What Defines You as a Professional Blogger @galen_leather

This professional blogger post was created in partnership with Galen Leather. I was not financially compensated for this post but did receive a sample for review purposes. As always, all opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me!

Most people have a desire to get into blogging professionally but they fail to know the fundamentals of the industry. At what point exactly do you refer to yourself as a professional blogger? Is it just about writing blogs or is it about making money?

Most people do not even know if it is possible to turn blogging into money. You have probably tried blogging but do not know how anyone can make a living from such a venture.

If you are one of those with many questions regarding professional blogging, this article will open your eyes.

It is a fact that you can become a professional blogger and earn a decent income from your blogging career. However, just like all other professions, you need time to grow your career. So, what exactly defines a professional blogger?

Your Portfolio

The first thing that defines your career as a blogger is your portfolio. Even before you start blogging, you need to have evidence that you are a blogger.

Well, there are bloggers who operate as ghostwriters. For such bloggers, creating a portfolio is very important. If you want publications out there to reach out for your services, you need to sell yourself.

A portfolio is more than just a CV. Most bloggers think that just by writing a CV and creating a professional page on LinkedIn, they are set to go. In reality, a portfolio is all about showcasing your work.

You need to have ready samples that showcase your writing prowess. Such samples can be presented at any time you are required to prove your ability as a blogger.

A good portfolio will help you make connections in the industry and start earning big.

Ability to monetize your content

You should never call yourself a professional blogger if you cannot earn money from your blogging.

Professional bloggers are individuals who do blogging for a living. If you are blogging but not making any income, or do not have plans to make money from your blogs in the future, you are not a professional.

There are many ways of monetizing blogs.

We have mentioned that some professional bloggers operate as ghostwriters, earning from selling their content. In other cases, bloggers monetize their personal blogs by selling products, books, etc. Monetization includes everything from advertising products or selling your own products.

To be able to monetize your blog, you have to create relevant content and attract significant followers.

Your publications

You cannot term yourself as a professional blogger unless you have some of your work published. The work may be published on your website or other websites.

As a professional blogger, your aim is to change the world by providing educational and entertaining content.

In most cases, a blogger is a person that can be relied upon by readers for information on a variety of subjects. If there is an area where readers need help and may not have the right resources at hand, they should be able to get help from informed bloggers.

Students all over the world get help from educational bloggers. If you are a blogger in a certain niche, you must be a primary source of information for your readers.

You're Always Ready for a Story

A lot of blogger's stories come from their personal lives. Something interesting could happen at any moment (you know what I mean if you have kids) and you have to be ready to jot it down. We don't always have access to wifi do we?

Always have a pen and paper nearby. I know most of us have smartphones but sometimes you need to chart or draw and that's where real medium comes in.

I like to keep everything organized in a writing box.

Galen Leather collaborated with Walden Woodworkers Co. to make this stunning piece that was inspired by Thomas Jefferson's writing desk. This writing box is made from solid walnut wood and vegetable-tanned leather.  It features elastic straps to hold all your pencils, pencils, and goodies in place.

We think the craftsmanship of this writing box is absolutely amazing. It's very solid and truly a work of art!

All their items are handmade to order and one of a kind pieces. No wood grain or dyed piece of leather is exactly the same—they are imperfectly perfect. Galen Leather is all about the details and shows it in everything they create.

In our writing box, we like to keep a variety of writing and drawing supplies for whenever an idea pops up. It holds everything quite nicely and we especially love how you can angle the cover for easier writing.

It comes in super handy if you are trying to write in a car or while sitting on the sidelines of a soccer game.

The Galen Leather Writing Box makes a perfect gift too! It comes in a nice, sturdy cardboard box that you can stick a bow on and gift.

Trust me, the recipient will love it!

Linkages to Authority sites

Most importantly, going professional means creating a name for yourself in the industry. Having access to some of the top blogs in the industry gives you a chance to boost your blogging career.

Having names such as Forbes or Huffpost on your CV will make you trustworthy. Anyone can get access to leading blogs and publications. As long as you stay focused on producing quality content, most top blogs will give you a chance to write for them.

Such linkages help promote your personal blog and grow your income through monetization. According to a Forbes publication, one of the best ways to increase your traffic and grow your blog reach is writing for more established blogs in your niche.

Conclusion

You can grow your blogging career to professional levels by changing a few aspects. Instead of just writing blogs and expecting to make money, you should try pitching your blogs to established publications. A chance to publish one blog on a high-end publication will expose you to a large audience and market.

It is also paramount for you to figure out ways of monetizing your content. If you are already enjoying mass traffic, try turning your followers into content consumers. Most importantly, collect experience and build your portfolio along the way. Good luck!