Question: Can I earn a living blogging?
A reader asks,
Can I earn a living by writing a blog? How do blog writers make money? I’m an English major exploring my options.
There’s almost no money in blogging. I have some ads that I got by asking companies if they wanted to be a sponsor, but ads don’t create much revenue.
Blogging’s real value is in establishing yourself as an expert in a field. This gives you credibility with employers and other professionals. For example, I’m teaching some API workshops that I got mainly through notoriety from my blog.
So first ask yourself who you want to be. Then write 100 posts on that subject. You’ll brand yourself as an expert in that topic, and that will open doors for you.
Technical writing is probably the most lucrative and practical option for English majors. Consider trying to get short on-site contracts in urban hubs where there are a lot of tech companies.
Sponsored
Short contracts are fairly common, though they can be tough because you have to be tech savvy and a quick learner, with little benefit for time or other on boarding.
About Tom Johnson
I'm an API technical writer based in the Seattle area. On this blog, I write about topics related to technical writing and communication — such as software documentation, API documentation, AI, information architecture, content strategy, writing processes, agent skills, tech comm careers, and more. Check out my AI courses for more on the latest in AI and tech comm. If you're looking for info about documenting APIs, see my API documentation course.
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Finally, I want to note a couple of things. I usually write the first drafts of my posts myself and then use AI to improve accuracy, clarity, and detail in places, so my writing is a mix of human and AI. (Hopefully that's not too off-putting.) Also, the opinions I express on my blog are my own perspectives, not those of my employer.