A Content Writer Starting My Own Blog: I Should Know How to Do This, Right?

“How do I start a blog?”

I typed that into Google, knowing they were terrible keywords.

I’ve been a full-time content writer and editor since 2019. In that time, I’ve written hundreds – if not thousands – of blog posts, articles, in-depth research pieces, and so much more. But I’ve always had a client or worked directly for a company. I was writing for them, for their topics, for their goals.

Doing this without a client? It’s different. I’m not selling something for someone else.

I’m selling myself.

I haven’t written a blog without anyone else’s input since I had a Xanga account in the early 2000s. (Did you hear that? It was every single Millennial cringing.)

My little office

“How do I start a blog?”

Terrible keywords. But we all have to start somewhere. And the searches got better.

Where I’m Coming From

I’ve written, researched, and edited over more subjects than I can remember. Most of my work has been in higher education, careers, healthcare, and personal finance. But, if asked, I would say I’m a generalist.

Seven months ago, I was laid off. I can’t imagine a more respectful layoff, and I still adore them; life happens sometimes. Since then, I’ve been applying for jobs and figuring out this freelancing thing.

Every resource said to start a blog. So, “How do I start a blog?” weakly entered the search bar.

Then, it became “How do you start a blog as a content writer?” The answer? “Write exclusively in your niche.”

Uh-oh.

Picking Just One Thing?

I don’t have a niche. If I did, I would have missed out on so much. For instance, I never would have become a personal finance SME, as it’s not a niche I would have chosen back then. I love it now. And if a personal finance company wanted to bring me on, I would embrace that topic every single day!

Outside of full-time employment, I’m definitely a generalist. That leaves me with even less direction than not having the structure of deadlines and narrow topics!

“Can I create a successful content writing blog if I don’t have a niche?”

Thankfully, (some of) the results said “yes.”

What This Blog Will Be

I’m a generalist because I love to learn and help. Why not take advantage of the opportunity?

Proof that I’m a real person.

Chances are you’ll see many posts covering the types of content I’ve been hired to work on before, like higher education, personal finance, and healthcare.

But you’ll also see posts about random things that interest me. Things I wish I had known when I was younger. The things that auto-fill after I begin typing a query into Google.

I’m a real person. You’re a real person (I hope). We’re in this messy world together! So let’s learn together.

“What should a content writer’s blog be?”

Something that makes people want to keep coming back.

And In Conclusion…

Whether you’re a hiring manager looking for a content writer or editor or found me by chance, I’m happy you’re here! This will be a journey, and I would love to have you along for the ride. You’ll learn about medicine, healthcare, personal finance, higher education, and all sorts of other things. We’ll hopefully have both some laughs and some moments of quiet.

And most importantly, we’ll learn some things. Together.

“How do I start a blog?” Like this, I guess!