Are you thinking of starting a blog in 2020, or maybe you have started one recently, and are wondering about things no-one tells you about blogging? Well here is what I learned blogging in 2019!
If you don’t know me yet, Hi! I’m Zsuzsanna and I started my blog in late April 2019!
I really started doing it consistently around June, so that’s what I count as my start time usually.
So because I’ve been blogging for around 6 months (at the time this post was published), I can tell you a few things about it and what I learned blogging in 2019!
IF YOU HAVEN’T STARTED A BLOG YET, READ THIS POST!
Now let’s get started with the things I learned blogging.
IT IS MORE WORK THAN YOU THINK
Yep, this is something I really learned in 2019.
Blogging is much more work than I initially thought. Like somehow I thought that all I’ll do is write blog posts and create pins to it for Pinterest.
But wrong!
Any purchased theme needs some customizing usually. I spend lots of time doing CSS on it to make it more look like “me”.
And creating pins isn’t the only thing I needed to do besides the writing. I join FB groups to promote my blog, I have to DESIGN the pins that go on Pinterest, I have to do SEO, network with others, create email opt-ins, write emails, create printables, and so on.
I gained lots of experience and skills while working myself through the blogging world, so I am glad that it doesn’t just consist of writing.
IT’S HARD NOT TO WORK, EVEN ON VACATION
Blogging makes it possible to create your own schedule and be your own boss, which I love.
Sure, I planned on working on my travels, since it was my goal to be able to travel and work at the same time.
But sometimes, you gotta take a break!
I found it hard to stop thinking about work or doing something for work, even when I was on vacation.
On the other hand, when I plan on working somewhere, I lose motivation and end up enjoying the trip too much. So yeah I guess I’ll need to find balance in that.
GROWTH AND INCOME ARE NOT EXPONENTIAL
This was something I realized when I started publishing income reports for my email list (sign up here).
When I thought of what I learned blogging in 2019, this one kinda shocked me again.
I somehow always thought that each month your stats and so the income gets more and grows exponentially. But I was wrong! And HOW wrong!
Sure, you grow over time when you see the year at a glance. You don’t stay at 10 visitors a day like on week 1.
But not every month is higher than the previous one!
For example, I had more views and sessions in August than I had in November. And my spike was actually October instead of December (ok the month isn’t over yet, but if it stays like this then I’m right) unlike other people experience it.
So the growth each month is really individual and depends on your niche too. Some months will be lower than others, and that’s okay!
IT’S OK NOT TO DO EVERYTHING
I really had to learn in 2019, that it’s okay not to know, or do, everything.
If you aren’t good at marketing your blog, that’s ok! Focus on what you’re good at, such as the writing part. Then, you can either work on your marketing skills or give that task to someone who is skilled in it.
Nobody expects you to do everything perfectly. So don’t waste your time trying to figure out marketing if you could use that time to write 5 amazing posts.
PLANNING AHEAD IS KEY
In the beginning, I wrote posts as I went through the week. But I figured out pretty fast that that wouldn’t work in the long run.
Planning your content is key! So write down what day you’ll write what post and what day they’ll get published.
I try to write 1 month ahead usually but have all my subject lines/topics written out for the whole year in advance.
So basically I have a list of 10 blog post ideas and titles for each month of the year and pick them as I write them a month before publishing it.
NEVER DELETE A POST OR PIN
Yep, there have been times I really didn’t like my post, or I thought my pin had a really bad design.
But I heard once, that you shouldn’t delete things, cause there is a change of them getting popular.
And it’s true!
Some posts I really like don’t get as much attention as posts I wish were better. But I guess that’s how it goes.
For example, I had a pin go viral for a Halloween costume ideas post, which made my October stats the highest yet.
That pin wasn’t the prettiest I’ve ever made, yet people clicked on it!
I do update and improve posts and pins I don’t like as much. The key is not to delete them completely.
So don’t get discouraged and keep going!
IT SUCKS UNTIL YOU GET IT WORKING FOR YOU
Whatever part you love about blogging, once you get to a point where it works well for you, it is the best job you can have. But until then, it’s possible- and very likely- that it REALLY SUCKS.
It’s very rare that bloggers make thousands of dollars in their first months. So you aren’t alone!
I make around $100 a month right now, blog and Youtube COMBINED. Sure, it’s not all about the money. But you gotta pay the bills somehow.
So yes that amount is small for blogging for 6 months, but I believe that persistence and consistency pay off!
I now start making affiliate income, even if it’s not much. But it’s a start! And going from $100 to $1000, and to $10,000 can go faster than you think.
Until you reach the point where you can stop working as hard as you are now, it will be tough, can’t deny that. But once you get there it will all get easier.
Why? Because once you reach a certain amount of posts on your blog, you can stop creating content like crazy and focus on making your blog known. You can then write something new like once in a week or two instead of 2-3 times a week.
That was what I learned blogging in 2019! I’m sure I forgot some things, but I will add them as I find new things about blogging.
Don’t forget: NEVER GIVE UP! Your work will pay off. I believe in you.
Now, check out these popular posts!
- How to Start a Blog
- Reasons to Start Your Own Business in 2020
- How to Set Goals for 2020
- Girl Boss Organization Hacks
Until soon,
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