Something has gone wrong, but you can’t put your finger on it.
Your posts aren’t attracting the attention they deserve. Comments are scarce and retweets require hours of pleading on Twitter. You spend days scouring the web for answers. You even reach out to other bloggers for their insight. But you still come up empty.
Soon you ask yourself if your market is ready for your blog. Or is the problem in your own head?
You May Have Talked Yourself into a Corner
Along the way you may bought into “rules-of-thumb” that sound right but are really holding you back. These lies are killing your blog. Here are 10 of the most crippling ones…
- “They” Are Different Than Me
This lie prevents you from using sound advice from other successful bloggers. It tells you that “You are Unique” and that you can ignore “proven” strategies offered by successful business people. So, instead of moving forward, you waste scarce time re-inventing the wheel. Or even worse, you believe that everyone else has a special advantage. You have to take the “scenic route” to success because you don’t have the money, education, or connections. Trust me – this is bologna.
Truth Serum: This post by Sugarrae will do the trick: “There are No Damn Silver Spoons (Or Defining and Achieving Success Online)
- My Branding Can Wait
It’s easy to fall for this lie. It cons you into believing your readers only care about the content of your posts. Not true. Your reader’s visit your blog for an experience. Your writing is just a (big) part of your success formula. The rest relies on how you present yourself and your brand. Poor graphics and layout will distract your reader and disrupt their experience. Your blog needs to look great now. Get on it.
Truth Serum: Annabel Candy’s excellent post will set you on the right path: Personal Online Branding to Make You Shine Online
- All I Need To Do is Publish Great Content
This is a subtle lie that works because it is partially true. Great blogs DO have great content. But, they are also great because people know they exist. The big blogs promote themselves religiously. Their content just pays off the promise. You may be buying into this thinking because your believe Marketing is inherently anti-social. If so, then let’s deal with that fallacy right now -
- Marketing is Anti-Social
This one really gets under my skin. Listen, passion hidden under a basket is worthless. You need to get your message out there. That means you need to market your viewpoint constantly. Get this straight – BAD Marketing is Anti-Social. Good marketing is authentic, backed-up by real products, and focused on serving your reader.
- Making Money Shouldn’t Be A Goal
You may believe that money is dirty and immoral. Ok, fine. However, consider this, if you were given $1 million would you use it for noble ends? Could you help a person, a community, or a nation? If you are truly passionate about your subject then why not make money to advance your cause? Think about it.
Truth Serum: I hang out with a great crowd of people called the Third Tribe. We are learning how to combine authentic social strategies with business. Check it out.
- I Need to be A Great Writer First
This may get me into a little trouble, but I’ll say it anyway. Most top bloggers aren’t the greatest writers. They succeed because they are constantly improving their writing skills. Now, I need you to hear this. This lie is a stalling tactic. It bottles you up until you hit some imaginary expert threshold. Don’t fall prey to this mindset. The best way to become a great writer is to write. So get started.
- Blogging is My Business
This lie uses misdirection to send you in the wrong direction. If you look closely, the A-Listers use their blogs to gather an audience. They then sell products to that audience. It’s a simple model that works. Blogging is not a business it is a tactic.
Truth Serum: Taylor Lindstrom’s guest post on Copyblogger nails this one: “Why Your Blog Doesn’t Make Money”
- People Don’t Want to Know About Me
This lie feeds a deep-seated fear that you aren’t good enough. You may be thinking that your story isn’t all that interesting. Or worse, you believe that people will be turned off by you. This is simply not true. Blogging is a social activity that works when you put yourself out there and make connections with real people. It still shocks me that one of the most popular pages on this blog is the About Me section. Give this some serious thought
- There’s a Magic Formula to Success
This is another stalling tactic. You’ve fallen for this lie if you are scouring the web looking for the perfect formula. If you are busy “researching” then you aren’t writing and promoting your passion. The only “silver bullet” that I’ve found is disappointingly simple – Get started. That’s right – start writing.
- I’ll Build A List When I Have More Readers
I’ve fallen for this lie. Thankfully, I caught the deception early and started building my email community. Your email list is your first “asset”. The people who sign-up are your first loyal fans. Take great care of them and they will take amazing care of you.
Now that you know these lies, you have to decide to not let them stop or misdirect you again. Here’s a quick suggestion to keep you moving forward: be suspicious of anything that is stopping you from writing, connecting with your audience, or promoting your blog. It’s working for me. It will work for you too.
Comment below and tell me about a Lie that is crippling your progress. Go ahead talk to me and I’ll talk right back
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About Stanford
*
Stanford,
Really solid stuff.
Just subscribed via RSS.
Keep banging the drum.
Stanford,
Really solid stuff.
Just subscribed via RSS.
Keep banging the drum.
Glad you enjoyed the post. I'll try to keep 'em coming.
Glad you enjoyed the post. I'll try to keep 'em coming.
Stanford,
Loved your post! Especially the "I just have to publish great content" bit. When people say that good products or good content simply promote themselves, this is so over simplified.
Thank for posing this!
My recent post eugmandel- @flowtown looks up social profiles by email – pretty cool Wait did I allow LinkedIn and MySpace sell my email!
Stanford,
Loved your post! Especially the "I just have to publish great content" bit. When people say that good products or good content simply promote themselves, this is so over simplified.
Thank for posing this!
My recent post eugmandel- @flowtown looks up social profiles by email – pretty cool Wait did I allow LinkedIn and MySpace sell my email!
This happens to me sometimes. I usually run into trouble when I "romance" my posts. Instead of just getting my thoughts on paper – I mindmap, write outlines, search for graphics, do research – blah, blah, blah. You gotta learn to trust your instincts and when the post is ready to come out – write it. Same as your art I bet
)
By the way – visited your blog. Amazing work (R-Rated folks so make sure the kids are in bed
Hey Great Post,
I’m not a full time blogger but I’m pursuing a career in visual arts and a lot of those points correlate with becoming a professional artist. The point I liked most was 6 because it hammers home a good point for me.
My biggest hang ups I have when I start a blog is not building a small buffer and not scheduling posts and setting solid work time to create new content. I think if you want to do anything with your blog you need a fixed time commitment.
This happens to me sometimes. I usually run into trouble when I "romance" my posts. Instead of just getting my thoughts on paper – I mindmap, write outlines, search for graphics, do research – blah, blah, blah. You gotta learn to trust your instincts and when the post is ready to come out – write it. Same as your art I bet
)
By the way – visited your blog. Amazing work (R-Rated folks so make sure the kids are in bed
Hey Great Post,
I’m not a full time blogger but I’m pursuing a career in visual arts and a lot of those points correlate with becoming a professional artist. The point I liked most was 6 because it hammers home a good point for me.
My biggest hang ups I have when I start a blog is not building a small buffer and not scheduling posts and setting solid work time to create new content. I think if you want to do anything with your blog you need a fixed time commitment.
Hi Stanford, what a wonderful post and thanks so much for mentioning one of my blog posts in it too. There is a lot of misinformation spread. I think it's part of the nature of blogging maybe because the information from blogs tends to come in short snippets of info so people never get the whole story all at once. Until they've been blogging for a while and discover these truths as you have:)
I love how you say: "Your reader’s visit your blog for an experience." Such a brilliant yet simple point and often overlooked. Of course it's connected with what I see as the biggest fib about content being king. Maybe it was in the olden days of blogging but now you need the whole package – good looking blog, top content, winning personality and great connections:)
Off to spread the word about your blog and this post now. Many thanks again, it's a pleasure to be part of the pushing social team and have you on the hot spot team too:) I look forward to watching our blogs evolve and grow together:)
My recent post Shape Your Destiny in 6 Powerful Steps
Hi Stanford, what a wonderful post and thanks so much for mentioning one of my blog posts in it too. There is a lot of misinformation spread. I think it's part of the nature of blogging maybe because the information from blogs tends to come in short snippets of info so people never get the whole story all at once. Until they've been blogging for a while and discover these truths as you have:)
I love how you say: "Your reader’s visit your blog for an experience." Such a brilliant yet simple point and often overlooked. Of course it's connected with what I see as the biggest fib about content being king. Maybe it was in the olden days of blogging but now you need the whole package – good looking blog, top content, winning personality and great connections:)
Off to spread the word about your blog and this post now. Many thanks again, it's a pleasure to be part of the pushing social team and have you on the hot spot team too:) I look forward to watching our blogs evolve and grow together:)
My recent post Shape Your Destiny in 6 Powerful Steps
Hi,
Excellent. You are so right, the road is well mapped out. I've been under the influence of more than one of these! Especially the one about just needing to write great content. I love your emphasis on how readers come to your blog for an experience. People often say mine is a serene, calm place. I agree, most great bloggers are not necessarily great writers!
My recent post Naked in Eden- A captivating read
Hi,
Excellent. You are so right, the road is well mapped out. I've been under the influence of more than one of these! Especially the one about just needing to write great content. I love your emphasis on how readers come to your blog for an experience. People often say mine is a serene, calm place. I agree, most great bloggers are not necessarily great writers!
My recent post Naked in Eden- A captivating read
When I first started out, I believed all ten of these. Wish I had this post back then!
Great Article!
My recent post How I Accidentally Created a Successful Business at the Age of 12
When I first started out, I believed all ten of these. Wish I had this post back then!
Great Article!
My recent post How I Accidentally Created a Successful Business at the Age of 12
Awesome, Stanford! This is a great guide for new bloggers.
My recent post How To Achieve Mediocrity In Writing- Installment 2
Awesome, Stanford! This is a great guide for new bloggers.
My recent post How To Achieve Mediocrity In Writing- Installment 2
Hi Stanford,
You have nicely listed out all the things and thoughts that needs to be avoided. I myself has guilty of most of these, and I am still guilty of some. I don't yet have a list, I was late in getting to the fact that I needed to have a goal of making some money too. Further, I haven't yet done much to brand myself.
This post is a wake-up call for me.
My recent post How To Get 30 Comments On A New Blog
Hi Stanford,
You have nicely listed out all the things and thoughts that needs to be avoided. I myself has guilty of most of these, and I am still guilty of some. I don't yet have a list, I was late in getting to the fact that I needed to have a goal of making some money too. Further, I haven't yet done much to brand myself.
This post is a wake-up call for me.
My recent post How To Get 30 Comments On A New Blog
Excellent post, Stanford! These are all great points, but the one that really hits home for me is the myth that it's all about the content and not about the writer. I agree that when I read someone's blog, the content draws me in, but the person is what keeps me coming back.
The thing a lot of bloggers need to remember is to keep engaging followers and continue being human. Maybe Seth Godin can get away with encapsulating himself, but his fandom was created outside social media. The rest of us don't get a pass.
@michelletripp
Excellent post, Stanford! These are all great points, but the one that really hits home for me is the myth that it's all about the content and not about the writer. I agree that when I read someone's blog, the content draws me in, but the person is what keeps me coming back.
The thing a lot of bloggers need to remember is to keep engaging followers and continue being human. Maybe Seth Godin can get away with encapsulating himself, but his fandom was created outside social media. The rest of us don't get a pass.
@michelletripp
Stanford,
I’m inspired by the positive outlook of this piece. Here’s how I am coping with these subtle lies as beginning blogger.
1. Not a problem, I love to learn from others.
2. Getting on it this weekend. I have ideas for my branding but need to start executing them.
3. Since I only have a few posts up, I have only taking baby steps for promoting it but should ramp up my efforts in this area.
4. Yes, this is what I am striving for, the honest marketer for the product or service I truly believe in. If I can stand behind it, the passion is easy to tap.
5. No problem there, I definitely want to use my blog for financial gain, though I realize this may often be indirect. As I study more about blogs, I have seen that while my model will have room for advertising and affiliate sales, I am mostly marketing myself. Using the blog, I hope to eventually take down the barriers between my day job and my passions until there is just me – a guy who loves to help others by spreading information.
6. A weakness I have in this respect is over-editing. My training was as a student of history, so I like to have my statements read clearly and be certain of my sources. Although I think this helps produce a well written piece, it also really slows me down.
7. Because I listen to others per # 1, I’m developing the blog’s place in my tool bag and not making it my only tool.
8. Thanks to your boogie man post, I am adding more of myself into the blog. I want to spread information, but not read like a text book. In history writing, we are taught to never include the “I”, since we should strive to be an impartial observer. However I see this writing from a distance just won’t work for a blog, and that people actually do care for my opinion.
9. I believe that I have this one in perspective – I can’t think of two successful blogs are exactly alike.
10. Along with the branding per # 2, this is where I need to act as well.
Thanks for the advice, and have a great weekend!
My recent post My Community
Stanford,
I’m inspired by the positive outlook of this piece. Here’s how I am coping with these subtle lies as beginning blogger.
Thanks for the advice, and have a great weekend!
My recent post My Community
This is a great post! I have recently been stepping outside my box and trying over come my introverted, anti-social tendencies in order to build a community.
The best piece of advice here is "Get started." I jumped in and just started writing about my leaning process on my own blog and it has spurred me on to try new stuff already. Everyone should just try something and be willing to fail.
I'll be Tweeting this post soon. Thanks.
This is a great post! I have recently been stepping outside my box and trying over come my introverted, anti-social tendencies in order to build a community.
The best piece of advice here is "Get started." I jumped in and just started writing about my leaning process on my own blog and it has spurred me on to try new stuff already. Everyone should just try something and be willing to fail.
I'll be Tweeting this post soon. Thanks.
This was really useful and thank you for passing it along.
This was really useful and thank you for passing it along.
Stanford,
I can particularly feel #6. I look back at my early posts and cringe. I actually posted #200 today and I have definitely have it "down" a lot better than I used to. I write faster, cleaner and with more of an eye to my audience than I ever have before and I've been rewarded with some great comments and ever growing numbers.
Thanks for this post,
Lisa
My recent post Fitness Tips For Kids- 5 Ideas for Kicks and Giggles
Stanford,
I can particularly feel #6. I look back at my early posts and cringe. I actually posted #200 today and I have definitely have it "down" a lot better than I used to. I write faster, cleaner and with more of an eye to my audience than I ever have before and I've been rewarded with some great comments and ever growing numbers.
Thanks for this post,
Lisa
My recent post Fitness Tips For Kids- 5 Ideas for Kicks and Giggles
Awesome post. Thanks for this. I just recently started to get over #1, 8 & 9. Thanks for cluing me into the rest so that I don't fall into those as well.
Cheers, Leisa
Awesome post. Thanks for this. I just recently started to get over #1, 8 & 9. Thanks for cluing me into the rest so that I don't fall into those as well.
Cheers, Leisa
Thank you for writing this Stanford. You know from my other comments that I'm having a little bit of trouble with my own blog right now, and this has helped quite a bit.
My recent post What do people REALLY look for in an influencer
Thank you for writing this Stanford. You know from my other comments that I'm having a little bit of trouble with my own blog right now, and this has helped quite a bit.
My recent post What do people REALLY look for in an influencer
I'm a new blogger and have a lot of things to learn. I am so glad I read this post – it will save me a lot of trouble down the road and will help me avoid this "traps" along the way.
My thanks to you Stanford for guesting on Problogger. And thanks to Darren too for guesting you if not I would not have discovered your wonderful blog.
Marvin
My recent post Do you have a Lifestyle Design Mindset
Thanks John. It's cool to meet you.
I'm a new blogger and have a lot of things to learn. I am so glad I read this post – it will save me a lot of trouble down the road and will help me avoid this "traps" along the way.
My thanks to you Stanford for guesting on Problogger. And thanks to Darren too for guesting you if not I would not have discovered your wonderful blog.
Marvin
My recent post Do you have a Lifestyle Design Mindset
OK Stanford. I think I speak for the entire PS community when I say that we are getting just a little exhausted of you being so awesome. Time for you to take a short vacation so the rest of us can take the time to assimilate and process all the kick-ass posts you've delivered in the past few months.
Think Bermuda. Have fun. (Trust us, we'll be here when you get back)
Nanci
OK Stanford. I think I speak for the entire PS community when I say that we are getting just a little exhausted of you being so awesome. Time for you to take a short vacation so the rest of us can take the time to assimilate and process all the kick-ass posts you've delivered in the past few months.
Think Bermuda. Have fun. (Trust us, we'll be here when you get back)
Nanci
Sorry Chica, it ain't happening
Thanks John. It's cool to meet you.
Sorry Chica, it ain't happening
Stanford,
Thank you for being here OUTLOUD! I just started my blog…my excuse was not understanding the technology…that said… I am looking for a tool to allow people to sign up for my blog so they receive each post via email. I notice you have this feature (I signed up) I am using blogger.com as it was the least intimidating for me to get started with. Can you point me in the right direction to learn about what I am looking for? Thanks
Stanford,
Thank you for being here OUTLOUD! I just started my blog…my excuse was not understanding the technology…that said… I am looking for a tool to allow people to sign up for my blog so they receive each post via email. I notice you have this feature (I signed up) I am using blogger.com as it was the least intimidating for me to get started with. Can you point me in the right direction to learn about what I am looking for? Thanks
Hey Lexy, I use Aweber for my email sign-up magic. Check it out. It's easy enough to learn. Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Lexy, I use Aweber for my email sign-up magic. Check it out. It's easy enough to learn. Thanks for stopping by.
I agree with the comment that says the blog needs good content. Where would you be with out advertising? Answer: NOWHERE. Yes its great to have good content but good content is not all you need for your blog. You need ADVERTISING just as much.
You write wonderfully! I was engrossed the entire time. My biggest (what I hope to be a) lie, is that I write a personal blog, therefore it’s more difficult to attract readers because it doesn’t offer them money, prosperity or love. I’d throw in a little sex if that got the ball rolling. Joke. Don’t sex spam me. However, I do try to be entertaining. Any good tips for personal bloggers? I have read in the past that it’s predominantly “information” content that does well in the blogosphere. I’d like that change one day soon. Nothing wrong with making a living doing something you love, right? Just not the sex.
Stanford-
My thanks for this post. I find it useful- and that is among my highest values these days.
I am quite new to blogging – the sense of “overwhelm” when even the simplest things seem complex is a real enemy. I find if I just keep “doing what I know how to” that that process itself leads to discovering stuff about what I presently don’t know.
It took me quite a while to know how to do this simple think-make a comment on someone’s blog.
I have “favorited” this post because there’s more in it than a single reading could extract >
Thank you.
Wayne
p.s. “Blogging is a social activity that works when you put yourself out there and make connections with real people. It still shocks me that one of the most popular pages on this blog is the About Me section. Give this some serious thought” Giving it some serious thought!
Number 7 is dead on for sure. Blogging is a tactic and its one that some of the biggest marketing companies out there (Hubspot to name a big one) have been talking about for a while now. We’ve taken this approach on our blog as well and found that literally 90% of our organic search traffic enters our page through the blog. I was just about to ask you about the email list, when I saw your sign-up form… “Free Email Mini Course.” I need to try something like that on the blog!
Thanks for the post.
Hot post, Which clicks the reality.