Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, we tackle a question that many content creators are asking: Is blogging dead? While the landscape has changed dramatically over the past 15-20 years, blogging remains a powerful and relevant tool—if done intentionally. I share my personal journey of revitalizing my blog, the real results I’ve seen from a … Read More “Is Blogging Dead?” »
In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, I take a trip down memory lane to share how I got started in blogging and podcasting. From my first blog on Blogger to managing multiple niche sites on apologetics, leadership, disability ministry, and Christian history, I reflect on the successes, missteps, and lessons learned. Hear how … Read More “A Beautiful Mess – My Journey Through Blogging, Podcasts, and Finding Focus” »
In this episode, Stephen Bedard shares his journey as a faith-based blogger navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing blogging landscape. He reflects on his struggles with declining views, limited resources, and the difficulty of monetization, while committing to revitalizing his blog and sharing his experiences in real-time. This podcast offers an honest, Christian perspective … Read More “Faithful Blogging: My Journey to Revitalize and Inspire” »
Last weekend I found myself in a low mood. I made the decision to take a break from blogging and from social media. Now you will notice that this is less than a week later. That short of time is probably the regular space for many bloggers and people on social media. There is nothing … Read More “Reflections on a (Brief) Break” »
Perhaps you have thought about starting a blog. And then you thought to yourself, “Is blogging still a thing? Isn’t that so 2006?” Is it too late for you to start a blog? Has that ship already sailed? There are basically two reasons to start a blog: Regarding the first one, it really doesn’t matter … Read More “So Can You Still Start Blogging?” »
The digital content landscape has grown rapidly over the past decade and blogging has had to make room for podcasts, video channels, and other types of content. But blogging is still a thing. Perhaps you have thought about starting to blog or to return to blogging. Should you do that? That’s a good question. I … Read More “Should You Start Blogging?” »
We are not exactly post-pandemic yet, but it is time for us to reflect on what blogging will look like post-pandemic vs pre-pandemic. The basic principles will remain the same. There is a need for quality content that is relevant to those searching and written by people who have some knowledge in the area. Here … Read More “Blogging in a Post-COVID World” »
How do you become a successful blogger? The easy answer is to blog consistently. Of course this is assuming a level of quality in the blog posts. It is not enough to just hit the hit keys and publish it. But at the same time, not every post has to go viral. It is likely … Read More “The Importance of Consistent Blogging” »
What kind of skills do you need to be active in blogging and social media? Some basic writing and technical would certainly be helpful. But there is another important skill that not everyone has and many do not talk about. If you want to have a lasting career or hobby of blogging or social media, … Read More “One of the Most Important Skills for Blogging and Social Media” »
You have started a blog and you are getting some regular views of your post. Now you have begun to think about monetizing your blog. There is nothing wrong with monetizing a blog. Our economy is based on being paid for the skills we have and the products we produce. It is perfectly acceptable to … Read More “5 Ways to Monetize Your Blog” »
You want to start a blog and so what do you do? This is assuming have already wrestled whether this is the right thing and the right timing. You are ready for the commitment and you are confident you are read (or as ready as you will ever be). What are your first steps? Choose … Read More “The First Three Steps in Starting a Blog” »
I have been blogging one way or another since around 2006. I have started a number of blogs since then, each time learning something new. This post is on my main website. I have a lot of content here, most of it divided up into sub-blogs. This is still my main focus. But I still … Read More “The Excitement of Starting a New Website” »
I’m writing this during the Coronavirus pandemic but what I’m going to talk about is relevant during any major crisis. As I have spent time on social media, mostly Facebook and Twitter, during this past week, I have noticed something. Almost everything that was shared was either very discouraging or very encouraging. Not much in … Read More “Social Media and Blogging During a Crisis” »
It is a common question concerning the frequency of blogging. How often should you blog? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? It depends. That’s not to say that there are no objective principles. The frequency of your blogging can be affected by: Your topic. If you have a general topic that gives you plenty of material to blog … Read More “How Often Should You Blog?” »
I have been involved in blogging and social media for a long time. There are many lessons that I have learned but there is one that has stood out. I don’t have to respond to every comment. Of course if a person has a sincere question or a helpful comment, I will respond. But there … Read More “An Important Lesson For Blogging and Social Media” »
I have been blogging a long time. I have noticed that some of my most popular blog posts have something in common. And this is their titles are in the form of a question. As I write this post, these are my top four posts: What is the Difference Between Samuel/Kings and Chronicles? What is … Read More “What Kind of Blog Post Titles Get Read Most?” »
Have you ever considered starting a blog? You don’t have to be the perfect writer or technology expert to start blogging. Here are some questions to ask: Is there a topic that you are passionate about? Is it something that other people are interested in? Are you willing to share your thoughts? Here is the … Read More “Is It Time to Start Blogging?” »
I recently did a survey concerning my various online activities. Certain things were simply confirmed but there were a few surprises. Here are some of the things that I learned. The people who listen to my podcast are not the same people who read my blog. I had expected much more overlap. I run a … Read More “What I Learned From a Readers’ Survey” »
As I write this, it is nearing the end of the year. It is a time when people are considering resolutions for the new year. Whatever you think about new year’s resolutions, it is always a good time to be thinking about setting goals. Goals should not be vague as “becoming a better blogger” or … Read More “Set Some Goals For Your Blogging” »
As I approach fifty years old, I have been doing a number of top five lists. One area of my life that has taken a significant amount of time is blogging. I have been blogging in one form or another for over ten years. During that time, I have learned a number of things about … Read More “Top Five Things I Have Learned About Blogging” »
I recently blogged about 7 Steps to Become a Really Bad Apologist. I thought I would so something similar for blogging. Remember this is all tongue in cheek so be careful with how you apply what I say here. So here is how you can become a really bad blogger (if that’s what you really want … Read More “7 Steps to Become a Really Bad Blogger” »
Blogging can be a lot of fun. But it can also be draining, not just time-wise, but emotionally as well. If you are a blogger, you need to be proactive in keeping yourself healthy and not burning out. I thought about some ways in which you can avoid burnout at a blogger. Here are some … Read More “How to Not Get Burned Out as a Blogger” »
I have been blogging for over ten years. I have had a few breaks of a couple months in there but have stuck with it fairly consistently. The truth is that I enjoy blogging. I thought I would share a few things that I love about blogging. What do you love about blogging? Interested in … Read More “5 Things I Love About Blogging” »
There is nothing worse for a blogger than to sit down, knowing that it is time to write a blog post, and staring at a blank screen with no ideas. But it doesn’t have to be this way. One way to overcome this is to come up with an editorial calendar. Here is a screen … Read More “Create an Editorial Calendar” »
It is always the right time to be setting goals for your online activity, including blogging. The key is to set SMART goals. What are SMART goals? Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely Anything less than this is really a waste of time. Rather than telling you about SMART goals, it may be more helpful if … Read More “Setting Blogging Goals” »
With the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses on the Wittenberg door, I recently read Roland Bainton’s Here I Stand. I was struck by something as I read the story of the birth and success of the Reformation. Aside from Martin Luther’s theological and leadership abilities, much of his success was related … Read More “Martin Luther and Blogging” »
Twitter can be a great way to promote your blog. While I have not found the same numbers as I do when it comes to Facebook, Twitter should be an important contribution to promoting your blog. The advantage of Twitter over Facebook is that Twitter audiences have patience for more content posting than Facebook. There … Read More “How to Make the Most of Twitter” »
Bloggers can have the best intentions and still find that their sought after audience eludes them. It is not enough to publish a few good pieces of content. There are some basic mistakes that are frequently made. Here are five of them: Using a confusing title. We might come up with something clever and that … Read More “5 Mistakes Bloggers Often Make” »
I often say that I blog for myself, that it is it is a way for me to sort through my thoughts and at times vent about what is bugging me. But I must confess that there is another reason. Deep down, I hope that blogging about autism will make a difference in some small … Read More “The Reason I Blog About Autism” »
I almost called this post, “Should Pastors Blog?” but I chose not to because it suggests there is a yes or no answer. The truth is that some pastors should not blog. Perhaps they are not very good at blogging or they may have the skill but they hate doing it. I would never suggest … Read More “5 Good Reasons for Pastors to Blog” »
Blogging can be fun and rewarding. One of the things that I enjoy about blogging is connecting with other bloggers. We are not alone in our desire to produce interesting content for others to read. I have a desire to support and encourage other bloggers. Here are six things I have come up with that … Read More “6 Ways Bloggers Can Support Other Bloggers” »
I would not consider myself an expert in blogging but I have blogged for ten years and so have learned a thing or two. I would like to share a few ideas about how you can have a successful blog. The only way to know if you are successful is to determine what your goal … Read More “How to Have a Successful Blog” »
I have been blogging in some form or another for ten years. Much of that has included apologetics blogging. I enjoy writing apologetics-related blog posts and hopefully I have learned something over the years. Here are a few things that I would like to offer to my fellow apologetics bloggers. Make sure to do your … Read More “5 Tips For Apologetics Bloggers” »
In recent months I have come across numerous articles, posts and podcasts reflecting on the question, “Is blogging dead?” Obviously blogging cannot be completely dead as I am writing a blog post on the subject. Why are people asking if blogging is dead? The problem is not necessarily something wrong with the medium of blogs. … Read More “Is Apologetics Blogging Dead?” »
Write a Guest Post for Another Blog You have good things to say. You have studied and learned and want to pass on your knowledge. But how do you do that? You may have your own blog but are not satisfied with the results. You may not have a blog but you have a great … Read More “30 Day Apologetics Challenge: Day 12” »
Start a Blog This section is both for those who do not have a blog or those who want to improve their blog. If you already have a successful blog, feel free to move on to the next challenge. As apologists, we should be studying apologetics not just for what we can take in. We … Read More “30 Day Apologetics Challenge: Day 7” »
I have been blogging in the area of Christian discipleship for quite a few years. It is important for me to keep up on biblical studies and theology to make sure that my content is accurate. But I also need keep up with best blogging practices. It is not enough to type something up and … Read More “A Resource That All Bloggers Need” »
I talk to many people who want to blog but find it hard to set the time aside. I understand that. At certain times in my blogging career, I have let it slip. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Let me show you a plan. Before giving my advice, I will put out … Read More “How the Busiest Person Can Find Time to Blog” »
Get certified! I have just completed Hubspot’s Inbound Marketing Certification. You may think that is strange as my background is more in Christian ministry and theology. However, I have found this training to be very helpful. What is inbound marketing? Inbound marketing is a major shift in maketing. Whereas previous generations put all their effort … Read More “Inbound Marketing Certification” »
What type of blogging platform should you use? I am currently working on an eBook on blogging but I thought I would share some thoughts here as well. Specifically about the different blogging platforms that are available. If you want to blog (and I think you should), you need some sort of blogging platform. Each … Read More “What is the Best Blogging Platform?” »
I personally find blogging to be very enjoyable. But what about writers who do not currently blog? Is there any point in starting to blog? I would like to share five reasons why writers should consider blogging. This is especially true for those just starting out but it is applicable to more experienced writers as … Read More “5 Reasons Why Writers Should Blog” »
Perhaps one of the best opportunities for apologists these days is that of blogging. You can put out your thoughts and people can read your content for free, no matter where in the world they live. There is a sense of anonymity in that your audience can read your posts even if their culture would … Read More “5 Things to Include in an Apologetics Blog Post” »
Blogging can be a fulfilling activity for people who enjoy writing. But not all blog posts are the same. Both of the ones I will share are important but it is helpful for you to understand the difference. As examples I will share links to my two most popular posts. 1. Timely These kinds of … Read More “2 Types of Blog Posts You Need to Write” »
Assuming you are blogging regularly with some quality posts, I have a foolproof way of growing your blog. There are only three steps. Read very carefully. Set a goal. Achieve the goal. Repeat. I am not kidding. It is as easy as that. What do I mean and how does it work? First, you have to … Read More “3 Steps on How to Grow Your Blog” »
I invaded the blogosphere (do people still use that word?) in 2006. I had just published my first book (with Stan Porter), Unmasking the Pagan Christ, and discovered that someone (Ian Clary) was reviewing our book. His reviews were appearing on something called a weblog or a blog. I read some more of his posts and … Read More “How I Started Blogging” »
So you want to start a blog. What are the first steps? I have posted on this previously with So You Want to Be Blogger? I have also offered some tips on how to develop a list of potential blog posts. What I would like to do is expand on some of what I have said … Read More “How Do I Start a Blog?” »
Are you serious about blogging? Do you really want to make something of your blog? Content is key. If blogging is just an occasional hobby, you can blog on what you feel like when you feel like it. But if you want to make a difference, if you want to impact your audience, then you need … Read More “How to Come Up with Blog Topics” »
You need to make a decision. Why are you blogging? There are two possible reasons. One is as a diary. It is just a nice way to express what you are feeling. The other is because you have something of value to say that you think other people would benefit by reading. If it is … Read More “Don’t Get Lazy With Your Blogging” »
Admit it. You know you have done it. You are stopped at an intersection or you are driving on the highway and you feel that tingle in your nostril. There is something that needs to come out. You look around. You are surrounded by glass on all sides. It feels safe. You take care of … Read More “Picking Your Nose in the Car and Blogging” »
Many of these tips are relevant to all bloggers, but in this post I am writing specifically for apologetics bloggers. These come from my experience as an apologetics blogger. I enjoy blogging and I hope that these tips will be helpful to you. 1. Blog consistently. I will admit that there are times that I … Read More “6 Tips for Apologetics Bloggers” »
Can you make money blogging? Sure you can. Will you get rich? Not likely. There are some people who make a full-time income blogging but they are a very small percentage of bloggers. Others make some money, either a part-time income or a little less. I speak to you as one on the journey. I … Read More “How to Make Money Blogging” »
I recently did a post on Why Do I Blog? In that context, I talked about why I blog about the things happening in my life, as that is my personal blog. It is just as appropriate to ask I blog in the realm of apologetics. I will start by sharing the reasons that are not … Read More “Why Do I Blog? (Part Two)” »
I have been blogging for six or seven years now. I don’t do everything perfectly, but I have learned some things through trial and error. If you want to be an effective blogger, this advice may be of some help. 1. Blog. Really, try to blog as often as you can. Blog regularly, whether that … Read More “So You Want to Be a Blogger?” »
