Question for those who have successful blogs

[findinginspiration]

I have recently started two blogs and have committed a lot of time to learning and getting the ball rolling. I'm very committed to posted daily and making these blogs a part of my everyday life.

So my question to you is - If you now have a successful blog - What have been the biggest obstacles or challenges you've faced and overcome to now be successful?

Not the best worded question, but I think you know what I'm getting at. I'm interested in some wisdom and insight from those who have been through the process and like to share their experiences.

Thanks!

The two blogs I started in June are below:
MGOFootball » University of Michigan Wolverines Football Blog
Personal Development and Inspirational quotes

[dave marshall]

for me the chaalnge overall, including blogs, is to focus constistently on the meeting the goal of tartgeted posts that fulfill the criteria of the se's and reader. keeping on tartget with every post, every link I have found challenging,

dave

[Tim555]

My blog is brand new but I think I may be able to help you a little bit with Personal Development and Inspirational quotes.

I would suggest that you use the Wordpress blogging platform; it will definitely make that website look top-notch. You'll have access to hundreds of customizable themes. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that at least 95% of the top bloggers on the internet use Wordpress.

[MySweetLuck]

By the way, I really like your collection of quotes,,,keep adding more if can with some pictures....cool blog

Cheers,
Michael Dan

[findinginspiration]

Originally Posted by dave marshall

for me the chaalnge overall, including blogs, is to focus constistently on the meeting the goal of tartgeted posts that fulfill the criteria of the se's and reader. keeping on tartget with every post, every link I have found challenging,

dave

Dave - appreciate the comment. As I am new to this, I'm constantly learning everyday. You referenced fulfilling the criteria of the SE's - does this mean developing enough content so that your site is simply picked up by the SE's?

Thanks again

[fairyblogmother]

Hi there. I'm new to the forums, but I help run a blog, so I thought I'd chime in. I agree with the person who suggested moving to WordPress. Blogs using this platform have a more "professional" look to them. I'd also make it a point to develop some really good pillar content -- some "must-read" posts that many people will want to share using social media tools like Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc. I'd also develop a following on some of those sites (if you haven't already). If you do these things, I think you'll be well on your way. Good luck!

[findinginspiration]

Originally Posted by fairyblogmother

Hi there. I'm new to the forums, but I help run a blog, so I thought I'd chime in. I agree with the person who suggested moving to WordPress. Blogs using this platform have a more "professional" look to them. I'd also make it a point to develop some really good pillar content -- some "must-read" posts that many people will want to share using social media tools like Twitter, StumbleUpon, etc. I'd also develop a following on some of those sites (if you haven't already). If you do these things, I think you'll be well on your way. Good luck!

Hey I checked out your blog and really like what you've done! It's simple but I think very well laid out for the reader to make decisions on where to go on the site. I might learn a thing or two from you

[smartile]

Originally Posted by findinginspiration

I have recently started two blogs and have committed a lot of time to learning and getting the ball rolling. I'm very committed to posted daily and making these blogs a part of my everyday life.

So my question to you is - If you now have a successful blog - What have been the biggest obstacles or challenges you've faced and overcome to now be successful?

Hi FindingInspiration,

You might get better feedback from the bloggers in this forum: Introduce Your Blog - Blogging & Business Forums

As for my own experience. I would say I'm semi-successful, more on the increasing success every day side. I earned my first $1,000 online in May of this year after blogging for about 10 months. I would say the most difficult part has been creating the habit of marketing and creating great content at the same time on a consistent basis.

If you can get through the first 6 months, I'd say you would be miles ahead of most people. The reason I say that is because I regularly submit to blog carnivals. In the past two months I've noticed that 80% of the blog carnivals I submit to have stopped or quit.

I figure that if you can stick it out and learn as you go, you've got a much better chance than most people - because most people will give up way too early.

All the best,

[skinnyninja]

It is a marathon, not a sprint.

Grind through the first 2 or 3 years. Take your time. You don't have to post every day, but you should probably do something every day (promote, network, post, etc.)

I have one main blog. Now I am not a big fish by any means, but my blog now gets 500 uniques per day, whether I post or not.

That took time to build up to......I imagine most do not have the patience to get to this level.

[David Cain]

My biggest obstacle was developing the writing habit, and I'm still working on it.

You don't have to post every day, unless you are in the tech or news niches. I recommend choosing quality over quantity, and investing your time in making 2-4 exceptional posts a week. It is these special posts that will really affect people and make them want to share them with others.

I post twice a week but my traffic is consistent every day. Also, pick a posting schedule and stick to it.

Like skinnyninja said, do something every day, whether you post or not. Make relationships with other bloggers through commenting and social media, draft some ideas for guest posts or ebooks, establish yourself in online forums... something. Move forward every day.

[okogba64]

Originally Posted by skinnyninja

It is a marathon, not a sprint.

Grind through the first 2 or 3 years. Take your time. You don't have to post every day, but you should probably do something every day (promote, network, post, etc.)

I have one main blog. Now I am not a big fish by any means, but my blog now gets 500 uniques per day, whether I post or not.

That took time to build up to......I imagine most do not have the patience to get to this level.

HI DEAR,

I'm really enamoured by skinnyninja's post. You see I'm also new to blogging. Several attempts years back were not sustained. Now, I've discovered the benefits of blogging including the material benefits and I'm not looking back. The guys that talked me into this are really motivational speakers. They don't tell you everything. You get to discover most things yourself. So when Ninja mentions 2-3 years, I guess she means persistence. Now I'm concentrating on building great content. My model is Steve Pavlina. Yes blogging is more than good writing. It requires great marketing skills. Man, its a lot of work. I'm committed to learning.

Any way the way like Steve says is to have a goal and work your goal. Even now I feel like quit. But you know, I will never quit. Instead I wake up working my site-www.withoutsilverspoon.org. Patience and a willingness to learn is very important.

[findinginspiration]

Originally Posted by David Cain

My biggest obstacle was developing the writing habit, and I'm still working on it.

You don't have to post every day, unless you are in the tech or news niches. I recommend choosing quality over quantity, and investing your time in making 2-4 exceptional posts a week. It is these special posts that will really affect people and make them want to share them with others.

I post twice a week but my traffic is consistent every day. Also, pick a posting schedule and stick to it.

Like skinnyninja said, do something every day, whether you post or not. Make relationships with other bloggers through commenting and social media, draft some ideas for guest posts or ebooks, establish yourself in online forums... something. Move forward every day.

I think this is some of the best advice I have received. I don't know if you've had a chance to look at my blog - but I have just picked a new template and am redesigning it a bit. If you do happen to check it out - let me know if the content is ok. I NEED to spend more time developing my content - I have confidence in my life experiences, perspective and writing ability - so i think the key is the time investment on quality and not quantity.

You all are great - thanks alot for the feedback! By the way - I loved your 88 Things about life post - I sent that off to a few family members because I thought is was awesome