Blogging is a popular way for businesses of all sizes to get their message out there.
But here’s the thing: the internet is filled with myths about what makes a blog successful, and many of these myths can actually hold you back.
You might have heard that you need a perfect website or at least 10 blog posts before you can hit that “publish” button.
Or maybe you’ve been told that blogging is old news and can’t compete with short videos. These are just a couple of the many myths floating around.
But fear not! In this blog, we’re going to bust those myths wide open.
We’ll show you why these misconceptions are keeping you from starting your blog and growing your business.
So, let’s dive right in and set the record straight.
Myth 1: You Need to Wait Until Having Tons of Blog Posts to Hit ‘Publish’ on Your Site
This is one of the biggest misconceptions that can hold you back from getting started.
Some people think they need to wait until they have at least 10 blog posts ready before they can hit that ‘Publish’ button.
But the truth is, this assumption is completely wrong, and it might be the reason you’re hesitant to start your blog.
The important thing is to get your content out there as soon as possible. Why? Because the sooner you publish your site, the sooner Google will notice it and start ranking your blogs.
Google needs time to index and rank new websites, so the sooner you begin, the quicker people will discover and read your blogs.
Related: How Long Does It Take To See Results From Blogging?
Don’t worry if you think your blog isn’t perfect or doesn’t look entirely professional at first. You can always go back and update it, making it more polished and professional over time.
Don’t let this myth hold you back – hit ‘Publish’ and start your blogging journey today!
Myth 2: You Have to Be an Expert to Write about Something
Have you ever felt like you don’t belong because you want to share something you’re not an expert in? That feeling is common, and don’t worry, many others feel the same way!
Actually, a lot of bloggers begin without being experts or gurus, and you can do it too. If you know more than beginners in your niche, that’s more than enough to get started.
On the other hand, not everyone out there is searching for expert-level advice. Many people are simply looking for easy-to-understand and practical tips, especially if they’re just starting out.
And the beauty of blogging is that it allows you to learn as you go. If you can use Google, you have all the tools you need to write valuable blog posts.
You can learn from others and share what you learn along the way. Again, don’t let the myth that you need to be an expert stop you from sharing your knowledge with others.
Remember, you’re more than enough to get started and you’ll learn so much more along the way.
Myth 3: You Need to Be a Good Writer
You don’t need to be a skilled writer to start a blog. In reality, many renowned bloggers didn’t start with English or communication degrees. They simply wrote in a friendly and authentic manner, just like how they talked with their friends.
The key to successful blogging is sharing your knowledge genuinely and sincerely. Your readers are looking for real, relatable content, not overly formal or complex writing.
Focus on being yourself, communicating effectively, and sharing valuable knowledge with your audience.
Myth 4: If You’re Not a Good at Writing, You Always Need to Hire Writers
Here’s another myth to address: the idea that if you’re not a skilled writer, you must always hire someone else to write your blogs.
While hiring professional writers can be beneficial, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution for every individual or business.
You are the one who knows your business and your blogging goals best. Hiring writers can be an added expense, so it’s important to weigh factors like your budget and business objectives.
If you feel confident in your ability to write and share your knowledge effectively, don’t hesitate to give it a try. Many successful bloggers and business owners began by making their own content, and you can do it too if it fits your business goals and resources.
Related: Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Outsource Your Content Creation
Myth 5: Your Website Need to Be Perfectly Designed
You might see other famous bloggers with stunning websites and wish yours could look just as amazing. You may also assume that achieving such perfection requires hiring expensive professional web designers or tackling complex design work on your own.
Many people use the excuse of not having a sufficient budget to hire professional designers or lacking the skills to create a website on their own as reasons for not getting started.
In reality, you don’t need a perfect website from the get-go. All you need is a clean and attractive theme, which you can easily obtain from self-hosting website builders like Bluehost and WordPress.
These options are budget-friendly for beginners and save you time without requiring any specific design skills.
Remember that you can gradually improve and professionalize your website over time. When you’re just starting, focus on keeping it clean and simple, and prioritize creating valuable content for your audience.
Avoid comparing your beginner website to those of experienced bloggers who have invested years of effort and budget into their sites. It’s not fair for you and them!
Building a successful website is a gradual process, so take your time and get started without the pressure to make it perfect right away.
Myth 6: Blogging Is a Quick and Easy Game
Some people might believe that blogging is a breeze. They think you can set up a blog, install WordPress, write a few posts, and voila, success is guaranteed.
But the harsh truth is that blogging doesn’t work that way. If it were that simple, everyone would be doing it and thriving, right?
In reality, many people start a blog full of enthusiasm but end up giving up after just a few months or even weeks.
Running a successful blog is much more than just churning out a few blog posts and calling it a day.
It requires dedication, time, and effort, just like any other worthwhile endeavor. Success doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process.
However, if you stay committed and persistent, the rewards from blogging are undoubtedly worth the investment.
Myth 7: You Need to Post Every Single Day
It’s true that consistency is vital in the world of blogging, but that doesn’t mean you have to post every single day.
While it’s admirable if you can maintain that level of commitment, it’s important to remember that blogging is a long game.
Consistency means finding a posting schedule that you can stick to without experiencing burnout.
Posting daily might sound impressive, but it can also compromise the quality of your content. In the blogging game, quality always outweighs quantity.
Most experts agree that blogging 2-4 times per week strikes the right balance. This frequency allows you to maintain a steady flow of fresh content without overwhelming yourself.Â
So, don’t feel pressured to post every day; instead, focus on creating high-quality posts that resonate with your audience and fit within your sustainable posting schedule.
Related: Blogging Sweet Spot: How Often Should You Post On Your Blog?
Myth 8: People Will Read Your Blog as Soon as You Publish It
When you’re new to blogging, hardly anyone knows that your blogs even exist.
Initially, it’s likely that only your family members and friends will be reading your posts because you’ve shared them with them.
Getting organic traffic to your blog takes time—usually anywhere from 3 to 18 months. It’s not an overnight process.
To accelerate the process, you’ll need to promote your blogs actively on social media and through email lists.
In fact, many experienced bloggers will tell you that promoting their blogs takes even more time and effort than writing them.
Another essential aspect of bringing your blogs to people’s attention is understanding and implementing SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
This involves identifying keywords or keyword phrases that people actually search for on Google or other search engines.
By incorporating these keywords into your blog posts, you increase the chances of your content being discovered by a wider audience.
Myth 9: You Just Need to Post Tons of Blogs Once and DisappearÂ
Don’t fall for the myth that you can achieve blogging success by publishing a barrage of blog posts all at once and then disappearing from the scene.
The truth is, consistency is the real key to blogging success.
Even if you choose to post only once a month and stick with that schedule, you still have a better chance of ranking highly on Google compared to bloggers who post five times a week for a while and then disappear forever.
Search engines like Google value consistent, quality content over erratic posting. Consistency in your blogging schedule matters more than the quantity of posts you churn out.Â
Stick to a schedule that you can maintain over the long term, and you’ll have a better chance of building a successful blog.
Related: Consistency In Blogging: Why It’s Tough And How To Make It Work
Myth 10: Blogging Is Dead in the Age of AI and Short Videos
Some people believe that blogging is no longer useful because of AI-generated content and short videos.
They think everyone has moved on from blogs. But that’s not true!
Actually, 77% of people still read blogs regularly. They like blogs because they help them find answers to their questions and solutions to their problems.
Reading blogs is a way for people to stay informed.What’s more, reading blogs is a focused activity. Unlike videos with lots of distractions, blogs make you concentrate on one thing at a time.
This focused reading experience not only enhances concentration but also improves memory, as it encourages individuals to avoid multitasking.
So, don’t be fooled into thinking that blogging is outdated. It’s still very much alive and a great way to connect with people who want to learn and solve problems.
Related: Is Blogging Dead In The Age Of AI?
Myth 11: Blogging Is Not Necessary
People who claim this might not have tried blogging themselves or haven’t done it with a clear strategy and consistency.
In reality, blogging remains relevant and essential for businesses of all sizes even today. Recent surveys back this up, showing that blog posts continue to be the preferred content format for content marketers.
In fact, over nine out of ten content marketers create blog posts to achieve their marketing goals (Semrush, 2021).
Hubspot adds to this by highlighting that businesses with a blog experience a 55% increase in website visitors compared to those without one. Additionally, they generate 67% more leads each month.
Related: 11 Compelling Reasons Why Your Business Should Have A Blog
Myth 12: You Should Write about Yourself
When you begin a blog, you might believe it’s best to write about yourself. But, to be honest, unless you’re famous, most people tend to be more interested in their own lives, so your blogs may not attract many readers if you don’t write about topics that resonate with them.
When people visit your blog, they’re usually looking for answers or solutions to their own questions and issues. So, your blog should focus on your audience and what problems they have, not on you or your business.
Let’s check out some examples of topics about yourself versus topics that people actually care about:
- About yourself: “My Personal Journey to Success in Digital Marketing”
About your audience: “Unlocking Your Digital Marketing Success with A Proven Roadmap” - About yourself: “The Joys and Challenges of Parenting Twins”
About your audience: “Parenting Twins: Navigating the Twin Journey Together” - About yourself: “My Favorite Vegan Recipes and Lifestyle”
About your audience: “Delicious Vegan Recipes and Lifestyle Tips for You” - About yourself: “My Adventures in Solo Traveling”
About your audience: “10 Helpful Tips and Tales for Adventurous Travelers” - About yourself: “How I Overcame My Personal Debt Crisis”
About your audience: “5 Practical Steps to Overcome Debt”
Related: 17 Insanely Catchy Blog Post Titles That’ll Explode Your Traffic
Don’t get me wrong! It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t share what you enjoy sharing. But the point is, if you write exclusively about yourself, it might not pique much interest.
What you should do is share practical tips that genuinely help people solve their problems, and make it evident right in the title how these tips can assist them.
Keep your audience in mind and make your content useful for them. Then, you can seamlessly integrate your own story or experiences into your blog posts.
Essentially, your content should cater to your readers, addressing their issues, and then offering your tips or solutions.
Myth 13: You Should Choose a Profitable Niche to Write About
Some believe that selecting a profitable niche is the only way to go when starting a blog. In reality, if you select a profitable niche that you don’t actually enjoy, it can turn your blogging experience into a nightmare.
The truth is, blogging requires reading and researching extensively within your chosen topic. If you’re only doing it for the money and don’t genuinely care about the subject, you’ll likely become bored and frustrated.
Blogging is a marathon, requiring you to produce numerous blog posts consistently. Forcing yourself to write about something you dislike can make this journey a complete nightmare, and you’ll lose the motivation to write anything at all.
Instead of picking a niche solely because it’s profitable, opt for one you’re truly passionate about and enjoy diving into.
Being authentic and true to your interests is the most effective way to connect with your audience in the long run.
Myth 14: You Shouldn’t Write about the Topics Covered by OthersÂ
Here’s a myth that might have crossed your mind: the idea that you shouldn’t write about topics that have already been covered by other people. You might think, “It’s already out there; why bother?”
But in reality, there are very few truly original ideas left on the internet. It’s challenging to determine who wrote about something first, and honestly, it doesn’t matter to most readers. What they’re looking for is valuable content.
You absolutely can write about the same topics as others, but the key is to approach them from different angles. Add your own expertise and experiences to the mix. Write it in your own unique style, the way you think and talk.
Even when covering the same topics, your content becomes unique with your individual perspective. So, don’t let the fear of duplicating topics hold you back. Embrace your unique approach, and create valuable content that resonates with your audience. Just go for it!
Related: Should You Create Content When The Topic Already Exists On The Internet?
Myth 15: It’s Harder to Start a Blog in the Saturation Content World
It’s true, every day, a ton of content gets published online. But here’s the thing: more and more people are still hungry for high-quality content because not all content is worth reading.
Some writers lazily copy and paste content from AI without adding any human touch, and that’s not what readers want.
If you don’t start your blog, others will keep publishing their content consistently, and the internet will continue to fill up with more content each day.Â
Related: Why Do People Still Read Blogs In The Era Of Short Videos And AI?
Don’t let the idea that there’s too much content stop you from doing what you need to do. There’s always room for valuable and well-crafted content in the online world.
Myth 16: You Need to Write about Many Topics to Reach a Wider Audience
There’s a common myth that suggests you need to cover a wide range of topics to reach a bigger audience. But this approach can be counterproductive.
Trying to cover too many subjects can actually confuse your readers. They might start to wonder if you’re truly knowledgeable about any of them, and this can lead to skepticism about the quality of your blog.
A better practice is to focus on just one or two specific topics that you’re truly passionate about and knowledgeable in.
This focused approach not only helps you establish yourself as an authority in your niche but also attracts a more engaged and loyal audience.
Myth 17: You Need to Focus on Word Count to Rank Highly on Google
It’s true that longer content often performs better, but when you’re just starting, creating a 1500-2000 word blog can be quite a challenge.
Instead of fixating on word count, it’s better to prioritize creating high-quality and consistent blogs.
Your main focus should be on delivering content that’s relevant and valuable to your readers. Quality matters more than quantity.
You can always revisit and update your blog over time to make it longer if needed. What’s essential is that your content remains fresh, relevant, and valuable for both your readers and search engines like Google.
Don’t stress too much about word count; concentrate on producing content that truly serves your audience and meets their needs.
Myth 18: Blogging Is Expensive
Some people believe that blogging is an expensive endeavor, but that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, blogging can be quite cost-effective, especially when you’re starting out.
For instance, hosting services like Bluehost are very affordable. Even if you have a limited budget, you don’t need to hire a designer to create your blog website.
You can easily design it yourself by purchasing a cost-effective theme. Blogging is one of the most cost-effective investments compared to many other types of businesses, especially if you’re committed to it over time.
So, don’t let the misconception that blogging is expensive deter you. With the right choices and a small budget, you can get started and eventually achieve a good return on your investment (ROI).
Myth 19: Blogging Will Get You Nowhere
You might have heard from people who started blogging and didn’t see any results, and they may have told you that blogging won’t lead to success.
But it’s essential to filter out this negative noise and stay focused on your goals. If you approach blogging with a specific strategy, creating content consistently, and promoting it on platforms like social media or search engines, you can achieve more than you might imagine.
Companies with active blogs, according to Wpbeginner, get 97% more backlinks. These backlinks indicate that other sites find your content valuable and worth sharing, which can positively impact your search engine ranking and visibility.
When done correctly, blogging can drive significant traffic, engage potential customers, establish you as an expert in your field, and ultimately convert readers into loyal customers.
Myth 20: SEO Is Too Expensive and Complicated
Another myth to debunk is the idea that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is both expensive and overly complex.
In reality, you can do SEO effectively without breaking the bank or getting lost in complexity.
One way to begin is by using the Google AdWords Keyword Planner, which is a free tool.
Look for keywords with high average monthly searches and low to medium competition. This helps you target keywords that are likely to bring in more organic traffic to your blog.
Another free approach is to explore Google’s “People Also Ask” section. It presents you with many questions that people frequently ask online.
You can use these questions as inspiration to create valuable content for your audience.
SEO doesn’t have to be expensive or overly complicated. With free tools and a bit of research, you can effectively optimize your blogs for search engines without incurring any additional costs.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve known about the many myths surrounding blogging, you can see that these myths are often just excuses people use to discourage others from starting and growing their blogs.
Blogging isn’t just a passing trend; it’s here to stay for the long haul. Investing in blogging is unquestionably valuable for your business. It remains one of the most effective ways to build trust with your audience and enhance your website’s authority over time.
The key takeaway is this: If you want to start a blog, don’t hold back with these blogging myths. You don’t need a perfect website or to be an expert to succeed.
And if you’re already blogging but not seeing immediate results, don’t be disheartened. Success in blogging doesn’t come quickly or easily. It takes months, even years, of dedication and the right strategy to achieve.
Remember the powerful quote from the book “The Alchemist,” which says, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Believe in yourself and your ability to succeed in blogging, and you can make it happen.
