If you’re a new blogger, here’s what might be going on with you right now…
The organic traffic isn’t really picking up. You’re shelling quality content but not many people are reading it. Your email list is nearly non-existent or unresponsive. You can’t seem to find any way to monetize your blog.
You’re confused and lost, wondering why isn’t your content marketing strategy working and why your SEO efforts aren’t delivering the right result.
Does this sound something relatable?
If NO, stop reading this and go to 11 Blogging Mistakes Why Your Blog Isn’t Getting Traffic
The REST, continue reading.
While the questions and observations you have in this confusion may be quite fitting, the real problem could be something totally different.
What if blogging is not for you?
Because let’s admit it — blogging is much more than just about writing.
So many great writers flop at it because they fail to recognize the different dimensions and diverse responsibilities that this job brings.
So, let’s address this fundamental question.
Here are 10 critical signs that blogging – at least as a full-time job – is just not for you:
1. You Write Whenever You “Feel” Like Writing
Just like in anything else, if you want to grow your blog to the next level, consistency will be the key.
Meaning, if you want to be a blogger, you must have the discipline to sit at your desk for hours every day to write and engage your audience on various channels.
If you usually require people to push you to do something, you’re better off having a job than working independently.
Because as a blogger, you would don multiple hats. And the credit for all your victories and disappointments will go to you and no one else.
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2. You’re Producing Content With No Goals
One of the biggest blogging mistakes many people make is creating content without any real purpose.
Every content you produce must have a definite purpose behind that.
Each of your articles, as well as your email newsletters and social media posts, must help you reach your bigger goals.
This is why one of the first steps in mapping content marketing strategy is outlining exactly what you want to achieve from your efforts – grow an email list, sell eBook or subscription, generate leads for consulting and more.
So, have you been writing blog posts that are functioning standalone and NOT leading you to your ultimate or integrated goal, then you’d likely still be at the same place where you were on day 1 at this job.
Recommended Read: A Complete Process to Measure Content Marketing ROI
3. You Don’t Have Any Content Marketing Strategy
Talking about having content goals, do you have a content marketing strategy? I won’t be surprised if you don’t!
Even when it has become such a critical part of overall digital marketing framework, many big brands still don’t have an effective content strategy. Pity.
Do you have a proper content marketing in action? Is your strategy efficiently taking your prospect from touch point to another? How are you using content to turn individuals from being a stranger to the reader to purchasing customer? What kind of content are you publishing? What channels you’re distributing your content on?
Recommended Read: What is Content Marketing (for Bloggers)
Given blogging is all about content and user-engagement, if you don’t have a content marketing strategy, you’re essentially lost in a maze, chasing the shadow of your goals.
4. You Lack Creative Ideas
I am all in favor of finding a mentor in your blogging niche and copying her or him, in terms of content generation, revenue model, and overall strategy-making.
However, when you do that, it mustn’t come in your way of creativity.
When you’re a blogger, it is imperative that you’re creative in your own ways even when copying someone – because your blog, your voice, your ideas, and your audience are unique.
You can replicate and execute what others are doing — but you must do it in your own creative ways so that you meet your distinct goals more efficiently and quickly.
So, if you aren’t naturally known for your creativity, it could be a big obstacle in your blogging journey.
5. You Still Believe Blogging Is A “Quick Money” Scheme
Even to this day, many people believe blogging is a quick-money scheme.
You write few articles, attract readers and put up the ads there. That’s it! The money will come flowing.
While this worked well half-a-decade back, the approach is dead for good. The competition level is extremely high in the industry and the consumers are smarter (and more demanding) than ever.
Blogging is challenging and a long-term game. You can go on for months and years without seeing any monetary reward.
If you’re trying to be a blogger just so you can earn some quick and big money, you’re basically wasting your time.
Go and get a day job for higher financial assurance and stability.
Recommended Read: 21 Ways to Make Money From Your Blog in 2020
6. You Don’t Consider Blogging As A Full-Time Profession
Although millions of people around the world are taking up blogging, it is yet to get the mainstream recognition of a full-time profession.
But this doesn’t take away any of its credit and future growth potential.
Yes, so many people are making a full-time living off their blog. And so can you! The first step towards that would be you accepting that fact.
However, if you still treat your blogging venture as a part-time, side-income avenue, you’re definitely doomed.
In order to make a full-time income off your blog, you must first believe that it can support your lifestyle in a sustainable manner.
You must treat blogging as your primary priority and not some part-time gig that, if survives and grows, is good. And if not, you have another plan to make money.
7. You’re Not Passionate About Problem-Solving
Here’s a big difference between a writer and a blogger.
A writer focuses on the information he has to share, whereas a blogger focuses on what he has to say, as well as what the readers want to hear.
In the latter case, the attention is just as much on the audience as the author.
Recommended Read: Do you need to have strong writing for blogging
Usually, a person would read your blog post only if you’re solving their problem. In fact, successful blogging is all about problem-solving. This is the reason why you will rarely see a person who treats their blog as a personal diary making big money.
You create content to solve problems. Even when you’re sharing a story – like travel bloggers usually do – you have a sense of purpose behind the post; your readers get something valuable from it.
If you’re not passionate about solving the pain points of your target audience, you’re going to experience hard time as a blogger.
8. You’re Not Self-Reliant
Something not working on your blog? You call your developer. Need to change the look of a page? You dial your designer.
Do you need more organic traffic? You hire an SEO professional.
If you’re dependent on other people for every little thing, your blog won’t grow without a magical wand.
Now, I don’t believe that blogging is all about one person. Every successful blogger works with a team. But this, in no way, means you shouldn’t be self-reliant.
Blogging is a journey with continuous learning. Every challenge and problem comes with the opportunity to learn something new. And when you learn something, you grow as a blogger, becoming wiser and smarter.
But when you start depending on other people for small things, you’re basically putting yourself off that learning curve.
And when you’re not learning (and executing what you’re learning), you will NEVER grow as a blogger.
9. You Prioritize Your Email List As Secondary
If you want to make a full-time living off your blog, your email list would be your biggest asset. Not your social following and not your daily page-views!
The number of email subscribers the blog has is the most important KPI for any blogger.
Email subscription breeds higher retention and better brand recognition.
You basically have a group of people who are ready to listen to what you have to say and buy what you have to sell.
Of course, to sell to your subscribers, you’re going to need a proper sales funnel. But this is a different topic altogether; would cover some other time.
Point is, if you treat an email list as secondary to writing articles, you would find it extremely difficult to monetize your blog. (Don’t think Google’s Adsense would bring you sufficient money!)
In fact, the engagement with your email subscribers would be just as important – if not more – as your communication through blog posts.
So, it is imperative that you start collecting emails of your visitors right from the first day.
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10. You Want To Be An “Influencer” And Not A Blogger
Here’s how Nomadic Matt puts it in one of his posts…
“Being an influencer is a fake profession created by millennials and social media “stars.” ….. You do NOT have influence (just) because 20,000 people “liked” a photo on their way home from work ….. Don’t set out to be an influencer. Because that is YOU centric. Not READER centric.”
This is coming from one of the world’s leading travel bloggers who has been blogging for a decade now.
I see so many bloggers defining themselves as “influencers” on social channels. Without being subtle, it’s obnoxious (I am sorry if that’s you).
When you’re a blogger, you don’t primarily influence people — you help them, you solve their problems, without being dishonest about paid links and sponsorship. You largely focus on your audience and not on yourself.
If you want to be a successful “influencer”, blogging isn’t for you. I don’t know what will help you with that. But it certainly isn’t blogging.
Conclusion
Now note, this article isn’t meant to discourage you. And neither should you now look for other alternatives.
If you see these signs in yourself, it simply means you need to focus in that area and fix that problem. Hey, I am still struggling with #1, but I am trying every day!
So, if you want to make a full-time living as a blogger, know whether or not you have what it takes to succeed in this job. If not, don’t just give up and take another path – not at least without trying.
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