The Demise Of A Blogger

While it is quite normal to talk about things that can help your blog, it is not as normal to discuss things that can crush your blog. Since I am not normal or average, so I like to think, I am going to complete a write up of what I think can figuratively flush your blog down the toilet. Though the area of doom and gloom is not fun and typically shied away from, I feel this post can help us all evaluate what is hurting our blog. One thing for sure, writing the outline for this post has helped me evaluate where I am going and how I might achieve some success. Ultimately, I feel as though if you can weed out what we are doing wrong so we can move towards what actually works.

For the sake of all, I will move very cautiously as I start to tread on thin ice. The most unique part of blogging is the idea of writing and creating at your own pace, whenever you desire. While this idealistic thought process is nice, it doesn’t necessarily move you in the direction of owning an income producing blog. I feel like the idea of part time blogging is openly saying I am okay moving forward at half speed. Plus, moving half speed always gives an individual a way out or an excuse. They can always blame their lack of success on part time. I can hear them now, “I was only part time blogging. It’s cool guys, I only need 12 readers a month.” Saying the word business in connection with your blog doesn’t have to take the fun out of blogging.

Now, before I move on from the previous topic I feel obligated to mention a few things. It is okay to blog part time if that is what you want to do. I have a mom who is incredibly gifted in expressing her thoughts on paper, but has no desire to ever generate income from her writing skills. In fact,  the blogosphere is run by moms and dads who blog about everyday life because they just love sharing what they know or what happens in their own life. Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. To generate income in your blogging you need to separate your fun blogs from your income blogs. And just so everyone knows, you can blog part time and make a little money. UPDATE: Blogging part time is writing 1-2 times a week. Blogging more than that starts to make you a more serious blogger. For a good read about part time blogging move on over too this post.

Another problem that bloggers must deal with is reader interaction. Though reader interaction does add content and uniqueness to a blog, I feel reader interaction is more important to the blog owner. Especially at first, when blogs move slower, it is quite difficult to write day in and day out without many new comments on your blogs. Push through the early stages as the commentators will come in time. A few tips to help encourage qualified commentators include dofollow comment links, forums, reader questions, product reviews, and polls.

As I move toward the crippling problems bloggers face I come to the second most troubling issue…FEAR. Have you ever been around someone who hates flying? How about someone who is scared of heights? What about spiders or snakes? When confronted with one of those previous fears the individual can lose control or become erratic. While that is a raw example, fear can be just as debilitating to a blogger. Bloggers run phrases through there mind like, “Am I qualified to write about this” or “Will I be rejected if I submit a guest blog post?” This fear can literally limit otherwise confident people to never pursuing their blogging goals. In my experience, the blogosphere is very welcoming and encouraging to new bloggers. Plus, what is the worst that can happen? So you make a mistake and correct it. The probability of ever encountering a reader face to face is very rare. So, to follow after Nike…Just Do It.

Now, on to what I believe can cripple any blogger at any time (As Darth Vader moves into the room and that all too familiar music starts to play…dom dom dom dom dadom dom dadom). Sorry, here it is…apathy and procrastination. Wow, it feels great to let that out.

Apathy – an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
Procrastination – putting off or delaying or defering an action to a later time

Obviously, these two words have totally different meanings. Regardless of this fact, I see them being quite connected. Here is why. A blog post became apathetic after a blogger hurried through the post showing signs of previous procrastination. By nature, procrastination because there is a lack of desire to complete some action or project. Which in turn might create an apathetic blogger. Man, read that a few times and you’re sure to get confused.

Showing a lack of excitement among what your blogging can be felt by your readers. Your feelings will translate to your readers. On the other side, posting every now and then might make your readers feel as though you’re procrastinating. If writing is a chore to you it will show to your readers.

I know in society we are taught to hide some emotions, but in blogging, I feel as though we need to show our emotions on our sleeves. This will help with apathy. Setting a schedule will help with procrastination.

Again, please take what is relevant to your blog and disregard what is not of use to you. Often times, if you want to know what a preacher is struggling with personally listen to his sermons. Over the past few years I have found myself wading through the blogging and SEO industry deciding what works and what doesn’t. This post happens to be a culmination to what I have done wrong in the past.

We all have different ideas on what works and what doesn’t. I would like to hear what you think can create the demise of a blogger.

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