Is Being Gaming Blogger Means?
Trust me on this, I am not a success gaming blogger yet but have started in the past. I have covered indie games, hands-on experiences and anime based on video games. It was before COV-19 Pandemic hit and lost interest in it. I had some indie developers reach out to me for beta testing, covering their games and etc. Not only game developers contact me but other bloggers and brands. I was so happy and have some testimonies on how my blog help them and inspired them to play video games. See home page for photos of that but in 2024, I got back to blogging again. As of right now, I am doing research on “how to grow my blog from 0 to 1000 traffic”. These times things are getting little different than my last blog 5 years ago.
I am taking a new approach to blogging journey. Instead of video games all the time, I do blerd (black nerd) fandom topics like comics, video games, anime and many more. Gaming websites like IGN, Polygon and more inspired me to do this. I remember GameSpot cover only video games back in early 2000s. Now, they cover pop culture, tv shows and various things other than gaming. That’s route, I wanted to take, and it works so far, because talking about video games all the time is draining. I understand video games are lucrative niche on YouTube and Twitch but not blogging. Although, there are some video game writers and journalists in the industry. They make money as well and give their first impression on different titles. I could talk about gaming industry all day but another time.
Gaming Blog Examples
Let’s get back to video game blog, so you want to start one. Well, I would say what is your gaming blog about, for example shooters, role-playing, retro and any other video game genre. You can talk about various video games like me. What ever topic you pick run with it, I use Hostlinger (I am affiliate as well) for my website and WordPress. There are couple like Bluehost, GoDaddy and many more cheap hosting websites to try. I would go with monthly plan instead of year because it is cheaper and pay $15 a month for it. Yearly plan, it costs $100+ which I don’t feel like paying that much. If you want to pay monthly or yearly, there is a free version, but it’s limited. That is why if you want to do it as a hobby go right ahead and don’t feel like paying.
Anywho, you have to come up with a name and design for your website. WordPress makes it easier to design your website with colors, pages and widgets. There are plenty of tutorials online, but I am no expert on this. Afterwards, you have to learn SEO, find the right audience and promote your content. I would say if you use Tik Tok and Instagram, you can make first impressions of the game. Upload clips in a vertical or horizontal format but it has to be engaging in first 5 minutes. Use stories to promote your blogpost instead of posing as a photo. IG Stories offers posting links but not Tik Tok, you will want to include text (link in my bio). Note: Instagram you can post links on your bio but Tik Tok (there is a follower requirement for that).
Social Media for Video Game Bloggers
Twitter and Blusky are mainly for text along with other media. You have to retweet and like (Twitter/Blusky) other creators in gaming niche. Bulit that relationship with your audience and be respectful towards them. You never know went brighten someone’s day will do and sharing some interest as yourself. While posting other content than blogging, you can set up a YouTube and Twitch account. Note: starting off with no community and viewers will be tough, don’t get discouraged. My advice is to look at bigger creators and take inspiration from them, for example, how they edited their videos and present themselves. Make sure your audio is not choppy, or video quality is 720p and 4K. Trust me, I have been there and it’s cringeworthy looking back.
I already talk about being a small streamer on Twitch and will not go into that. While on social media, you still feel disengaged getting no followers nor getting likes. It’s fine, your time is not shining yet and don’t get jealous of others. Content creating is tough and there are billions of creators that want to become successful. It takes time throughout the years because everyone journey is different than yours. While gaming blogging is not a get rich quick scheme and takes years to grow it. There is other profitable niche like business, lifestyle and many more. Video games are very saturated and competitive niche to write about. The truth is that some users don’t want to read blogs but watch YouTube on their favorite games.
Is Video Game Blogs Worth it
I would say this, I see some players read game guides on how to pass Deku Tree in The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time along with getting 100 stars in Super Mario Galaxy. That’s back in early 1990s but gamers still read about gaming news and guides as well. Videos are the main thing that keeps gamers’ attention span going. If you want to start a blogpost, make sure to include photos and video as well. Also on your website, post your live streams as well. That is why your audience will be engaged as well and post podcasts or music too. The question follows that do I want to start a gaming blog right now or wait. If you are passionate about video games or expanded with other topics go for it. You can use Discord as well to post your content there but built your following first.
Join communities as well, if you feel comfortable with that. Once you built solid following, then brands will collaborate with you and game developers might send codes. Working with brands can boost your exposure and working with other content creators as well. Personally, I have followed some gaming blogs like Matt-in-the-Hatt and NekoJames (sorry if I spell it wrong). Anyways, I haven’t heard any successful video game bloggers out right now. I will prove them wrong someday, you may feel that it’s a waste of time growing a gaming blog. But release your stress and write from the heart of a gamer. Everything in this world is competitive, you have to stand out from crowd.
Final Thoughts on Gaming Blogger
Gaming blogs are profitable and can make your 100K or less depending your consistence in posting on months, week and years. You have to figure out a schedule as well because I know folks have full-time jobs and school. Money is what you will need to write about latest products, video games and more. Right now, I will stay doing it part time and don’t leave your job for it. Wait until it makes income, if you plan on doing it as a business then go in full time. If RIF (layoff), then I would question take a risk to make the blog profitable or get another job. I am no therapist but that’s your decision to make but gaming is passion. Feel free to express myself in writing.
If you have any questions about gaming blog, contact me. What about your thoughts on gaming blogger and let me know in the comments. Thank you for reading this blogpost and see you in the next article from yours truly. Note: I am not a successful gaming blogger yet but hope to be soon.
