One key reason why most bloggers fail

Most blogs fail. See: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fashion/07blogs.html?_r=0

Get used to that fact.

With that out of the way, if you're SERIOUS about NOT FAILING, here's one tip you might want to wrap your mind around...

One of the top reasons why most blogs fail is because they SPRAY AND PRAY.

The people behind these blogs post stuff that THEY THINK is awesome.

What's wrong with this picture?

I hope you can see it.

But just in case you're BLIND to what's wrong with this strategy, let me spell it out for you: Just because you THINK something is awesome, doesn't mean your audience will feel the same.

The sad truth is your AUDIENCE probably doesn't see things the same way as you.

No wonder your stuff doesn't get traffic.

No wonder your readers don't share your stuff.

HOW DO YOU FIX THIS PROBLEM?

Very simple: Post stuff that YOU KNOW is HOT in your niche.

How do you know?

Social signals like FB shares/tweets, etc.

Use social signal detection tools like buzzsumo to find hot topics in your niche

Next, come up with a PROVOCATIVE or DIFFERENT SPIN to a hot topic

Next, share it with people who have shared links that involve the hot topic in your niche.

Pay attention to your stats. If you noticed that certain sites are sharing your stuff more frequently, investigate those traffic sources and give them MORE of what they want.

To recap, PUBLISHING AND WAITING is a losing game.

To WIN, you need to publish stuff that's PROVEN TO HAVE AN AUDIENCE *AND* actively RECREATE the distribution channels of content that focus on HOT topics.

I would like to see some sort of stat differentiate personal blogs to review and article blogs.

I think personaly "hi it's Sunday, i'm eating pizza watching the game" type blogs should carry the death penalty.

Very good advice OP, knowing the Niche / Market you are in is very important. Your advice above also applies to ecommerce stores. Filling a store with items people aren't interested in is pointless ( Even if you like them yourself ), so research the market and see what's hot and stock those.

Smart move. I agree.

Thanks for useful information.

Another thing which does work is totally immersing yourself in the niche you're interested in.

This is because you'll eventually "just know" when a piece of content will work perfectly and drive clicks. IMHO it's hard to just dip into a niche and expect perfect results.

Get your hands dirty, research like a pro and get your 10,000 hours down because it's much easier building amazing content when you're a true expert in that niche. I think that's why many people say "write about what interests you" because those 10,000 hours will flow like water. Of course there are limits to this, you need to be in a niche with buyers who want to earn you cash.

The ideal scenario is: niche you really love as a hobbyist + you have your 10,000 hours done already + profitable buyers who want to click adverts = epic win

Jumbuck1976 said:

Another thing which does work is totally immersing yourself in the niche you're interested in.

This is because you'll eventually "just know" when a piece of content will work perfectly and drive clicks. IMHO it's hard to just dip into a niche and expect perfect results.

Get your hands dirty, research like a pro and get your 10,000 hours down because it's much easier building amazing content when you're a true expert in that niche. I think that's why many people say "write about what interests you" because those 10,000 hours will flow like water. Of course there are limits to this, you need to be in a niche with buyers who want to earn you cash.

The ideal scenario is: niche you really love as a hobbyist + you have your 10,000 hours done already + profitable buyers who want to click adverts = epic win

Click to expand...

Great points but the problem is most people quickly realize that there's a STEEP LEARNING CURVE UP AHEAD. They quickly lose steam.

That's why your point about BEING INTERESTED in your niche.

I can't agree enough.

Be interested IN THE NICHE....

Not just the money!

Otherwise, it's too easy to end up running on fumes and quitting.

You only FAIL when you QUIT.

Never give up. I don't agree with you 100%. My thought is , "make yourself a brand" . Audiences will fall on your brand , not on your content.

I've had lots of flopped websites. I can say that good content matters.

1. Don't compromise for a great content.
2. Do your keyword research
3. Focus on quality links

The secret is to not just copy what's hot

Anybody can do that

Pay attention to hot blog posts in your niche

You'll be sure to find a GEM that will give you a DIFFERENT SPIN on the hot topic you're blogging about

Re-share your materials with people who pay attention to the stuff you're copying.

Get it now?

RoXt3R said:

My thought is , "make yourself a brand" . Audiences will fall on your brand , not on your content.

Click to expand...

We're NOT in disagreement.

I said pretty much the same thing in my original post above: You have to come up with a DISTINCT SPIN to the hot topics in your niche

This is how you establish a solid brand