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If you are like me you have probably asked yourself something like this.
“Why am I not more successful as a blogger?” or “What am I doing wrong with my blog?”
I have asked myself these questions and many more like them over the last 3+ years. The thing is I’m actually doing alright as a blogger and I’ve come along way on my journey. I still want more though and you probably do to. Right? It is then we need to figure out and ask ourselves what is holding you back in blogging and how do we get past it.
In this post I thought we would cover the most common ways I’ve held myself back as a blogger and the ways I’ve noticed other bloggers holding themselves back. I think that we all have the tendency to not put 100% of ourselves out there even though we know we should.
I know that for me I could be doing so much more and I want to be better and give more to my blog. It would only make things better for me as a blogger in the long run. It’s a matter of figuring out what is holding us back so that we can fix it and it won’t be an issue anymore.
check out some of the reasons I’ve found that might be holding you back in blogging.
1. you don’t feel qualified
I’ve found this to be true for the majority of bloggers. No matter the niche or type of blog it seems that so many of us, myself included don’t think we are really qualified to be blogging about whatever our topic is. you are scared to put yourself out there I bet that there has been a few times that you’ve questioned why anyone would care about what you have to blog about. You’ve wondered if you know enough about your niche or have the experience to even write about this topic.
Let me tell you every blogger I’ve talked to has felt this way. Even the really amazing super great bloggers who I feel know everything about their niche have had moments of feeling unqualified. If they had let those feelings hold them back from making great posts and growing their blogs it would be so disappointing and some fabulous posts might not have been written and shared.
2. You don’t have a plan
Once I started actually making a plan for my blog I realized how crazy I was being by not doing it before. I started doing an editorial calendar this year. I was just scheduling out 3 or 4 weeks at a time but recently I stretched that to 6 weeks. This gives me an idea of what posts I need to work on at a given time and what I need to work on next. I am now able to look back and see what I have been neglecting on the blog and I can plan an upcoming post on that topic.
You also want to try and have a business plan for the next year or so if you can. Some people are great at this and have great business plans for the upcoming year. I try doing that and it’s an area I struggle with. So I just have a real loose plan for the upcoming year and focus more of my effort on having an up do date editorial calendar. It’s a matter of finding out what works for you and your brand.
related post: How to use an editorial calendar
3. You aren’t willing to take any risks
If you want to see big results and gains in anything from your blog, to your business to your life you have to start being willing to take the necessary risks to get those rewards. This can be trying new things, putting yourself in new possibly uncomfortable to you situations.
Anything that takes you out of your typical box and gets you to try something new or different. The thing with this is that sometimes these risks pay off and sometimes they don’t. You have to be willing to take the risks sometimes to get the great reward though.
4. With all the great blogs out there you are so afraid you’ll never be as good as them
number four is such a common thing that can be holding you back in blogging. As bloggers we can become overwhelmed by all the other blogs out there. We can start seeing all these amazing blogs and bloggers and start feeling like we can never compare or compete with how great they are. I have felt this way many times before and I’m sure I will again. I bet you have as well.
Don’t let this comparison fear hold you back as a blogger. There is room for lots of amazing and great blogs out there in the internet though. So you’ve got two choices. Either let those great blogs and bloggers motivate you to make yours better or let them discourage you and hold you back from being great yourself. So don’t let this be what will be holding you back in blogging.
5. There isn’t any consistency to your blog or brand
This is such an important thing to consider because it holds too many bloggers and entrepreneurs back. There are a lot of areas where you need to have consistency with your blog and brand. You should have a consistent look to your blog and social media. Meaning use the same fonts and colors throughout everything. The point of doing this is so that on social media, especially Pinterest, people will begin to recognize your posts by the way that they look. Which means that if they have read your blog before and liked it they will be more likely to click on another post when they recognize your branding.
You also want to be consistent in how often you post so that your readers can start to get an idea of when to expect you. It doesn’t have to be an exact thing like Thursdays at 3pm more like 3 times or 5 times a week. This is so important because if someone comes to your blog and reads an amazing post and signs up for new post updates. Then you don’t post again for two weeks they might have totally forgot who you are and how great that post was by the time a new post comes out and not go check out your new one.
related post: How often should you post on your blog?
Rissa (Style & Glow) says
Very good points made here. I think if you choose to blog, you should just go all in – share what you know and love. No one will think big of you if you don’t think big of yourself.
Thanks for sharing this post!
Ellen says
Great information for any blogger – new or seasoned.
Jess says
I feel the majority of these on a daily basis with my blog – you’ve really struck a chord with me there! It’d hard to keep the thoughts at bay but I try and remember why I’m doing. That always makes me feel better as I know I’m hopefully helping someone. Great post!
Liv says
There could be a few things holding me back – but at this point it’s mostly time. I wish I had more time to devote to writing.
Liv recently posted…Death with Compassion: Where is the Line? #1000Speak
Darci says
I often feel unqualified, and this holds me back a lot. Glad to know I’m not alone with this feeling.
Darci recently posted…5 More Essential Oils to Keep in Your Arsenal
Sophie says
Great tips! Thank you for sharing. I’ve just started up my blog again and will definitely think about the editorial calendar.
Shawn says
I resonate with #3! I have to be brave to be personal. Great tips!
LaNeshe says
#1 is important. If you don’t believe in yourself you’ll never get anywhere.
LaNeshe recently posted…The Time I Almost Choked the Babysitter
Nick Vail says
These are spot on. I am newer to blogging and have definitely felt the stress of #4. Great post!
gill says
Good information, pinned x
Iman Brooks says
I am dealing with a few of these. It really does come down to how I view myself.
Iman Brooks recently posted…Easy and Free Way to Build Relationships with Colors.
Laura says
The only thing I do have is a editorial calendar. I feel like everything else you’ve write is happening to me.
Rhi says
The last one has been my issue over the years but I’m finally pulling it together.
Rhi recently posted…Slice Of Reality – The Twelve Week Scan
Debonita @elegantlyfashionable says
I agree with you not taking risks. I was very scared to take risks and my blog wasn’t taking off but since this year when I started taking risks it’s really pick up.
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard says
Consistency is definitely the hardest for me. While I have lots of ideas, I’m such a perfectionist that I take hours to produce a single post. I agonize over the wording, the pictures, the alt tags, the meta description, etc. I see better traffic when I post regularly, but I’m still working on how to do that without spending all day everyday at the computer because then I just get burned out.
Jennifer DeFrates/Heaven Not Harvard recently posted…When We are Weary
Cassie says
I often worry about what I’m doing wrong, but I think it’s that I’m scared to go further. I’m scared to share my blog with my friends and relatives, scared to be open, scared to call myself a professional or a legitimate source. It’s difficult to be brave enough to do these things, but I’m definitely working at it! Thanks for the post
Cassie recently posted…Our Financial Goals for 2016
Caroline says
I loved this; I’ve dealt with all of these reasons at one point or another…
Caroline recently posted…10 Prompts for Art Journaling Locations
Mattie says
Number 4 is my constant struggle. I constantly am comparing myself to other blogs, when I know I shouldn’t be. I know, that blogging overall takes time and it’s a journey, but sometimes It’s hard not to compare, and it is probably holding me back! Thank you so much for making this list!
~Mattie
http://www.mattiesmakings.com
Mattie recently posted…THAT ONE TIME I ALMOST MET JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Aeryn Lynne says
Great tips, thanks! 🙂 I really need to plan better. I have an idea of what posts to write, but non-sponsored posts always end up being last minute, especially those written for a holiday.
Aeryn Lynne recently posted…#SupportPrincessMargaret Twitter Party and Periscope on FEB 17, 2016 to Support Cancer Research
Julia says
I am a firm believer in the importance of having a vision and plan for your blog if you want to be successful.
Liz Peterson says
#1 is Imposter Syndrome and it is such a real thing – as is the phrase “fake it till you make it”. Thanks for sharing :).
http://www.california2catalonia.com
Chanity says
Such great tips! I am motivated now to get started on an editorial calendar!
Chanity recently posted…YOU’RE ALREADY A GOOD MOM
Ana De- Jesus says
Yes! Planning posts and social media take up so much time but allows you to have a consistent schedule going which is important for bloggers. Especially if like me you are in full time work too!
Ana De- Jesus recently posted…February Recap
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Taking risks is hard for most of us, but you are right – it is important. Sometimes we win and sometimes we fail, but it’s all part of the process.
Debra says
I think it can be so hard to be willing to take risks, but it is so necessary! Thanks for sharing! Gave me a lot to think about!
Debra recently posted…Shamrock Pretzel Pops
Claire says
Yes these are all great considerations for bloggers. I think once you gain confidence and dive in you can take blogging to great places!
Roxanne says
There is always the insecurity welling up when I see a really beautiful site and then compare my own. It does hold me back now and then, but working on making sure I stay consistent and tight with my goals. Great post!
Roxanne recently posted…It’s OK To Let Some Things Go
laura londergan says
this is such a great post & I love the tips. I find all too often that I have to fight the comparison game as I am impatient & just want things like NOW! But I have slowly come to realize that I am still building & I will eventually get there 😉
laura londergan recently posted…ART PRINT :: Let Go & Let God
Tara says
#4 rears its ugly head quite often in my life. As a travel blogger I am always comparing my blog to the great blogs I read every day, and self doubt is pretty common. I don’t travel around the world – I actually travel less than most travel bloggers, but I keep plugging away, hoping that someone will want to read what I have to say.
Tara recently posted…Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
Heather lawrence says
When I first started blogging I did it for fun and to connect with my family.
So that was the first plan… I’m still working on the second one but I never want to loose sight that I am doing this for fun.
Heather lawrence recently posted…25 St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
Sarah says
These are some great tips! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
Sarah recently posted…The Ultimate List of St. Patrick’s Day Fun
Kimberly says
I wish I had started to blog years ago before every Mom started to! I am guilty of a few of these. Planning is hard with my toddler, but I’m working on it.
Donna says
Time is always the one thing that holds me back more than anything else
Stacey says
I am really focusing on planning and consistency this year. But with family and a career teaching – it is hard!
Stacey recently posted…Beginner Triathlon Training Schedule Month Three
CourtneyLynne says
Planning and consistency are key for me. When I first started I was all over the place, now, I have a few categories and my blog actually makes sense
Nick says
Really, this is happening to everyone I think. Still fighting to get through some of them.