“To blog or not to blog?” — that is the question website owners should ask. Many people rush to create a blog with little purpose in mind, and others assume blogging is a waste of time and never try.

The truth is that some businesses would benefit from a blog while some would not.

1) Blogging – Do You Have Something to Say?

The first question you should ask yourself is whether or not you have something to say that will either inform or entertain your target market. You need to feel confident that you can sustain a blog.

If you have “some” information but not enough to sustain a blog you may consider writing and distributing articles rather than writing a blog.

If you think you have enough to say then you are past the first step in the decision making process.

2) Blogging – Identifying the Target Market

It is important to identify your target market. Who do you want reading your blog and for what purpose? This will help you start to determine whether or not this target market is likely to find and read your blog. You do not want to waste resources in writing a blog no one reads. The most successful blogs target a niche so that all of their marketing efforts focus on a target market. This is how bloggers make money. They focus on a niche. If you do not focus on a niche, your blog will be too broad and will not interest visitors.

Determining the goal of your blog is vital. Is your goal to create a revenue stream through affiliate marketing? Is the goal to introduce consumers to products and services on your website? Is your goal to enhance your search engine rankings?

Once you know your goal or goals you can start to determine how likely it is for you to reach them. For example, will you be able to find affiliate advertisers who would appeal to your target market? Do you have enough information to post regularly about your products and services without being repetitive? Decide how much money you can make with Adsense or how much money you would like to earn with your blog.

You need to know who your target market is and what your goal is.

3) How Often Should I Blog?

You need to blog regularly. Depending on your goals you may have to put blog postings up daily or perhaps only weekly. You need to stay on top of your blog. If your blog readers see a lull in your postings they will lose interest. Try to post one to two posts each morning or sometime during the day. This will make your blog look fresh and active.

A good rule of thumb is to post at least 4 times per week. Anything less than that would be ineffective for most purposes.

Ask yourself these questions and be honest and realistic with the answers and you will determine whether it is time to blog or not to blog.

Author Bio: Learn how to make money blogging today. Visit Brian’s website, http://www.HomebasedBlogging.com and learn how you can make money from blogging using social media, affiliate marketing, podcasting, article marketing, and many other money-making topics from blogging professionals.

Category: Writing
Keywords: blogging, work at home, make money online, freelance writing, social media, blogger