Since I first began blogging 6 months ago, I have looked at the big hitters, you know the really successful bloggers and I have asked myself time and time again – what’s the secret? How do you become a successful blogger? How do you “go viral”?
Now, I haven’t dared ask any of them this question of course because I don’t know if I qualify for the answer… after all in the blogging world I am just a newbie. I have managed to make it past the 3 month hurdle (a scary hurdle where a lot of blogs fall and don’t get back up again) and feel
like I am doing pretty okay and moving a lot faster than some do. But still…. Some of these guys have been going years and I look at them with a sort of golden glow around them.
I am very lucky; in the past 6 months of blogging I have had some very successful posts including “Personal Ad: Blogger Seeks Tribe!” “My Soulmate: The One I Loved. The One I Lost” and “The Day She Almost Died.” What I noticed was that the posts of mine that have done well are the ones that really came from the heart and what I say just “word-vommed” onto the page without much thought and an effortless flow. It doesn’t mean they were easy to publish… but they provided a release.
I know I know I know… I am 3 paragraphs into this article and I can hear you screaming “STOP WITTERING ON AND TELL ME HOW TO MAKE MY BLOG A SUCCESS!!” Okay, I am getting there I swear. So there I was plodding along and minding my own business, when I happened to write a blog post (actually on a bet from a fellow blogger who shall remain nameless) called “How to Get Noticed as a Blogger: Boobs and Arse!” OMFG… The number of visits I had to that post over 3 days was insane and my number of followers went up by quite a bit too. Now considering this was a “joke” post that had been written in about 45 minutes… why was it proving so popular?! Then it hit me (especially when I began reading the comments left)… BOOBS & ARSE!
If you head over to that post, most of the comments even admit to the fact that the reason they came over was because they thought they were going to see a bit of boobage which is a) hilarious, b) NOT happening and c) incredibly interesting. So, let me get this straight; all those people headed over to my little old blog because I had dared to write the words Boob and Arse in the title?! Awesome! I have so many other body parts I can choose from: How to Get Noticed As A Blogger… “Fingers and Toes” “Arms and Legs” “Eyes and Nose” “Arm Pits!” No they don’t quite have the same ring to them do they?
Recently, I also wrote another two articles that happened to have the word “F**K” in the title and oddly enough they did well too and it was then that I realised I had found the answer….
“I have found the fountain of blogging success… and it’s full of slightly suggestive wording and profanity!”
That’s it. That is all you have to do. Whack an erogenous zone or a swear word in the title and you are good for a couple of hundred views. If you are really lucky, like a certain Ex-Mummy Blogger who recently went viral with her post about how bad mummy bloggers actually are (she used several variations of profanity) all you’ll need is one post and you will instantly be some form of famous!!
However, this doesn’t sit quite right with me. I am not denying that I regularly try and word my titles to make them more appealing and interesting, but I think this is very different from writing a title or even a whole blog centered solely around some suggestive writing in order to appeal to the masses… the reason it doesn’t sit right? Because this is not the form of success that I am craving. I don’t want to be a one hit wonder. I don’t want to be known as that girl who flashed her boobs to get blog traffic and I definitely do NOT want to be known as “The F**KING BLOGGER!”
The bloggers I aspire to be like are people likeAmy from Mr and Mrs T Plus 3, Aby from You Baby Me Mummy and Vicki from Honest Mum! These are three powerhouse women who, in my book are complete and utter successes and are doing something they love. Doing it well. Doing it with standards and doing it with morals. THAT is the kind of successful blogger I want to be. You know what? I will be too. It’s just going to take the real key to blogging success. The key I have known all along and have been waiting to share with you….
“The key to blogging success is… hardwork and patience!”
Sorry no magic tricks here…. despite the cleverly worded title of this blog post that I must admit was written in the way it was to lure you in…SORRY! Anyway, it might take me another 6 months or it might take me another two years, but actually in some ways I think I already am a success. I think I turned into a success when the first person (who wasn’t known to me in anyway) hit that subscribe button back in month 1. To you and all you amazing others who have hit that button and keep coming back… thanks!
Tune in next week for.. “My Sex Life: The Details!” Ha ha ha…. just kidding!
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30 Comments
Hehehe! Seriously, though, it’s true about lots of things, isn’t it? You get there by hard work!
Thanks phil. Ever so true
Hard work and a dash of luck is the answer to most things isn’t it? Great post x
Great throwback post, and links nicely with your blogging success series, you certainly did find the key x
#Ablogginggoodtime
Hahaha, people are drawn to the scandalous. I’ve also found that people respond more to the word vomit posts, and I find that to be really encouraging. It means that you should just get out there (and put yourself out there) if you are going to have any shot at being successful. #ablogginggoodtime
It’s so true that people are so often drawn to the click bait titles that make them curious as to what that’s all about! You are doing so fabulously and I think of you as one of the most inspirational stories since I’ve been blogging. Thank you for hosting #ablogginggoodtime xx
Just like in newspapers, it’s the headline that draws in the reader. Well done for getting to 6 months 🙂 #ablogginggoodtime
I think that is a hilarious way to highlight how easily lured in so many of us are. I don’t know what else to say because the only words in my head right now are “boobs and arse” hahaha!!
I remember reading that post on boobs/arse – or maybe it was this post mentioning it, either way Ive just got myself completely confused and had to go back to the linky to make sure I havent accidently linked up to an old one from last year lol! Well ive had a check, i havent actually commented before so i’m either psychic or going totally mad! #ablogginggoodtime
I think rude or comical headlines certainly capture a readers attention more. I don’t swear in person so I couldn’t write a swear word for a post. #ABloggingGoodTime
True this. Success is a combination of luck, hard work,talent and staying true to yourself. There is no magic formula, no matter what all those posts telling you how to knit yourself 10,000 followers in a space of a week say. #ablogginggoodtime
Could not agree more! #ablogginggoodtime
patience. Patience to not become frustrated over low income or traffic days…weeks…months…and throw the computer off the roof!
#ablogginggoodtime
Ah this is so true, and I also remember reading the boobs and arse post! Haha.
I am interested to know, though, 9 months on from writing this – does it still ring true that the key to blogging success is hard work and patience? I am great at hard work, but patience? Not so much! Haha #ablogginggoodtime
It’s so true – blogging takes time, patience and a lot of creativity! This is why is makes such a good hobby, but can also be transformed into a business. #ablogginggoodtime
Helen x
I would never have thought that people would visit just because of that wordage—how funny!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
This is very true – my posts with the words boobs & willies in have been successful too! #ablogginggoodtime
Blogging is so much more work than I ever thought. You have to be patient and willing to roll with the punches. Great post.
#ablogginggoodtime
I’m definitely tuning in next week!!! haha. Great post. Hard work, long hours and dedication. And sticking to your goals!
#ablogginggoodtime.
Hard work and patience are definitely key to real, lasting blogging success – but a catchy headline sure doesn’t hurt! #ablogginggoodtime
This is funny…we all do it! I’ve started to get wise to click bait but it’s so tempting!! #ablogginggoodtime
HA HA this made me laugh I might try putting a few of those words in my beauty posts although I don’t think it will work as well. But seriously thought becoming a ‘successful’ blogger all depends on what success is to the person. I am by no means the most popular blogger in terms of views or followers but I still fell successful and I am reaching my own goals.
Amina | http://www.AliandHer.com #ablogginggoodtime
Really interesting post – on lots of levels!! I did notice recently that lots of the Mumsnet posts of the day seem to have swear words in the title….. maybe I’ll try a post entitled – ‘being mindful about your tits and arse’ and see how I get on!!!! 😉 xx #ablogginggoodtime
I think you’re a success too. You’re doing just fine being true to yourself and the kind of blogger you want to be. #ablogginggoodtime
Love this post for your honesty – I presumed you’d been around for ages as you’re one of the bloggers I look up to as a huge success, and wonder how you do it! I’m such a newbie (think S.H.I.T. has been going for 6 weeks now) and am always wondering how everyone else does it, and has thousands of followers! But like you, my biggest buzz was when that first person who wasn’t my family and friends, followed me. #ablogginggoodtime
Hard work is always rewarded and you are clearly in that zone. Well done. Great words full of wisdom. Thanks for sharing. #ablogginggoodtime
I like what you did here! It clearly works! But yes hard work and patience! Well done on your successes so far! 🙂 #ablogginggoodtime
So I’m amazed that you’ve been blogging for six months as I’ve been doing it for a little less time (by a few weeks) and to me you’re one of the more established bloggers – by your work i’d definately have thought it had been a couple of years! That to me shows you’re successful in my eyes!
I do agree with you in that the title is everything in the sense of drawing readers in. Its working though! I tell ya of i did a post about my sex life it would be very long hahahahaahahahah #ablogginggoodtime
Oh Katie you did make me laugh!!! If only I were brave enough to swear but it always terrifies me because of the whole brand/reputation thing and actually isn’t my writing style. Bizarre when you consider I have the FOULEST mouth in real life. Just ask my kids #shocker #blogginggoodtime
Yep its all about hard work, and time I feel! I get too impatient and want to be a success but I need to be realistic about how much time I can commit. I’d say you’re already going pretty damn well to say how long you’ve been going anyway! #ablogginggoodtime