Starting a Blog Can be Exciting, Yet Crazy

I have extolled the virtues of blogging on many occasions and even spelled out exactly why you need to start a blog today.

So, let’s assume you are ready to make that move and are actually starting a blog. Here are 9 things that you need to be aware of as you push off onto your new and exciting journey.

1. Blogging Is Time Consuming

If you are starting a blog thinking you’ll spend a half hour writing something, posting it, then walking away, you are sadly mistaken. Blogging takes time.

Several of the reasons why will become apparent as you continue to read the other items on this list.

Blogging is much more than just writing. You need to think of topics, vet those topics to see which one might be good to write about, do research on that topic, think of a compelling headline, sit down to write, edit the post, format the post, add all of the extras (e.g. SEO, images, categories, descriptions), preview, publish, then market and share your new content.

If you go into it understanding it will take time, you should be well prepared mentally to take on the bigger battle.

2. Blogging Will Improve Your Writing

Blogging will help your writing. Just like anything in this world, you get better when you practice. As you blog more and more your writing will continue to improve.

For those that have blogging for quite some time, just go back and read some of your early material for proof.

3. Finding Topics for Your Blog Can be Difficult

When you are starting a blog, your mind will race with ideas to talk about. You will be so overwhelmed with the possibilities that you won’t know where to begin.

The problem is, there will be a time in the future where this source dries up. You’ll find yourself hanging over your keyboard trying to come up with topics.

One way to conquer the dreaded writer’s block is to jot down all those wonderful ideas when you first get them and when you are first starting a blog. Open Evernote and throw them into a particular folder and save them for a later date.

You should also develop a pace to your content delivery. Do not jump out the gates at break neck speed posting every other day. By the end of a couple of weeks you’ll be tapped out wondering what to write about next and worried your audience will leave.

Even if you have a bunch of items you want to talk about, pace yourself and deliver over a time period. Your readers will develop expectations and if you are posting every day and suddenly go to a once a week model they will be confused and may even become less interested.

4. Blogging Exposes You to Amazing People

There is no doubt that some of the best people you meet online will be bloggers. Most of the time you are dealing with innovators, creators, and generally go-getters.

Make sure you go into it looking for connections rather than sitting isolated in your own world. Reach out to those that reach out to you, and reach out to those that don’t, especially when you are first starting a blog.

Go into it looking to form friendships. You never know if a friend today evolves into a business partner in the future.

5. There are Expectations when Starting a Blog

When you do finally start to gain some traction and an audience, your followers will begin to form expectations.

If you post weekly, they will expect you to continue to do that going forward. Likewise, if you post every other day, they will expect that.

Just remember that how you present your information will be received by someone and naturally they are going to think it will be delivered similarly in the future.

In order to manage these expectations, get on a schedule and try to follow it. As I mentioned earlier, pacing yourself will be a huge part of your success going forward.

6. Opportunities May be Presented to You

Starting a blog can provide opportunities that you never imagined. As your blog grows and gains readership, you may also gain exposure to brands or others that may want to work with you.

This can take many forms from sponsored posts, product giveaways, to advertising.

You will need to take a look at each opportunity presented to you and analyze it to see if it aligns with your brand and your overall vision.

I have had many opportunities presented to me and many of them have had nothing to do with my message. I politely decline and move on.

7. You Will Feel Excited, Defeated, and Want to Give Up (Multiple Times)

Blogging is an emotional roller coaster. When you are starting a blog you will have a bubbling sense of excitement. The possibilities will seem endless and your mind will be racing.

Then there will be times when you feel defeated. You may work tirelessly on a blog post and think it is an instant classic. You post it and you get no response and barely any eyes on it.

This may happen on multiple occasions and suddenly you will feel like you should just cut your loses and walk away.

If you are passionate about your topic and you find joy in posting content related to it, continue through those rough patches and enjoy the process.

You have to go into it understanding that there will be setbacks and times you want to give up. But keep fighting and ultimately you will start to break through.

8. People Will Question Your Sanity

Many people have no idea what blogging is. When someone does not understand something they will dismiss it.

You will come across people all the time that react negatively to your efforts or laugh at what you are doing. Keep pushing past it.

Understand the benefits you are receiving in the new skills you are learning, the opportunities presented, and the community you gain.

9. When Starting a Blog, Growing an Audience is Difficult

This is one of the biggest pain points when starting a blog. Audience building can be rough. Trying to stand out in the crowded online space takes time, patience, and persistence. Growth will take some time. You have to understand that.

And, you aren’t the only one suffering through it. What you’ll find is many of the bloggers out there are just like you. They struggle to get visitors to their site. They struggle with trying to get engagement with their community. It is hard work.

My biggest tip for you when trying to grow your audience is this; engage with your community. That’s it. Be human and talk to the people you come across online. Forming the bond of friendship and genuinely conversing with folks will grow your audience better than any free giveaway you can come up with. At least that is how I like to operate.