets traffic (and advertising revenue) and there are over 300 articles published.
I moved the hosting to BlueHost, updated the WordPress theme for better SEO, and am working on some new content strategies. I plan to experiment with different content formats, test new marketing strategies and tactics, and of course, continue to learn and iterate. Of course, I’ll write about what I’m learning here on this blog.
Don’t Forget the Reader
As the craft of blogging has evolved into the complex world of content creation, one fundamental principle remains unchanged: the importance of serving your audience. In 2011, I wrote a post titled “10 Blogging Tips for Writing Empathetic Posts” and its core message still resonates today. Amidst all the technological advancements and strategic considerations, never lose sight of who you’re truly serving.
Be strategic in your approach, leverage the tools at your disposal, but most importantly, learn by doing. Your unique voice and experiences are what will ultimately set you apart in the vast sea of content.
Remember, every content creator started somewhere. Don’t let the complexity of today’s digital world intimidate you. Start creating, keep learning, and always prioritize your connection with your audience. Your authentic journey is your greatest asset – be vulnerable and share it with the world.