10 Very Real Blogging Struggles (You Are Not Alone)

by Diana Adams

I can remember the day I wrote my first blog post. It was in July 2009. My hands were sweaty as I tried hard (unsuccessfully) to sound witty in my writing. I’ve learned a lot since that day, and I continue to learn more about blogging every day.

Nowadays, I approach blogging from a different perspective. After writing thousands of posts, I am more comfortable in my own blogging skin. If you are a new blogger without much of an audience, it might be frustrating to read peppy posts from veteran bloggers who have already overcome many of the common blogging struggles.

I want you to know that wherever you are on your blogging journey, your blogging struggles are real. You are not alone. I usually write about the sunny side of blogging, but there are plenty of blogging struggles as well. Here is my list of top blogging struggles. I listed them as questions since I think most bloggers ask themselves these questions at some point along their journey.

1. Am I a good enough writer to blog? Are my writing skills up to par?

Don’t let these questions stop you. Self-doubt occasionally creeps into every blogger’s mind. Keep going. If you aren’t a good writer now, you’ll improve. If you are already a good writer, you’ll become great.

2. How often should I post? Once a day, once a week, twice a month?

I suggest writing as much as you can without sacrificing the quality of each post or sacrificing the important things in your life. There is no right or wrong. Just decide what your blogging frequency will be. Your audience will expect you to stick to whatever schedule you set.

3. What is my niche?

Think about what you’re passionate about, and what you’re good at doing. What are your strengths and your areas of expertise? Choose a niche that you can write about for a long time without getting tired of it.

4. Do I have the time it takes to build a successful blog?

Building a successful blog takes time and effort. Take it one day at a time or else it can be overwhelming in the beginning. This post might help: How to Create and Keep a Consistent Blogging Schedule

5. Am I just wasting my time? I hardly have any comments on my blog.

We live in an instant gratification society. We want everything now. I always joke that there are three things that teach us patience: kids, social media, and blogging. Adapt a success mindset and make a commitment to never give up. These are just blogging struggles, not blog killers. This feeling will pass.

6. Should I try to monetize my blog? Will that turn my readers off? How should I do it?

Get it out of your head that it’s wrong to monetize your blog. Just remember 2 things. Monetization is tied to traffic (so you kind of need to build your traffic first). And, don’t sacrifice your reader’s experience on your blog with annoying ads. Monetize your blog in a tasteful way. This post might help: 9 Ways to Monetize Your Blog Without Being Cheesy

7. Why don’t I have more traffic? I’ve been blogging consistently for a while.

Of all these blogging struggles, this one is heartbreaking because it just plain sucks. I highly suggest you read Why I Quit Blogging (and What to Do If You’re Struggling) by Jon Morrow. I found an aha-moment in that post. It explains that you will find more blogging success if you focus on making connections first. Connections come first, then readers. Most bloggers think the connections come as a result of the blogging, but it’s the other way around. This concept might blow your mind (it did mine).

8. What if I can’t think of enough topics to blog about?

This is the most annoying of all blogging struggles. The good news is, it’s easy to overcome. If you are like me, your mind is constantly going and going. Carry a notebook around (or use the notes app on your phone) to record all your ideas as they pop into your head. This takes a little discipline at first, but then it will become a habit. Once you start doing this, you’ll never run out of blogging ideas again!

9. There’s so much talk about blog images lately. How do I know which images are okay to use and which ones aren’t?

Of all these blogging struggles, this is one to really pay attention to. It’s not appropriate to use any ‘ol image on your blog. You can read more about that on Oh Snap, Can I (Legally) Use That Photo? by Peg Fitzpatrick. Lately, I’ve been using Canva to create my blog images (like the image at the top of this post). It’s super easy to use. I also recommend reading 40+ Vital Graphic Design Resources for 2023.

10. What if I fail? What if I can’t get through these blogging struggles? Will I even make it passed the one-year threshold?

The fear of failure can be paralyzing. Most bloggers quit 6 – 12 months after starting. Building a blog is like starting a business. You’ll get out of it what you put into it. Keep moving forward, and you’ll overcome these and more blogging struggles. Adapt an entrepreneurial mindset. Most of all, have fun with it! My blogging journey has been one of the best adventures of my life.