If
I would have known everything that I know now about blogging, my
approach would have somewhat different. For example, I didn't realize
that blogging can be very demanding and challenging at times. Not only
do you have to make a weekly schedule that you will devote to making
posts on your blog but you also need to think of new ideas and topics
for your readers as well. It takes a lot of planning and forethought.
This is also true when you are in development of your own blog. That is
why I wrote this post, to share with you 5 things that you need to know
before you start your very own blog or website.
- Dedication - If you look this word up in the dictionary, it
is defined as being dedicated or committed to a task or purpose. This
is absolutely essential when it comes to blogging. Think of your blog
as your business. If you owned a coffee shop, would you show up for
work that day and have no one cover for you or show up late in the day.
Of course not. If you did, you would eventually lose customers and
your business would not be received well and possibly incur a bad
reputation. No one wants that, especially when they are just starting
out. Look at your blog on a long term basis not just what rewards or
benefits you will reap in the short term. Think about the lasting
effects your content will have on your readers and how it can help them
in their everyday lives. By doing this, you will be compelled to do
your best. You will not leave your readers in the loop for weeks on
end. You will be inspired to write posts in a timely fashion because
you are dedicated to your blog. Being dedicated to your blog means that
you are dedicated to your readers as well.
- Network - Having a group of people that you connect with can
help to boost your blog. This is especially effective if they are in
the same niche or area of interest that your blog is related around
because they can help to promote your posts, share them in social media,
and so forth. This also helps to validate your blog. If you don't
have one already, you could find others in your niche and reach out to
them, share their posts, guest blog for them, re tweet their messages,
write quality content, and in time they may do the same for you. A
network is vital because it helps to build up a foundation for your blog
which is important when you are just starting out.
- Patience - A lack of patience has led many bloggers to leave
their blog idle, push it to the side, or abandon it entirely. This does
not have to happen to you. Try not to expect immediate results. For
example, did you know that Subway restaurants began using this name back
in 1968. No one ever really heard of it until the mid 1980's or early
90's. It didn't really become popular until the late 90's. According
to Wikipedia, "Subway is now the largest fast food chain in the
world surpassing more restaurants than McDonald's." Who would have ever
thought that would happen? That would not be the case if the owner(s)
had given up on their idea. The same is true about blogging. It will
take time, a lot of hard work, and consistent effort to reach it's full
potential and carve out an audience for itself. I am not implying that
it will take 20+ years but the example I related just shows that
patience will go a long way.
- Thick Skin - A blogger will need thick skin. Every time you
go to publish a post, your blog will be subject to criticism. Everyone
is a critic, including you. If it is constructive criticism, welcome it
and embrace it. It is only going to help you to be a better blogger.
Sometimes the criticism may be harsh or unfair and that is exactly why I
said that you will need thick skin. You would not believe how many
times I have been told this won't work or your blog will never make it,
and so forth but do not let that stop you. The only way you will know
for sure is if you try it and see for yourself. Sculptors and artists
use criticism to perfect their work, not define it and so can you.
- Persistence - Paparazzi are notorious for being persistent
when they are in pursuit of getting a photo of a famous celebrity.
Those who are unemployed or out of work are also very persistent in
looking for jobs on a regular basis. Bloggers also need to be
persistent and have the same mentality when they encounter difficulties
or obstacles to continue blogging. There may be times when it will get
easier and then not so much but if you are persistent with your blogging
habits and efforts, your blog will be able to sustain these challenges
including criticism that I mentioned earlier, competition, comparisons,
and anything else I forgot to mention.
This post was to enlighten and share with you some of the things that I
have come to learn and experience as a blogger myself. Have you
encountered any of these things yourself? Is there something on this
article that I forgot to mention? Please leave me your comments below.
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