How to Survive a Blog Launch
Excited. Uncertain. Terrified. Hopeful. What do all of these words have in common? They are the universal sentiments held by every person who has ever launched a blog. So, how does one evolve from a simple domain owner to a well-known and respected blogger?
5 Tips For How to Survive a Blog Launch:
- Have PASSION for your topic.
PASSION is the kindling on the fire that is your blog. Is your topic something that you enjoy thinking about, dreaming about or being involved with every day? If your answer is YES, you have the most important ingredient in the recipe for long-term success.
- In Order To SUCCEED You First Need To START!
This is not rocket science, but it is the absolute hardest step in launching a blog. Will your content be of interest to other people? Is your website functional and aesthetically appealing? Are your writing skills good enough? How are you going to grow your audience when no one knows who you are? Questions like these are completely normal, but do not let anxiety and perfectionism paralyze you. Albert Einstein said, “The only source of knowledge is experience.” And the only way to gain that experience is to START. After all, who are we to argue with Einstein?
- Be PATIENT.
Remember success doing anything is a marathon, not a sprint. Well, that is, everything but the marathon itself. If you want to win a marathon, you will need to run pretty fast… I digress… But, don’t get discouraged by the speed with which your audience grows or the wild ups and downs in Google Analytics. Focus on the consistent creation and curation of high value content and, eventually, people will come.
- BELIEVE in the POWER OF YOU!
On the day I purchased my domain, I had never logged into Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram, and had only been on Facebook in a limited capacity. Did I know the first thing about social media, coding, website design or photography? Nope! I pulled up my proverbial sleeves (in AZ we go sleeveless) and figured it out.
You will find that “experts” come out of their basements to “teach” you all the “secrets” of the blogging business. They are nothing more than pseudo-doctors trying to sell you a pill that promises “7 Days To Washboard Abs.” There are only two things you need to be successful in blogging: PASSION and a BRAIN. If you have those two things, you have what it will take to build a successful blog. Have confidence in yourself. But remember, you are not a pioneer on this blogging adventure.
- NETWORK!
It is essential that you get connected with other bloggers. Not only will you find joy in meeting new people, but you will also find comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone. Join BlogPaws. Get connected and be active in the community. You will find that the collective years of knowledge and experience of fellow bloggers will be invaluable for you.
No matter how smooth or tumultuous your blog launch, you will inevitably have moments of uncertainty. When those moments creep in, remember the wise words of Zig Ziglar: “You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.” All you need is the courage and fortitude to remain committed when the road gets bumpy and to celebrate every success, no matter the size, along the way.
Stephanie Seger is a mother, wife, big dog lover, and blogger. She proudly shares her life with her 2 children, husband and the inspiration for her blog, her Mastiffs Sulley and Junior. You can find her at Big Dog Mom and on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @bigdogmomusa.
Image: ArthurStock/Shutterstock.com
