What I Learned from Writing Online for 2 Years
A Practical Guide to Writing, Audience Engagement & Making Money Online
When I started my blog 2 years ago, I didn't really have any intention besides storing my work on the internet rather than physical notebooks. It's been an unexpected journey that let me switch careers, work on things I love, and even earn money from it.
It is worth mentioning that my blog isn't a tool for making money; it's a place where I share what I learn & archive my work. However, having an online presence and portfolio allowed me to get many opportunities and, funnily enough, change careers. So, I wanted to share some of the things I learned these past 2 years.
In this post, I’ll answer some key questions I often receive:
Should I start a blog? Where should I write (Medium, Mirror, Dev.to etc.)?
What should I write about?
How can I craft a compelling blog post?
Can I make money through online writing?
Though the post is more catered towards someone looking to break into online writing, the internet is full of different types of content. Many guidelines apply across all formats - podcasts, videos, or even tweets.
First - Where should I write?
If you're starting without an established audience, deciding where to write can feel overwhelming. WordPress, Medium, dev.to? It's easy to feel lost with so many choices.
My advice? Identify where your potential readers are and go there.
If you are writing on a technical topic, dev.to, hashnode or Medium could be a great option. Twitter and even Reddit are other options. For example, if you're writing about plants, there's a houseplants subreddit with over 2M followers(!).
While it's good to write on these platforms, I also advise having your own website. There, you can curate all your posts and have additional info/content. Share the main points of your content on the platforms where your audience already is, and then invite them to your website for the full story. This approach helps you connect with your audience without directly asking them to switch platforms.
What can I write about?
Before you begin writing, think about your goal for the blog. Broadly, blog posts fall into 3 categories: information resources, curated resource hubs and engaging stories that feel like binge-watching a great show. Always keep in mind what value you're providing to your readers.
With this framework in mind, here’s what you can do next:
Find a topic (your niche) — Consider two key aspects: current trends + your personal interests. Different topics are evolving and getting attention at certain times. By focusing on the new or rapidly changing subjects, you can get more interest. And writing about something you’re genuinely interested in not only makes your blog posts more enjoyable, but it also keeps you motivated to continue writing. I've also found it beneficial to narrow the topic down. This allows you to become a specialist in that area, making your blog a go-to resource for the subject. I read this somewhere: read like a generalist, write like a specialist.
Research, research, research: Look at other blogs and different types of content in your subject. My go-to content engine is YouTube. Don't copy and paste, but you can create something in your own style - for example, there are thousands of "Meal prep for the week" videos.
Start writing - Quality and quantity matter. Write something you’d want to read, don’t just copy-paste. - More on this in the next section.
Repeat - be consistent.
How to write good blog post
As a random human on the internet, here's my take on crafting a blog post that resonates:
No fluff: Good writing is fewer words. Subtract all the way.
Benefits > features: Don't write an essay on the features; chatGPT could do that.
Visual appeal: Add images, memes, use headers and line breakers.
Storytelling: Add anecdotes and personal experiences to connect with your reader.
Actionable Advice or Follow-up resources: Tips or steps that readers can practically apply.
%80 is good to be shipped: Don't fall into the trap of perfection.
Use AI tools, but don't rely on them. I use chatGPT for editing A LOT - its the greatest assistant I could’ve ever asked for. I ask for word suggestions or improvement of cohesiveness, particularly when I'm struggling with transitions. However, in the end, I take the answers and change it to be in my own style.
Some example prompts:
What do you think should be the subtitle of this post?
Can you make the transition here better, I feel like it’s missing a sentence in between x and y. Keep it simple, I am not a native speaker.
Can you make money writing online?
Short answer: yes.
First — it's unlikely that your blog will be your main source of income. Instead, think of it as a marketing tool that showcases your skills and helps attract new customers.
Second - if you want to make money from writing, you must write about something people care about. This means choosing your niche carefully. While I'd love to ramble about game theory in "Love is Blind", it's not exactly the topic I could potentially turn into a business. So always remember, when your goal is to monetize your writing, it’s important to concentrate on what your readers are looking for, and not just the topics you personally enjoy.
Third - just write A LOT in a specific domain. There are different takes on how narrow the topic should be. I've found it much more useful to be very specific. Yes, there is a smaller set of people, but being the go-to person in a niche area can be very rewarding.
Once you've built up a strong online portfolio, you can start reaching out to potential clients or projects that interest you. When you reach out, be sure to share your work and clearly express how you envision the collaboration. This approach can open many doors. Funnily enough, it's hard to find people who have proven to be good at what they do.
It's not about talent, creativity, or any supernatural power - anyone can start a blog, you just need to invest in the skills.
I hope this post has sparked not just interest but also the confidence to create your own space on the internet. You can become a go-to resource in your field by demonstrating your expertise, especially in a niche area. And that, in itself, is incredibly rewarding.
See you on the next one! 🙌