The Early Life of a Blogger

Months ago you began your blogging career with all the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. Ideas were flowing and there was a sense of anxiousness to work on your new toy. As time passed, you became consumed with the multitude of tasks required to optimize the mechanics and have your blog hitting on all cylinders. The days of theme tinkering are behind you and the plugins and widgets are in place. SEO is as good as it gets for now so you are heavily working on content, the lifeblood of any blog.

Now comes the test of your dedication. You should have settled into a pace for writing content by now, and you realize that in order to get to the next level, you’ll have to step up your game. Sure, you’ve put in a lot of work and this is commendable. So…

Welcome to the Average Blog Club. That’s right, you are now on the plateau that many bloggers reach during their first year, the crossroad where you’ll move on to higher ground or you’ll remain in the pack.

Presented with this choice, all bloggers of course want to move to the next level but are you committed to doing what it takes to separate from the average blog? You see, there are hundreds of thousands of blogs at this level and you will have to do something particularly special to gain an edge and increase your readership. The question becomes, of all of the blogs available, what do you have to offer that most others don’t? It’s a tough question with an even tougher answer.

To find this answer, you will have to look at the most successful blogs out there and determine what makes them so popular. You will likely find that it is a combination of the blogger’s personality, valuable content and the technology used to deliver the message. Next, you’ll need to determine what problems your readers have and offer an easy to follow solution using a variety of delivery systems. Figure this one out and you’ve got the makings of a successful formula.

Solving people’s problems will lead to a measure of credibility and a positive impression of you and what you have to offer. Additionally, the word will spread and you will begin to see an uptick in traffic. But here’s the catch, the increase in readership means that you had better have something for them to benefit from when they arrive, so it’s back to generating content and utilizing technology to make the delivery. Sounds a bit loopy huh?  It also means many hours of reading and research to stay current on your subject matter.

Perhaps by now, you thought this becoming a professional blogger thing was going to settle down and get easier but you are just hitting your stride. Plenty of work lies ahead if you are to as much as dream of success. Your career is still in it’s infancy and remember, the pro bloggers have been working their niches for years.

Such is the early life of a blogger. After having come so far from your humble beginnings you now know that in order to advance toward your ultimate goal, you’ve got to step it up. Do not become disillusioned and complacent, you must maintain the pace already established and incorporate a few new features. Remember, your business is still in the building stages and there is a long way to go yet.

Like any professional in any field, success comes with hard work and longevity. Pro basketball players didn’t shoot hoops for a few months and make the All-Star team. That world renowned surgeon didn’t just read a few first-aid pamphlets then soared to the top of the medical profession. And you can be certain; you’ll not become a professional blogger without earning your stripes either. It’s the difference between failure and success.

This is the early life of a blogger, the times when you may question your choice or your commitment. Wanna go pro? Then stay the course and continue to do what you have to do to gain separation from the average blog. Lock in on that mentor and stay motivated as success will come, but it will not come easy. As time passes these “tasks” will become routine and less taxing on your thought process.

There are many elements to becoming a pro blogger, so enjoy the knowledge gained and continue to march toward the overall goal.

Someday after having found success, a smile will find it’s way across your face when you look back at how you started your journey. It is then that you will most appreciate your decision to tough it out by staying on point.

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