Top 5 Problems New Bloggers Don’t Talk About- Blogger Blues

Hi guys! I know I have been MIA in the last couple of months here, I have been busy travelling and working and honestly I have ran into some new or new-ish blogger problems. I have to say that it made me re-think the direction I’m going and what next steps I have to take as a blogger. I thought to myself that if I have been experiencing these problems, surely someone else could as well. So I decided to do a dedicated post about it here, to inspire others and maybe share some insights/solutions to these blogger troubles, or should I say blogger blues. Hehe. That was cute. 😉 If you are a new blogger, or maybe you want to start a blog soon, this post is perfect for you! Read on.

1.  Problem: Traffic. I never thought that traffic on my blog was going to be much of a problem. Considering I was blasting it all over social media, posting religiously and producing quality content. I didn’t expect to be huge or crazy famous within the first few posts, but surely, I thought maybe I would gain traction. But honestly as much as I do have a small following, I feel like it’s so much harder to gain traction as a new or new-ish blogger (I’m going to define new-ish as a blog less than a year) these days as there is so much saturation on highly popular content (like where i am in) and lots of new bloggers use agencies now (wether it’s a person or virtual) to boost their following, or increase site traffic. Older bloggers who came in the earlier years (like maybe 5-10 years ago) now became pioneers in the field and have basically blown up on social media. Most of them command fat paychecks and are blogging full time. I feel like new ones have to work 10x as much to maybe achieve a portion of what they have. Today, the saying “If you build it, they will come,” from the movie Field of Dreams no longer applies. You can build it, but you have to be creative in putting yourself out there to be heard. In short, organic traffic is really really really hard.

          Possible Solution: In a way I feel like maybe I expected a bit much, I thought it was going to be a bit easy, (okay most bloggers make it seem like it is!) so I am definitely stepping back in terms of expecting huge results in the first year. That’s just me, and I think it’s realistic. Getting your name be known or at least your blog will take some time. Who knows? Maybe I’ll never gain much of an audience, nobody can predict that, but I think lowering my expectations and continuing to post quality content regularly may just get me some footing. Also, proper hashtags, back links, and using google properly helps out too!

Dress: Forever 21 (shown in Large); Get similar Hats here and here. Shoes: Dolce Vita; Sunnies: Quay Australia 

 

2.      Problem: Gaining an Audience. It goes with the first problem I pointed out above, or maybe I should’ve put this on number one, but obviously if your blog doesn’t have much traffic, it means that most likely you are still in the process of gaining an audience/ following. Admittedly, I joined social media pretty late in the game, almost forcing myself, because I felt like I was the only one not having any account and missing out on my friends, etc. Now on blogging side, the more followers and engagement of course the better it is for your blog. It seems to me that when you’re just starting out, just like traffic, there is no formula  in gaining a steady organic following unless you have started earlier when hardly anyone was doing it. And like what I  said above, some bloggers have some help through agents, social media groups but of course you have to pay for  those monthly/ they get a cut out of your commission. Establishing a following is difficult.

        Possible Solution:  The way I see it, posting quality content regularly and engaging with other users/ your followers is still the best way to do it. It may take you awhile, but this is what I can see is what will ultimately differentitate your account from the rest. Ever seen Instagram accounts with loads of followers and likes on each photo, but almost zero people engaging? There you have it. It means that they don’t interact/engage with other users enough. As of the moment, I do not use any social media “helper” or anyone to boost my accounts, but I have researched some, I’m sure you guys have been approached by some of them too. But most of them have shady practices and I wasn’t quite satisfied with their reviews. If you know of any let me know on the comments below! 😉

3.    Problem: The Tech side of things. Unfortunately there is no A-Z manual for blogging wherein you will get guaranteed success, if not you may return your domain (and other purhases) to the store. I wish! 🙁 It’s mostly self-teaching, watching youtube videos here and there, online research and then some. To me, it becomes frustrating when I encounter a problem and I could not (for the love of God) find a solution for it anywhere. Things like camera-related stuff, like photos, website layouts, etc. Honestly, that disappoints me. Because I want to create amazing content! I have amazing content, but if I am unable to show it properly, there is no point, in my opinion. In a way, it seems like I’m just such a perfectionist sometimes.

       Possible Solution: Sometimes good enough is way better than not trying at all. Not all shots will be perfect. Not all layouts/websites are perfect. Keep in mind that most bloggers are a one-wo/man team. Or some bloggers are family members. If no one can figure it out, after researching online, forums, (maybe even the library?) Go ahead and give it the best you can. Ask a professional wether its online on a local store, etc and who knows they may find solutions to your problems. Stop expecting waay too much of your self. Cut yourself some slack if something is not perfect. Yes, I am  learning to do this.

4.   Problem: The money. If you expected to quit your job after a week or a month of blogging, you are in for a big surprise. Blogging itself will not make you rich, unless you have the first two items figured out, meaning you have both, or enough for brand sponsorships, ads, etc, it can become an expensive hobby. For me, I didn’t really think I would make tons of money as a new blogger but, (as I have a full-time job) I was so surprised to find out that most new bloggers hardly make anything at all. Earning that first check can be tricky as you have to approach brands and companies and that takes guts. You have to be ready for them to say no. What if you have a family to feed? Bills to pay?

      Possible Solution: You shouldn’t expect to be a full time blogger within a few months into it, I mean it in a way of making it as your main source of income. It’s just not realistic. Keep your job and make it your side hustle, work at it until you get there. If you want blogging to be your main job, persevere and don’t stop creating good content. Regularly. If you do it enough soon your blog/social media posts will get enough impressions/reach and when you reach out to brands, they will see that.

 

5.  Problem: Content. If you have done your research before starting your blog, you should know which niche/specific topic your blog is all about. Because that will determine if you can generate content often, and write endlessly about it. Of course it is your topic of expertise and interest so you shouldn’t get tired of it. But of course you’re human and sometimes  writer’s block gets in the way. Also sometimes, if not most of the time, this attacks me- one word– laziness.

     Possible Solution: Research is key I believe, if you think you don’t have anything to write about for the week, see what other bloggers are doing. Are they posting holiday stuff? News? Example like the past Royal Wedding. What’s going on in the world? Your city? Are you in Hawaii and the volcanoes are still erupting? Write about those, or how these things relates to you. As for laziness, did you just come from work and have no sleep? Maybe you should rest first and will feel better the next day. Do it then. Maybe you need you to work out or are experiencing some medical issues- I for one am hypothyroid, so I feel sluggish sometimes and am now working at being in better health.

Bottomline, if you want this to work as your main hustle, you have to work extremely hard. Sometimes even harder than your job, because it is certainly not easy. There are problems along the way, and some of them you have to figure out on your own. Perfect instagram photos don’t reflect what a blogger’s true life is. All of them (or most, some are born with a famous last name, rich parents or own a business) have worked hard to get where they are. That I think is the most secret to success.

 

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