Paekakariki New Zealand
Going pro taught me invaluable blogging lessons.
I learned a thing or two over the prior 18 years.
One particular aspect of going pro feels difficult to embrace: being patient enough to experience organic traffic consistently.
Few bloggers go pro because becoming a full-time blogger depends on achieving organic success.
Organic traffic needs to be earned. Driving highly interested people to your blog is a skill.
Organic success is all about creating detailed, targeted content to earn credibility in the eyes of hungry readers.
Succeeding organically is a long, winding road few bloggers stomach.
I experience this daily as an 18 year blogging veteran.
My Deal
I observe mental blocks today surely I had to have conquered 18 years ago as a new blogger. Alas; stuff still kicks around in my unconscious mind. I do possess some deep shadows like everyone here with a split mind.
Jogging the blogging marathon over years gradually reveals all types of nasty fears in the unconscious mind you were completely unaware of; some of it feels quite painful. This is why bloggers usually quit. Quitting feels safe compared to facing, feel and releasing fear to eventually experience organic success.
Keep an Eye Out for These Unconscious Fears
- the fear of failure
- the fear of criticism
- the fear of wasting your time
- the fear of succeeding
Organic success cannot be forced. Organic success cannot be gamed. Organic success cannot be manipulated.
Putting in mindful work – diligently – is the only way to drive organic traffic and blogging income. No one blogs organically by pushing things. No one hurries themselves into a full-time blogging career.
For example, in order to properly publish this post, I had to set aside ample time to:
- edit the featured image to its proper dimensions
- choose the right title to increase clicks for blogging tips hungry bloggers
- add sufficient text to the post even though the embed below relays the message
- effectively promote this post through appropriate channels
- toss salt over my shoulder three times; this is a joke based on superstition
Learning how to do this stuff takes plenty of time. Practicing takes a bunch more time. Becoming highly skilled at doing these things takes even more time.
Do you understand why blogging is highly difficult for some brief stretches?
Succeeding organically requires a full commitment to practicing the skill known as “blogging” for years.
How it works: you invest thousands of hours to create content and build connections. People who seek your content and trust it find your blog, follow it, buy your stuff and drive referral traffic and referral income.
Reaching that point takes tons of practice.
How to Practice BloggingÂ
- write 500 words daily offline to develop confidence
- write and publish one long form post weekly to gain clarity
- broadcast live to share practical tips in a spontaneous setting; knowing your stuff means doing uncomfortable things consistently
During these years, most drive scant traffic and little income…..most quit. I know; I have been at that point a few times during my 18 year blogging career. Every blogger gets there eventually. We all look down into the blogging abyss wondering if we should stay or go. Are we wasting our time? Did we waste the prior 5 years? 10 years? Goodness it feels scary. But this is why driving organic blogging success – from traffic to income – is highly difficult for short stretches. No one relishes easing through these unpleasant-feeling emotions.
The few who ride out these uncomfortable blogging doldrums eventually go pro. Almost no one reaches the professional level because running away from discomfort seems routine in this world. Fewer bloggers clearly explain how mindset influences action. But this is why I created Blogging From Paradise Dot Com. I delve into the inner world.
The recipe is simple: value blogging more than you crave comfort. Value freedom more than comfort. Value the joy of helping people more than the fear of wasting your time. As always, migrating within reveals the cause and solution. Everything occurs within the mind. All happens internally before becoming your experience.
Watch as I discuss:
What Is a Painfully Difficult Aspect of Being a Pro Blogger?
Master Your Inner World
Blogging is between the ears.
Actions one takes or ducks occur within the mind. First you choose thoughts and feelings. Based on these thoughts and feelings you take certain actions or avoid taking certain actions. All occurs in the mind.
Being mindful is that important.
Yet most bloggers tell you to take specific actions without touching on the mind.
Why do bloggers fail?
Failure Occurs Within
Bloggers think and feel failing thoughts. Failing actions follow. Or perhaps you resist engaging in successful blogging activities.
Either way, all happens in the mind.
Remember that to change your blogging trajectory.
Do the inner work to make blogging work a little bit easier.
Related posts:
Should You Work Hard at Blogging or Have Fun Helping People?
Do Negative Blog Comments Throw You for a Loop?
Do You Need to Work Hard to Become a Successful Blogger?
Do You Necessarily Want to Rank on Page 1 of Google?
Do You Question Popular Blogging Advice?
Why Should You Update Blog Posts Every 3 to 6 Months?
