Blogging for me has definitely become an art that deserves to be mastered and fueled by my passion for producing valuable content for the web at large. I'm sure we can all remember when we first started our blogs and how exciting it was when we got our first few visitors and also how difficult it can be when you realize you're doing it all wrong. Hopefully, you have been learning from those mistakes, have started the journey of recovery and continue to ride the wave to blogging excellence.
However, for those of you who feel as though you're at the end of your rope, don't worry there is still hope, lots of hope! I guarantee it! So below you will find 10 surefire techniques for recovering from your great blogging depression and claim your place among the pros in the blogosphere.
1. Self Assessment is the ABSOLUTE Beginning of the Journey
First and foremost, you need to conduct some serious self evaluation. Imagine yourself working for an employer and from time to time an appraisal is completed by your boss on how well you have performed at your duties. You need to approach your blogging using the same concept. I would recommend setting weekly or monthly targets and assess how well you are achieving your them or pay close attention to where you're falling short. Be aware of what works and the other stuff that don't. You cannot solve your problems and achieve pro-blogger status unless you know what your challenges are.
2. Conduct A Site Audit
So you've designed or purchased your new blog theme; you've added a few widgets, pictures, logo and published some posts. You're now satisfied that you've completed the first few stages of your work. However, have you ever wondered how well received your blog's design is for others. Sure it looks great to you and you're in love but is it really appealing to your visitors?
- Can they find the information that is really important to them?
- Do they have to be browsing through ads before they get to your content?
- Do they understand your writing? - Style and grammar.
- Can they subscribe to your blog easily?
- Do they feel connected with you as a regular human being and not a robot?
- Does your site look like every other regular blog?
- Do you have enough calls to action?
- Is your site easy on the eyes?
I know that's a lot of questions but crucial nonetheless. Get yourself out of the state of blogging euphoria and critically breakdown your site and truthfully answer these questions. Get some friends or complete strangers who visit your blog to give you their honest opinions. Heck, send some e-mails to some pro-bloggers in the industry and ask them for their suggestions. Their reply could change and improve your entire outlook and set you on the path to blogging glory.
3. Avoid The Deadly Practices
Take a look at my previous post on the "24 Signs of a Failing Blog" and you will get a really good idea of the things you need to avoid when blogging. It's surprising the many things that can cramp your blogging style.
4. Start Blogging About Your Passion
If you have not been blogging about the things you're passionate about, now is the time to start doing so. Take the time out to discover where your passion may lie if you have not done so already. I'll be honest here; if you're a lazy blogger then this is a great way to be successful at blogging. Its easier to do what you love than to do something that quickly seems like a chore. Passion executed with precision and dedication will quickly become success.
5. Write Down & Execute Your Action Plan
Have a definite and concrete plan and vision of what you want to achieve through blogging. Whether it be the cash, the influence or both. Having spoken to many bloggers I realize that most of them do not have a well structured plan for achieving blogging success. They see others making the money and basically copy what they are doing without truly focusing on their battle plan. Imagine going out to war but your General does not brief you on what the targets are or who your enemy is. Don't get me wrong here, its not a battlefield in the blogosphere but use the same planning and execution concept. Set a goal for 10,000 visitors this month, do the work consistently according to plan, learn while you work, move faster, write more, promote more and watch your blog grow and rise from the doldrums.
6. Do You Have The Right Attitude?
Absolutely your attitude easily determines your altitude. If you are pessimistic or doubtful about ever being successful at blogging then most likely you will fail. Firmly believe that you have what it takes to blog professionally! If you don't have the skills but you have the passion, the knowledge and the ability will come. I've personally proven this since I started out with zero influence and minimal knowledge and yet my traffic and authority has grown consistently.
7. Take The Time To Relax
Avoid the blogging burnout! Most of us spend over 8 hours per day blogging. This will definitely lead to blogging burnout. When this happens you'll lose focus, develop writers' block, get discouraged, start complaining plus a whole host of other negative blog killers. At this point, get away from the computer, take a couple of days to spend some valuable time with your family, refresh yourself and eat some comfort food. This time that you spend away, especially with a loving family, will work wonders for inspiring you to do your best and discover new ways of building a better blog.
8. Its OK to Start Over
As a new blogger, starting over from scratch is a great way to jump start that blogging engine. You will no longer carry the weight of a blog that may be truly failing. This will give you the chance to truly shine as you recommit yourself to your new blog, feel great doing it right the second time which will make you soar.
9. Join A Supportive Blogging Team
There is strength in numbers and that goes for blogging as well. There's nothing more effective than focused collective effort and if you feel that you need that extra attention and help, there are lots of bloggers out there who are willing to offer it. Being a part of that perfect team can help you:
- Gain valuable blogging resources that are frequently shared among groups
- Receive one on one guidance on how to make your blog better
- Opportunities for guest posting increases
- Your association with top-notch bloggers will lift the momentum of your site as you start to get more recognition
10. It Ain't Over 'Til The Fat Lady Sings
Your blogging career will never be over until you decide that it is. Always remember that! The ball is always on your side of the court. There is always something else that can be done, you will never run out of options unless you say so. I witness many bloggers who give up on massively unique ideas only to quit because they think there is nothing else they can do. They simply needed to think and try harder!
These techniques are guaranteed to help you get back on track towards success if you truly desire it. Get into action and start creating your blogging success!
Discussion
A huge number of blogs fail because their owners lack determination to see their sites through to success and yet there are others that always stand out. What makes the successful blogs and bloggers different? Would you consider yourself a success so far or do you think you're failing? Please leave a comment to let us know what your thoughts are.
