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May
19

10 reasons you shouldn’t start a blog

A few months ago, I talked about the fact that bloggers are taking over the world…and shared some impressive statistics on the number of blogs and blog readers in the world. While these numbers are not 100% perfect, it is safe to assume they are pretty darn close to reality. Of those blogs that exist, I would guess that less than half of them are active 6 months after they start, and less that 2/3 are active after a year. When one goes inactive, another just replaces them…it is a never ending cycle of blog creation. Why do I think this is the case? Have you ever checked out wordpress.com and just clicked browse? A huge percentage of the blogs you will see will not have had a post within the last 3-6 months. Use stumbleupon to search through other blogs, and you will see the same effect.

Maintaining a blog takes a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of content. And while having a business or personal blog isn’t a bad thing, when they are started for the wrong reasons or with the wrong intent, they are almost guaranteed to fail. Luckily, there are a few telltale signs that someone is starting a blog for the wrong reasons, or without giving it serious thought. Here are 10 reasons you shouldn’t start a blog:

  1. Because you think you will make money doing it. Do some people make millions from their blog? Sure. Will you be the next one? Doubtful.
  2. Because your nieces friend told you your business needed one. If you are just doing it because you think you should, you won’t dedicate the time you need to make it succeed.
  3. Because your want the whole world to read about your life. Unless you wrestle alligators and hunt unicorns in your spare time…a blog about your life will only appeal to some readers.
  4. Because you want the whole world to read your business thoughts. Unless you’re…actually, it doesn’t matter who you are, you will never get the whole world to read your blog.
  5. Because you sell a consumer product. Just because your product is consumer facing, doesn’t mean that the consumers want to read a blog about it. Think before you write.
  6. Because it is easier than press releases, research groups and actual branding. No…just no.
  7. Because you want better site SEO. While a blog can deliver this, it can only do so if the content is killer, optimized and consistent. Otherwise, it won’t help one iota.
  8. Because your other marketing is failing. If you can’t market your business without a blog, a blog is not going to save it. You need a brand first.
  9. Because it seems like everyone in your market has one. Do I really have to give you the “jump of the bridge” analogy?
  10. Because you can. Starting a blog just because it is “easy” to start one, doesn’t mean you should.

While this may seem negative, it is only because blogging is not simple. It is not something you should walk into lightly…and what I want to point out is that it takes a lot of thought before taking the plunge. I want this to just be a time to take pause, to give you a chance to consider if you have really thought blogging (and all it entails) through completely. If you have, and you still want to do it, then I wish you the best of luck, and suggest you browse some of my blog management posts. If, however, these 10 reasons have made you wonder if your ready, then you are probably not. Take some time, do some more research, ask me some questions…and then decide.

Share your thoughts?

Related posts:

  1. 10 reasons you should start a blog
  2. How to start a blog
  3. Guest post from John Morgan: 5 Reasons To Start Building Your Personal Brand Today

Category: Blog Management, Blog Tutorials, Wright Point of View
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  • http://ariwriter.com Ari Herzog

    Sorry, I disagree.

    At its core, a blog is a web log. A diary. There are oodles of blogs that are personal diaries. Their authors don't care about marketing or SEO or comments. They write because they can, because they want to.

    • http://twitter.com/1to1Discovery Juli Monroe

      I don't think she'd disagree with you, Ari. Starting a blog as a web diary would be a reason other than the ones she listed. If someone wants to post their random thoughts and doesn't care how many people read them, that's a) not a lot of work and b) a perfectly sounds reason to start one.

      Now we'll see if Kirsten chimes in and disagrees with both of us!

      • kirstenwright

        Ari and Julie – I am definitely going to agree with both of you! And it is an extremely valid point.

        My complaint is only about the “personal” bloggers who want to be famous or rich because of their babbling about life. The personal diary version, where they have zero desire for others to read it, do it when they want and how they want, and are doing it purely for their own pleasure? Perfectly fine!!

        The confusion may be on my last point – that you shouldn't start one just because you can. In this case, I was referring more to the people who only do it just to say they did…they don't really have anything worth writing about, no passion about it and no inner desire…

  • http://twitter.com/VetLovingPetsHB Huntington Beach Vet

    Excellent points Kirsten. I would also add not to start a blog just to add another “social media” outlet to your repertoire with all the cute little links ;-) .

  • suzbroughton

    I can't even begin to tell you how much I agree with you on every point. I am approached often and asked by new bloggers and they almost always ask “how do I make money doing this?” I hate to burst their bubble, but you probably won't. Blogging is better used as an avenue to explore your talents and passions. It's a conduit (most of the time). The other points are true as well.

    • kirstenwright

      Suz,

      Thanks so much for your response! I am glad to hear that someone other than me is honest with those who want to start blogging. It was great seeing you yesterday!

  • http://agoodtimewithwine.com mmwine

    When I first started blogging, someone said “How often will you update? Once a week? That's 52 posts a year. Do you have a list of 52 things to write about? If not, then bag it now.”

    They're right. If you cant predict what you're going to blog about for the next year, whether it's once a day, week, or month, then you may as well forget it now.

    Also, be sure that someone will actually want to READ what you're saying in blog format. Restaurants for example rarely need blogs. Unless you're updating about the special of the day, or that your chef quit again, it doesn't need a blog. a regular, static website will do. Blogs are easy to set up as websites – but make sure the functionality is right.

    Cheers

    • kirstenwright

      Such great points – and I appreciate that you included the fact that you need readers…as I didn't really touch too much on that fact. I am glad that you took the time to think about it and chose to start your blog :)

  • http://norcalwingman.com Norcalwingman

    Great, now you tell me! ;-) Oh well, I'm already on a roll, guess I'll just keep on truckin!

    Cheers,
    Brian
    http://norcalwingman.com

    • kirstenwright

      Haha – the good news is you are doing a lot right! You right regularly, with interesting content that will appeal to a niche of readers – I think you definitely deserve to keep writing :)

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  • http://joshuadenney.com Joshua

    In other words: stay confused, be afraid and hire you?

    How is blogging not part of 'actual' branding?

    • kirstenwright

      Joshus, thanks for your thoughts! I don't ever suggest staying confused, in fact, I believe that you need to research, learn and work hard to understand blogging before you start it. If that involved working with me, that's fine, but I don't believe that is the only way to learn how to blog.

      Your question about branding and blogging is better answered through the post I wrote after this one – 10 reasons you SHOULD start a blog (http://wrightcreativity.com/2010/05/10-reasons-…) but to paraphrase – I think that a blog is a great part of a branding strategy but that you must have a clear idea of what your brand is, to whom you are writing and what you want to share in order for it to be successful.

      • http://joshuadenney.com Joshua

        Agree.

        In context, with your new post, I get it (understand why you made it more negative). On its own it just seemed a bit incomplete and misleading.

        :)

    • http://agoodtimewithwine.com mmwine

      I disagree entirely. I don't think she said that in any way, shape or form!

      Blogging is NOT part of actual branding for many situations, and can actually work counter towards building a strong brand. The example of a restaurant is a perfect one. If the restaurants starts a blog and updates a few times at the beginnging because it's shiney and new, great. However, as time goes on, and they have posted about the chef, the sous chef, the dishwasher, and the cool new menu they put together 3 or 6 months ago, they stop posting and the blog gets stale. Then, when you decide to visit the area and look it up online, you see they haven't updated in 6 months because, really, how much can a restaurant BLOG … and you get an impression that it's old and stale.

      Not every social media outlet is necessary for every business and brand. A blog and a web presence are two different things. Having a website that gives you information about what you do, how to contact you, etc is important for most every business in the world these days. Having a blog is not.

      • http://joshuadenney.com Joshua

        Everything you do in public is part of branding. Knowing why you're blogging is paramount.

        A smart restaurant can (and do) blog regularly and have it work in their favor, building on their reputation, etc. Events, specials, contests, local causes, and stories from patrons are a few things you could blog about as a restaurant.

        I don't think a blog is necessary for every business (my business is mostly blogs and I don't have one) but there are huge benefits when done correctly.

        My 'issue' with this list was more related to the personal side of things than business. I think there are plenty of good things that come from a person just up and starting a blog 'just because they can' and like to see that encouraged.

        Cheers :)

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