According to popular belief, blogging requires a lot of cash, self hosting and the ability to obtain freebies. That's not true.
All Past Midnight has some great ideas about how to obtain free products and, apart from a custom theme and a domain name, I haven't spent any money on Someplace Strange. And I'm still not self hosted. I don't think that's hindered me at all in my blogging journey. (My laziness on the other hand ...!)
Having talked about things to think about before setting up your blog, I wanted to talk about blogging when you don't have - or don't want - to spend much money.
Equipment
You probably already have an Internet connection, a laptop/computer and a phone. Most phones have a good quality camera with lots of features. Add to that a desire to make your voice heard, some enthusiasm and a thick skin and you have all you need. There's no point buying a load of equipment when you start. Many bloggers give up in the first year or so. If you're still keen a few years later and it's going well, then invest in a DSLR and upgrade the PC if you have the money.
Template and Platform
My domain name cost me a tenner whilst the custom theme I bought cost a little more. I'm not technically minded, so even after watching and reading numerous HTML and CSS tutorials I was as clueless at the end as I was when I started. But, although other people may have my theme, no one has my content and it won't look identical. I've still managed to create something that's completely mine. I love my beautiful space on the Internet and I'm thrilled that others love it too! You may be more technically minded and may enjoy learning about HTML and CSS. Have fun! The blogging platform you use comes down to personal preference. I'm using Blogger as it's free, does everything I need and is simple to use. Other platforms are available. Do some research and choose the best one for you.
Products
I've never purchased anything just to blog about it. I really do drink that much coffee and eat this much cake. The only difference that having a blog has made is I take more photos of it! There are lots of things you can write about without spending anything. Use your ingenuity and resourcefulness to come up with ways of looking at products, services and life in a different way. It'll make your blog more creative and unusual.
The takeaway ...
Ultimately, it's up to you how much or little money you spend on your blog. But the wonderful thing about blogging is that there are no rules. You definitely don't need to spend money to have an excellent blog. Don't get distracted or discouraged when you see posts on what people use to blog. These aren't necessities, just a personal preference or opinion. The most important thing is having a passion for what you're writing about, letting your personality shine though and making the best of the resources you have. In other words, having fun!
I started with everything free too. But mainly because blogging started as a hobby for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd even though I pay for the domain name, it's really not costly plus I get paid by affiliates. It's really fun to combine work and play. :)
Thanks for posting this as I also got more ideas.
Glad it helped! Thank you for commenting :)
DeleteWhat a great post! Absolutely loved your last two lines - "The most important thing is having a passion for what you're writing about, letting your personality shine though and making the best of the resources you have. In other words, having fun!" That sums it all up!! I do get distracted, I admit, and it's not just Cake but when I read posts like yours, I am reminded of the real reason why I started blogging - and to stay the course!
ReplyDeleteThe having fun bit is key to me. When it stops being fun, it stops. Thank you for the lovely comment
DeleteBrilliant post! I totally agree. It's all about your voice, your view of the world, and your need to express yourself. If you just blogged to get 'free stuff' it would soon get boring. Especially given that the 'free' stuff isn't really free when you consider how much time it takes to write the post, take photos, share etc. I'm like you, I have my own domain, and I bought my theme but that's it. I don't think a blog should be judged by how much someone has spent on it but on the content it provides. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, content is king and you don't need money to create great, nice looking content. Thank you for the lovely comment :)
DeleteI love this, Mrs. Tubbs! I'm 2 years into blogging and I still use almost everything for free (though I am in the process of buying a domain name). I think you're right in saying that the look of the blog may look the same as others, but the content is certainly different. I love that sentiment because it's true! At the end of the day, its our words that draw people in, and not necessarily the fancy graphics and html codes that we've put into it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing! #mmwbh
My pleasure! I'm glad it helped and good luck with moving domains. Hope it all goes smoothly.
DeleteGreat post! I started my blog with everything free and the only thing I have paid for since is my domain name, I still do everything for free as its my hobby and iam only really starting out properly. I write for myself and any products iam sent, I do so because of what I write. Really interesting post to read from someone who started like me :)
ReplyDelete#MMWBH
Thank you. It's weird talking about blogging journeys as we're all doing the same thing, completely differently. I didn't realise that you'd started the same way as I did. That's really encouraging as your blog is great :)
DeleteThis is a great post. I'm not self hosted either, I'm too scared of what is involved, I definitely have techno fear. But you are right, it's about the content and writing about what genuinely interests you rather than trying to get a plug in for whatever freebie you've received ha! Thank you for sharing xx
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. I'm not self hosted. Partly because of my techno fear and also because I can't see a compelling reason to do so. I can't see what being self hosted will get me that being on blogger won't. Thank you for commenting and have a great week
DeleteWords of wisdom, right here! Sometimes I think I'd like to pay someone to help me create a really great header image as mine really bugs me. But I'm planning to have a bit of a play around on some of the free editing websites that are available and see what I can make up myself. I might be open to investing some money in my blog if it ever returns any money, but I'm not really prepared to do it the other way round as I can't actually afford to!
ReplyDeleteThank you :) Having bought my theme and my domain name, that's it for this year and probably next year as well! Blogging could be a complete money pit if you let it be one, but I don't have the money either.
DeleteGood luck with sorting out a header image you like. If you do it yourself, I think there's more of a sense of achievement. (I do feel I cheated abit just buying something!)
I agree! I bought my domain name, but I have a free theme and haven't spent any other money. I think about upgrading to a custom theme, but I barely have time to write, let alone muck about with html and CSS! #bestandworst
ReplyDeleteSo true. This place is a total time suck ... Thank you for commenting
DeleteLovely post! I've only spent money for my domain name, the rest are acquired for free. I already got a laptop and camera, so it's handy. So, you can actually still blog without having to spend a fortune. #coolmumclub
ReplyDeleteTrue! It's worrying how many how to blog posts start by recommending really expensive pieces of equipment though. You don't need a MacBook, a DLSR or professional image editing software, you really don't!
DeleteI so agree with this post. It's actually a really cheap hobby/interest to have assuming you already have a computer and internet connection given it's free to set up a blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteGreat post. It is easy and cheap to start a blog. I love blogging. Found you on #BestandWorst
ReplyDeleteWho Let the Mum Out?
Thank you :)
DeleteYou can definitely blog on a budget! I wouldn't have the money to spend, so have no choice but to do it on a budget (i recently wrote a piece about creating a blogging space on a budget, which is why I clicked on here) the way I see it though, is, as it's such an enjoyable hobby, throwing a few quid in when I have it (like for Facebook ads) is ok and paying for hosting and the other few necessaries is probably all evened out by the few products or other things you might get during the year. Great idea for a post. #brilliantblogposts
ReplyDeleteTrue, it does even out. It's the idea that you have to spend money or purchase expensive pieces of equipment that's unhelpful as I think it puts people off giving it ago. Thank you for the lovely comment. Will go check out your piece now
DeleteI've never bought anything just to write about it either. And I have now invested in a theme and blog design but I had been blogging almost daily for a solid 6 months before I made that decision. You're right you do not have to spend a lot of money to be successful at blogging. #kcacols
ReplyDeleteThank you! Your blog theme is lovely, I really like it :)
DeleteGreat post! I completely agree! I am self hosted though but I have my own server (i have a tech geek as a husband) so doesn't cost me either (is that cheating!) I have never bought anything just to blog about it either but I have noticed I have taken a few more opportunities to go out and try new things with blogging in mind - and it's turned out great (most of the time). Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again in the New Year xx
ReplyDeleteI've tried new things or thought about how things I've done could be turned into a blog post, but that's about it. New experiences are always good! Thank you for the lovely comment
DeleteTotally, you really don't need to spend much at all. I paid out for my domain name but that's about it. :) #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteI started blogging as a hobby as i needed to feed my creativity. When i got into it more I paid to self host and for extras on wordpress but thats it. I'm happy with it running as it does. Ive recently had some interest, people inviting my to activities and stuff which I'm really happy to do but by no means do I blog just to get freebies. This is a great post, very helpful, especially for new bloggers I imagine! #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteGreat post hun! I have spent a bit on going self hosted and advertising my page on Facebook which did work but that's it. My phone camera is fine and I still use hubby's laptop. I'm not going pro and just enjoy the hobby and the occasional perks :-) Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst and see you soon x
ReplyDeleteThank you. Hope you all had a great Christmas and all the best for 2016
DeleteGreat tips here as always you are full of them. I hope you had a lovely Christmas holiday. Thank you ever so much for linking up to SWM and the amazing linky/blog support last year. It means the world to me that people come back again and again to share their amazing blogs. I hope this year is no different. It's great to get to know more blogs and I love reading each post every week and sharing them. You have such a lovely blog here. I wish you a huge happy new year!!! #sharewithme
ReplyDeleteChristmas was lovely and I hope yours was too. All the best for 2016 and thank you for hosting each week
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