Why Blogging and Freelancing Still Matter for Black Writers
The other day, my friend, who was recently laid off asked me if blogging and freelance writing were still viable going into 2025, specifically, “Is writing a good option for Black Americans, especially with social media and YouTube?” The short answer is it can be.
Traditional writing, whether as a news or a blog, will always be in demand because everyone has different ways of absorbing information. Blogging and freelance writing still hold value, especially for Black American writers. Furthermore, traditional blogging and written content remain powerful tools for self-expression, influence, and income generation. In a world where Black Americans have very little ownership in major media outlets, Black Americans are freer to express themselves as freelance writers and bloggers than working for traditionally owned media outlets.
The Power of Blogging for Black American Writers
Blogging offers a unique platform for Black American writers to share their stories, perspectives, and expertise with a global audience. In a world where representation matters, having a blog allows writers to contribute to the narrative, offer insights, and challenge stereotypes. For example, I started GNL Magazine because there are very few video game and tech blogs that keep in mind older Black women who are gamers and nerds. Authenticity makes blogs a preferred medium for readers seeking real, relatable content.
How to Start a Blog in 2024
It’s not hard to start a blog. The work comes from growing your audience through creating useful, entertaining, genuine content that engages. It’s not enough to just want to be a blogger. As the BlackFreelancer said, “Black bloggers need to be more than just bloggers.” You need to be ready to position yourself as an authority in whichever field you choose. If you’re considering starting a blog in 2024, here’s a step-by-step guide to get started:
Choose a Niche: You want to choose an area that best suits you. Whether it’s travel, technology, fashion, or personal development, focusing on a niche helps attract a targeted audience.
Identify Your Target Audience: Speaking of attracting a targeted audience—well, yeah, should be self-explanatory. It’s the “how” that may give you some trouble. Typically, companies identify their target audience by looking at who is already buying their products or services, how old they are, what their interests are, etc. If you’re just starting a blog, that information will come later. So, in the meantime, you will think about who you WANT to target.
Select a Blogging Platform: WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace all have customizable templates, easy-to-use interfaces, and are easy to set up. WordPress is often the go-to choice due to its flexibility and extensive plugin library. I prefer Squarespace for a myriad of reasons best left for another time.
Pick a Domain Name and Hosting: Your domain name should reflect your blog’s theme or your brand while being easy to read and type. Keep it short, simple, and memorable. Popular hosting services include Bluehost, SiteGround, and GoDaddy and they have affordable packages with reliable performance. Squarespace also has its own domains, making everything easier to access because it’s in-house.
Design Your Blog: Not everyone is a design wiz. However, most blogging platforms have clean designs for different niches. Whatever your preferences are, the most important thing is that your content is readable, accessible, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly,
Create Quality Content: As I mentioned earlier, you must be more than just a blogger. You need to be a problem-solver and a marketer. Your content needs to be engaging, well-researched, and original. Keep your blog updated regularly to keep your audience engaged. It improves your blog’s SEO.
Promote Your Blog: Use social media, email newsletters, and SEO techniques to drive traffic to your blog. Engage with your audience through comments and social media interactions. A piece of advice: do not rely on your friends and family to engage with your content. If you do, you will be very disappointed.
How to Monetize Your Blog
While there are many different ways to monetize your blog, they all take time, effort, and patience and heavily rely on you creating high-quality content that engages and inspires readers to return to your website and share your content. Building a community that trusts your opinion means your content is ready for a few of the following monetization strategies:
Google AdSense: Google AdSense displays ads on your blog, and you earn money based on the number of clicks or impressions. AdSense is usually the first step bloggers take after setting up their blog and creating content. It’s easy to set up and understand. It also gives you a crash course in SEO.
Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing is the promotion of products or services related to your niche earning a commission for each sale made through your referral links. Popular affiliate programs include Amazon Associates, Impact, and CJ Affiliate.
Sponsored Posts: Sponsored posts are guest articles from brands that pay you to create content promoting their products or services. They can be a lucrative income stream if you have a strong following.
Selling Digital Products: Create and sell eBooks, courses, or printable content related to your niche. Selling digital products helps establish you as an authority in your field.
Offering Services: Use your blog as a portfolio to showcase your freelance writing, consulting, or coaching services. This approach is especially effective for writers looking to expand their client base.
How to Use Google AdSense to Earn Revenue
Google AdSense is the easiest way to monetize a blog, but money will not just pour in overnight. Sure, setting up AdSense is easy, but earning ad revenue requires a certain amount of website visitors. How many visitors do you need to make money with Google AdSense? It depends on your niche, audience location, and ad placement. However, a general guideline is that a blog needs at least 10,000 to 25,000 monthly visitors to start earning money from AdSense. Even then, the amount can fluctuate depending on several variables.
Why Blogging and Freelance Writing Will Continue to Thrive
Freelance writing and blogging have proven to be resilient and adaptable in the ever-evolving world of digital communications. For Black writers freelancing and blogging is a way to amplify our voices, build communities, and create real, sustainable income streams. But it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. It involves consistently creating authentic, high-quality content and staying up to date with the latest trends in digital writing, social media, marketing, and SEO practices.