In the past, I have written about how I enjoy creating websites that I can use to blog. An unexpected outcome of building such sites was that I developed a real interest in writing blog posts. While this does give me a lot of pleasure as a hobby, it is important to recognise opportunities that blogging can create. Though I should note that not all opportunities come instantly, and it takes a lot of work.
An early opportunity for one of my websites was to interview and meet known personalities. The website acted as an introduction to open doors and helped secure interviews with those I approached. I’ve since interviewed quite a few BGT stars, with opportunities to meet and get to know them. Hopefully, over time, an additional benefit has been improving my interview and writing skills.
An occasional perk as a reviewer has been some free products, books, and show tickets to review. This is in return for an honest review, which acts as a benefit for the time you invest in reviewing and writing a post. When this happens, it is good to have your work recognised, as you are also entrusted to review a product. However, the reality is that 95% of the time, I will have purchased the product myself. However, free tickets to an event to write a review can encourage attendance to view a show that you perhaps would not have bought a ticket for.
As you grow and gain more readers, it is always a bonus when others promote your website. Having your site mentioned on media like the BBC radio when partners that you have worked with indirectly promote you is always good recognition and helps build further success.
A very occasional benefit is invites to participate in professional media tv/radio interviews by broadcasters. While often you sign documents agreeing not to talk about these approaches directly on socials/internet, opportunities to appear and contribute to a TV show cannot be missed. It has to be all about opportunities, and this has happened very recently.
Brand collaboration is also a thing, and the website can use affiliate links to generate revenue (though this is not a success for me yet) and brand requests to collaborate. It is important to note that such opportunities do not come overnight and can be gradual as you establish yourself. This is beginning to happen for me and a media request occurred for the first time this year after blogging for five years. Nowadays, this is more likely for YouTubers who gain much more traffic than your average website blogger.
In addition, my websites have opened up opportunities for me, such as carrying out lectures/talks, which have happened a few times. Last but not least, is the new friendships and industry contacts the site has also created, which is a massive benefit.
It should be noted though that these benefits are not necessarily a reason to blog, but benefits that can occur when you blog regularly as a long-term hobby. It may also be that you decline some opportunities. I do get occasional approaches from those wishing to write posts for sponsorship/promotion but have declined these offers to date. In a similar vein, I do not offer any paid advertising as I wish to keep the site clear from clutter. Though the opportunity is there if I ever wished to explore as could be a benefit for some.
Lastly, I should note some less direct benefits but opportunities that arise. When reviewing products or shows, occasional too good to miss moments arise, such as going on stage. I normally grab these moments if I can, as it gives additional material to write about. Recently, when reviewing Nick Mohammed’s Mr Swallow stage show “Show Pony,” he asked for volunteers to join him on stage. I grabbed this chance as it creates memories and moments that you can share and also write about!
