Motorcycle Bloggers are the Sexiest Bloggers
So you want to write a motorcycle blog?
A motorcycle blog is a great way to share your passion for two wheels with the world. Maybe you’ve been kicking the idea around but don’t know how to start. Well? It’s as easy as riding a bike.
Plus! Motorcycle bloggers are the sexiest bloggers of all of the writing niches. It’s science. (Don’t look it up, just take my word for it.)
How to Start a Motorcycle Blog
Step One: Ride a Motorcycle
Are you ready for some earth-shattering wisdom on the road to becoming a motorcycle blogger?
Riding a motorcycle or at least being interested in motorcycles is step one.
I know! Crazy, right?!
Step Two: Write and share photos of your motorcycle experience
So, you’ve made it passed the first hurdle. Congratulations! Now it’s time for you to put your motorcycle experiences on the page.
Now, maybe you’re not a rider yet. That’s okay. How about documenting your journey towards learning to ride?
Or, maybe you never want to actually ride and you just like snapping photos of motorcycles parked or seen around your city. Great! People love looking at photos.
Maybe you’re a commuter, or you spend all of your free time riding, or you’re an industry insider who has a unique insight. I dunno! Your motorcycle experience is unique to you! Tell the world about it.
Step Three: Enjoy fame and fortune
Just kidding.
Chances are the only thing you’re going to get from blogging about the motorcycle experience is connecting with other riders who read your posts, comments from your mom (who will always think you’re a superstar), and a passion project for yourself.
Sound discouraging? Surprisingly, it isn’t. As a long-time unpaid blogger, I can say that there is joy simply in the doing.
Of course the three steps I’ve outlined are tongue-in-cheek, but they’re not that far off. The rules are: there really aren’t many rules. Makes posts that relate to motorcycles. Have a good time doing it. That’s it.
You know, I have been at this blogging-thing for a pretty long time. I started writing about my rides back in 1998 on a Hometown AOL page. At the time, the word “blog” didn’t even exist but the core idea did.
We’re social animals, albeit in varying degrees. People seek like-minded individuals to whom we can relate. At our core, we want to be inspired and share common experiences.
And so, here you are, reading this motorcycle blog over 20 years after its first incarnation. I don’t make any claims about being a blogging “expert.” I’ve just learned a few things along the way that I’m passing along.
What is your blogging goal?
Okay, let’s get started! ::cracks knuckles::
When you begin your blogging journey, understanding what you want out of the process is important. Be honest with yourself.
- Do you want to make money?
- Do you want to write reviews and get free stuff?
- Do you want to help people?
- Do you want to be a part of a community?
- Do you simply like to write and want to share your story?
Maybe you want all of these things, or… none of these things.
Knowing the why may help you to zero in on the how.
For example, if your main goal is to find a way to monetize blogging about motorcycles, your approach to writing, setting up your blog and marketing it will be in contrast to simply writing for your own pleasure.
Both avenues will be work, but one will be more like a job.
What does blogging success mean to you?
Measuring success when you are writing a blog isn’t one-size fits all. This goes back to the why of writing your blog.
If you are writing with the hope of making money or getting free gear and products to review – success might be something like a dollar amount, or being paid to contribute to other online motorcycle publications.
If earning some level of income isn’t your focus, success might mean x number of shares on a post, a million pageviews, or thousands of comments.
Sometimes, just getting positive feedback from one person will make your day.
Maybe for you, the ability to craft a post, or take some lovely photographs is it’s own reward. The success and pride is simply in the doing.
There is no right answer beyond what’s right for you.
How do you go viral or become popular?
Honestly? I haven’t the slightest idea how virality works. I’ve long since given up trying to understand what makes people like and share posts.
Often the posts I am most proud of don’t get any feedback. You have to learn to be okay with this reality.
There have been many times that I’ve read Top X Motorcycle Blogger posts, only to read the same blog names over and over again. And more often than not, I don’t find at least half of the blogs on the list very engaging.
What that tells me is that I am likely out of step with what most people find interesting or popular. Or, perhaps such posts and articles are nothing more than clickbait designed to make the people who are included share the post.
I’m guessing here – relatability or being helpful is likely the key to sharing.
Does it cost anything to run a motorcycle blog?
Yes. No. Maybe.
You have a lot of options with regard to spending on the nuts and bolts of creating a blog. The best part? You don’t have to spend any money to get started if you don’t want to.
Getting started: Pick a blog platform
If you don’t plan on purchasing your own domain name, and you don’t need your own hosting company, you can run your blog on a free service like WordPress.com.
Using WordPress is easy-peasy and highly flexible. There are eleventy-million different free plug-ins and themes to help you customize your blog. And they also offer a free phone app so that you can post on-the-go.
If you aren’t a technical person and you just want a place to log in and post, you can’t go wrong with WordPress. It’s simple and will grow with you.
Blog-related things that can cost money (but aren’t necessary):
- Online photo hosting, like SmugMug – My 20% off Referral link.
- Purchasing your own domain name.
- Using your own online hosting.
- Purchasing premium or custom blog themes.
How do you know when you’ve made it as a motorcycle blogger?
Do you have a motorcycle-related blog post published on the internet that people can read? Well, guess what? You made it! You are now a motorcycle blogger.
This kind of goes back to what you think success is. What does “making it” mean to you? Is it earning money from your blog, being on best motorcycle blog lists, getting lots of pageviews? Or is it when your friends say they loved your latest post when you meet for coffee?
Someone once stopped me at a traffic light in Virginia and told me they read my blog. I live in New York. That felt amazing and was my own personal “I made it” feeling.
It’s motorcycle blog but what should I write about?
Everything and anything!
Motorcycles are such a rich and engaging experience and touch so many parts of people’s lives the topics to write about are endless!
Commuting, travel, industry news, top 10 lists, other riders, racing, opinion pieces, picks, pans, rumors, lifestyle, gear, curated Instagram posts, daily rider experience – fuhgeddaboudit! If you’re looking for motorcycle blogging ideas, here are 100 of ’em.
Remember, this is your blog. Do whatever the hell you want. For every rule you read, you’ll find someone who broke it and went on to succeed.
There is only one you and your view of the world is unique. Share it!
Do you actually have to write anything to be blogger?
Nope, you don’t.
Maybe your blog would be made up of motorcycle images, or reblogged industry news, or motorcycle memes. As long as you’re weaving the thread of motorcycles somewhere in there, you have tons of options.
If you aren’t confident in your writing voice yet, that’s okay! You’re not being graded. Be yourself and share your unique point of view.
Do you have to share photos on a motorcycle blog?
Do blogs with engaging images enjoy more pageviews and interactions? Probably. Internet readers are generally skimmers. So, the old adage about a picture being worth 1,000 words likely rings true.
So while it isn’t a requirement, you will likely find that posts with photos perform better.
Stuck? Pay homage to the motorcycle blogs you like to read
Think about the motorcycle blogs that you like to read. What makes them special to you?
They say great writers read a lot, and great artists steal. Pay homage to the people that inspire you with their blogging if you’re having trouble finding your footing at first.
You will evolve if you keep at it.
Will I be extra sexy If I write a motorcycle blog?
Yes.
How to Write a Motorcycle Blog – In Conclusion
So, while there are a lot of words on this page, the process is pretty simple.
- Love motorcycles
- Create a blog account somewhere
- Write a post about motorcycles
- Add a motorcycle photo or two
- Publish it
- Tell your friends
Welcome to the motorcycle blogging neighborhood!
My Favorite Motorcycle Blogs
Finishing this post up without providing examples of great motorcycle blogs would be a shame.
My two favorite motorcycle blogs continually inspire me with their heart, introspection, experiences and photography. These two gents continually knock my socks off.
Scooter in the Sticks
Motorcycle Paradise
What About You – Words of Wisdom?
Do you have any blogging words of wisdom or encouragement for other motorcycle riders who are just dipping their toes into the blogging waters?
What types of posts and blog do you love or hate?
Are you finally thinking about taking the plunge yourself?
Leave a comment!
Thanks for another excellent post. You have the best looking and most interesting photos of any motorcycle blog that I follow. But I love it when bloggers use high resolution photos, images that will look good at a larger size than in your post. That is, clicking on the image in your post will bring up a larger version that fills the screen of the viewer. In viewing photos, bigger is better.
I think this is probably the best argument for blogging I’ve read — moto or otherwise. You’ve touched on many of the issues that will come up if you start writing and posting.
I can’t speak to the notion of sexy though. That’s an adjective I can’t apply to myself easily. Persistent may be more accurate. Or nuts. Somewhere in that area. How else can one describe doing something for years without earning a buck?? You’re way ahead of me though on all counts. You even have a referral link! Are you investing your income wisely with Fidelity?
Seriously though, another great post. And shucks, Scooter in the Sticks is one of your favorite blogs! I’m honored.
Be safe.
Oh, yes – i’m rolling in the dough! Every smugmug user has a referral link 😉
Your blog has always been important to me. I feel the commitment and truth on the pages and look forward to every post.
I have a feeling this blog may go viral…
Great post and I was amazed to find that I may, after all, be somewhat sexy…hope I don’t get a big head – it needs to fit inside helmets…
I love my blogging because I love my riding and sharing that with whoever will listen or read. Maybe by blogging I’m not chewing other peoples’ ears off about riding as much?
Anyway, too tired after dirt bike riding today to think to much about my next blog – it’ll probably be about dirt bike riding…
Thanks, Andrew 🙂
All motorcycle bloggers are sexy. You’re just going to have to find a way to live with that. 😀
Hey folks,
Thanks very much for all the tips. I wasn’t originally sure if blogging for fun about my journey to becoming a rider was a thing, apparently it is so I’m doing it! My only struggle at the moment is finding other similar(ish) blogs to compare with how I have set mine out. I’ve not blogged before so this is a full time (sexy?) Blag. Any additional tips would be appreciated. Thanks again!!
Thanks very much for all the tips. I wasn’t originally sure if blogging for fun about my journey to becoming a rider was a thing, apparently it is so I’m doing it! My only struggle at the moment is finding other similar(ish) blogs to compare with how I have set mine out. I’ve not blogged before so this is a full time (sexy?) Blag. Any additional tips would be appreciated. Thanks again!