How to Move from Being a Horror Fan to a Horror Blogger

Horror ... the art that keeps you up at night. Horror ... the writing that makes your spine tingle. Horror fans, those scary folks who love to see the bad guy win ... love to find cult classics like "Army of Darkness" or countless other films. The natural progression of a horror reader, horror film fan, and just a fan in any sense, is from fan to critic. A blog is the true form of online expression, and the perfect outlet for horror opinion. But can it be profitable?

Why we love Horror-

First, a word on horror. If you're a horror fan, you know the difference between a dud film or book and an instant classic. That makes you knowledgeable, and knowledge often means profit. Often horror is liked more than the blood and guts: usually the innate fear it puts into us makes it more than worthwhile. It's a tough field, but a hot one. After all, the works of Clive Barker and Stephen King are selling as much as ever. Horror has broken into gaming, with Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and other horror vehicles becoming bestsellers. Horror in films is growing too, with the noted "8 Films to Die For" series as well as "Masters of Horror" and the brand new "Ghost House Underground." People are not just buying single horror films: they are also buying complete box set series.

The point is the field is hot. So if you know a blogger ...

Why Blog on Horror?

Blogging on horror is beyond the money and usually more about a love of the genre. However, there are plenty of perks in starting a horror blog. You get to express yourself, first of all, and share with fans your addiction. It's simple to blog on horror, but not an easy practice. You have lots of competition. However, you may get to see free films, for example, or to work this experience into a book. Maybe it will inspire other creative enterprises like penning your own horror novels. But the real money is ...

The Real Money -

If you want to make money as a blogger, completely focusing on one field rarely works. Sure, you may get thousands of fans, but you're also competing with thousands of other horror sites and blogs. The real money is in ad sales, where top companies like Lions Gate films or even horror novel publishers need to get the word out on their new series. That means ads and profits. The other side is paid posting, or turning your horror blog into such a success that major sites notice you.

Fade Out Blood-

However, this is all supposed to be fun! It's natural to want to write about horror ... to warn fans away from some films while explaining which classics are the best. Horror blogging is a creative enterprise which is all about developing yourself as a critic. And it may make you a better writer.