Here we go! If you’ve magically arrived on my corner of the internet, it probably means two things:

You’re blog-curious.
You’re considering starting one yourself — or at least thinking, “Wait… should I be doing this too?”

And honestly? Yes. Probably. The internet keeps reinventing itself every six months like it’s on a skincare journey, but blogging is still very much alive, thriving, and making people serious money. But before you jump in, let’s break down everything you need to know — minus the boring corporate jargon. This is the real-person explanation, the “tell me like we’re getting coffee” version.

First Things First: What Is a Blog?

At its core, a blog is just a website that gets updated regularly with fresh content — aka blog posts. Think of it as an online journal, but with fewer angsty teenage feelings and more helpful, niche-specific info.

The word “blog” started in 1994, back when the internet looked like a potato and everyone was customizing their Myspace top 8 (okay, that part came later, but you get the vibe). It came from “weblog,” which originally meant people were literally logging their thoughts online — like diaries with a URL.

Fast-forward to right now, and blogs have leveled up. They’re no longer just digital diaries — they’re places where people share knowledge, teach skills, build communities, and sometimes even run entire businesses.
Yes, whole-ass businesses. From home. In sweatpants. We love to see it.

Today’s blog niches are endless:
👩‍🍳 cooking
🛫 travel
💸 personal finance
👠 fashion
🏋🏻 fitness
🛠 DIY everything
🧁 cupcake-only blogs (yes, that exists, and yes, I fully support it)

If there’s a topic you love, there’s a blog for it. And if there isn’t? Guess what — you can create it.

Okay… But What’s the Difference Between a Blog and a Website?

Amazing question, because people mix these up constantly.

Here’s the tea:

A blog is a website.

All blogs are websites, but not all websites are blogs.

A regular website is usually pretty static. Think: home page, about page, contact page — and nothing changes for 100 years.

A blog, on the other hand, is updated with new posts consistently. Weekly, monthly, or whenever you feel inspired at 2 a.m. after drinking iced coffee too late (me, always).

For example:
✨ A business website = a few static pages
✨ A blog = a living, growing content machine with dozens or hundreds of posts

Blogs feel more like conversations. Websites feel more like pamphlets.

So Then… What Exactly Is a Blog Post?

A blog post is simply an article published on your blog — like the one you’re reading now.
Most blogs display posts in reverse chronological order, meaning the newest post sits right at the top like a VIP.

Blog posts can be:
• how-to guides
• product reviews
• tutorials
• personal stories
• listicles
• thought dumps
• deep dives
• or anything in between

You can publish once a month or three times a week — it’s your creative house, you make the rules.

What Is Web Hosting? (The House Where Your Blog Lives)

Imagine your blog is a digital house. Web hosting is basically the land you build that house on.

A hosting company stores all your site’s files on its servers so anyone anywhere can type in your URL and see your beautiful creation. Without hosting, your blog has nowhere to live — like trying to move into an apartment that doesn’t exist.

What’s a Domain Name?

Your domain name = your blog’s address on the internet.

Something like:
www.yourblogname.com

It’s what people type in when they want to visit your site.

For example, my domain is mytruestyle.com because that’s where my content “lives.” I wanted “Style” in the name and I couldn’t believe that was available! If you can find a word or phrase related to your niche that people search for, that’s great!

A lot of bloggers will go for a domain name that is their full name and create a personal brand, which is a great strategy if you are looking to make money from Ads, as companies like Mediavine LOVE personal brand websites.

What Is WordPress? (The Blogger’s BFF)

WordPress is the platform most bloggers use to write posts, design their site, and manage their content. It’s free, powerful, and beginner-friendly.

When you get hosting, they install WordPress automatically for you. From there, you get access to your “dashboard,” which is basically your blog HQ.

This is where the magic happens:
✏️ writing posts
🎨 designing your layout
📸 uploading photos
🧩 adding plugins
🔧 managing settings

You run your whole blog from there like the boss you are.

Self-Hosted WordPress vs. WordPress-Hosted (The Quick Breakdown)

You’ll hear these two terms a lot, so here’s the simplified version:

Self-Hosted WordPress (WordPress.org):

You pay for hosting → you own your blog completely → full creative and monetization freedom.

WordPress-Hosted (WordPress.com):

They host your blog → more restrictions → less control → not ideal for long-term blogging.

✅ Example of a WordPress.org Setup

You purchase hosting from a provider like:

Bluehost
SiteGround
Hostinger
WPX
DreamHost

…then you install WordPress.org on a domain you own, such as:

If you owned “www.jennyscupcakediary.com” and installed WordPress through a hosting platform like Bluehost or SiteGround, that would be a self-hosted WordPress.org blog.

⭐ Quick Breakdown

WordPress.org = software you install
Hosting = the place your website lives
Domain = the address people type in

So when you put them together, you get a self-hosted WordPress website like:

➡️ Hosting (Bluehost)
➡️ Domain (www.yourblogname.com)
➡️ WordPress.org installed on your hosting

Example of a WordPress.com (Not Self-Hosted) Domain

When you create a blog directly on WordPress.com, your site usually looks like this:

yourblogname.wordpress.com

Some real-style examples:

jennyscupcakediary.wordpress.com
fitwithfaye.wordpress.com
thebudgetnest.wordpress.com
modernmoodinteriors.wordpress.com

If you want to grow, earn, or get serious with your blog, self-hosting is the way. You cut off the opportunity for earning income from ad networks like Mediavine if you go with a WordPress-hosted website.

What Should You Blog About?

That all depends on your motivation! If you are starting it to make money, then it needs to be content that other people want and need!

The blogs that tend to do best are the ones with a clear niche. A niche is just a focused topic — like budgeting, baking, fashion, vegan cooking, fitness, or minimalist home decor.

Depending on your marketing strategy, it doesn’t hurt to choose a visual niche, as you can drive traffic from Pinterest, as it is a visual search engine.

Now there are mixed opinions on picking one specific niche and core “pillars” of content vs creating a Lifestyle blog that goes wherever the wind takes you on any given day. The weeds of this is a bit too technical for this brief introduction, but the latter IS possible, it just needs the right strategy.

My blog My True Style sits in the Fashion + Lifestyle niche but I haven’t limited myself to the exclusion of passions outside of style; like travel. This is not a strategic decision though – more an “It’s my party and I’ll go off topic if I want to” strategy. I also run other blogs in fitness and travel — separate topics, separate sites, separate vibes.

Who Can Start a Blog?

Literally anyone with:
• a laptop or phone
• some free time
• something to say
• and at least 2 cups of chaotic creative energy

You do NOT need to be a tech genius.
You do NOT need a writing degree.
You do NOT need to be an expert.

You just need to care about your topic and be willing to help, entertain, teach, or inspire someone out there on the internet.

How Do Bloggers Make Money? (The Million-Dollar Question)

Oh yes, bloggers get paid. Some even make six figures a month (yes… a month).

Here are the main ways:

1. Affiliate Marketing

You recommend a product → someone buys → you earn a commission.
Amazon is the classic example.

2. Advertising

Once you get enough traffic, ad networks like Mediavine or AdSense pay you for people simply viewing your content.

3. Digital Products

Courses, ebooks, templates, presets — you create it once and sell it forever. Digital products are the ultimate passive-income bestie.

4. Sponsored Posts

Brands pay you to talk about them or their products on your blog, social media, or email list.

Bloggers often use a mix of these to build full-time income.

How Do Bloggers Get Paid?

Payments usually come through:
💸 direct deposit
💸 PayPal
💸 Stripe
💸 or other payment processors

Affiliate programs and ad networks typically pay monthly. Sponsored posts usually pay after the campaign ends. Digital product income is instant, depending on your setup.

Examples of Popular Blogs (In Case You Want to Stalk Learn)

• Nomadic Matt — travel
• Making Sense of Cents — personal finance
• RecipeTin Eats — food and recipes
• Mommy on Purpose — parenting

Each one shows how a niche can grow into an entire brand.

Ready to Start Your Blog? Here’s Your Sign.

If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably at least half-seriously considering diving into blogging — and I think that’s amazing.

You don’t need to be techy. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.

Blogging is a creative outlet, a business opportunity, a community builder, and honestly… a vibe.

Let’s launch your blog! Your voice deserves an audience. 💛

So… What Actually Is a Blog? (The Fun, No-Gatekeeping Guide)

First Things First: What Is a Blog?