Although there are over 152 million blogs worldwide with 1,896 blog posts being published every minute, blogging isn’t for everyone. Here are 9 reasons to help you decide whether or not blogging is actually for you!
Let’s be real. Although anyone can own a blog, blogging isn’t for everyone. Ouch!
I’m sorry if that offends you 🙁
This is a lesson I learnt quite early in my blogging career. That’s right! You can have a richly rewarding career as a pro blogger.
There may be an estimated 152 million blogs worldwide with 1,896 blog posts published every minute or about 3.39 million blog posts published daily. There are so many blogs because people just start blogging without learning how to blog, how to create a blog, how to start a blog or even the best way to start a blog!
And this is such a big shame because there is so much blogging resource out there. I mean, there are blogging sites for beginners with tips for good blogging, blogging tips for beginners and a wealth of information on how to start a successful blog.
Still, blogging isn’t for everybody! And I will tell you why in a moment.
But first, what’s a blog. And who’s a blogger?
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Blogging Definition
While this isn’t a beginner’s guide to blogging, it is important to know what a blog is. A blog is an online journal (think diary or journal), which is housed on a web page on the internet. A blog is usually arranged in chronological order from the most recent blog post at the top of the main page to the older entries towards the bottom. Here is an example on our blog page.
The term “weblog” was coined by Jorn Barger on 17 December 1997. The short form, “blog”, was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog Peterme.com in April or May 1999. Shortly thereafter, Evan Williams at Pyra Labs used “blog” as both a noun and verb (“to blog”, meaning “to edit one’s weblog or to post to one’s weblog”) and devised the term “blogger” in connection with Pyra Labs’ Blogger product, leading to the popularization of the terms.
Most Popular Blogging Terminology
Here are the main blogging terms to be familiar with:
- Blog (noun) – an online diary or journal.
- Blog (verb) – to write, edit or post a blog post.
- Blog post (noun) – the content of a blog (noun)
- Blogger (noun) – a person who blogs (verb), keeps or owns a blog (noun).
- Blogging (verb) – the act of writing a blog post.
A blog is a way of sharing information, which people can read, webmasters can link into, and search engines can access. It serves to bridge the gap between the demand for information and the supply of information. There is probably a blog for every subject or topic under the sun in blogosphere. Therefore, blogs help to fill the huge gap between the demand and supply of information. There is a sense in which a blog encourages social networking.
The First Blog Ever
The very first blog post was published on October 7th 1994, by Dave Winer, a software developer in California, credited by the Guardian as having invented the blog.
A new blog is created somewhere in the world every half a second. Since there 86,400 seconds in a day, it means 172,800 blogs are created every day. 172,800 new blogs every single day!
But blogging isn’t necessarily for everyone who blogs.
IMHO, blogging is only for those who are either passionate or disciplined enough about blogging, that they are willing and able to invest time, money and everything else that’s required to improve themselves, and make themselves better at blogging.
Here’s another way to look at it.
Blogging for Money
If blogging is an expensive hobby that drains your resources, then blogging isn’t for you. However, if blogging brings you an income (no matter how small), then you’re probably on the right path to becoming a blogger!
Want to know how to blog for money, or put differently, how to make money blogging, then check out this awesome article 12 Pro Bloggers Reveal How They Make A Living Blogging
So are you cut out to be a blogger? There’s only one way to find out!
9 Reasons Blogging May Not Be For You
#1. You’re not prepared to work hard to see your blog succeed.
Blogging isn’t for you because you’re not prepared to work hard (night and day) to see your blog succeed.
Think about it this way.
There’s an estimated 152 million blogs worldwide jostling for the same readers as you. Why do you think yours will stand out, if you don’t work at it?
In the world of blogging, success is earned. It’s not given on a platter.
Jon Morrow of Smart Blogger puts it this way:
If you want to succeed, you can’t wait for the world to give you attention the way a cripple waits for food stamps to arrive in the mail. You have to be a warrior. You have to attack with the madness of a mother whose child is surrounded by an army of predators.
You can’t just write them down and expect them to succeed. Writing isn’t about putting words on the page, any more than being a parent is about the act of conception. It’s about breathing life into something and then working to make sure that life becomes something beautiful.
That means spending ten hours on a post, instead of 30 minutes.
That means writing a guest post every week, instead of one every few months.
You have to realize that your blog is more than just a collection of ones and zeros floating through cyberspace. It’s more than the words on the page. Your blog is a launchpad for your ideas, and you are the rocket fuel that lifts them off the ground.
#2. You think blogging success will come instantly.
You can’t succeed as a blogger because you think you can have instant coffee, sorry, instant success with blogging. And you don’t have the stamina to stay for the long term.
In every field of endeavor, success comes through innovation, and hard work. And it doesn’t happen overnight.
Blogging is no different. In fact, somebody once said that the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
[callout]If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs. -Tony Gaskins.[/callout]
There may be many stories out there of successful bloggers. But most of the time these stories do not talk much about the time it takes to get to the point of success. The result is that often bloggers expect too much in too short a time – and give up long before they can realistically expect success.
#3. You’re not disciplined enough to post consistently
You’re not cut out for blogging because you’re not ready to post consistently. You’re too sporadic for your own good!
Consistency is key – if you want to build your audience.
You must be consistent and post when you feel like it.
You must also be disciplined enough to post when writing a blog post is the last thing on your mind.
By writing a blog post regularly, your audience knows to expect you. They will come to accept the flow of your work.
Statistics show that bloggers who post consistently throughout the month, see around 4 times as many leads as those who blog sporadically.
You don’t have to post everyday. You don’t even have to post every week. But I think you need to post between 2 – 4 times a month, every month. Be consistent. Just be there!
#4. You’re neither willing nor able to deliver value
Your blog needs valuable content. Blog content that’s unique and compelling. Unfortunately, you’re not willing to provide valuable blog content to your readers.
We all have off or barely functional days, every now and again. Because we are human. However, you’re different because for you everyday is barely functional. That’s why you can’t hack it as a blogger.
To keep your audience coming back for more, you’ve got to do your best to provide value, more often than not.
Google’s John Mueller confirms that quality is key. He writes, “There’s no minimum length, and there’s no minimum number of articles a day that you have to post, nor even a minimum number of pages on a website. In most cases, quality is better than quantity. Our algorithms explicitly try to find and recommend websites that provide content that’s of high quality, unique, and compelling to users. Don’t fill your site with low-quality content, instead work on making sure that your site is the absolute best of its kind.”
A constant stream of new blog content that is both compelling and insanely valuable is the foundation for growing an audience. Each piece does not have to be perfect; it just needs to be interesting and valuable to your target audience.
#5. You’re not ready to build an email list
You’re wasting your time calling yourself a blogger because you don’t have a strategy for growing your email list and using it to communicate with your target audience on a consistent basis.
As a blogger, your email list is your greatest asset. Not your content. Not even your experience or expertise! Email represents the backbone of nearly every successful content initiative and digital marketing success story you’ve ever heard about. There is no better tool for building your online community and communicating with them on a regular basis than email.
Email is a far more friendly medium than social media. When people see your email in their inbox along with all their other friends, this builds trust. And when you start a conversation in someone’s inbox, they feel like they can be themselves and share whatever they may be struggling with, what they want, or questions they have.
If you’ve been putting aside the idea of building an email list for whatever reason, it’s time to face the facts.
Email isn’t going anywhere. It remains the #1 way to sell your products and services online.
That’s why your money is in your Email List. So start building your email list right NOW! If you need any help to build your email list click here.
Still not sure about why you need an email list?
Check out this super helpful post: Electronic Marketing: 12 Reasons Why You Need A Targeted Email List
#6. You’re not prepared to network with other bloggers
For reasons best known to you, you’re not prepared to network. That’s another reason why blogging isn’t for you.
You’ve got to realize that blogging is not a one-way traffic. It isn’t isn’t all about your blog. It isn’t all ‘me, I and myself’. No!
Blogging success is not just publishing content and spreading the word about it. A large part of blogging is also networking, connecting and collaborating. Or in other words: Blogging is about nurturing a community.
Part of networking is commenting on blogs, primarily to make friends, but also to drive traffic. Make comments that are thoughtful and add value to the conversation. When was the last time you commented on another blog post? Are you sharing other blog posts? Be a good neighbor and help other bloggers by commenting on, and sharing their posts.
#7. Like Matt Cutts, you think guest blogging is dead
You’re not a blogger at heart because the idea of guest blogging revolts you.
But first what is guest blogging? According to Lifewire, “guest blogging is a method used by bloggers to increase blog traffic where bloggers write posts to be published on other bloggers’ blogs. Guest blogging can work in one of two ways: You write a post to appear on another person’s blog. Another person writes a post to appear on your blog.”
Kristi Hines in The Ultimate Guide to Guest Blogging published on Kissmetrics, says that typically there are three main goals for guest blogging:
- Positioning yourself as an authority and well-known name in the industry.
- Getting exposure (traffic) back to your website.
- Building backlinks to your website.
In 2014, Google’s Matt Cutts got the blogging community in an uproar over whether or not guest blogging was dead. (It’s not.) Actually, what Matt said was that guest blogging for “backlinks” was no longer going to be tolerated by Google and that we should be especially concerned with spammy links in guest posts intended for SEO. He cautioned us to only accept guest posts from trusted bloggers who we could vouch for.
Which makes sense. Right?
If you want to learn the basics of guest blogging, then check out Jon Morrow’s Guest Blogging Certification Program. It walks you step-by-step through the entire process. There are over 50 lessons, hours of video instruction, and fill-in-the blank templates to help you with your pitches.
Alternatively, for step by step strategies on how to come up with good ideas for guest posts and pitch the blog owners, see these two excellent articles:
- Neil Patel’s How to Find the Best Places to Guest Blog
- Buffer App’s The Ultimate Blueprint for Guest Blogging and Syndication
If you need help finding blogs that accept guest blogs, then look no further. Check out this awesome resource: 3,000 Blogs that Accept Guest Posts put together by Elvis Michael which you can download here.
#8. You’re neither creative nor do you want to improve
I know you’re not a blogger because you’re not prepared to think outside the box! As bloggers, we must be creative. We must come up with new ideas all the time.
Don’t just do what everyone else is doing. Great and successful bloggers don’t just follow the norm. They play to their strengths. They think outside the box.
You have a unique message. You have a unique voice. Make use of it.
Secondly, you’re not willing to invest time, money and everything else that’s required to improve your craft, and make you better at blogging. You’ve got realize that your great post from last week doesn’t give you a hall pass. Experiment. Learn from those posts that didn’t do well with the search engines. Read other great bloggers in your niche. Assay, break down, cut, analyze and dissect what they’re doing and try to improve your game. Go on courses. Attend conferences.
Be a part of 3 Mastermind groups:
- One of your peers.
- One that you pay to be part of; and
- One that people pay you to be part of.
#9. You’re not ready to put your readers first.
I know that blogging isn’t for you because you think blogging is all about you: Your concerns, what you’re passionate about and what you want your readers to know.
When I first started blogging, this discovery shocked me: people are only interested in wiiFM – what’s in it for me! Nobody gives a hoot about your products, your services or you. Most people don’t care about you or your products.
People aren’t interested in you. They’re interested in themselves.
Dale Carnegie
What do people really care about? Solutions to their problems, access to compelling information and recognition. If you can provide content that provides quick solutions to the challenges faced by your target audience, they will provide you with bread. For the rest of your life. What more can a blogger ask for?
Now your turn
So, is blogging for you? If it isn’t, simply get over it and move on with your life!
Question: Are you a blogger? What do you think about popular blogging? Do you use a content management system for automating your blog content? If so which? Are you making money through your blog?
Is blogging for you? If so, why?
You just earned it! No offense to you but I never thought someone writing on such topic. In fact I liked it very much. The reason is I’m a newbie and there’s always fear whether I am really made for this. And you just confirmed that Rahul keep blogging with a pen in your hand.
Hi Rahul,
Thanks for stopping by. Glad you found it useful.
Best regards,
Pedro
Hi Pedro,
Yes, blogging is for me. For staying glued to it for the past 5 years, moving from one blog to another until I finally settled for the big one is enough evidence for me to say blogging is for me.
I have had days I stayed hungry from morning to night because I was working on my blog.
Today, when I see newbie trying to get it through the fast lane without hard work, I just laugh.
Thanks for listing out these 8 factors. They will serve as a reminder to me to stay on the track.
Best regards…
Emenike
Hey Emenike,
Great to see you here 🙂 You’re absolutely right. It takes a real blogger to preserve with blogging for 5 years! Soldier on, Bro. You’re definitely on the right track!
Best regards,
Pedro
Thanks for your post Pedro. All true and very informative! Keep up the good work, and greetings from Lemons & Olives 😉 😉
Hey Claudia,
Glad you like it. And thanks for stopping by 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro
Right. Seems like everybody and their mother these days want to call themselves “bloggers”. Even without something valuable to write. The first step one should take if they’re thinking about starting to write a blog is to read an article like yours. It’s a good filter.
Hello Vladimir,
Thanks for stopping by and adding your perspective to the conversation.
Much appreciated 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro
Thank you for this post, it’s actually very helpful! Blogging sure is hard work, contrary to what many people think. I personally think it is for me, but I just wish it was my full time job, it would make it much easier for me to focus on it and deliver better quality (and build a decent following, I guess).
Hi Flora,
Thanks for visiting us here at Astute Copy Blogging. Delighted you like the post 🙂
It’s easy to ditch your 9 to 5 and become a full-time, professional blogger. Simply focus on building your audience (or following), and in no time you will be able to blog full time.
If you need any ideas, check out our email resources – How to Quickly Build Your Email List of Active Subscribers.
Best regards
Pedro
I so do not want to quit blogging 🙂 although i am not consistent but still i think i will try to get more time ~!
Hi Shikha,
Consistency works! Thanks for stopping by!
Best regards,
Pedro
Well written. As a blogger I believe consistence is the key to success, as you keep your readers coming over and over again. Good Post.
Hi John,
Thanks for stopping by and adding your perspective to the conversation.
Best regards,
Pedro
I totally agree with this post. Blogging is hard work, consistency and perseverance. Awesome post, it’s sure to keep some of us on our toes.
Hi Purity,
Great name 🙂
Glad you like it. Thanks for stopping by!
Best regards,
Pedro
Great reminders… my take away is to start focusing on my email list more!
Hi Nicole,
Glad you like it 🙂 Building your email list is a great place to focus.
Thanks for stopping by!
Best regards,
Pedro
Hi Pedro,
I have to agree with your points. Success in blogging doesn’t come overnight. It requires lots of efforts and experiments. I think the first thing we need is to identify the readers and deliver a value-added content. If we are able to provide answers they seek then we can start building our email list.
I feel networking is the weapon of blog marketing. If we don’t have a strong network, we cannot reach our readers. Sometimes great contents also fail due to lack of networking. In this digital marketing era, everything is constantly changing and we need evolve.
Thanks
Sam
Hi Sam,
Thanks for visiting us here at Astute Copy Blogging and doing our conversation. And great perspective too 🙂
Providing killer and content, and networking are awesome keys which more bloggers need to embrace! Thanks for sharing!
Best regards,
Pedro
This hits many a nail in the head. I’ve always wondered about the regularity of posting new content. When I was doing a lot of things together, it was getting hard to focus on one specific thing. Focus is everything for a blogger or anyone following their passion.
This was a really helpful article!
Hey Simon,
Thanks for stopping by. Love your perspective! Focus is an awesome key which a lot of people overlook. But as you rightly said, focus is everything for a blogger or indeed anyone who wants to follow their passion! Great stuff 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro
Hey,
This is a great post! It’s opened my eyes to a few things I haven’t focused on yet as I’m in the first few months of my blog, such as email lists (I’ve been focusing on social media instead) and guest bloggers. Some really helpful hints, so thank you!
Karla
Hi Karla,
I’m glad you found the post useful 🙂 I would say develop a strategy for growing your Email List right away, and start as you mean to go!
Best regards,
Pedro
Nicely penned!! Couldn’t have said it better myself
LOL…Lateefah 🙂 Glad you love it!
Best regards,
Pedro
Really educative I’d say. Although with a blend of irony. Thanks a lot for this post 🙂
Hey Lawson,
You’re right – there’s a dash of irony 🙂 Delighted you like it!
Best regards,
Pedro
Thank you for speaking or more to say writing the truth. But I would say Guest blogging is not dead but isn’t suitable for every blog.
Hi Sabrina,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective! While I agree that guest blogging isn’t suitable for every blog, I believe that every blogger should aspire to guest blog.
Best regards,
Pedro
What a great read and so true. There’s a reason why 75% of bloggers fail. Hoping to be in the 25%.
Hey Monica,
Thanks for joining our conversation and sharing your perspective!
Best regards,
Pedro
Speaking out and telling the truth isn’t always easy. I, myself, get scared of the backlash sometimes so kudos to you, my friend.
Hey Nawal,
Thanks for the encouragement 🙂 Much appreciated!
Best regards,
Pedro
Great post! Your post reconfirms that I am meant to blog. I agree that for you to be noticed among the million blogs, you need to be creating value for your audience.
Hi Jackie,
Delighted you like the post. Great to hear that you’re definitely a blogger 🙂
So go for it, girl!!
Best regards,
Pedro
The first thing I thought when I read the title was, “Oh Boy. I’m about to get told all about myself!” HA! Not really but I do agree with what you said. My problem is that for awhile…a long while, I was burnt out on blogging and had to take a break because it is tough and a lot of work. Now I’m back again and doing my thing. Great post!
Hey Ty,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your experience. Glad your previous experience didn’t deter you from returning to blogging. That tells me that you’ve definitely got what it takes to make it big as a blogger. So don’t hold back: give it all you’ve got 🙂
BTW, One way to avoid burnout from blogging is to monetize your blog early on. If done properly, this can become self sustaining, bringing in the bucks on autopilot. For that to happen though, you need a huge email list!
Best regards,
Pedro
PS – Love your blog name 🙂
Blogging is not just beautiful photographs on Instagram, Pinterest, facebook and anywhere else. It needs time and more of your time. I have seen many friends who quit blogging or give blogging a rest. Kudos to all bloggers who are continuously doing their blogger thing.
Hi Geemiz,
Thanks for visiting our blog and sharing your thoughts and perspective! Great stuff 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro
I just started blogging and i am coming to realise some of these points. I started blogging to share my experience and now trying to build traffic. Something i had never thought about before i started. Thanx for the insight
Hey Stephanie,
I’m delighted you found it helpful. Good luck with your blogging 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro
True… like any other job… blogging needs time, devotion and… hard work!!!
A great and inspirational article, I must say!!!
It reminded me why I have created this blog: to succeed!
Hi Alina,
Glad you found the article inspirational 🙂 And thank you so much for adding your perspective to the conversation. Good luck with your blogging.
Best regards,
Pedro
After reading so many pro blogging posts, this one comes like a breath of fresh air
Fantastic 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind words.
Best regards,
Pedro
I agree with some of these, especially about being consistent and building your subscriber list, but some of these are a bit dramatic.
Hi Rhonda,
Thanks for stopping by and joining our conversation. What I have done is to use irony (to great success going by the tons of comments). Wouldn’t therefore come as a surprise, that I don’t agree that any of my points are “a bit dramatic” but hey, that’s the beauty of blogging. We are all entitled to our opinions.
But thank you for sharing your perspective. WE agree to to disagree 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro
Blogging is not as easy as most people think but the more I write the better I get. There’s lots to take away from this post.
Hey ray,
Glad you like it 🙂
Best regards,
Pedro