4 Things Every Aspiring Blogger Should Know

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If you can think about it, there's probably a blog about it out there. That's how popular blogging has become over the years. But like every other thing, it had quite humble beginnings. Blogging, as a whole, was first introduced in the 90s and gained popularity in the 2000s with many people using it as a way to journal online. Today, blogging has gone from being a mere hobby to a solid line of business, with new blogs springing up every minute.

​Nevertheless, the common mistake new bloggers make is to focus on the design, themes, and obsessing over visitor views. While all these are important, they are distractions from what matters, and what truly makes a blog grow. Here are four things every blogger who is aspiring to succeed should know.

1. Have a Purpose
A blog can be anything you want it to be, and the options are endless. However, not having a clear purpose will leave you less motivated when things get tough. To get the gears running, questions like, “Why are you starting a blog?” “What do you want your blog to be associated with?” and, “Who are your target audience?” will help you find a purpose and niche. The good thing about having a clear purpose is that it serves as a source of motivation and helps you stay on track.

2. Patience and Consistency are Key
It is said that Rome was not built in one day, so best believe that the success of your blog won't materialize overnight. You will have to be patient through the process and focus on providing quality content consistently. Consistency here means creating a schedule for your posts and committing to it, no matter what. 

More so, impatience will have you obsessing over your blog’s views, which will eventually make you give up or fall into the trap of creating trendy content that lacks substance. You see, it's not all about putting out clickbait pieces and trashy stories. You need to find ways to add value to your readers' lives, so if you keep putting out low quality work, your readers will migrate. 

3. Do Not Be Tight Fisted
The notion that blogging is free is what leads many new bloggers to their doom. While there are blogging platforms out there that offer you the option of blogging for free, it's not the right fit if you actually want to run a successful blog one day. 

The same way a pharmacist needs to invest in a pharmacy freezer, you must be ready to invest in your blog. If you want to make money blogging, you will need a customized domain and unique website design, because it points to professionalism. 

4. Engage With Your Readers
Just because you have gained some popularity blogging, that does not mean you should ignore your readers. Ignoring readers is a common mistake many bloggers make once they hit their peak. You have to try to stay grounded and remember that your readers made you. So, respond to their comments, it doesn't have to be all of them, a handful here and there shows that you care. 

In addition to this, engaging readers through your social media platforms is a great idea, especially if you do not post frequently. For instance, if you post once a week, you can use the other days of the week to engage with your readers on social media through quotes, pictures, or even memes. This keeps your blog and brand fresh on their minds.