For newbies who are just starting out blogging

For newbies who are just starting out blogging

Today I'm going to give you some tips for newbies who are just starting out with their blog.

This article is probably about preventing some trial and error after a long time and sharing my experience of being able to survive as a blogger by consistently posting articles. I decided to share some facts that I wish I had known in advance.

I have been blogging consistently since 2021, and through this, I have personally experienced some good things, seen the effects, and let you know some of the disadvantages that come with them.

When you start a blog, you will come across many success stories. Maybe the motivation to start a blog right away was because you came across these successful bloggers' stories. How great would it be if you could make a steady salary through blogging by posting meaningful killing content every month instead of going to work for 9-to-5? And there are many tips on how to actually earn some money and how to do it on the Internet just by entering related keywords.

However, I want to tell you that if you start a blog because you are deceived by such words, you will quit after a few years or even a few months. This is because reality does not work in such a fantastic way that will take away all the worries in the world at once. Rather, you will realize that you should focus more on maintaining this blog than on making money through blogging. If you blog simply to make money, you will be knocked out in a few months. It is not easy physically and mentally.

I started orthodontic treatment a while ago. The problem of malocclusion that I have could not be treated except for surgery with the technology of 10 years ago, but technology has advanced so now if you wear transparent braces and take good care of them, they will be well-corrected in 1.5 to 2 years. I learned this fact and became eager to get orthodontic treatment, so I started it right away. However, on the day I came home after attaching the attachment for the braces for the first time, I discovered that the process was harder than I thought. However, even children younger than me endure all the pain and attach the metal braces, so I tried to overcome the discomfort and pain. However, strangely enough, after about 2 weeks, wearing and maintaining the braces repeatedly felt very natural. This is because I got used to it through the daily repetition. I am grateful for this human adaptability.

Likewise, blogging becomes very enjoyable and manageable after a few months of adaptation, without being difficult or overwhelming. Rather, if you don’t consistently post or think of material, you will reach a point where you feel empty. Expressing something and writing becomes very natural. However, just like adapting to a correction device, you definitely need a period of endurance to adapt to blogging. If your motivation is only profit, you will give up because it is difficult to make meaningful profit during the adaptation period. Therefore, you need to create a stronger motivation than this economic or financial motivation.

I really like drawing and I do creative work every day, so it wasn’t difficult. However, if I had simply posted cool content that was not something I like or close to my daily life, I would have given up after a few months.

And one thing, when I first started, I worried about the direction. When I saw some bloggers writing and posting cool articles in a very systematic and well-organized manner, I was envious. However, that required more time and effort. I was in a situation where I couldn’t go all-in on blogging. So, even though it seemed a bit chaotic, I decided to just talk about art and painting as if I were recording my daily life. And I tried to let go of my perfectionism. I realized that even if I wrote something perfect, if it wasn’t helpful to the other person, it would be just a meaningless digital piece, so I didn’t have to try so hard. And I think my initial thoughts were right. Because I’m relatively stress-free, I can still write freely and keep my blog looking great.

If I had been too desperate, too perfect, or too nervous, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my blog for this long.

1. The Internet emphasizes that you should write more than 1,500 characters, think about SEO, and write killer content that attracts a lot of visitors. This is so right. But don't worry too much about this. Even if you write like this, it has nothing to do with income. If you try to follow this too much, you will lose motivation and burn out. Everything should be comfortable and the least stressful. All steady work is done in this environment. Imagine your blog as a diary. Just as I don't blame myself for writing my daily diary in a short and dry manner, try to write comfortably. As you write comfortably, you will inevitably come across areas that you need to focus on, and you can dig into those areas.

2. You don't have to run too fast from the beginning. Rather, you should start with the mindset that nothing will happen for about 3 years. During these 3 years, you should run while looking at the scenery around you and high-fiving people. If you run with the attitude of becoming an Olympic champion in the beginning, you will quickly get knocked down. If you write with this kind of perfectionism, your previous writing will be shabby, you will cause it yourself, and others will look too cool... Anyway, you can fall into a slump one day due to guilt, regret, and shame. This slump is something you should be more careful of than perfection.

3. Don't expect too much. Excessive fantasy and expectation are factors that make you give up quickly when faced with reality. Think of your blog as your best friend with whom you share your secrets and write. If you write with a grandiose attitude that you will one day be filled with justice and benefit the world, you will quickly fall into a slump. In fact, the world does not change easily with the writing we write. Since writing that can change the world does not come from effort, I have to enjoy writing with the thought that I am only doing my job. I set up my blog as a good friend with whom I can talk about art. And this initial setting was very helpful in creating a consistent blog.

​4. Consider the negatives that come with blogging. You have to think about scams, advertisements, and temptations that you will receive while blogging. You have to deal with them wisely. Above all, I had to face a huge obstacle called AI. I was in the middle of writing when I realized that AI could do it for me. Then, what have all my efforts been? Even if all my efforts turn into bubbles at once, you have to have the mentality and motivation to endure it. Think about what that would be. Therefore, I think that the material of your blog should be what you like the most.

​5. Let the world know that you are a blogger. Add blogger to your bio in your email, put it on your business card, whatever. Whatever you declare, it will become reality someday. If you don't declare it and say, "I will do it someday. My dream will come true someday," this is an action that greatly reduces the possibility. I know many artists around me who have great careers and talents but don't get to see the light because they don't declare it. Let the world know that you are a blogger in whatever way you can. ​I hope you are proud of your job as a blogger. I often get emails asking me to promote their company or product. I read the article and if I find it useful, I upload it to my site. If you didn't do anything, your site would be powerless.

6. ​Remember that your valuable personal experience is more useful than artificial intelligence. When I was deciding on a graduate school, I read a blog post and it helped me a lot. Her post was very helpful in deciding whether to go into pure art or change direction to education. If I had chosen to go into pure art, I would not have found another hidden path in education like I have now. Someone's valuable experience is useful information to another person. I am always aware of this, and whenever I make a mistake, I write a post about the parts I wish I had known about in advance.

Even if there are some regrets, if you write meaninglessly for a few years, you will gain some know-how. And you will know what you need to focus on more. And your writing will gradually become more professional. After a few years, there will definitely be people who have been helped by your writing. They will definitely leave great comments on your writing. And you will also get good opportunities.

On the other hand, you will also receive emails from scammers. In such cases, be more careful. Always remember that nothing is obtained easily without any effort or effort on your part. If it is obtained easily, it may take more from you later. Be suspicious of the writings that come to you and if the path seems easy, be suspicious once more. I like modern technology. Because in such cases, you can filter out whether the writing is a scam or not just by asking Chat GPT.

I don't want your passion and effort to become a target of someone's commercial goals. So when you receive such an offer, think about it slowly once more. Never be in a hurry!

And when you blog, if you are an artist, this becomes a huge portfolio. Since I started blogging, the best thing about it is that I don’t have to explain myself too much. I just say, “Please visit annakoh.com.” Then, everything is organized there. Visitors naturally see my portfolio. That’s why I started blogging in the first place. So I’m very satisfied because I achieved my goal.

I also got a good opportunity through this. It was very useful both artistically and business-wise. And I liked the fact that I could leave my own record the most.

Especially in the case of art, artists don’t talk much about their work. Visitors see a painting and think, “It’s beautiful, it’s cool,” and buy it. Hmm.. It’s the perfect color for my living room.. The frame is nice.. The price is reasonable.. After much thought, they make a decision. But as a painter, I hope that purchasing art doesn’t become this simple. I care more about the story of my paintings because it is my greatest wish that the public can enter this amazing world of art as deeply as possible. That is why I write and write and talk and share this story many times. Because I know that someday my efforts and wishes will shine.

How wonderful it is to imagine a story while looking at a painting. If you are deeply immersed in the world of art, you will find that the useless inner noises in your mind are decreasing.

Blogging is the same. The healthy focus and vitality that you can gain through blogging is probably something that money cannot buy. So if you are just starting out on a blog, don’t be afraid, find something you like and hit the keyboard without hesitation. When what I say becomes reality and makes sense, and someday you will be writing another tip with me.

Congratulations on your start today!

1. ​Starting a blog can feel daunting at first, but consistency is key.

2. It’s important to enjoy the experience of writing and sharing, rather than striving for perfection.

3. A blog is a tool for self-expression, and it can evolve over time.

4. Beginners should start with simple topics and find their own style through consistent writing.
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5. The important thing is not to give up, and if you keep writing, you will grow.