You’ve had your blog for a few months now. You’ve chosen a topic you love and have great information. But you have very little traffic and no sales.
So what’s wrong?
Often times it’s nothing but your impatience and lack of consistency.
A few months is hardly enough time to give a new business. So if you went into this with unrealistic expectations, you will be disappointed.
I get an amazing number of emails from people who claim “affiliate marketing doesn’t work.” And when I ask them how long they’ve been at it, the answer is often two months or less.
Are you kidding me?
It took me months before any worthwhile money started to roll in. And even when my income didn’t equate to the hours I was spending online, I never stopped writing and strategizing.
If you haven’t generated a steady stream of traffic yet, one thing you have to work on is building momentum with consistency.
If you’re a new blogger, you need to establish a rhythm. Posting once a month is probably not going to cut it. This is a business so you must commit to it and take it seriously.
There are so many blogs and websites out there with great potential, but they’ve been abandoned by impatient owners looking for too much too soon.
I know it’s frustrating when you feel no one is reading your content. But if you have a solid concept and believe in your site, you will be amazed at what will happen if you just stick with it and produce solid content on a consistent basis.
Set goals for content and video production. Make your presence known. It’s time for you to get serious. Let’s make 2010 a great one!
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Follow on Twitter: @juhasan
Hi Lisa,
You are 100% right.
Beginners lose their concentration and get frustrated very easily as some people has the misconception that making money online is easy.
I’ve encountered few situations like you that people keep asking me why they don’t have visitors when they have already uploaded 50 posts in a month. But the fact is they uploaded 50 posts in a month (nothing for next 2 months) and then they are expecting traffic!
I believe educating ourself of patience and hard working is the key to success.
Thanks for sharing the article.
Hasan´s last blog … Is YouTube Coming to online gaming business?
Follow on Twitter: @lilyshealthpad
Thanks for this post. It came at a time of frusteration, and I am thankful for its motivating words!
Follow on Twitter: @freemanlegacy
I’m in it to win it! 2010 will be a break out year for me and my business.
Ms. Freeman´s last blog … 9 Tips to Help Shy People Network
Follow on Twitter: @iWoodpecker
“solid content on a consistent basis” – the best advice for the beginning of 2010.
iWoodpecker´s last blog … Getting Website Traffic in 2010
Follow on Twitter: @louismartinjr
This is SO true! The journey to the TOP is key, no over-night success stories, HARD WORK over a period time!!
Thanks Lisa…
Good tip. It helps to build up a lot of traffic by giving away free QUALITY information and only then should one start thinking about making money.
Jonathan´s last blog … Create a New MySQL Database with phpMyAdmin
Follow on Twitter: @krenee76
I was very frustrated when I first began, but my stubbornness wouldn’t let me quit. Everyday I was at it, and then one day, maybe 2 months after I started, I made a sale – a very small sale, but a sale nonetheless. No, I didn’t get rich overnight (no where near it, now either), but, that sale gave me the encouragement to continue. Then when more sales came in, I took some time to reflect on what I did – I realized I had begun posting quality articles more often. I used Squidoo as a funnel to my sites – when my Squidoo ranking is high, that’s when I see more sales and/or Google Adsense revenue. Also, I began to interact with others on Twitter. The more I helped others, the more they helped me get my content out there. It’s great to know that I have a faithful few who will Retweet my content to their hundreds followers as well – but I had to help them first before they came to trust me.
I also wrote as if I had an audience of millions even if I had no visitors for days – now, almost a year later, people are reading that content for the first time and enjoying it.
The best piece of advice though – is simply to never quit, because you never know if the next day is going to be your big day!
Kiesha @ The Affiliate Marketer’s Help Desk´s last blog … Google Wave Invitation Giveaway
Follow on Twitter: @DatingGodsWay
Sometimes its all about topic choice, if your topic is popular and in great demand you will find that you will start to build regular traffic a lot quicker. thats what I’ve found with my site, I started it in october 2009 and I already get about 60-80 visitors per day, my alexa ranking went from 19 million to just under 4 million.
but then as Lisa said, it is also important to be consistent, i post a new article on my site a least once a day (got lazy over the holidays but i’, back now). and be verrrrrrryyyyyyyy patient (especially before you start making money) and market and promote your site like crazy, I’ve found that youtube is working well for me – 22 subscribers in 3 months and I also use my facebook group to generate traffic, my group has grown to about 130 member in about 2 months. well those are my little nuggets hope someone finds them useful.
datingadvice4christiansingles´s last blog … Jan 4, Who should pay for dates? The guy or the girl
Follow on Twitter: @tamingtime
So very true… patience, persistence and commitment are half the battle. And lets face it – if it was easy, easy everyone would be doing it!
As it is many do try, but many of those fail (by fail I mean stop trying).
Follow on Twitter: @dwaynehuggins
Hi Lisa.
Love this post.
We live in the superfast, I want it now or else world. Its so ingrained in us to get things now this instant that we don’t even wait for the microwave to go ‘ding’, we grab the food with seconds still remaining.
People strangely enough apply this same mentality to their home based business. As they see successful people such as yourself live their dreams, they also want to live their dreams immediately. They don’t stop to think what is involved and what you did to get to where you are.
I myself am building my business. I have my plan which I stick to and every day I see some progress. I know I will soon be living my dreams because I am willing to commit to the work and the time needed for it to happen.
All the best
Dwayne
Dwayne Huggins´s last blog … The Power Of SEO Backlinks And How They Increase Your Website’s Page Rank
Follow on Twitter: @waynefarley
Thanks for the encouragement. This business of blogging is a journey, not a destination. Consistency is required to succeed, and dividends will be derived in time.
Follow on Twitter: @MrCyberSmartSEO
Six years! Not Six months, but six years. That is how long it took for me to make real money. Granted, my first four years of blogging had nothing to do with making money- that was not my focus. It just got to the point that I could no longer continue to blog without making money as well…
Many political bloggers found themselves in this position. Hours and hours, seven days a week… no money. This became untenable.
This meant that I had to start other blogs (and a web development company) that had nothing to do with news and politics. Even with high traffic, Google clicks were not paying the bills.
I would have to agree with Lisa, as she said in one of her videos, six months to a year before you will see any money. And, there are no guarantees. Not just in websites, but in life.
The biggest factor I think is staying focused. There is SO much noise on-line people have a hard time staying on-point. Too many tools, gadgets, forums, BAD advice, scam offers, “gurus”, and on and on. It can make your head spin.
This site is a great place to be for young, and “old school” bloggers. It helps me to stay grounded, and focused on the task at hand.
Thanks again Lisa for your honesty… “-)
Great points and so very true Lisa. It is an investment and people do not understand that. It is an investment of effort and a lot of time to do things best. This is what separates successful websites and blogs from upset and confused “get rich quick” believers. The more time and thought you spend on your work in anything in life, the better it will be done giving you more success in accomplishing your goals. Lisa has a few excellent websites and an awesome forum, but she didn’t just create it recently. As she said she learned the ups and downs and the best techniques throughout the many years she has been learning online marketing. She has become so good at things she does and also websites that have been around for some time that are great websites develop and grow with a community of readers. You can have the best website in the world, but you need the effort and time to let it grow and gain exposure. Lisa’s success is no accident.
Build Web Traffic´s last blog … Build Web Traffic With Article Marketing
Follow on Twitter: @davidscoville
I think that’s why many people fail in general–they don’t stick with it and they quit too early.
David Scoville´s last blog … Twitter Party: SEO Tips, Pizza, $1700 in Giveaways
Hey,
14 people bought products from Amazon links on my blog. That was in first 2 months of my blog, I didn’t even expect it to be so fast.
Now, Amazon ha stopped a bit, but this time, Google Adsense clicks are increasing.
I know I will make it, because I love doing this. And if you earn money while doing something you love, you’ll love it 2 x more. It gives you eneregy and everything else you need, to continue.
I check stats once per day to see what makes people come. Then I check that, I edit it to see if there is anything else I should add, or edit.
Sites where I get most of my visitors are – Google ofcourse, YouTube and Yahoo answers. These brought me 1800 people in 2 months.
Great post, great site, good luck in 2010
Chio´s last blog … Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Follow on Twitter: @Tanhak
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for the advice. You are so down to earth and I really appreciate the knowledge that you sure. Thanks much!
Follow on Twitter: @christiantjr
Definitely agree with your message here Lisa. Getting results is not a magical process. It takes time, consistency…all the elements you mention in this post. Additionally, once you start getting results, it doesn’t mean you’ve “arrived”. It continues to require work. Anyone in ANY business looking for unrealistic gains is going to end up disappointed.
Christian Russell´s last blog … Why Simple Blogs are Better for Business
Follow on Twitter: @Ileane
Hi Lisa,
It sounds like some of the questions you are getting come from people who might have been scammed into thinking that they could buy an e-book or follow a course that would get them fast results. Sometimes people don’t know where to turn for advice so they get lead down the wrong path.
Your readers and subscribers are very lucky if they found your site early on in the game. Listening to your advice will make it much easier to spot a fraud. I’m glad I found your YouTube channel and your forum after blogging for about 2 weeks.
Thanks for your sound advice, I will spread the word as much as I can.
ileane´s last blog … So You Want To Start Blogging
Follow on Twitter: @treehouse4rent
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve wanted to quit. Hey, if it was easy everybody would be doing it right? Lisa, your site give me, and many others hope and the belief that consistency over time, does eventually pay off.
Thanks for the useful information. My blog is not very old but it has become extremly popular for some reason. Im already making some money off of it. I printed out this article and hung it on the wall next to my computer so I wont forget to stay interested. Right now whats driving me is logging on every day to see if my traffic has increased. Im sure though that eventually i will hit some obstacles but when I do I will still have this article to keep me motivated. Thanks.
Follow on Twitter: @MillionaireOne
okay i have been doing these for three months and i got $5.00 please Lisa i need you to help me because am about to lose my house and can’t get a job and If i do find a job i will be working to pay for day care i don’t know what do to
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your views and life lessons. I appreciate your honesty. I to am struggling , but being persistant. Thanks again
Follow on Twitter: @imstrategies
LOL, gotta love the newbies!
The truth is this biz takes a ton of hard work and time, it’s not a get rich quick scheme. And experience is the best teacher, so keep at it and believe in it, and realize that it can take many months, and even years to become truly successful, but it does happen, all the time!
Follow on Twitter: @NEWCREATEAWEBSITE
So very true… patience, persistence and commitment are half the battle. And lets face it – if it was easy, easy everyone would be doing it!
As it is many do try, but many of those fail (by fail I mean stop trying).
Follow on Twitter: @digitivityorg
Posting infrequently is a good way to get Google to visit your site infrequently. If you post daily, Google will also visit daily.
Of course, that’s only the first step in getting ranked, but if, later, you start posting more frequently, it may take a while to get Google to re-adjust.
A good way to beat writer’s block is to have a few draft posts all ready to post. You can use these on days you don’t have anything else to say.
Digitivity @ The Digital Life & Tools Blog´s last blog … How to Claim Your Blog on Technorati
Follow on Twitter: @holidaycroatia
I think the keys issues is, that when somebody decides to become a blogger, they should do because the like the idea spreading knowledge on the internet. I think if you only start blogging with the sole purpose of making money, there is a fair chance you would give up, before you actually can make money on your blog.
I have been blogging for more then 2 years and I still did not do anything to generate income from my blogs, but I for sure will later, but my key driver for blogging, is the great feedback I get from people who read the stuff I publish
Brgds, Morten
Follow on Twitter: @http://veryveryblessed.twitter.com
Thanks for the tips. Sometimes it is frustrating, but then I look at I am learning so much as I continue to perservere. You website has been very motivational and inspirational as well.
Betty´s last blog … How to Care For Your Asthmatic Toddler
the tips are really wonderful and will really work but the problem that is there for some of us is failure to follow through the steps that are put down by experts like you. Hope we will be able to follow and see the results.
My home Business tools´s last blog … Top 5 Online rss reader for your convenience
Thanks Lisa for the rich advise that you give to many “newbies”. Honestly, I have been trying to make money online for years. I’ve tried so many MLM’s but I never thought marketing was key issue. I have been scammed many times, and have learned the lesson of check and review before entering anything.
I also thought that Google AdSense was a scam as well, but your evidence shows otherwise. Your succes and Case Studies have encoraged me very much.
Thanx.
Another tip. Spread your posts over several days. Dont post five posts in one day, save four of that posts to that day you are to tired to write
Follow on Twitter: @http://veryveryblessed.twitter.com
I definitely agree with spreading my posts. In the beginning I wondered if I would run out of topics to post, but I find since I am writing about my passion, the Lord just floods me with topics and ideas. I keep a pen and pencil beside my bed, because many times I will think of something. Although I am a newbie at writing. I definitely love to do it.
Betty´s last blog … How to Be a Good Influence On Your Child
Follow on Twitter: @mrdjamesrice
I found this site through a youtube tutorial about installing a wordpress header. I was so amazed after visiting the site. I am a newbee in the blogging world. I started my own site in November and I am excited with the success. I am not making any money yet from it and I know it takes consistency and change, but I am prepared to do just that. I must say that I have made money offline helping people design their wordpress pages so I am excited about that. This is a great site and it has a lot of content so I will probably be on here every day learning as much as I can. Thanks for such a great blog
Hey Lisa,
I know you are a blessing as many other have stated.
Your wisdom and honesty are the reason You succeed.
You have a passion for what You do and more importantly Who You Help. Thanks for the great tips for You have showed me Why I will never make affiliate marketing a passin of mine!!LOL no offense…..SEE YOU AT THE TOP and may God bless all that You do and everyone that Learns from You.
You are a Rare Breed!!
Love it
Hi Lisa,
Very grateful to have found your site. I just started my website for about two months, and the quality information that you provides like this post in particular really is the motivation that I needed..:)
Follow on Twitter: @teedazzle
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for the advice. I wish I had seen your blog about a year ago when I started my website. The below comment makes a lot of sense to me this is what I did.
Posting once a month is probably not going to cut it. This is a business so you must commit to it and take it seriously.
Tee´s last blog … Has this ever happened to you?