On the last day of one of my editing classes in college, my professor gave us a list of 8 things we needed to be willing to do if we were to make it in the world of publishing and editing. As I reread the list recently, I was amazed that they all applied to blogging. So without any further ado, here are 8 things you need to be willing to do in order to make it in the blogging world.
1. Be willing to try new things
If you’ve been blogging for a while and have seen limited success, you should mix things up a bit. Try posting about topics you’ve never covered before. Comment and guest post on blogs that you’ve never been to before and never guest posted on before. Try a variety of posts (video, audio, lists, reviews, etc.). Market your blog by doing something that you’ve never done before. See what works and what bombs, and then keep on going with what worked.
2. Be willing to take it to the next level
A lot of bloggers respond to comments on their blog, but you should step it up a notch respond to every single comment on your blog. Likewise, respond to every DM tweet you get. Spend that extra time and effort crafting absolutely amazing content. Pay someone to create that perfect ebook cover for you. With so many mediocre blogs out there, differentiating yourself with outstanding content and personal interactions will help you rise above the mediocrity.
3. Be willing to express your opinion honestly
People read the news to get facts; they read blogs to get opinions. Infuse your personality (including your likes, dislikes, views, and opinions) into your blog and you’ll be able to provide more entertaining content while connecting better with your readers. Expressing your honest opinion will have people either standing up and applauding or rising up with pitchforks. Either one will drive more traffic to your site!
4. Be willing to accept criticism
You’re not perfect, so don’t be offended when someone offers you constructive criticism or even bluntly rips into you. Think of it as a learning experience, and use the opportunity to improve the quality of your blog by taking the feedback into consideration.
5. Be willing to work with others and give them credit
Let people guest post on your blog, especially after you’ve enjoyed some success. Karma is very much a real thing in the blogosphere! You can collaborate with others to develop content and products. Also, be generous with your linking and others will be generous with theirs. If reading someone else’s blog gave you an idea for a post, say so.
6. Be willing to ask for help
Millions of people have done this whole blogging thing before you, have made the same mistakes you’ve made, and have gone through the same growing pains. When you’ve got questions about something, don’t be afraid to ask a more experienced blogger. It will save you a lot of time and effort in the long run, and you’ll be growing and nurturing useful relationships at the same time.
7. Be willing to work
I think I’m going to add on to this one a bit by saying that you should be willing to keep working until you either collapse in an exhausted heap or until you see success, or possibly both. Work, work, work is the secret to successful blogging, and no blogger has seen success without it.
8. Be willing to sacrifice
Building a great blog takes a lot of time, and you’re going to have to give up some things if you want to succeed. Never give up important parts of your life like spending time with your family, but you can definitely give up watching The Office or playing Starcraft online. It’s all a question of priorities; do you want a successful blog more than you want the other things?
Sure, some of these be-willing-to’s force you to step out of your comfort zone, and some are more difficult to do than others, but that’s what it’s going to take to take your blog to the next level. Do you have any more ideas of things bloggers need to be willing to do in order to have a successful blog?
Image Credit: Audrina22
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