Retirees Make Great Bloggers!
GREAT BLOGGERS!
Many of my friends are either retirees or are about to hit that stage in their employment journey.
Some have been caught in the trap of having little or no experience of the internet either at work or in the home.
Emails, Facebook and "Googling" are perhaps all they are familiar with.
Without the pressure of work, many feel they would like to explore the blogging community.
BLOGGING:
Blogging is often seen as being an easy hobby for retired people, who may have a bit of extra time and lots of content to contribute, plus it also gives an opportunity to generate some income.
Sounds wonderful, but for most people they naturally feel ill equipped and overwhelmed by the thought of how and where to start.
Some may just enjoy writing about a specific subject, whilst others would like to make some money. There is opportunity for both.
Anyone doing research on blogging will be struck by the number of people who are successfully earning quite staggering amounts of money, and to the older generation that immediately smacks of "it must be a scam, as no one earns that kind of money by blogging"!
However, although it is indeed the case, it must be remembered that not everyone is earning huge amounts, and everyone had to start somewhere.
YOUTHFUL ADVANTAGES:
There is no doubt that younger people have grown up with technology and are very familiar with how the internet works. This is an enormous advantage.
It is a different story if starting from scratch. A bit like learning to drive a car and studying a foreign language at the same time.
I found myself in exactly that position.
Family members can be helpful, but are so used to working at lightning speed on their laptops, that they cannot understand why some people are just so slow and don`t understand the language that they freely use, so just quietly roll their eyes!
Having said that, there is an amazing amount of help on the internet. As long as one can Google, a great deal can be learned by just researching and reading lots of information.
PREPARATION:
Before even thinking of joining the blogging community, there should be a route map in place, otherwise it can become confusing.
It`s stating the obvious, but an internet device has to be available in order to create a blog.
There is work involved, especially if just starting out. It is time consuming, so it really is just one step at a time.
There are blogs about everything, so it is a good idea to read some of them and get a feel for the different subjects and styles which are out there. That`s the first step.
To find out more, you need to keep Googling!
For example, searching "How to set up a Blog" will deliver lots of information, so after reading and researching, a small part of the jigsaw should begin to emerge.
Another useful resource is YouTube.
There are countless videos on all aspects of the internet and related support. They are particularly useful when explaining something new, as you are physically shown what to do.
You will learn that you will need to do several important things which will be at the very start of your journey, such as purchasing a Domain name, and how to acquire and register it.
Which subject or subjects are going to be written about in the blog? There may be many people with the same idea all jostling for attention.
Together with general blogging information available on the internet, there are many specialist sites which help to take some of the mystery out of certain aspects, such as finding out which subjects might be flooding the blog market which you would obviously want to avoid.
There is also the language to consider. There are many words and phrases which exist in the internet world, and sound very strange to the untrained ear.
However, if you have read this far, you will have probably learned something that you didn`t know when you started reading this post!
That is the way it goes. Research and learn, and even if it is only a little at a time, bit by bit it will be amazing how more pieces of the jigsaw fit together.
With each new piece of information it is important to put it into action as otherwise time will go on and the blog may never take off.
SETTING UP:
It has to be said that there may have to be some financial outlay to become established in the blogging world.
The first cost will be the purchase of Domain name, which will be your internet "address", and where your blog can be found.
If finances are not a problem, there are many courses available which can walk the beginner through the important steps of setting up a blog, which cuts out a great deal of Googling.
Many of these courses are geared with a view to making money from a blog, and almost guarantee earning vast amounts on completion.
In reality the outcomes have to be taken with a small pinch of salt, although there is no doubt that having all the necessary steps laid out and explained in an organized way can be a huge help, as many courses are excellent and offer ongoing support.
At the end of the day, there is no magical course which 100% guarantees untold riches, as there are many other components which go into the mix.
Many of the specialist sites are free, and some offer a free trial for a certain period and then offer perhaps a basic service or an upgraded one for an annual fee.
Depending on how basic or sophisticated your website will be, depends on the various tools or software which you may be using.
As a blogger, it is unlikely that you will be weighed down with complicated extras.
Additional help in the form of "software" may make a huge difference to the overall management of the blog site, but it may involve some financial expenditure.
This is where further research is needed, and ideally a bit of help and advice. This advice can be found online, but be careful it is not actually sponsoring a particular brand.
Obviously if the blog is successful and money is being made from it, any expenditure can be recouped.
THE WAY FORWARD:
The blogging world is a hugely competitive one, and just like any other group with a prize at the end, there will be many forms of preparation for it.
I have mentioned some of these relevant points, not to put you off, but to be realistic, as often blogging is promoted as an easy way to make money and it is just a matter of picking a subject and posting it online.
Older people have a wealth of life experience and knowledge which can be of so much value in our rather confused world, so blogging is an ideal vehicle to share those wonderful assets.
Like most things in life it requires a bit of effort and commitment, but it is such a fascinating process, that it is well worth the time spent.
The more experienced generations know what it is like to stick with something to see it through, and will be delighted to find an opportunity to share experiences and find a great purpose which can bring a huge amount of pleasure.
A BLOG:
1) Can be a hobby or a source of income.
2) Keeps the brain active.
3) Encourages research and reading.
4) Requires action and trying something new.
5) Can be a great antidote for loneliness or if unable to leave the house.
6) Builds confidence.
7) Creates a new skill and focus.
8) Brings a sense of achievement with each new step.
9) Can become quite addictive.
10) Creates a focus and sense of purpose.
If future blogs relating to the retired community would be of interest, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE and I will post some further material.
Meanwhile, perhaps Google some blogs on subjects which may interest you and get an idea of what the blogging world is all about?
Good luck!
