There are millions of blogs on the internet, many of which are inactive. This got me wondering why bloggers just stop blogging, only to start again after months of not publishing a new blog post, and to stop again for good.
I must admit that blogging is not easy. It took me a lot of time, hard work and dedication to get my blog to where it is today. And right now, I am only starting to reap the fruits of my labour.
But why didn’t those bloggers stay long enough to enjoy the benefits that owning a blog has to offer? Why do bloggers who start out full of enthusiasm and zeal fizzle out in a matter of months? Here are the reasons why I think most bloggers fail:
1. They spend time creating content hoping readers will drop by
There’s this misconception that as soon as you start a blog and publish content for your blog, the readers will suddenly appear. That’s so not true. And then, many lose the passion when they discover no one is reading. When you first start your blog, the only way you can get readers is by putting your content in places they can see it. So sharing on all your social media platforms with the right hashtags help, more about this in my book – How to Cash In as a Blogger, so go have a read if you haven’t read it already.
2. They don’t promote their blog; and when they do, they do it badly
This tip works hand in hand with the first tip. You spend so much time creating content but you don’t promote it on social media, or share your content with bloggers in your niche. If you don’t promote your blog posts, except your Zoella, no one is going to read it. Even Zoella has to share her blog posts.
And when some bloggers promote their blog, they do it in a spammy way. Bombarding every Facebook group with their links every hour or annoying their Twitter followers with the same old link every 30 minutes. Many would find this very annoying.
3. They don’t earn any money from their blog
This is a common reason why many bloggers fail. People go into blogging for so many reasons, but when your main reason for owning a blog is to make money, you’re going to have a very hard time.
Blogs do have a potential to give you a nice source of income, but it may not be immediate, and it may never be as much as you think. so soon.
4. They are not focused
You need to be specific when you’re blogging. You need to know who you are appealing to and the type of content you’ll create for your audience. Some bloggers talk about all manner of things, which is fine, as long as they are connected somehow, and that is why your creativity comes in.
5. They do not post valuable content
People go to blogs because they want to learn, be entertained or solve their problems. If the content you post on your blog does neither of these, then your blog will most likely fail.
6. They ignore the importance of SEO
When I started blogging in 2012, I knew nothing about SEO, but I had to learn and I am still learning as the Google rules keep changing. Majority of people looking for solutions or information consult Google first. If you want your blog to be noticed then you need to learn about SEO and apply its principles. Some bloggers completely ignore this and end up not being found out in the search results.
7. They are too focused on themselves
Now this is where many bloggers get it so wrong. Your blog is not about you. It’s about your readers and you need to do everything you can to make them happy. If you spend time blogging about things concerning your life, without adding value to the life of your readers, then your blog will likely fail.
8. They aren’t consistent
Consistency is key. You can’t blog one day and stop another. You need to do it consistently. You need to promote your blog, engage with your audience and build relationships consistently. This will guarantee your success.
Why do you think bloggers fail?
Excellent blog post Stella! Really informative!
http://www.afashionholicslife.blogspot.com
Thank you.
What a transparent post here.
The blogging for money thing, is what many people having gotten.
Some tell me, you are a big boy cos you got a blog as though its some networking business that chin-chin coins immediately. Lol.
Blogging is seriously passion mehn, one has to ready to go into it selfless but same time tireless to gain progress.
Yea I agree..Blogging is hard work..Your passion will see you through.
Good info. Any advice you can give on SEO
Thanks..I will be writing a post on SEO soon..
Well said
Thanks.
Good read and so true. Consistent and persistent is key
Yea it is…Glad you found it a good read.
Excellent article Stella. You have to build your followers or no on will read your posts. Build your followers and promote, promote, promote.
Yes Mellissa.
This is really insightful. I think so many fail to realise that interaction on social media is just as, if not more important, as posting their links!
Yea many don’t realise..So weird.
Some great tips here. SEO is definitely something I need to work on more – I’m getting there though! 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth.
Such a great post here Stella! Over the last couple of years I have found it hard to keep consistency with my blog as I have been unwell but I really do try to keep it as consistent as I can, I never just went away. I’ve never understood those bloggers who start a blog it doesn’t work out, so start another, then another… There will be no difference.
Yea there will be no difference..I don’t get how they do not understand that.
Thanks for an informative article. Some great tips
Glad you like it Nikki.
Great post! I absolutely agree with everything you’ve mentioned. I’ve been blogging for the past three years now, at the beggining I wasn’t consistent at all but now I am trying my best to keep up with the scheulde and becoming a better blogger. So far I haven’t earned a penny of of my blog but I honestly couldn’t care less because I love creating content for my blog so much that I would keep on doing it even if I knew I’d never earn a thing.:)
http://sweetlittlethingsb.blogspot.hr/
I know that SEO and consistency are a bit of a problem for me although I do it for pleasure and I’m in no rush to have success. I like creating the content and having some feedback on it but it’s true that I’d like to be more visible on Google.
If you have made an article on how to do SEO, don’t hesitate to share it with me 🙂
Mika | http://www.la-french-connection.com
I will be writing one soon Mika.
Completely agree with all of your tips – esp SEO, most of my blog views are from google x
Yea me too xo
I agree with all of these points! Especially when bloggers go in to it just to make money!
Yea many seem to..
This is such a great post Stella, thanks!! I really need to learn about SEO’s!!
Glad you like it Claire..
There have been times when it has been particulalry trying and I have thought about just stopping everything. But then I think to myself this is my dream and I never give up on my dreams. I work so hard and I will never give up just on a whim.
Ah that is spirit Ana..
I agree – so many people come into blogging thinking it’ll be really easy and they’ll make loads of money, when actually you have to work incredibly hard to see some sort of return x
Yea so hard..
I’m still getting to grips with SEO so I could do with learning a bit more
Same here but will be sharing my tips in a post soon.
Can anyone help me with the Seo thing? I am in the darkness, I searched it and so many stuff came up… I don’t have 6,000$ to pay a seo, help?
I will be writing a post on SEO soon so will try explaining the tips I have learnt.
thank you so much! 🙂
Some great points here. I guess it depends on what someone is defining success and failure as.
Yea it depends.
Some good points here. Finally got to grips with SEO
Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk
Ah nice one Jordanne.
SEO and promotion are very important and if you only blog to make money you will lose interest as you need to build up your following, scores etc first x
Yea true that..
SEO is one thing I wished i had learnt more about from the beginning x
Yea me too..
I think fail’s a hard one to judge. Success and the measurement of it, all depends on what the intention is for the blog. If it’s an online journal that has others read it, then those readers obviously want to read that. Others won’t and only look for one off tutuorials. But I’d say most fail because people go into blogging for the wrong reason and then realise that it’s harder work than they anticipated.
Yea true that. Thanks Emma.
What a great post to read. I think a lot of bloggers fail by getting too big for their boots and thinking they’re something they’re not. It happens all too often xxxx
Yea they start to believe their own hype..Lol.
This is really helpful, thank you 🙂
Thanks for reading Rossaine.
I know when I first started blogging, I was definitely guilty of thinking that I could just write a blog post and the audience would turn up. It’s really not that simple, is it? People often underestimate how much work goes into running a blog!
Yea many do..It is hard work.
Great tips! It sure can’t be about the money. And I totally agree that you have to promote the blog or no one will read it.
http://www.comfycozyup.com
Yea true that.
I disagree with you, your blog is about you and not your readers and you do not have to make money from it. I have been very successful with my blog which is predominantly about my family, fun, parenting and our travels. Yes it’s hard work if you want to earn from it, but mine started as a diary.
I think you misunderstood what I meant by the ‘blog being about your readers’. You write a blog about your life, fashion, parenting, beauty or whatever niche you choose, but if you think about your readers before you decide on what time to publish, would they be awake and online?What to publish, would my readers find it interesting or informative? A sponsored post opportunity, is this relevant to my blog? Readers leave me comments, do I reply them? Do you run giveaways your readers love? In my opinion, if you answered yes to these questions, then you have your readers in mind, and so therefore your blog is about your readers..
you are absolutely right blogging is not easy. You have to educate yourself, write good content and promote, promote , promote. Great post.
Thanks for reading.
Great Tips Stella.
I agree with all.
X
Thanks for reading Moji..
Couldn’t agree more. Passion a d consistency is the key. Even I’m planning to share my experience and mistakes, so that others can learn from it.
Hope you can checkout my blog – http://www.jhallidiva.com & drop in your feedback.❤
True Aisha..Off to check your blog out..
Great blog post.. Very informative and helpful especially to a new blogger like myself
Glad you like it..
Oooooh, interesting post, ok why do I think bloggers fail, well: lack of imagination, lack of drive, poor quality photos…those things dont help… ( :
Yea true that..
Yeah. SEO is so important and I’m still learning a ton of it.😊 Thank you for sharing this. Super valuable. 😊
It is so very important. Glad you like the post..
Very good post and read! You speak the truth on how to make your blog successful, and it is valuable information for everyone who has a page. Keep on bloggin’!
Thanks for reading.
Some great advice here – it’s a fine line between promotion and spamming I think so I’m ultra careful.
Yea there is a fine line.
“Your blog is not about you. It’s about your readers” that’s the biggest point for me now. Try to understand our readers, sometimes make you tired
Yea it can be hard to understand the readers, but you will get there.
Reblogged this on We Are The Hood.
My friend said that I am bad at promoting my blog. Well, I think so too.
We have to promote to get eyes on our blogs.
I just put up a blog post about why I stopped blogging… after 7 days …
In the beginning I was so excited and I thought my blog would just magically grow and get better. But when I saw a decline in visitors and views I thought I had already failed. Now that I have actually reflected on it, and realised that I simply didn’t put in enough effort advertising my blog, hoping people would find it on it’s own, I gained some new spirit. I am determined to start promoting my blog more, and i really hope it is going to pay off.
Reblogged this on The World of Daddy Felix , your Digital Friend, Business Partner and a Solutions Provider and commented:
Definitely good info. Really appreciate your tips! Have an awesome weekend and Happy Fathers Day!
Thank you. Hope you had a lovely weekend.
Great article. Thanks !
Thanks for reading.