5 Reasons To Be Persistent When Blogging
Blogging is a journey, not a sprint. It’s a craft that demands time, creativity, resilience, and above all, persistence. My own blogging journey began back in 2008 with a site called MathandEnglishWorksheets.com, a platform I created to provide free worksheets for students. While the idea seemed solid, the site never really took off. Like many early projects, it floundered due to a lack of exposure and engagement, and I eventually stopped blogging there. Years later, after a concussion in 2019 led me to temporarily shut down the site, I found myself returning to blogging with renewed determination. Today, I run EdThings.com, a project that has become a labor of love, boasting over 400 posts. Though it’s been a challenging road, my experience underscores a vital truth: persistence is key to achieving blogging success.
The Early Days: A Foundation of Trial and Error
When I started MathandEnglishWorksheets.com, I was fueled by a desire to share resources with educators and students. The idea of offering free worksheets felt rewarding, but I quickly discovered that simply having good content isn’t enough. A blog needs visibility, a marketing strategy, and consistent updates to thrive. Back then, I lacked the knowledge and tools to market the site effectively. I became discouraged as traffic remained stagnant, and eventually, I stopped posting altogether.
Looking back, those early days weren’t a failure; they were a lesson. Like many new bloggers, I underestimated the effort required to achieve blogging success. Blogging isn’t a “build it and they will come” scenario. It requires grit and a willingness to experiment and adapt.
Setbacks and a Restart
Life has a way of steering us back to what we love. After my concussion in 2019, I shut down MathandEnglishWorksheets.com completely, thinking it might be the end of my blogging journey. But something inside me refused to let go of the idea of blogging. A few years later, I returned to the digital space with a new project: EdThings.com.
This blog, focused on educational tools, ideas, and resources, has become my passion. Unlike my earlier venture, EdThings is a reflection of my personal interests and dedication to writing. I’ve stuck with it, even when progress felt slow. Today, I’m over 400 posts in, and while I’m not yet a household name, the site is gaining traction. This wouldn’t have been possible without persistence—a cornerstone of blogging success.
Why Persistence Matters in Blogging Success
Persistence is the secret sauce in blogging. It’s what separates successful bloggers from those who quit too early. Here’s why sticking with it matters:
1. Consistency Builds Trust
Readers gravitate towards blogs that are consistently updated. A steady stream of fresh content signals to your audience that you’re committed and reliable. When I started EdThings, it took months—if not years—to build even a modest audience. But by showing up regularly and delivering quality posts, I’ve cultivated a small but growing base of loyal readers. Trust is essential for long-term blogging success.
2. Improvement Comes with Practice
No one starts as an expert blogger. Over time, you learn what works and what doesn’t. My early posts on MathandEnglishWorksheets.com were functional but lacked personality. Now, after years of practice on EdThings, I’ve developed a voice and style that resonate better with readers. Persistence allows you to refine your craft, which is critical for achieving blogging success.
3. SEO Takes Time
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a marathon, not a sprint. Blog posts don’t immediately rank on Google; it takes consistent effort to optimize content, build backlinks, and improve domain authority. Many of my older posts on EdThings are only now starting to gain traction in search rankings. If I had given up early, I wouldn’t be reaping the benefits of that long-term investment, which is key to blogging success.
4. Opportunities Emerge Over Time
Persistence keeps the door open for opportunities. As your blog grows, you may attract partnerships, guest blogging offers, or even monetization options. These opportunities often come after months or years of consistent effort. I’ve found that sticking with EdThings has opened unexpected doors, including collaborations and a chance to connect with like-minded educators, all of which contribute to blogging success.
5. Passion Sustains You
Blogging is hard work, and without passion, it’s easy to burn out. My love for education and writing has kept me going, even during the slow times. Passion fuels persistence, and persistence yields blogging success.
Overcoming Challenges
Blogging isn’t without its challenges, and I’ve faced my fair share. Here are some of the obstacles I’ve encountered and how I’ve tackled them:
1. Marketing Woes
Marketing has always been my weak point. I’m not a natural marketer, and promoting my blog feels daunting. However, I’ve learned to embrace small, manageable steps, like sharing posts on social media and engaging with educational communities online. While I still have room to grow in this area, I remind myself that even modest efforts can make a difference over time and contribute to blogging success.
2. The Image Dilemma
Finding quality images for blog posts has been another challenge. I can’t afford expensive stock photos, and I need to be cautious about using images of people in education. Recently, I’ve turned to AI for photo ideas, and this has been a game-changer. While I worried that AI-generated images might detract from the authenticity of my content, I’ve found that they actually enhance the visual appeal of my posts without compromising quality—another small victory on the path to blogging success.
3. The Overwhelming Competition
The internet is saturated with blogs, many of which are backed by sophisticated AI tools and professional teams. It’s easy to feel overshadowed, but I remind myself that my perspective is unique. My passion and personal voice set EdThings apart, and that authenticity resonates with readers in ways that generic, AI-driven content cannot. Authenticity is an invaluable asset in achieving blogging success.
Lessons Learned
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my blogging journey, it’s that success doesn’t come overnight. Here are a few key takeaways for fellow bloggers:
- Start with Passion: Write about what you love. Passion will keep you going when the results aren’t immediate.
- Be Patient with Growth: It takes time to build an audience. Focus on creating quality content, and the readers will come.
- Learn Continuously: Blogging is a skill that evolves. Invest in learning about SEO, marketing, and writing techniques to set the stage for blogging success.
- Adapt to Challenges: Whether it’s finding images or tackling marketing, be open to new solutions and technologies.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Every new reader, comment, or share is a victory. Celebrate the milestones, no matter how small.
The Payoff of Persistence
Blogging is one of the most rewarding endeavors I’ve undertaken. While the journey has been filled with ups and downs, sticking with it has taught me the value of resilience. EdThings.com may not yet be a massive success, but it’s growing, and so am I.
In a world crowded with AI-generated content, your unique voice matters. Readers crave authenticity, and they’ll notice when you pour your heart into your work. By persisting through challenges, learning from setbacks, and staying true to your passion, you can achieve meaningful blogging success.
So, to anyone wondering whether it’s worth sticking with their blog, my advice is simple: keep going. The road may be long, but the destination is worth it. Blogging success is not just about traffic or revenue; it’s about the fulfillment that comes from sharing your passion with the world.