Hey John,

I have to say that you did an awesome job putting this together. Folks thinking about starting a blog need to read this a couple of times. You touch on so many key elements of blogging. One of the mistakes I see a lot of new blog owners make…They think just by posting content will get the job done. That is only part of the job.

Chat with you later…
Josh

Josh..I'm glad you liked the post.

I agree that the biggest mistake is thinking a great post will magically attract readers to it.. it just won't happen.

Yea doing your research into your blog topic and into blogging alone is the best way to start.

aah, I agree you need to have patience, lots of it.. this is the hard truth many find out and then give up…

Jp, you are so right about the patience! When I started my first blog, I just about gave up because I thought it was going to happen overnight. It truly pays to research before you get started.

Yea.. I think they come into blogging with a belief they will have huge success and make full time income in a few months. Once they realize this isn't the case, they drop of the blogging world

I couldn't agree more with this post. These really are the reasons that people should think long and hard before throwing up a site. It is easy to start a blog these days, but it is hard to make one rise above the fray. Thanks for making these points so clear to would-be bloggers!

This is a great post! Thank you so much! Gives me lots to think about!

Jeff..TY for the comment.. I appreciate it

Yea that's the issue, it is so easy to start a blog, that people think its easy to RUN a blog and grow it into a business.

Marissa,, TY I'm glad you liked the post.. Hope it helps

If these is what it takes to make it online then I'm ready for that challenge…This is a great post john

This will def get you setup and rolling on your blogging journey correctly. Throw in a lil luck and your good to go

I'm glad you enjoyed the post.

I really enjoyed reading this post. I can always count on you to provide sound blog advice.

TY Elle… I'm glad you enjoyed it

Thank you John for the mention, I found you as a good friend and fellow blogger!

I have met with a lot of those scumbags who claimed the experience in a field that has no experts! and oh! by the way their content is king of it's own kingdom!

At that time, I didn't look behind the scenes and I did a big mistake by involving with them, or if I can say involving them with me lol! now and after I suffered from this, I know what to do!

Thank you for the good read, this post is not depressing as much as it's useful for those who think they can do it! they actually should pass here first then decided if blogging is for them or find another thing to do!

Really amusing post!

TY for the comment my friend. I made a mistake with a blogger scumbag in the past too, but I learned my lesson..lol

I think the post is helpful to people who are willing to do the work as a blogger, but for the people who think blogging is easy money. this post will be a nice slap in the face wake up call

Good, thought-provoking post, John. Thanks for sharing and providing a real, hard look at “a day in the life” of a blogger.

Jennifer..TY for the comment.

I'm glad you enjoyed the post

Mark..Glad you liked the post.

Yea why blog alone when you can blog with others? I agree out of all the tips I shared, patience is the most important.

lol It's good ole Portuguese name

Hi John,
Top tips there. I hadn’t thought of the effect of doing my blogging alone. Sure I check out other motivated people’s blogs, but maybe I should engage with them more. So we can spur each other on.
I think the most important point you raise is that of patience. It takes work, and not getting immediate results needs patience and perserverance.
Cheers,
Mark

Holy cow John.

You and I have the same first and middle name………..not sure if you were named for Pope John and Pope Paul as I was?

I hear you my brother, you may call it a thankless job, the sailors who sail below, and where has all the time gone, Hey John, like to pick your brain.

Carl..I have no idea what your talking about,, but TY for the comment..lol

true talk John Paul.. went to a blogger's site the other day.. next thing i saw was “This site is up for sale by Godaddy”.. was a sad moment.

This is a true case of the grass is always greener on the other side. People see the big bloggers and thing, oh its so easy to do it and before they know it they're complaining about all the responsibilities they're landed with being a blogger!
I'm with you on this, if I honestly knew what blogging was about, I just might not have rushed in like I did… but hey we learn everyday and blogging is one of them. One step at a time…
Nice one John..

I have seen a couple of those. I'm sure some shut down over personal reason, but a good amount is from bloggers not knowing the blogging reality.

It's to bad.

TY for the comment Tola. I agree that the big bloggers make it “look” easy, and that brings people into blogging that have no idea.

I read everything I could on blogging before I started and I still had no idea of the tru reality of blogging..lol

But your right, we live and learn and keep learning.

Antigone..TY for the comment. I appreciate it.

Yea when I talk of blogging success that means different things for different bloggers, not all bloggers judge their success by money, some do it by traffic etc..

I agree there is nothing like seeing the hard work pay off and your traffic numbers dropping.haha.. but I will say don't get to caught up in the numbers, I did this and it drove me nuts..lol

As far as the “trolls” lol I like that… They are everywhere, and usually it's a small time blogger that thinks negative comments will help him and his blog,, which obviously isn't the case.

Now I have no problem with constructive negative comments, that's how we all learn.. that I welcome, example… people have called me out on spelling and grammar issues, even though I think it's petty to focus on the 5 spelling errors on a 500 word post, I still have made a harder effort to fix spelling and grammar issues.

So grow from the positive negative comments, and leave the ignorant negativity alone.

One of the most valuable bits of advice is to get out from behind your keyboard and go and meet with like-minded people. Find your local 'bloggers' group – if there isn't one in your area start your own. My best ideas and best leads always start with a conversation or an email exchange.

As a consequence, even here in London with its hundreds of bloggers sometimes I am the only person (other than mainstream media) covering an event, and that really drives traffic to the blog – after all who wants to read a short paragraph on an interesting subject in a newspaper when they can check out one of my rambling posts with all the gory details, photographs etc etc

Blogger mashups are a great idea

Building relationships works even better offline. Bottom line whether you do it online on your blog or social media, or offline, building relationships with other bloggers is one of the best ways to get some blogging results and success.

I cannot claim to be a serious blogger, it’s more a hobby. That said, there’s something so much more satisfying in getting your first trickle of traffic in and watching it build from there – so I’m strangely PLEASED that it’s not all that easy! It’s more of an achievement.

Dealing with negativity is the hardest thing because, let’s face it bloggers, we do it because we think we have something of worth to say. To be shot down, often rudely and unfairly, takes developing a thick skin. But, if someone has a genuine point to make (not the trolls), it’s worth swallowing your pride and engaging. Your blog is going to be considerably better for making other’s opinions welcome.

I have to admit I've “almost been the lone ranger by blogging alone. Sure I comment on other blogs and do my best to connect people together but I know this is the chink in my armor.

I can do such a much better job of being a team player.

Oh and the negativity will find you? Oh yeah, best way not to be ridiculed? Do nothing, say nothing and be nothing. (Not my quote but so appropriate)

Awesome work.

Tony,,TY for the comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I was like you when I started, I didn't want to share anyones work, or build relationships, but I was lucky to see the light early on

That quote is perfect man… I should have used it in the post haha

Steve..TY for the comment. I agree, great content is where it all starts.

I'm glad you enjoyed the post and the others

Hi John, Great article here for those of us who currently blog and those thinking about doing it. I think that the Quality of Blog posts and Content also factor into a successful blog to keep readers coming back. Some of your other material certainly proves that. Keep up the good work and thank you.Steve

Nice idea, I love the “patience point” that all bloggers must have, otherwise they will fail before the success.

TY for the comment. I agree that patience is most important,believing that the success will come, and continue working long enough see that success is key.

Oh very nice post i like it n great information about blogger feild
Thank For All

Great post, and I agree with you on that it's so important to be realistic. Bloggers need to be realistic about their own growth pattern and the time it will take and the work it will take, and everyone around them could benefit from a reality check, too.

I always try to keep a steady hand on my blogging and use principles like you've described above – patience, effort, time, money – all investments we have to make to grow any business. It's easier to do that when we're not getting wrapped up in other people's success. We have to keep our eyes on the goal.

Cheers, JP.

Tia

Tia.. TY for the comment. Yea all need to be realistic with our abilities and expectations.

Focus on what your doing and how you can do it better, instead of worrying about what other bloggers are doing, no reason to be envious when you don't have all the facts and you never will.

Do you and your blog, and leave the rest alone.

Hey John

Glad that you're telling it like it is.

I think a lot of people get the wrong impression that they're going to be an overnight success because they see others already successful. Little do they realize that these people have been hard at work for years upon years. The one to two year timeline is very accurate because it will take time to build up and have authority within your niche.

Murray..Glad to see you here man I agree, you never know the behind the scenes to someones success.

example.. Marketer that says I made 100,000$ last month, what he won't tell you is the 40,000$ Adwords it cost him..lol

Focus on you, and take bits an pieces of learning from MANY places, and mash into what you are doing already.

John,

Great article with all the right points that new bloggers need to read. Blogging is not a road to instant wealth.

Kim..TY for your first comment Yes blogging def is not a tool for instant wealth.. More bloggers need to know that before they jump on the band wagon.

John Nice post and we need to be honest and take risk letting people know what's really up
. I know we have seen to many people come and go and I would only add Pace your self
Thanks.

John..TY for your first comment I agree man… Honesty is needed. People jump on the blogging wagon thinking they are weeks away from all this money.. and reality is .. not going to happen.

Pace yourself is good, do what you can when you can and don't worry about what other bloggers are doing.

Some nice points..for me one can;t be a blogger is he doesn't have passion to write and don't have consistency…

Harsh..TY for the comment. I agree, Passion is everything.

I agree 100% that blogging is harder than it looks. I for one thought it would be easy to start coming up with consistent content and attracting throngs of viewers to my own little piece of the internet. After only a few months I'm beginning to realize that it is in fact a lot harder than it looks.

I don't think this is a reason to give up however. I think that the challenge will in time help me become a better blogger, which I suppose is the point. Only the better bloggers survive long enough to gain enough of the market share to sustain themselves.

I enjoy setting small goes for myself each week to try to accomplish something that will help me in the long run make it out of the shadows and into the spot light – alas I've got a lot of time to kill before I get there.

Thanks for the post and I'll heed your cautionary tale and make sure to not let the struggle kill my spirits!

John..TY for your first comment Nice to get some Boston Luv haha

Yea this post isn't to sway people away from blogging, more to let them see what their getting into, so when the shit hits the fan and things get a lil harder, they will have known it was coming and work thru it.. like you are.

The longer you stay, the more your learn, the more success you will have.. so keep at it.. once it happens it will be a avalanche of success.

Great post

I have noticed and found many blogs which lasted between 1 and 2 years. I wonder if it is the usually time when people decide to stop because it is too hard work. Or may be they got out what they needed.

I read that there are many new blogs but I assume lots of them finish quickly, so patience is a good trait to have.

I just started blogging will see if I still going in couple years.

I would say the best is if people start blogging without making a money as their main motivation.

Michael..TY for your first comment

I have seen the same thing, blogs around 1-2 years, then they are just dead. I believe it's the amount of work it takes to get a blog popular, then the work it takes to keep it popular.

I agree that if you start blogging just because you want to blog and not for money you have a better chance at staying around long term.

Holy cow – 1-2 years? It sounds like it would be best to blog part time for most people, then transition to blogging full time only whenever they've got a solid following.

Yea, part time blogging is best.. 1-2 yrs is a generous amount of time to get you to a full time blog income.. but you can make some money much sooner.. just takes hard work and some luck

righto…….
every point is valid…i would just argue on YOU CANT BLOG ALONE….
sure you can but it needs lot of dedication….still it is not impossible

Tushar.. Blogging alone is retarded, and I promise you the success will come much slower, and take twice as much work.

That was amazing. And it is true that blogging is not all that easy as it seems.. I have started blogging recently.. and i am working day and night on it… And i have belief that it will succeed… thank you for a gr8 post..

That's all it takes to succeed.. Hard Work.. Keep it up and your blog will be killin it.

That’s all it takes to succeed.. Hard Work.. Keep it up and your blog will be killin it.

You are absolutely right, blogging is a full time job, as i have just been finding out these passed few week.
Annabelle

Not so much a full time job, but it does take more effort then a hobby it put time in every once and a while.

Staying consistent is what matters to blogging success. You lucky to have realized this so early, some bloggers spend years and never see this

Hey John,
This is a really good post, and that’s coming from someone just starting out in the blogosphere again lol. I recall starting a blog a couple of years ago and when I wasn’t seeing the results I thought I should of had in the first couple of months I dropped it like a bad habit. But now coming back to it some years later, I feel I have much more patience, resolve, and determination to stick it out. You brought really great points and I’m ready to start building genuine relationships and learn what it really takes to create and run a success blogging business.

Thanks for the insight.

Alyx..TY for your first comment

Blogging just takes work man, over time. If you stay with it, and build relationships, and learn to treat your blog like a business, then you will see results.

Once the results come, they snowball, so hold on as long as you can..

I’ve worked with numerous blogging gurus, and this is among the best blog I’ve seen on the subject of blogging! Congrats for a no-nonsense approach and attitude to blogging for bucks. Most excellent!

George,, TY for your first comment.,. Hopefully first of many

I Appreciate the positive comment.. I’m glad you like the blog.. hope it is helpful.

But, John I want to be loved by everyone! I’d like your thoughts sometime on where the line is of passionately sharing beliefs and overstepping bounds, losing followers who do not share your convictions.

ohhh nooo so we need at least 1.5 years if I do same like you ((

But like joker said “something that doesn’t kill you, make you stronger” :p

love this post so much John

thanks
Ahmad Zaki

You have to share what you believe in and believe is helpful to others. There will always be people that don’t like what you say.. that’s life haha

Focus on the people that do like what you have to share.

Ahmad..TY for the comment. You can be successful in less then 1.5 yrs.. but it takes a lot of work. But if your willing to put in the time.. you can see nice success in 8 – 12 months

You are right.. the work will make you stronger and smarter along the way

really liked your big ‘click here to retweet if you enjoyed it’ button – worked for me:)

where can i get myself one of those?

haha glad it worked

Just an image with a clicktotweet link on it.. simple.

Pure unadulterated Truth here..

You know from my personal experiences in internet marketing along with the things you have posted here, one overall recurring theme is that you forget: there is actually a REAL world outside of the Matrix!!

Excellent post!!!  Blogging is all about producing quality content that people want to read.  It is hard work to produce valuable content on a regular basis, but if you can then blogging can be a very rewarding career.

I loved this – “One of the best things about having a blog, is you get to say and
express yourself in any way you like, and one of the worse things about
having a blog, is you can say and express yourself in any way you want.”  So True, so true

Hey Matt.. thanks for the comments.

Glad you liked the post and the line haha

Blogging takes work, if you can do the work then blogging will be one of the best things you can do.

Oh, can you ONLY use your name in the name field.. Thanks, keeps thinsg clean

No problem John

ahh Much better my friend.. Thanks

Now comment away

Esha thanks for the comment. Yea blogging is a great journey even more so when you know the true process of it all. Once you know it takes hard work and time to be successful then you just put your head down and go. The results, success will come.

Keep it rolling man.. the only real way to fail is to quit.