What Does a Blogger Do?

The modern blogger is far more than a digital diarist. Today's professional blogger is a content entrepreneur who builds a sustainable business around written communication.

While the term "blogger" may evoke images of hobbyists sharing personal stories, successful bloggers in 2024 are skilled content professionals who consistently produce valuable material for specific audiences.

In short, "What does a blogger do?" —make money.

The Evolution of Blogging

Blogging has transformed from a casual pursuit into a legitimate business model.

Contemporary bloggers often expand their reach across multiple channels, becoming newsletter publishers, authors, course creators, podcasters, and video content producers.

Yet, at the core of a blogger's content enterprise lies his blog—a digital home base from which all other content ventures emerge. The blog is the business's foundation, a launchpad for an entire ecosystem of related ventures.

The Blogger's Process

Professional bloggers typically follow a systematic approach to content creation.

The content process begins with topic identification, where a blogger will combine keyword research, audience feedback, and market analysis to select subjects that resonate with readers and search engines alike.

The composition phase demands more than mere writing ability. Modern bloggers craft content architectures that guide readers through complex topics while maintaining engagement. Bloggers weave narratives that connect with readers emotionally while delivering practical value.

Content optimization follows composition. This includes technical SEO elements, image optimization, and user experience considerations. Successful bloggers understand that even brilliant content must be discoverable and accessible to achieve its purpose.

A good blogger will employ artificial intelligence and several other tools to produce good content throughout this process.

The Business of Blogging

Revenue generation stands as a crucial differentiator between hobby bloggers and professionals. While there are certainly some bloggers just writing to write, when we think about what a blogger does, we should think about earning money.

Modern bloggers employ multiple monetization streams.

Physical products. Content and commerce is a leading strategy and, frankly, one you can find on sites like Science Fiction Classics. A blogger uses content to attract shoppers interested in merchandise and other physical products.

Digital products. Bloggers convert expertise into downloadable guides, templates, and tools. These digital products often solve specific problems identified through reader interaction.

Online courses. Many bloggers transition from explaining concepts in posts to teaching comprehensive courses. In this way, blog content serves as proof of expertise and a marketing channel for these educational offerings.

Coaching and services. Some bloggers leverage authority to offer consulting services or coaching programs. In this scenario, a blogger uses his blog to demonstrate thought leadership.

Affiliate marketing. Recommending relevant products and services is a good way for bloggers to earn commissions while providing value to their audience. The key lies in maintaining authenticity and promoting products and services that align with the blog's audience.

Advertising and sponsorships. While traditional display advertising remains viable for high-traffic blogs, many successful bloggers prefer sponsored content and partnership arrangements that maintain editorial integrity. Email newsletters are also a hot commodity for advertising.

In 2024, blogging is inextricably linked with email newsletter publishing.

Smart bloggers recognize that building an email subscriber base creates an owned audience—a direct channel to readers that algorithms cannot disrupt. This email list becomes both a distribution network and a revenue engine.

Thus, building an email list is one of the most important things a blogger can do.

Essential Skills for Success

Writing proficiency forms the foundation, but technical literacy, basic design understanding, and data analysis capabilities are equally important. Increasingly, prompting generative AI tools is also a necessary skill.

Successful bloggers master the art of audience engagement while developing business acumen.

Marketing expertise, particularly in content distribution and social media management, enables a blogger to expand his reach.

Perhaps the most crucial skill is identifying and adapting to changing market conditions and audience needs.

Blog Versus Business Website

The line between a blog and a business website grows increasingly thin.

While traditional business sites focus on product or service promotion, blogs emphasize valuable content that attracts and engages audiences. Yet successful blogs function as businesses, and effective business websites often incorporate robust content strategies.

The distinction may lie more in the approach than the outcome. Blogs typically begin with audience building through content, then move toward monetization. Business websites start with products or services, and then add content to support sales. The end result—a content-rich platform that generates revenue—often looks remarkably similar.

The Future of Blogging

The blogging landscape continues to evolve—writers who once published solely on their own domains now cross-post on platforms like Medium and Substack.

The rise of AI writing tools changes content production dynamics. Yet the fundamental value proposition remains, i.e., providing helpful, informative, or entertaining content to a specific audience.