What is Blogging?

Blogging has come a long way from its early days as an online diary—it’s now one of the most powerful tools for communication, connection, and growing your presence online.

I still remember the moment I stumbled across blogging. I was on a now-forgotten site called BT Tradespace, which offered me two options: blogging or podcasting. Curious, I clicked on blogging… only to be greeted with a blank text box. Writing? Nope. Absolutely not. I clicked away faster than you can say “Ctrl + Alt + Delete”. Next, I tried podcasting. But the moment I saw I’d have to speak into a microphone, I froze. With a voice that had me regularly mistaken for a 12-year-old well into my late 30s—cue people asking, “Is your mummy home?”—I knew I wasn’t made for audio. So, I went back to blogging. Reluctantly, at first. But slowly, it clicked, and I realised the magic of sharing your voice through the written word.

Whether you’re just starting out or still deciding if blogging is for you, this post will guide you through everything you need to know.

In this article, you will discover:

- What blogging actually is (and what it isn’t)

- Why blogging matters in 2026 and beyond

- How to start a blog with purpose and confidence

Let’s dive in and demystify blogging once and for all.

1. What Is Blogging? A Simple Explanation

At its core, blogging is simply sharing useful information on the internet, one post (or article) at a time.

A blog (short for “weblog”) is a part of a website that’s regularly updated with new content—usually written in a friendly, conversational tone. It might be an article, a guide, a how-to, a story, or even just a thoughtful opinion. Each blog post lives on its own page, but together, they build a bigger picture of what you’re about.

Originally, blogging started as a kind of online journal—people wrote about their day, their opinions, or what they were passionate about. But today, it’s so much more. It’s a tool for connection. It’s a platform for building authority. And for businesses, it’s a powerful way to attract new customers and show up on Google.

You don’t need to be a writer to blog. You just need something to say, and someone to say it to.

There are personal blogs, professional blogs, travel blogs, fashion blogs, food blogs, business blogs—you name it. Some are image-heavy. Others focus on words. Some include audio or video too. The format doesn’t matter nearly as much as the purpose: to share something valuable with others.

If you’ve ever looked up “how to change a tyre” or “best coffee shops in Bristol”, and clicked on an article with tips or recommendations—chances are, you’ve already read a blog post. It’s everywhere, and it’s written by people just like you.

2. Who Blogs—and Why Do They Do It?

There’s no single “type” of person who blogs. Some bloggers are teenagers sharing their love of gaming or makeup. Others are business owners using blogging to attract new customers. And some are simply passionate people with something to say—about parenting, politics, photography, or anything in between.

What unites them is a desire to connect, share, and be heard.

- Hobbyists blog because they love something—books, baking, hiking in the Lake District—and want to connect with others who do too.

- Experts and professionals blog to build credibility in their field, answering questions their audience is already asking.

- Business owners and freelancers blog to be found on Google, educate potential customers, and show the human side of their brand. These are the people we help blog.

- Influencers and content creators blog to grow an audience, build a personal brand, and often generate income through ads, partnerships, or digital products.

- Charities and non-profits blog to raise awareness, tell stories, and engage their supporters in meaningful ways.

And here's the thing: there's no one "right" reason to blog. You don’t need a grand strategy or a five-year plan (though they can help later). All you need is a clear reason why you’re doing it.

Maybe you want to educate. Maybe you want to inspire. Maybe you want to sell more handmade candles or get more clients for your coaching business. Whatever your reason—blogging can help you get there.

And the best part? You don’t need a massive audience to make an impact. One helpful post at the right time can mean the world to someone searching for answers. That’s the magic of blogging—it’s personal, yet powerful.

3. Why Blogging Still Matters

You might’ve heard people say, “Blogging is dead.” Spoiler alert: it absolutely isn’t.

Sure, the internet has changed. We’ve got podcasts, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and a dozen other platforms all fighting for our attention. But blogging hasn’t disappeared—it’s just evolved. In fact, in a world overwhelmed by noise and short attention spans, a thoughtful, well-written blog post can stand out more than ever.

1. People still turn to Google for answers

2. Blogs build long-term trust

3. Blogging helps you own your space online

4. It’s one of the best tools for search engine optimisation (SEO)

5. It creates space for real connection

Blogging isn’t outdated. If anything, in a world of fast scrolling and short-form everything, it might be more valuable than ever. The key is to blog with purpose—and that’s exactly what we’ll explore next.

4. What Makes a Good Blog Post?

Let’s get one thing out of the way—you don’t need to be the next Shakespeare to write a great blog post.

The best blogs aren’t written in fancy language or stuffed with buzzwords. They’re clear, helpful, honest, and written with the reader in mind. A good blog post doesn’t just fill a page—it serves a purpose.

1. It answers a real question or solves a real problem

2. It’s written like a conversation, not a lecture

3. It’s easy to read

4. It has a clear structure

5. It encourages action (even something small)

6. It reflects you

A great blog post isn’t about showing off—it’s about showing up. Show up with something useful. Show up with honesty. Show up in a way your audience can connect with.

5. How to Start Blogging (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

So, you’re convinced blogging is worth doing—but where on earth do you begin?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to know everything to get started—you just need to start. Blogging is one of those things you learn best by doing, not by reading endless how-to guides (though, yes, this one’s pretty handy!).

1. Decide what you want to blog about

2. Choose a simple platform (*coughs politely* may I completely and biasedly recommend Arrow Marketing Lab?)

3. Write your first post—even if it’s not perfect

4. Stick with a rhythm that works for you

5. Don’t wait until you feel “ready”

Starting a blog doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it can be really fun once you let go of the pressure. Write like you’re talking to one person who needs your help. That’s it. No fancy tricks needed.

6. Common Blogging Myths That Stop People from Starting

For something that’s meant to be simple, blogging can feel oddly intimidating—mostly because of the myths we tell ourselves.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not a good writer” or “I’m too late to start a blog now”, you’re not alone. The truth is, most of what holds people back from blogging has nothing to do with skill—and everything to do with mindset.

1. “I’m not a good enough writer”

2. “Everything worth saying has already been said”

3. “I’ve missed the boat—blogging is old news”

4. “I have to blog every week or I’ll fail”

5. “No one will read it”

Blogging isn’t about being the best writer, the loudest voice, or the most experienced person in the room. It’s about showing up with something useful—and being brave enough to press “publish”.

Final Thoughts

Blogging might seem like a crowded space, but there’s always room for one more honest, helpful voice—yours.

If you’ve made it this far, you now know that:

- Blogging isn’t just for writers—it’s for anyone who wants to connect

- It still works in whatever year this is—because people still want useful, trustworthy content

- Starting doesn’t have to be overwhelming—you just need to begin

You don’t need fancy tools. You don’t need a huge following. And you definitely don’t need to wait for “the right time”.

What you do need is a little push—and we’ve got just the thing to help.

🎯 Ready to go from idea to published post in just a few days?

Download our Blogging Challenge Book and get a simple, step-by-step plan to help you start blogging with clarity and confidence. Whether you're blogging for business, creativity or community, this guide will help you take that first step (and make it feel surprisingly doable).

👉 Grab your Blogging Challenge Book now

Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. And your blog might just be the thing that helps someone else move forward.

Sarah