by Diana Adams | Featured Contributor
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 monetizing your blog. Just remember 2 things. Monetization is tied to traffic (so you kinda 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 53+ Free Image Sources for Your Blog and Social Media Posts on Buffer.
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.
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Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.
She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.
Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter (@adamsconsulting), Instagram, G+ or Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!
Diana Adams is the founder and CEO of Adams Consulting Group, Inc. in Atlanta. Established in 2001, her company is now an esteemed member of the Apple Consultants Network and is rated one of the top independent Apple consulting firms in the southeast.
She’s written 4,000+ blog posts about technology, social media and geeky innovations. She loves new technology, Java Chips with extra drizzle, and any form of creativity. She’s also one of the biggest Star Wars fans in the world and is a frequent user of the force.
Diana graduated from USC, and she spends most of her time on the east coast. She is a social media addict, and you can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook almost anytime of the day or night. Send her a tweet and say hello!
11 Replies to “10 Very Real Blogging Struggles (You Are Not Alone) by @adamsconsulting”
Anne
Many times being off and on blogging. There was a time I think that this is not really for me. But here I am now back again after stopping for almost 2 years without realising because of those self pity and emotional moments I lost the google Adsense on my blog. And now As if I have to start all over again. Thanks for this
Shirley
An incredible post, helpful hints and some valuable assets.
Katee
Great ideas and tips iv been trying to blog off and on for about 6 months and I can never remember what I want to blog about when i actually sit down to blog. I just bought me a recorder i think I’m going to start carrying it with me and when i get an idea i can jot it down so i can remember,or even blog into my recorder and write it down when i get home.. Thank for all the help hopefully ill be as good as you veterans one day:)
Diana Adams
Hi Katee! If you think of coming up with blogging ideas and writing as two completely separate activities, it might help. In other words, when you sit down to write, you should always know what you’re going to write about so you can just focus on the writing itself. However, if you sit down to write AND burden yourself with having to think of what to write about all as one activity, it can be overwhelming. Just food for thought 🙂
Richard
This was very helpful.I wont lie,I have thought of quitting many times.It just felt really frustrating.
I started my blog in January this year.And although a lot of my readers love my stories,monetization just seemed like a pipe dream.
My traffic’s not bad (over 1500 page views a day) but I just feel it could be better.
I haven’t had a lot of luck with affiliate programmes and finally realised why I couldn’t get AdSense approval.Some or most of the short stories I right may have a very strong Adult theme(violence And gore I mean)
I still love to write though.Its more than just a hobby for me.
But there were times I trully felt like quitting.
Thank God for this post.
My readers suggested I publish my stories on kindle
May I’ll do that.
But this was super helpful.Thank you.
Laura Hargreaves
A great post, handy tips and some useful resources. Thanks Diana!
Diana Adams
You’re welcome, Laura! Thank you for dropping by today. 🙂
Max West
Thanks for sharing. To be honest, I’ve faced these doubts on my own blog. While I am getting a lot of traffic, the comments have been coming from trolls who hate my work and want to make sure I fail. That’s why I had to switch to moderation. On top of that, I not only blog but I blog about my products, the creative process (I make comics which are collected into digital format and trade paperbacks) and relevant topics connected to comics and the publishing industry.
I guess there’s nothing to do but plod on. If we fail…then we just have to learn from it.
Diana Adams
Hi Max. Thanks for stopping by. You sound like you have a very cool blog. I’d love to see your comics. Can you come back and leave a link? 🙂
Brenda Lee
Definitely great tips. I wanted to quit a gazillion times when I first started. Kept comparing myself to the veterans. Silly me…. we make our own blog destiny and get what we put into it. Never give up and keep plugging along.
Diana Adams
Thank you, Brenda! I really appreciate your kind words and I agree with you completely! “We make our own blogging destiny” <– Love that 🙂