Blogging for Profits Series 8: 7 Important Tips For a Successful Blogging Journey

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We’ve reached the last part of my series. If you got to this page and wonder what in the world I’m talking about, I’ve linked the previous parts of this series above for your convenience.

Here are some of the most important tips I can give you. I’ve been blogging full time for almost 7 years now and have worked with hundreds of brands. Hopefully, these tips will help you in your blogging journey.

1. Don’t overanalyze.
   

   If you’re new to blogging, the unknown road ahead can be pretty scary. You know that other bloggers are making money through their blogs. You know you want to do the same. You know you want it badly so you can quit your 9-5 job to travel more or spend more time with your family or doing the things that you love. BUT all this information you’ve been reading is crazy overloading your brain and you’re feeling overwhelmed. I can’t blame you.

   There is quite a learning curve but you’d have to take it one step at a time. Don’t get paralyzed trying to figure everything out all at once because you won’t be able to. Every blogger that’s making either a part time or a full time income has gone through some kind of learning process.

   Take one day at a time and don’t overanalyze.

2. Write down your plan of action and goals.

   I don’t know about you but I feel more productive whenever I have a list of Things To Do. My brain somehow thinks clearly whenever I have it written down versus it’s just all in my mind and I’m doing whatever I could think of sporadically.

   Writing down your plan of action for your blog, at least initially if you’re just starting out, will give you a blueprint / sort of a map that will guide you on what you need to do on a daily basis. Let this not be a solid or unchangeable type of plan. Again, this is just for the purpose of giving your mind some clarity and direction so you don’t get overwhelmed.

   For example:
   
   Day 1: Purchase domain name, subscribe to hosting plan, install WordPress, purchase WordPress theme, etc.
   Day 2: Add logo, create categories on the blog, write 1 article, etc.

   By segmenting your things to do like that, you will, in no time, be on your way to a great blogging system.

   Also write down your goals. This was something that I didn’t have when I first started my blog several years ago so I really didn’t know where it was headed. Thankfully, it just kinda took its own course as I did my part and worked hard but later on I had to set my own goals.

   Setting your own goal will allow your subconscious mind to motivate you in accomplishing those goals.

3. Don’t compare yourself.

   Comparison is a thief of joy. Cliché yes. But it is true. In your blogging journey, you will encounter better bloggers and bloggers making more money than you. But stay in your lane. Run your own race. I’ve fallen in this trap so many times in almost 7 years of blogging and I could tell each time I’m comparing myself that it’s draining my energy.

   One thing that really helped me was not to follow too many bloggers. I also try to stay away from social media a few times a week. It may sound counterintuitive but unplugging from the social media noise actually helps me be more creative. When I’m not constantly on social media or on my computer reading other people’s content, I’m able to think of topics to write about or ideas to post on my blog.

4.  Talk about things you’re passionate about.
   

   If you start writing about things that you really don’t care about just because you think or have seen other bloggers profiting from the topic, you will easily burn yourself out. First of all, because it’s not something you’re passionate about. Second of all, you will constantly hit a road block if you do this.

   So write about things that you’re passionate about and don’t care if you’d have to spend hours and hours on researching about the topic to pass on to your readers.

5.  Learn how to motivate yourself.

   There will be times in your blogging journey when you don’t feel like going on but it’s not a sign whatsoever that you should quit. It is pretty common for everyone. Bloggers come and go but it is those who have set their goals and who have learned to stay motivated that makes it in this blogging business.

   I can’t tell you how many local Houston bloggers I’ve met when I first started and many of them have already quit blogging. Blogging isn’t for everyone. It may seem easy and lucrative but requires hard work and lots of motivation. So learn how to motivate yourself. I can’t promise that everyone of your friends and family or blogging peers will cheer you on so you have to learn how to keep yourself on keeping on.

6. Treat your blog as a business.
   

   Unless you’re blogging only as a hobby, you must get into blogging with a business mindset if your goal is to earn a full-time income from it.

   Treating it as a business means that you’re going to have to put in more hours initially while building it and you will have operating expenses which should be minimal.

   And since it is a business, you’re going to have to take into consideration things like business registration ( DBA or LLC? And perhaps this can come later when you’re earning more money), taxes, branding, etc.

7.  Invest in improving yourself.

   The blogging is constantly evolving, no matter what niche you’re in. You can’t stay in this business if you don’t invest in your own growth.

   Personally, I started as a fashion blogger and after a few years, I have realized that I don’t only want to focus on fashion and personal style but I also would like to talk about lifestyle in general, travel, beauty and now helping bloggers make a profitable blog.

   Part of this process is investing in some self-help books that pertains to blogging in general, social media, and affiliate marketing. On another blog post, I will list a recommendation of materials, tools, and resources that you should consider getting as an investment for your business.

Hope these tips are helpful. If you’re a pro blogger and have some tips to share, please comment below!