Should you start a blog? A brutally honest recap with lessons, mistakes & the stuff no one tells you.

Wondering, “Should you start a blog?” Learn from my mistakes, get an insider look into Bluehost, and decide if starting a blog is right for you.

Blogging is not what I imagined it to be. It’s harder.

I imagined the hardest part of blogging would be sticking to a writing schedule.

Where would the ideas come from? Will the motivation wane? Will it be so fun that it’ll distract me from my fiction writing?

But the real challenges had nothing to do with writing.

Step one: Choosing a self-hosted WordPress blog

I chose a self-hosted WordPress blog (WordPress.org) because my goal is to make money and sign with an ad agency next year.

A self-hosted WordPress blog also grants full control of your site in that delightfully “I am all POWERFULL!!!!!!” way—which appeals to all writers. We’re the God of our literary universes. Control comes with the territory.

Until you realize “full control” means you’re responsible for every detail—site speed, design, branding, plug-ins, security—even though you know nothing. 😬

If you’re asking, “should you start a blog?” know this: a self-hosted WordPress blog means you’re not just the writer—you’re the designer, tech support, SEO optimizer, and social media manager too.

There are unexpected costs of starting a blog

One of the biggest surprises when figuring out if you should start a blog: it’s not free. The base hosting price looks cheap—Bluehost advertises $2.95/month—but it adds up.

Lesson learned: Hosting is a need

Think of the “domain” as the address/location, and the “host” as your physical house. You can’t invite someone over without having both of these.

My mistake 😭

I bought my domain before getting hosting. (I didn’t know hosting was a NEED, I thought it was an upcharge, heh-heh.) If you get hosting first, Bluehost includes the domain for free. Which means that, because I was so focused on saving money, I paid for something that could’ve been $0.

Learn from me, Children. 😩

Also, if you don’t pay for “privacy” (approx. $11), your phone number will be spammed by the ghost of every telemarketer—ever.

Why I chose Bluehost

Bluehost is beginner-friendly, cheap, and has good customer support. Most bloggers I follow recommended it, and since I was looking for the lowest start-up costs (don’t laugh), I gave it a shot.

Choosing my domain name. Hello, SEO!

SEO stands for search engine optimization. As in, you want to strategize (optimize) your domain name to be something your ideal reader will type into the Google search bar (or search engine). Hence, search engine optimization.

I chose A Writer Life because I imagined someone Googling “writer blog” or “writer lifestyle.”

Other names I liked weren’t included in my “free domain” options and cost over $2,000 (squeak!). So, A Writer Life was born.

Step two: Designing a Blog (it Takes Forever)

Web design sounds fun, but for a picky girl with decision paralysis, it’s torture. I used a free WordPress template, but I still spent weeks customizing everything.

Unless you’re flush with cash—or smarter than me and find an easier way—you’ll have to learn all of this yourself. 👇🏻

• How to make a home page + navigation menu + comment bar
• What a plug-in is
• How to add a like button
• How to make your site mobile-friendly
• What in the world a meta description is

You will wonder for the fiftieth thousandth time if not hiring someone was worth it.

The final annoyance step: Marketing

One YouTuber I watched said she spends 20% of her time on content and 80% on marketing.

Having a blog isn’t all about writing. You need to get your writing in front of your readers.

My one-month blogging numbers 📈

What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Blog 😬

• The $2.95/month hosting pitch leaves out extra fees
• Self-hosted blogging involves a lot of tech upfront
• Designing your site takes patience (sometimes wine)
• SEO matters—start learning early
• Blogging is slow growth—but rewarding to create a space that’s yours

Would I do it again?

Short answer—yes. (I know!!!!)

Either I’m a glutton for punishment, or I just really, really like to hear myself type, I can’t help it. I’ve chosen a topic I am passionate about (writer wellness + creativity, if you’re new here), and I can’t stop writing about it.

Your turn! Should You Start a Blog? Why Blogging might be worth it

1. You Own It

Unlike social media, you control everything. Your content lives on your terms.

2. It’s a Writer’s Platform

A blog is the ideal social media platform for writers because words are what we do, brooooo. Jiggling up and down to some trending music on someone’s TikTok feed doesn’t tend to flow with the introverted writer lifestyle.

3. Evergreen Content

Blog posts don’t disappear in 24 hours. People can find your content months—or years—later. Your hard work doesn’t vanish in the sea of media.

4. Creative Freedom

You set the tone. You choose the topics. It’s your voice, your space.

Should You Start a Blog? 6 Questions to Ask Yourself

Still unsure? Ask yourself:

• Will I enjoy the process when the focus isn’t always writing?
• Am I okay spending money upfront?
• Do I have the time to design, write, and market?
• Am I okay creating a distraction from my fiction projects?
• Do I even want to learn a new skill like SEO and HTML?
• Do I write for an audience or write for me? (A WordPress.com blog might be something worth looking into if you’re a writer looking for an outlet and nothing more.)

Should you start a blog in 2025? FInal thoughts

You decide if it’s worth it. But if you’re passionate, curious, and open to learning a few (thousand) new skills, blogging could be one of the most creatively fulfilling things you do this year.

Your words matter. Maybe it’s time to share them.

What About You?

Are you thinking of starting a blog? Or are you already blogging and figuring it out like me? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear what you’re working on or worried about.

👇🏻 Let’s chat in the comments!