1) You Compare Yourself to Others Too Much
There’s nothing wrong with using successful people and their stories for inspiration. After all, everyone needs someone to look up to when learning.
However, many of you just get carried away. How long it took blogger ABC to reach X amount of visitors or make X amount of money has absolutely no relevance to your individual situation.
There are just too many variables involved when it comes to building traffic and making money so it’s impossible to compare.
And if you discover you are behind the pace of someone who is successful, it’s like getting a one-way ticket to Discourage-ville. Don’t put yourself through that mental exhaustion because it doesn’t even matter.
Who cares if it takes you six months longer to make money than someone you admire. As long as you are learning, growing and having a great time, enjoy the ride!
2) You’re Surrounded by Negativity
It always floors me when I read such comments like “You can’t make any worthwhile money online.”
Seriously?
I often wonder where these people are hanging out online and who they’re subscribing to? If you’re following the right people, it’s not hard to find successful, small business/affiliate websites online.
A lot of people who are struggling get their information from others who are failing (or have failed). Negative people like to surround themselves with like-minded people because they validate their beliefs.
If you want success, surround yourself by more successful, positive people and get out of that sea of negativity.
That’s one reason I started a Website Success Stories forum. I want to inspire newcomers and give my forum members some positivity to chew on. I just love reading the stories there.
Also, if you’re just starting out, be careful who you share your dreams with. A lot of people still don’t understand this “internet thing” and it’s easy for them to chalk it up to “playing around” or “wasting time online.”
I’ve met so many people who have let their families and friends discourage them achieving their website goals. It doesn’t matter what other people think. You know what’s possible out here and that’s all that matters.
Stay focused and keep your eye on the prize!
3) You Don’t Network
Networking is a must, especially because search engine optimization is becoming more personalized and all about who has you in their social circles, who’s following you, “liking” your content, etc.
I haven’t spent a lot of time on specific social media strategies, but if I were starting today and looking for a way to build my exposure online, this would be one of the first things I’d tackle.
Even though there are negative sides to social media that still bug me (it creates distractions, narcissism, etc.) it’s become so big, you can’t ignore it. Not to mention, it’s free to use!
When was the last time you’ve researched website owners in your niche and introduced yourself or shared their content? Or are you just writing in your own corner of the Internet waiting for people to notice you?
Take a lesson from bloggers like Ileane Smith of BasicBlogTips.com and Brankica Underwood of Blog Like a Star. Both are very well-known in their spaces and will probably tell you they’ve built the majority of their following through social media.
They don’t just produce great content, but they generously share other people’s work and build relationships with their followers. Follow them. You’ll learn a lot.
4) You’re in the Wrong Niche
This can be a painful realization — especially if you’ve worked very hard on your site for a long time.
However, if it’s always a struggle for you to come up with new content and be creative, that could be because you aren’t as interested in your niche as you thought you were.
That’s OK. It happens to a lot of people. I went through several sites before I came up with 2 Create a Website.
There’s no rule that says you have to do this right the first time. If there was, I’d be long gone. So don’t be ashamed if you have to try something new.
Remind yourself that you’re human and it’s all part of the process. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
5) You are Disconnected From Your Readers
Polling my subscribers was one of the best strategies I’ve ever implemented.
It’s so easy to get caught up in what you THINK people want to read, but unless you ask, you can never really be too sure.
Want to win over your readers?
Ask them what they want to learn…
Listen to their feedback, and
Deliver!
I’m doing just that with a niche website book that will be free to all my e-mail subscribers. I’m using the feedback from my subscriber poll to ensure I give my readers what they asked for.
This book is long overdue, but better late than never, right? 🙂
My website isn’t in affiliate marketing, rather we sell physical products online. We are also in our start up phased and often had moments where we look here and there and see how fast some websites comes up. But our philosophy has always been slow and stead wins the race and we don’t shy away at growing slowly.
Hi Lisa, Thanks for such useful article.
I agree in 5 point because the reader is the king for our blog
Awesome stuff Lisa,
I completely understand what you say about in point one and 100% agree too. If you start comparing yourself to other successful people too much. Everyone is different and has different strengths. Focus on what you can do, take inspiration from other leaders but don’t get caught up too much and start relying solely on what they have done.
Awesome Stuff
I also think that alot of sites fail because they aim to compete with the high hitters, and top end companies too early. Alot of people seem to think they will compete with major companies in a matter of months not realising this will quite often take years, and then they give up when they dont feel that they are progressing fast enough! they just need to stick it out and hold in there. Keep working at it and it will happen eventually
I agree with those points of yours Lisa… I also got a site and put an Adsense and Affiliates sites on it but until now I still not got any cents on it…maybe I will take your advice and change my way of look in Affiliates Marketing…. Thanks!
Yes, these points are all very important. Also, the fact remains that day by day,we are required to put more time for our own website/s and blogs than our clients.
Thanks for your article, I still work hard to like you and get more read and tips.
I must say I have looked at a lot of blogs and especially Lisa’s blog. I do not copy any material, but I made their ideas my own and I am starting to hit my “blog stride”. I found one concept and I am concentrating on this idea and creating different subjects within that concept. It takes awhile and some of us take longert to get it. I thank all the people that have given me direction.
Agreed with your point #3 “Lack of networking.” Generally, people fails to grow their network, and the reason behind is “putting yourself in wrong niche.” Banggg…. this would change the whole scenario of their online business. That’s the two main wrong thing one could do.
I agree with all your five points. However, I believe point # 3 – lack of networking – is bang on. Its importance can’t be emphasized enough. When we don’t network, less people know of what you do and your blog. Networking plays a huge role in bringing traffic. Brownie points to you for highlighting this fact.
I hate to say it Lisa but blogging is hard work but I have learned a lot of things like marketing, html, etc.
thanks for all those ideas Lisa. I too struggled during the first few months of my blog.
IMO, some of the powerful tools:
1. Provide the ‘Like’ button
2. Organize contest
3. Encourage visitors to comment
Hi,
Now I get it, and i will keep it in my mind. Thanks a lot for this great post.
Lisa, you points shake my mind. My intention for blogging is to educate the people about immigration (specially Canada immigration), but I am not getting too much visitors. One of my friend, tell me about blog walking/blog commenting but i just get minimal visitors. How should I spread my blog.
One thing I want to add is I didn’t update my site regularly.
I only post 5 in 2010 and another 5 posts in 2011. 🙂
This year, I am committed and have a post schedule once a week. Your tips come in handy and hope I could grow mine traffic and branding. Thanks!
I agree to all the 5 points you have mentioned.. But These is only one thing I lack.. Readership..! I don’t have readers because ppl don’t know abt me 😐
I agree that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Negative people can really drag you down.I am a new Blogger and i dont know where my blog is struggling to get traffic but i am still learning how to get traffic and am newbie for SEO.
Your Videos and Articles are really inspiring me.
Please look at my blog http://www.mansiblog.com and reply me where am doing wrong to get traffic and please suggest me when to apply for adsense.
Thanks Lisa,
Mansi
Once I started my websites, I don’t think I had ever encountered such hostility and negativity from people in my life. The world doesn’t want you to succeed and wants you to do things the same way they do. It’s like you have to conform to the way of making money as the rest of the world. You have to fight through it sometimes.
Social media marketing is certainly a powerful way to drive traffic to your website. I agree with your statement that If you want to succeed, surround yourself with more success, the positive and negative out of that sea.
Thanks for the great information. Its worth a lot for newbies like me…… Thanks again…
Can you elaborate more on social media strategies that might help a site grow? What could be the negative effects of social media marketing?
Hey Anita,
Social media marketing is certainly a powerful way to drive traffic to your website. I feel that the only downside is the fact that you have to continually create new content for the social media site. I prefer to add content for sites like WordPress.com, Squidoo and Yahoo Contributor Network (formerly Associated Content) that continue to work for me long after the creation of the article.
Hi Anita, contests are a great way to generate interest and loyalty. People love freebies! So you could offer a prize if people reply to a specific post on Facebook. Then use random.org to select the winner.
i just made a website how can i promote it and get more traffic?
Thanks.
Hey Cheapdesktopharddrive,
Since you are selling a product, one of the best ways to bring targeted customers to your website is with Google AdWords ads. Other ad providers include Chikita, AdBrite, and Facebook. For in-text ads, you can try Infolinks or Kontera.
There are also many ways to drive free traffic, including Facebook, Twitter, WordPress.com, Flickr, Pintrest, etc.
I hope you find a few that work for you, Andy
I think you missed out..
#6: You don’t take enough action.
There is so much educational material out there on how to make websites and make money from internet marketing. The problem isn’t that people aren’t educated enough, its that they would rather watch Lost that spend time writing blog posts, building links and networking.
Last two are fabolous…!!
Great post, I was so use to comparing that I lost focus on what I need to do. This helped a lot. Thanks!
Great post indeed! Yes, comparing is always bad. Putting in efforts bear fruits much faster than envying other peoples’ work. But one must choose the niche according to one’s taste before jumpstarting a website.
Hey Lisa, I am a firm believer in long-tail buyer keywords to structure your site around. Traffic is a must but the bottom line is the bottom line. I would always take less traffic buying keywords than take the higher traffic getting keywords that do not produce action. The bottom line is are you making money! Great beneficial blog.
So many sites are disconnected from their readers for sure. It’s always nice to see an author engage with their readers, but the idea of an online poll is fantastic – don’t mind if I do! Thanks.
Yes! sure these reasons are genuine for the failure of our website. This article is right on and cuts through the drivel that you see when people are just trying to get you to do something they want you to do. Thanks for posting useful illumination on a topic that doesn’t get enough of it. See our site for Steve Daines Professional Experience
Great post, i always knew being successful with a website was possible but never realized visiting the wrong places on the web can make you think that it isn’t possible
I can see that comparing ourselves with others too much can hinder productivity and that’s not what we want
I agree. Sometimes an idea just doesn’t work, and you need to move on.
One of my sites is going great, with over 400,000 visitors last month. Another site is struggling to reach 500 visitors a month. It’s a newer site with only 58 pages, but the real reason is it’s in a market that has way too much competition. I’m not going to abandon it, because it is modestly profitable. However, I’m not going to waste time trying to make it great, because there are so many other ideas that are a far better trade for my time.
I can see some of the things you mention at times in my character but thank goodness that you mentioned it, I would simply look into to find a solution…I simoply want to live the internet lifestyle
I will continue blogging as long as there are still readers and i know my information is still useful for others, thanks
Great article. I think the biggest point for me is you need to do networking to make your website effective.
Speaking of which, anyone want to guest post on my blog?
Lisa,
You make some great points here, especially number 2. I agree that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Family tends to be the most negative because they don’t understand affiliate marketing or blogging, so naturally, they thinks it’s stupid and a waste of time. It’s almost better to not tell anyone, at least in the beginning when you’re first putting a new site together. Negative people can really drag you down.
By the way, your sites and videos are really inspirational. I have been watching your videos for a long time. Keep up the good work.
SO true,
I’ve been handling tons of niches, which turned out not being too very successful or not interesting myself in the long run.
Now, I started a new blog, realizing that the thing I’m interested in, is other blogs, and how they made their success, what people think of these blogs…
I only started the blog a couple of days ago, so I’m still looking for my first subject.
Interested? Pay a visit 🙂
This reasons are so true, expecially the first one comparing yourself to others. I think almost everyone has been guilty of getting carried away by comparing themselves to others at one point or the other in thier lives.
I personally think there are only two reasons.
1st your niche is wrong
2nd you are lazy
Great post as always Lisa!
If you know what keywords your targeting for and good seo techniques, you’re more than likely to get found and not failed on your online business
thanks Lisa, your article is very inspiring
and 5 reasons to bring my website to be better
regards
La Moge House Of Beauty and Wellness
Indonesia
Lisa,
You hit this post on the head! I just recently created a similar post talking about getting wrapped up in your results. I too feel people put too much emphasis on they results versus focusing on why they started in the 1st place.
~Willie
Hey Lisa!
I have been folowwing your blog for last 4 Years now! and you have come a long way since then! nyc to see that!
and regarding this post!
i think SEO also matters in failur of blogs as if SEO is the main factor in bringing the traffic!
Hi Lisa!
Thanks for the good points and tips! I know what you have listed are truly right. In order to succeed in network marketing we should choose the right niche and most of all we should be focusing on our readers. They are the most important tool in our success.
I’ve learned something again from your post. Thanks again!
Lack of networking and relationship building could also be one of the reasons where the website may lack behind from the competitors.
HI Danielle,
Thank you very much for this post on water consumption. Our company recently switched to waterless urinals and regulated the use of water on our office which resulted in a few negative comments on some of the workers. Point is the company supports a go green campaign that brings clean and safe water to people in developing nations. Your info can greatly help in disseminating a positive outlook on people who use water mindlessly.
Hi Lisa,
I am located in Perth, Western Australia, and grew up on a farm in the country, surrounded by animals and beautiful landscape. I’ve had a passion for painting since early childhood. I specialise in bringing blank walls to life, by creating paintings that bring the far corners of your imagination within reach.
I’m struggling with my website to get it to the first page in google. Here I found what is pulling me down. A great article. I’m just doing SEO for my website, and am new in SEO. Learn so many thing from this article. Please, keep posting. Thanks
Valuable tips, I underestimated networking. Now I’m quite concentrating on it.