With years of blogging under my belt and working one-on-one with clients, I’ve heard it all when it comes to blogging myths. There are many false things people have come to believe about blogging. It leads them to think things are going to go a lot differently when they start a blog of their own. And today, I feel like it’s my duty to share some of those common blogging myths so you don’t fall into the trap of believing them.
Once we’ve been able to dispel these myths, you’ll learn what is required of you if you want to create a blog and turn it into a thriving business. And don’t worry, it’s a lot less scary than it may sound. I’ve previously written another post on blogging myths that you can also check out, which contains even more advice.
5 Common Blogging Myths You Need to Stop Believing
The common blogging myths I’ve compiled in this post are legitimate things that I have heard in my years of blogging. I’ve encountered these statements from my own clients and also random people on the web. And I’ve heard each one of them more than just once. That’s why it’s important that we stop believing these false things about blogging. It’s time to set the record straight and bust some myths!
1. Blogging is Easy
I hate to break it to you, but blogging is no easy task, although it may seem that way when you’re on the outside looking in. But take it from someone who has been blogging for many years when I say that it takes a lot of hard work.
As a blogger, you aren’t just writing and publishing blog posts. You’re running an entire website, which requires you to juggle multiple jobs. Blogging requires you to be a writer and editor when it comes to your content. You have to be a site manager because you’re managing a blog. If you’re the one creating your amazing visuals, then you’re a graphic designer as well. You’re also a marketer because you have to promote your blog via social media and even email.
You’re handling customer service because you’re the one connecting with readers and answering their questions. If you’re filming video content, you’re also a videographer and a video editor. And you’re even an office assistant because you’re answering emails after emails.
Don’t let anyone fool you into thinking blogging is easy because it’s not. If you want to succeed in the blogging world, you have to be willing to put in the hard work it’s going to require of you. It’s safe to say that the “blogging is easy” mentality is one of the common blogging myths that irritates me the most.
2. Blogging Equals Overnight Success
Wrong! It may seem like your favorite bloggers gained success overnight, but I can assure you that’s not what happened at all. What you didn’t see is that they likely put in a lot of hard work and effort before they finally were able to blog full-time.
Now, don’t get me wrong… There are people who have content that goes viral and they sudden become ridiculously popular. But you can’t count on that to happen for your blog. There’s no way to guarantee that you’ll get your content to go viral. So, you better be willing to put in the work if you want to see results. And you better have a lot of patience.
3. You Don’t Need a Plan
False! If you want to be a great blogger and build a thriving online business, you’re going to need a plan. What I mean by that is you need a plan for your content and even your growth. After all, without a plan you’re just aimlessly going about blogging, which won’t yield the best results long-term.
You should be strategic about everything you publish online. That includes your blog posts, videos, podcasts, social media, email newsletters, etc. Everything should serve a purpose by providing value to your audience and helping you to boost your online presence and your business.
It’s also important to know how you’re going to grow your blog because you need to be proactive about increasing your exposure and gaining more traffic. You can’t just sit back and wait for people to come to you. It’s essential that you are proactive about getting your blog in front of your ideal readers. Search engine optimization (SEO), social media, guest blogging, and many other opportunities will help you do this. In fact, we can even work together to create a plan that’ll put your blog on the path to success.
4. Having a Defined Audience + Niche Isn’t Necessary
Many people that I’ve spoken to believe they’re most likely to find success at blogging if they write about anything and everything under the sun. But here’s the deal… If you’re trying to appeal to everyone, you’re going to wind up appealing to no one.
You may be asking yourself how that makes sense. You might be thinking, “But if I write about all different topics, I’ll attract a larger audience, right?”
Well, I hate to break it to you, but that’s not the case. By trying to appeal to everyone, your brand overall just won’t form a strong connection with anyone. People will stumble upon your website and feel confused about what it is you actually do and what you have to offer people. However, if you have a clear niche, people will know and understand what you’re all about. And when you have a defined audience, you can specifically target those people by creating content that speaks directly to them. Content that appeals to them and makes them want to come back again and again is what will make you a successful blogger.
5. Everything Has to be Perfect
One of the most common blogging myths that I hear clients believing is that everything needs to be perfect. They think they need to have a perfect blog design. They stress over creating the perfect blog post and wind up never hitting publish. So many of them are letting perfectionism hold them back from creating and building the blog they’ve been dreaming of.
Here’s a reality check for you… Perfection doesn’t exist.
If you spend all of your time waiting for things to be perfect when it comes to your blog, you will never get started. You will never amount to anything. Instead, you need to just go with the flow. Put your heart and soul into everything you create with your blog and work hard to make something you’re proud of. Will it be perfect? No. But if you’re happy with the results and you’re enjoying the process, you’re on the right track.
With these common blogging myths busted, it’s time to take your blog to the next level!
When it comes to blogging, there’s no reason to get stressed by trying to figure it out on your own. I offer one-on-one coaching to simplify your blogging journey by defining your niche, getting clear on who your target audience is, and creating a content and growth strategy that sets you up for maximum success. Sound good to you? Find out how we can work together.
