Why I Started Blogging—and Why You Should Too

Why I Started Blogging—and Why You Should Too

When I first started blogging in 2021, it wasn’t out of ambition or strategy. It was out of necessity. After every exhibition, I found myself answering the same questions over and over again. I realized that if I could just write these answers down once and direct people to a link, I could save a lot of energy and time. That was the beginning.

My official website, annakoh.com, was actually created back in 2019 by my son. He used my name to register the domain and encouraged me to treat it as a personal brand. I originally thought about using names like "ArtLove" or "ArtIsPassion," but he told me, "Use your name. Make your name the brand." Looking back, I think that was the best advice I ever received.

Before that, I had experimented with Google Sites, but I found Weebly to be far more accessible and easy to use. At the time, the concept of branding felt abstract—I understood the theory, but not the lived reality. Branding means establishing a consistent and authentic identity that people can recognize, trust, and connect with.

But as I continued running my blog over time, I came to understand what branding truly meant. It felt like discovering your own voice—not creating a persona to impress others, but allowing your true self to be seen. If you try to package yourself with colors or styles that don’t belong to you, you will burn out. You run out of material. You lose direction.

That’s why I always recommend new artists and creatives to build their sites using their own names. Show yourself as you are. The more honest and simple your presentation, the more sustainable it will be.

Because I made that decision early on, I believe I was able to keep going long-term. I remember that after a year or two of steady blogging, I started to feel real joy. Whenever someone asked me a question, I could simply say, "Please check annakoh.com," and everything they needed was already there.

At first, the influence of a blog is nearly invisible. But over time, something fascinating begins to happen. When I write and publish, I can actually feel the energy start to move. That’s what I call blog power.

After the two-year mark, I began to write more carefully, more intentionally. I think the first year is the hardest, and the first three months are especially crucial. If you can make it past three months, please keep going. Plan in short cycles—three months, then another three. It becomes easier to manage, like a long-distance run made up of short sprints.

Eventually, you become a better writer without even realizing it. Even writing emails or artist statements becomes less painful. Sometimes, I even find myself editing ChatGPT’s suggestions. Writing every day makes you sharp.

And yes, I recommend using ChatGPT as a writing assistant—especially in the beginning. It helps you organize your thoughts and gives your writing a structure. But don’t overuse it. The key is to let it support you, not replace you.

If possible, create a personal symbol or mascot. Mine is a snail named "Anna." I imagined her as slow but steady—moving forward with quiet determination. That image helped me persevere. Over time, she became part of my brand, too.
You don’t need to know what your favorite topic is from the beginning. Just write. When you write enough, patterns begin to appear. For me, blogging revealed my deep interest in education, which eventually led me to graduate school.
In the beginning, it might feel like talking to a wall. But imagine there are people behind that wall, quietly listening. The early phase comes with very little response. Even if you monetize your blog with AdSense, you might see almost no movement. This can be disheartening, but if you push through that wall, something amazing happens.
I used to imagine myself stacking stones in a large plaza surrounded by high walls. One by one, I would place them, hoping that someday they'd rise high enough to be seen. That’s how I survived the quiet years.
Blogging can be deceptive because we often expect instant results. We read success stories and assume we'll go viral too. But most of those stories are exaggerated or commercialized. The real, honest journeys are often invisible.
Along the way, you’ll also face negativity—plagiarism, spam, scammers. It's exhausting. But over time, you get stronger. I became fast at reporting and blocking unethical behavior. I even have a section on my site now that explains how to do that.
Despite it all, the moments of real connection make it worth it. When someone tells me they found hope or clarity through my writing, that joy is beyond words. It makes me want to share more, help more, and keep going. Blogging has made me a more open, active, and passionate person in both art and life.
Now, in a beautiful twist, my son has told me he wants to start a blog. “Mom, can you help me start mine?” he said. And of course, I will—because he helped me start mine.
Life really does come full circle.