There’re millions of blogs so they should be millions of bloggers. But if there are millions of bloggers then why are there only a handful of them who are at the top. So what is that one single element that defines a successful blogger from the many out there struggling to keep their head out of the water? Is it enough to know everything about blogging from blog promotion to traffic generation, social marketing, networking with other bloggers etc and be one of the most successful bloggers?
I bet the answer is a resounding NO although they are important.
I am also sure that the most successful bloggers today are driven, motivated and they are relentless in their pursuit to be the best. So let’s have a look at some personality traits that sets these bloggers apart from the rest.
1. They are persistent
Blogging can be a very difficult thing to do once you’ve reached the threshold of giving up. It is not a walk in the park. A lot of you might say 6 months is the average lifespan of a blogger. I think being persistent is an important of a blogger’s life to keep them going while going through the difficulties they might face such as poor traffic, writing without an audience or lack of inspiration.
There is also so much to learn about blogging and so much to keep up. It’s no surprise that you will go weary and then think if it’s worth it. Bloggers who are persistent don’t give up easily and they realize that there is no such thing as an overnight success. They also realize that learning is part of the process of being a great blogger so they keep doing it.
2. They prioritize and plan ahead
Picture this scenario.
“Alright today I wanna write a blog post and then submit to social networks. Well, maybe I should also write a guest post too cos it’s much better at getting attention. Hmm, maybe it’s good to have someone guest post for me so I should go and seek some bloggers in a guest blog forum to help post content.
(After 1 hour… Nothing gets done… )
hmm maybe I should write one myself instead since I can’t find any..
Ooh I think I should log in to Hootsuite first and then start writing.”
You see what a waste of time this is? I know I am guilty of doing this in my earlier days of blogging. And I’ve soon learned that it’s impossible to do everything at once, so learn how to prioritize and plan what to do. Avoid distractions too!
3. They are humble
This is especially important because you don’t know everything and we all make mistakes. It is important to realize that admitting our mistakes is not a sign of weakness but a sign that you’re willing to learn and put all your egos away to become a better blogger. I’m sure we are all in a community of supportive bloggers who are there to help you along the way.
4. They are consistent
It doesn’t matter how much you can do in a day as a blogger. The important thing is to be consistent in your actions. If you aim to read an ebook on blogging every week then you should continue to read related ebooks for the next week and so on. If you are committed to write a blog post every three days for one guest post, then you will stick to it. This is all a matter of principle that you start off with as a blogger and you must maintain it throughout.
Bloggers who are consistent continue to be lifelong learners and eventually be coaches and leaders in the blogging field.
5. They are analytical
Successful bloggers are also great at analyzing things. Getting your post in front of Mashable won’t make you an overnight blogging success. They realize that there is more to blogging than just posting content daily. They have to study their visitors, analyze their content preference, study their commenting patterns, traffic sources, time of most traffic etc, It does sound complicated but they realize that things are not cut and dry in blogging.
They will study and identify how great bloggers do it, examine their methods and implement them. If they fail they will try again and make sure they succeed.
Do you think that this list is sufficient to be a successful blogger or is there more to it? Let me know what you think.
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Tagged as: best blogging tips, Blogging, Blogging Tips
{ 37 comments }
Hi Bryan
Great to see you hear mate. These are essential elements of a successful blogger. Planning and persistence are the key when first starting out, as is a win-win mindset. You have to believe in your content and know that if you are providing value success is a sure thing. Consistency is also crucial in the early days; if you’re not updating consistently you’ll lose momentum. And writing consistently value rich posts is a must.
Thanks for sharing
Michael
Michael´s last [type] ..Me- Myself and I Scream!
hey mike. great to see you here too. Yeah, creating content is important and so is providing value to your readers. They might have questions they want answered.
At the end of the day, if you can answer their questions it’s something achieved for the day already.
Bryan´s last [type] ..Staying Motivated to Master Your Goals
Awesome post Bryan,
It is really very important for bloggers to be humble and ready to admit their mistakes. Nobody is perfect and this trait will make your readers respect you more.
Thx Onibalusi!
Being humble is part of the learning process and I think more so as a top blogger. People relate easier to you and are more comfortable forming a connection rather than with someone who is has too much pride or arrogance.
Bryan´s last [type] ..Staying Motivated to Master Your Goals
Hi Bryan
Great points you have made about the importance of being consistent, humble and to be able to persevere. I totally agree. We should remember that the people who encouraged us when we began have helped get us where we are and treat out customers with respect.
I would also add it helps if you are passionate about your nice and patient with building your traffic as you work towards becoming an authority in your niche and hence on the way to being a successful blogger
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavenderuses´s last [type] ..Growing Lavenders-Are You a Purist
Yeah Pat,
I agree that it’s really important to be passionate about what you’re writing in your blog. I think this is another aspect of a top blogger’s personality. Thanks for adding that
Bryan´s last [type] ..Staying Motivated to Master Your Goals
Hi Bryan,
Those are five essential traits personality of a successful blogger. I think they have no fear for failure too. They are willing to test different strategies that works for them. It is really great to know the traits so we can keep on working towards the goal.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Lye
Lye Kuek Hin´s last [type] ..6 Reasons Why You Can’t Become the Minority Who Dares to Be Different
Hey lye, thx for your comment. You are right about being not afraid to fail I think failure has come across every blogger’s mind before. It’s just how you deal with it. I treat every mistake I do as a learning opportunity
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Nice points, really a blogger should have consistent schedule and stick to it if he is serious in blogging. If you are consistent in writing it forces you the blogger to be disciplined and also allows the reader to have an expectation of your blog.
Yeah there is a degree of discipline every blogger should follow. No point being inconsistent and leave your readers hanging and wondering.
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Humble – is certainly one of those things that I have in the real-world but it always seems to get pulled apart online. I try my best to to stay humble but then there are times where I get annoyed, frustrated or jealous of some of the things I find online – I guess it’s getting over this that will really remove the final barrier.
Overall, persistence. Persistence is key because when you start out it’s going to be rough. When you’re half way there, it’s going to be rough. When you’re at the top, it’s going to be rough. There’s always a need to work hard so you have to keep up with it all times – it’s a long-term game.
Murlu´s last [type] ..The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need On Guest Posting
Yeah Murlu, it is a long term game and things keep changing in the blogging world. It can be tough but as long as you are also passionate you won’t give up
3rd point is really needed for a good blogger
Praveen-Techperk´s last [type] ..17 Ways to Improve your Alexa Rank
yeah praveen. like I’ve said before. Don’t think you’re the best when you’re at the top. thx for commenting!
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Hiya Bryan,
Great post. I don’t think anyone can deny the importance of persistence and consistency but yeah it can be pretty hard to achieve both.
Have a great day:)
Deidre Brathwaite@PixlDInc´s last [type] ..October Wallpaper and Desktop Calendar
Like anything blogging is a field that grows and changes. Being adaptable is important too. This may be partially staying on top of the things that are going on in the “blogging” world and partially the ability to take the “analytical” stuff and effectively put it into action.
People can become set in their ways and convinced that their way is always best. Even if new facts come up that proves it is not true. What worked yesterday may not work tomorrow and being able to adapt quickly to these changes is an important factor
Steve@Lifestyle Design Blog´s last [type] ..Starting an Internet Marketing Career from Scratch- 500 Yards to Freedom
Hi Bryan,
Apart from 5 important points that you discussed in this post “Consistency” is the most important one.It is very necessary to be consistent specially in initial days of blogging because it becomes very hard to keep moving when there is no traffic growth and less readers.
Yeah I think at the early stages of blogging, blogging frequency should be higher than usual especially if you are new to blogging and just starting out. It gets easier when you have already established some relationships with other bloggers and have some level of authority in your field.
bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Well said bro! You’ve nailed the post! those points listed are the sure fire keys. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
Thx Sam, I think even if you don’t have these traits, you know you will need to develop them in order to succeed as a blogger.
bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
The part about being humble is so important because there’s no chance for you to grow comfortably if you don’t make mistakes and if you make mistakes and aren’t willing to admit it… the end result will be crap.
Extreme John´s last [type] ..New Twitter with New Twitter Background
Thanks for posting a great list of personality traits that make great bloggers. I think that successful bloggers are open to constructive criticism and learn from their mistakes.
Thanks again for sharing. Subscribing to your feed!
Cheers
David´s last [type] ..Valuable Blogging Tips for Beginners
thx for stopping by david
i think we learn more from our mistakes then doing everything right
bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Oh really great and useful tips for blogging bryan you are right but one thing I would like to tell that it is also necessary what you are going to post should be related to topic..
Terence´s last [type] ..Adventure Programs Mountain Adventure Trekking Adventure Travel Programs in Nepal
Yeah Terence, Definitely. But sometimes there is a little bit of leeway granted but that depends on situations really.
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Knowing some top bloggers/marketers as I do, #3 made me chuckle; everything else is spot on though.
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last [type] ..Testing the Background – YOUR Opinion NEEDED!
Thx Dennis for the comment
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Bryan,
excellent, excellent post!
Personally I find that it’s easier to start writing when you just write something. Force yourself to open up WordPress and write a random phrase: “Big yellow elephant prancing down the street”. You’re set to go! Now it’s easier to actually write something – you’ve already started.
Another personal trait I have is using notepad. A paper one, with a pen.
Whenever I’m reading anything on the web – it’s near me, so that if idea for a future post strikes – I’ll be ready to write it down.
Then, when I have no good ideas about what to write – I just open up a notepad and read the ideas back. There you go – no more writer’s blocks.
Slava´s last [type] ..Write your blog posts as if you were trying to impress a girl or a man
hmm, i wouldn’t call having a notepad a personality trait but more of something to get yourself organized. Notepad and pen are good ideas on jotting down ideas to write.
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Yay! I guess i am fit in “Consistent” point
My blog’s niche is about beginner tips for wordpress newbies. Sometimes other bloggers asked me to change niche, etc.
But this niche is the one i like to blog, so i stay with it. Now it shows some results.
Great points have been made in this post. Thanks.
Dina´s last [type] ..Automatically Tweet Blog Posts
i wish you all the best in your niche Dina! I visited your blog and I think there is certainly a lot to write about Wordpress if you’re passionate.
Thx for commenting
Bryan´s last [type] ..Developing a Content Plan That Ensures Online Success
Thank you!
For visiting and best wishes, that’s kind of you Bryan!
Dina.
Dina´s last [type] ..Add Image To WordPress
Howdy Bryan,
As a new blogger, the toughest part of my job is to continue improving my offering even when I have little traffic.
Its a lot harder to hit the bulls eye if we don’t know where it is.
Thanks for this post, Bryan.
Barry
Barry from Saskatchewan´s last [type] ..A Thousand Word Post About Life Condensed to Fifteen Words
Hey Barry,
Yeah you might be demoralized with the low traffic and the motivation to improve your product may not be there but I think we should strive to be the best and get more exposure, that way more people will know about you and traffic will start coming in.
Glad you like the post. And thx for commenting too
Bryan´s last [type] ..The Weekly Blog Pulse – Website Speed- Blog Authority and Writing
These 5 personalities must be applied for the beginners to be a successful blogger even the blogger who has an hard time to become an successful blogger. And additional of these traits, you must have courage and confident to your blog.
Ron from Solicitors Westminster´s last [type] ..Services Offered by Solicitors Westminster
Hey Ron,
That is exactly right. I hope my article will help you.
Thx for commenting here. Cheers!
Bryan´s last [type] ..The Weekly Blog Pulse – Conversion Rates- The Freebie Myth and Being Ridiculously Outrageous
It’s been a while since this post and I still stand by my response but I’d like to add in that planning ahead has helped me tremendously. I try to keep my daily activities down to just a few items to work on so I can get maximum results – this keeps projects moving along without being distracted all the time.