For those keen to turn casual blogging into serious business, it may not be as lucrative as one thinks. SMU Assistant Professor of Corporate Communications (Education) and social media expert, Dr Michael Netzley, said: “There are the high-profile cases we all know and there is the blogging cartel that calls itself NuffNang. But if you look at the raw numbers, not that many people can successfully earn more than what we can casually call ‘extra money’ via their blogs.”  “Right now, I think blogging can be a legitimate career, but the number of vacancies in this field is very few. Many of those who are successful bloggers – both in terms of readership and income – are either early bloggers who established following long ago, or are working for a professional or semi-professional outfit that is for profit,” explained Dr Netzley. On the best take on blogging in view of the challenges and perks, Dr Netzley put it succinctly: “If my child came to me and said she wanted to be a blogger when she grows up, I will smile, support her, and ask her what else she will do to earn money and support her blogging habit.”