When I started my blog back in 2010 I had no idea I would someday turn into a full-time blogger that makes a living off of her writing. I also had no idea I would end up learning a variety of unexpected skills that, at first glance, seem like they have nothing to do with actual blogging.
The reality is that if you want to become a full-time blogger, you’re going to end up learning a little bit about a lot of different things. Here are just some of the unexpected skills you can expect to learn as a full-time blogger.
Video and Audio
The longer I have a career as a full-time blogger, the more I find myself learning about video and audio. This is partially because I started getting hired to film financial videos. It’s also because I started getting asked to do interviews (more on this later) and needed better sound equipment.
In fact, I ordered a new microphone for podcasting and interviews just before sitting down to write this article. It’s not the first mic I order, nor will it be the last. Same goes for lights and cameras.
Public Relations
The other unexpected skill I’ve learned as a full-time blogger is public relations. Once I started getting asked to do interviews and to provide quotes, I needed to learn how to continuously get quoted or get my work featured in larger media outlets.
It’s because I’ve learned how to get media placements for myself that I get company sponsorship opportunities and coaching clients.
Online Marketing
This unexpected skill actually has a lot to do with blogging if you want to make it your full-time gig. Not only do you need to learn how to write for your audience, you also need to learn online marketing skills like branding, copy, sales funnels, autoresponders and more.
It was once I started implementing online marketing techniques, instead of just writing whatever came to my mind, that I started making money in multiple ways. This included sponsorships, affiliate sales and more.
Hustle
If you want to be a full-time blogger you’re going to need to learn how to hustle. There’s no way around this one. No one is going to just hand you money as a blogger. You also don’t have anyone telling you what to do.
This is why you either learn how to hustle or succumb to getting a nine to five job. My hustle was actually put to the test recently when I took my first international trip while running a business. Because I’ve learned to hustle I had (almost) no issues busting out my laptop at an airport to meet a deadline.
Management
One thing I never expected to happen as I became a full-time blogger was that I’d end up building a team of contractors to help me with various things. Actually if I’m being totally honest, this was definitely the last thing on my mind when I thought of turning my blog into my career. I thought I was just going to be a one-woman show.
As I speak I’ve got about five contractors I work with, four of them regularly. It’s definitely been a learning experience as I put on my “manager” hat.
Final Thoughts
I’m sometimes shocked at the amount of different skills I’ve learned as I’ve become a full-time blogger. Back in 2010 I really had no idea that I’d be running a company, I simply thought I’d somehow get discovered and take it from there. The reality is I’ve had to learn multiple skills in order to have a career as a full-time blogger.
