Guest post by Mark Johnson
As I see it there are 3 phases of blogging, that all successful bloggers have to go through. Whether or not you reach your goals might even be as simple as whether you can keep going until you reach that third phase where all of the success is hiding.
Phase 1 – setting out
This is an exciting stage. Most people get through this pretty quickly. You are just getting started, you are full of ideas and you can’t wait to get your voice out there and start building some loyal readers.
Phase 2 – the marathon
Stage 2 is the bit the stands between you and success. It starts anywhere from a month to 4 months in, depending on how long your initial enthusiasm lasts, and it ends once you reach phase 3…
Phase 3 – success??
This is the phase where you start to feel like you might actually make it. You start making a little bit of money here. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’ve won the race, but you can at least start seeing some of the benefits now, you’ve done what 99% of bloggers never achieve… well done you.
How to win a marathon
So as you might have guessed, phase 2 is where most bloggers fall off the grid. Your enthusiasm is waning and you can’t yet see the light at the end of the tunnel. This is the stage where the pros are separated from the pack.
You probably have about 4 to 6 months in this phase, so you might as well enjoy yourself, it’s a mental game, and having the right mindset will help you to keep going. So here’s some tips to get you through.
Write about stuff you enjoy
This is really something you need to consider from the start. If you are blogging about something that you don’t care about, you are going to find it a lot harder to keep writing new stuff and to stay focussed when you would rather be out doing other things. Pick the right topic and phase one will last a lot longer, pick the wrong topic and even phase 3 won’t be any fun.
Print this post and pin it on your wall
Sometimes you just need to remind yourself that it takes time. After a few months of not getting any real traffic you will start to question whether you are doing something wrong – it takes time, no matter how good you are.
Read other blogs
Read other peoples blogs for inspiration, just don’t let that be a distraction that stops you from progressing. When you run out of inspiration it is helpful to communicate with other people in your niche, and other bloggers for that matter. Take some motivation from the success of others.
Summary
There are many things you need to do to build a successful blog, but having the determination to keep going on those days when it feels like you’re not getting anywhere is probably the most important of all. So wherever you are in your own journey, remember to stay positive and focussed on your goals and you will eventually be able to realize them.
This guest post was written by Mark Johnson, founder of The Business Nomad. He blogs about Blogging, SEO and making money online, whether it be through
Adsense, SEO or actually selling products.Check out a recent post on Strategic internet marketing.
About Kiesha Easley
Thanks for the info. I have been blogging for about 6 months and even though I have had some good traffic im getting pretty burnt out. Im glad that im not the only one that has a challenge with it. Good advice.
Aptos Realtor recently posted..Bloggers Support Angel Tree for Christmas Giveaway
I completely agree with you, we absolutely have to love writing in order to get through the tough stages of starting a blog. The burst of motivation and excitement doesn’t last too long at least not long enough to see the blog reach success. For me, this is where passion plays its part. Passion makes us do things that we never thought we could, it makes us work harder and play our cards smarter.
yeah keisha, I think i’m in that stage where I’m still searching for the end of the tunnel. I’ve found the light but it’s still kind of dim and I know I’m getting there. Sometimes I wonder what is it can bring my blog from just an amateur to a pro. Still really need to work at it.
I think visiting other blogs like yours also gives me inspiration to write.
Bryan recently posted..9 Awesome Proven Ways To Promote Your Blog
Twitter: weblogbetter
says:
Hi Bryan,
I totally understand how you feel – I’ve been there and return to that place from time to time myself. I’m glad to know that reading this blog inspires you – that actually helps and inspires me, too – so thank you! And honestly, the only way to actually make it to the place you want to be is to simply keep on writing, don’t give up – rest if you must, but don’t quit. Keep educating yourself and improving your craft and your rewards will come. Much success to you.
Excellent post, thanks for sharing these tips.
Everytime when I feel like quicking I will go to this one article.
Thanks
Arlene
Arlene recently posted..Your Life Your Future
Great post and thank you for this nice tips..
Hardy recently posted..Teak Furniture Specialist- Welcome to Our Site
Good list. Me hoping to enter the 3rd stage…
Shrinidhi Hande recently posted..JLR K-Gudi Elephant bathing
The term “marathon” is an excellent term to describe the process of building an online web blog. When we start out, we have a lot of encouragement and exciting but if we don’t have a goal, a desire of success, it will not take us to the end of the race.
This post offers very nice tips for me. Thanks!
Mike recently posted..How to stop playing and start treating make money online as your real business
Great post with useful information for new readers start with blogging. I think the job should have patience perseverance, motivation and determination to work while at work or we have to use creative ways to develop effective blogs successfully. I think the stage that you give our readers, I hope it will be really good, I will try to follow this stage, I check your website I will be back.thanks
Pauline recently posted..Paris Apartment in Le Marais – Georges Pompidou
It is not an easy thing to run a successful blog because you need to consider so many factors, such as your energy, online marketing, relevant skills, etc.
With the development and popularity of the Internet, more and more people start their personal blog and few of them can gain success at last.
Calking recently posted..Understanding Small Business Insurance Plan
Kiesha, very well written: “Read other peoples blogs for inspiration, just don’t let that be a distraction that stops you from progressing.”
That’s what I’m focusing on. Especially if commenting on blogs seems “hard” (once in a while;), I remind myself to read for inspiration as well.
Moon Hussain recently posted..A Personal Update- 2 Months After the Move and Then Some
That is why we need to be consistent from the beginning to the end as we can not stop on the way and say “Oh, I need to stop as I am too tired…” Thanks for great ideas on this
Tinh recently posted..Affiliate Links Cloaking Is Ethical to Your Readers
I haven’t been blogging for very long (less than a month actually, seems like forever though) but I have been learning A LOT very quickly (Very fast learner). Which stage would I say I am in? Well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
There are a lot of things you should to do when you want to be a blogger because the online market as traffic jam, a lot people in there.
If you want success, first, you must to working hard or using a some short way or make something awesome more than the other.
Tony recently posted..Verizon has released the Samsung Gusto- with two display
Motivation can be a hard thing to keep up, but like you said, if you are engaged with your topic, there is a light ahead. Thanks for reminding us of that fact!
Trevor B. Reed recently posted..7 Twitter Tools for New Twitter Users
Hi Mark,
Great post I’ve been at the marathon stage for a while, but I think I am going to be able to move past it soon. Starting a new site, but it will tap into something I enjoy much more that what I’ve been doing. :)
Gurl recently posted..Updates- Finances- Sisters- and Brainstorming
I have start blogging and now read awesome tips on this blog. I will do step by step
Hieu Martin recently posted..5 Ways to Make Money Blogging
I haven’t started blogging yet, so it’s good to know what the actual phases are. I’m still at the very beginning of phase 1.