This post was most recently updated on March 26th, 2014
The internet is crowded with people telling you what to do and how to do it.
If you’re a new blogger, you will probably turn to some of these folks for helpful advice, tips and training. Some of them may be well know experts… the ones we all too easily call “gurus.”
Some of the gurus you follow on the internet, though, may be leading you down the wrong path. Now I have nothing against some gurus out there, but some of them give lots of loose and misleading information.
So here are 3 of the most common lies I’ve heard blogging gurus telling folks. If you are new at blogging and want to get yourself up an running for a business, be careful not to fall for these lies.
LIE NUMBER ONE
Blogging is so easy that anyone can do it
I agree it is quite easy to blog once you get the hang of it. But in the beginning, it can present you with a pretty steep learning curve.
Do you know how to set up a website to use for you blog?
Do you know how to post articles on your blog?
Do you know how to produce videos for you blog, and embed them into your articles?
These are just a few things you’ll have to learn, or pay to have others do it for you. There are many others you’ll encounter, too, but this gives you a brief list of possibilities.
It also involves commitments that are often glossed over.
How much time are you willing to devote to blogging?
Are you willing to blog consistently over a sustained period of time?
And there are also skill sets you’ll need to acquire if you start your blogging journey.
Are you a gifted writer? If not, you may need to brush up on some writing techniques. You must have good grammar and proper spelling. And you’ll have to edit your blog posts to give them polish and organization. You just can’t just wing it!
Do you have good research skills? Coming up with good content is pretty difficult to do when you first start blogging. You can’t just write about your life, your vacation or your dog.
You need to be writing for people in your niche to give them great value and a wide variety of ideas to help them with typical issues they face. You won’t know all these things, so will need to do research in your field, and condense it into words of instruction, wisdom and inspiration for your readers.
Now some of the “anyone can do it” gurus point out that you can just purchase your content… that there’s no need to create it yourself. In fact, there are PLR services whose business it is to sell you pre-written blog posts and articles that you can just stick your name on.
Sure you can, but you need to reshape, really rewrite it in your own words. You can’t simply copy and paste it into you blog if you want to build a reputation as a serious blogger.
Putting PLR content into your own words gives it your own “voice.” People start reading your blog and get used to your own unique voice and that is what attracts them to you.
And make no mistake about this. Reshaping content into your own voice is a special skill in and of itself.
LIE NUMBER TWO
Follow a handful of clever SEO techniques, and your blog posts will start ranking on the first page of Google in no time, flooding your site with tons of free search traffic.
I’m not an SEO expert, so I won’t take issue with the particular methods that many gurus teach for get high Google rankings.
I can tell you, though, as a seasoned blogger, that the internet is full of people fighting for top billing in search engine results. Some find themselves on the first page, many others do not. Most of those who do, don’t stay there long enough to craft a serious, enduring business from the effort.
I also know enough to tell you that many of the gurus teach opposing points of view on how to achieve these kinds of results.
If you’re a new blogger, I’d advise you concentrate on developing and delivering great content for your targeted readers, and not delve too deeply into SEO strategies. Eventually, you could learn these methods, or hire others to apply them for you.
But don’t think you’ll just start blogging and find your posts on the top pages of the big search engines any time soon. It probably won’t happen, no matter whose course you buy.
LIE NUMBER THREE
Make Money Blogging Overnight
I think this is the worst one of all!
When you see promises like that run… don’t walk away.
That phrase “making money” can lead you down a dangerous road. Yes, some people have done it and they will give you testimonials of those who did. But typically, most those who made their fortunes blogging, started with a huge reputation and a large mailing list. Do you have either of these?
Don’t get me wrong. You can make money by blogging, but it takes a lot of time, a lot of work and the odds are still not in your favor.
And most bloggers who are earning profits from their blogs, are doing more than just blogging. They are combining their blogs with other internet marketing methods, most likely either network marketing or email marketing.
It’s not magic.
Your blog is there to attract targeted readers. People come to your blog and it is your business to start engaging with them. The goal is for them to get to know, like and trust you.
Then, when they opt-in to your newsletter, you can start marketing to them more aggressively through email marketing. People who willingly follow you onto your email list, probably want to see what you have to offer. They will form your customer base.
Clearly, profits earned in this manner may involve your blog, but they do not derive directly or solely from blogging.
Remember, at the end of the day, whether or not you become a successful blogger is up to you. Regardless of what methods of blogging you use, or what gurus you choose to follow (if any), you must take responsibility for the results you achieve.
There is so much information available online, YOU have to decide the right path for you to follow, and the mentors and teachers you choose to align with.
What are YOUR thoughts on this? Have you tried any of the guru methods of blogging? Have you fallen for any of the lies or misconceptions I’ve outlined here? Did you find something that worked for you? I would love to hear your feedback pro or con on this post.
Blessings,
-Donna
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