Some common blogger myths that need to be busted

UAE's influencers voice their opinions

Blogging has become increasingly popular in the Middle East. But, in my last four years as a blogger, I have come across a lot of misinformation about the community. Here are the five most common blogging myths that should be cleared:
Blogging is a shortcut to money and success: The Internet is full of fake articles such as "How blogging can make you $xxxx per month" that pushes people to come on board, publish a couple of posts, see no income in a month, and quit. The truth is that blogging isn't a route to quick and easy money. It requires a hard work and consistency. And it often takes several months or even a year before you start seeing ROI.
Everything bloggers post about is a gift from the brand: You'd be surprised to know how much bloggers actually spend on creating content. Not everything we share is sponsored. Yes, there are a lot of freebies involved. Despite that, passionate bloggers believe it's their responsibility to share reviews of products and services they believe in, even if that means paying out of their own pockets.
Blogging is not a real job: Many people think blogging is code for "looking for a real job but unable to find one". I assure you, it's not! In fact, blogging in the West is already considered to be an extremely lucrative career.
There is no cost to starting a blog: Quality doesn't come cheap. If you are trying to make money blogging, you have to spend money to enhance your social media presence. Blog hosting, licenses, hardware, and branding are the first expenses you will incur when you start a blog. Over time, additional costs such as trainings, website maintenance, content marketing, storage space, and upgrading hardware will all add up.
All you need to be a good blogger are writing skills: There are so many other skills required. Photography, video editing, graphic design, content marketing, website development, and effective networking are just some of them. The best blogger is not necessarily the best writer but someone with a knack for marketing, is flexible enough to adjust to new situations and new people, and someone who is willing to work very hard to make their dreams come true.

- Lavina Israni
Is a professional licensed blogger based in Dubai. She started her blog in 2015 to discuss restaurant openings, movies, and travel destinations on www.lavinaisrani.com. Follow her on Instagram @lavinaisranicom
Unless you know a blogger personally, chances are you have some preconceived notions about him or her. Ever since I started blogging, I have come across several misconceptions and there are two that I think really need to be addressed:
The first one is that blogging is not a 'real job'. We've heard this phrase way too often and, in this digital age, it's really surprising that people think this way. Bloggers are people who are creating their own personal brand by putting in a lot of time and effort. On an average day, we play the role of a photographer, web designer, marketer, content writer, stylist and sometimes a model too! And, just like when handling a business, there are no days off. We work round the clock to create content, share stories from our daily lives and interact with followers to maintain a consistent online presence. A lot of time also has to be spent on researching new skills to further develop our blog or social media channels. Finally, despite the fact that blogging is hard work, most bloggers also have full-time jobs and blogging is just their way of following a passion.
The second myth is that all bloggers live amazing lives. Don't get me wrong - I live a life I absolutely love and am grateful for. And, like many of us, I use social media to showcase the things I experience and the places I visit. We are all guilty of showing the best bits of our lives! But I assure you, life isn't rosy all the time. It is a roller coaster filled with good and bad moments. I've had crying sessions, insecurities and moments of overwhelming doubt. Also, not all bloggers have the privilege of travelling every month or buying designer outfits that makes everything better. We, like everyone else, are trying to make the best of what we have while looking for new adventures and experiences. No one's life is perfect, I can promise you that.

- Monica Arora
Is the lifestyle blogger behind www.monicarora.wordpress.com. To keep up with her food and travel adventures, follow her on @thepalm.life on Instagram,
@ThePalmLife on Zomato or thepalm_life on Trip Advisor