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Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?

Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?

If your blog is failing to grow, failing to make money, or failing to attract crowds of followers and readers… there’s a reason.

Do you ever ask yourself, “Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?”

I deal with these issues every day as a blogging coach.

And I also create many products designed to help my customers find success from blogging.

When failure first sets in, people generally try to do new things.

Then they buy some software and gadgets to help them “push button” their way to the top.

That is rarely the answer, though.

So these folks usually get more and more disenchanted.

They start believing that they just can’t succeed.

When that feeling and belief gets internalized, there’s a sharp downward spiral.

People get de-motivated, depressed and at that point they might just give up.

Ah, but then there’s those persistent bloggers who are “committed to success.”

They hang in there.

Yea, I know there’s some of you out there.

You just keep doing the things that have failed you so many times.

Holding on to failure is hard… Letting go of failure is easy.

But then you add a bunch of new things to your arsenal, too.

When those things don’t deliver your dreamed of success, you become a serial blogging failure.

I know clients who actually get comfortable with the fact that they keep failing.

They accept it and come to expect it.

Hey, this doesn’t make you bad, or stupid, or a loser.

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It makes you really determined to succeed at your “head level,” even while you’ve resigned yourself to failing forever at your “heart level.”

  • You want to succeed.
  • Of course you do.
  • But something inside you has given up.
  • So you do more and more to try to force some better results.

The more you do, the bigger your burden becomes.

I know “failed bloggers” who have been working 10 hours a day for a long time.

How Can I Break Through Endless Failure

And I know highly successful bloggers who never work more than 2 hours a day.

So, what’s the difference between failing and succeeding in the crazy, wonderful and wild world of blogging?

Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?

Okay, so here’s the deal.

Probably the biggest problem with building a successful blog or online business is confusion and overwhelm.

You might set out to do one thing, but wind up getting involved in 10 other things.

Each of those 10 other things spider into 5 threads in your “must do” action list.

So you end up with 50 things you need to achieve.

  • This is all crazy thinking.
  • It’s a total spinout.
  • You lose control.
  • You have to stop.

How much can a person take, right?

The Wrong Way

Why haven’t you been able to monetize your blog up to now?

There are lots of possibilities.

  • You might be using the wrong systems.
  • Or, the wrong business model.
  • You’re not building trust with your readers.
  • Or, you’re not attracting enough new followers.
  • You’re not getting the traffic you need.
  • Maybe you’re not creating really compelling content.
  • It could simply be that you’re not doing anything that’s unique or different, that makes you stand out from the crowd.

These are all things a blogger struggle with.

Maybe you first started blogging thinking all you had to to do is create a blog site, write a blog post, and readers would start flocking to it.

Then, you might have thought, it’s simply a matter of embedding some links to some affiliate products, or some side-bar banners.

Maybe you could just add a link to a service you can provide like copy writing, graphic design or whatever.

Special: Join My 30 Day Challenge To “Reboot Your Business”

But it’s not that easy, is it?

All that stuff probably hasn’t worked too well.

So you think the answer is to do more?

Well, I just showed you an example of becoming overwhelmed with trying to do too many things.

And it leads to the confusion of not really knowing why you are doing them to begin with.

Even more, you become confused as to whether are not they are even the right things to be doing at all.

In fact, doing all that stuff is probably doing too much.

You’re probably just doing way too much of the wrong things.

Too much of things that keep you confused, keep you overwhelmed, and make you spin your wheels until you’re just stuck in the mud.

None of that stuff that requires so much work, ever gets to the heart of what the are the right things that you need to be doing.

The Right Way

You see, doing more and more to overcome failure is itself a classic pattern for failure.

You have carefully plotted your path forward in your mind, on a mindmap, or on a whiteboard or blackboard.

Now, your blackboard is cluttered with all this stuff you have to do.

  • Stop!
  • Erase the board!
  • Start putting systems into place that will get you genuine traffic.
  • Stop doing the wrong things, and start doing the right things.

That’s how you will get a loyal following, and build a real and sustainable blogging business.

Learn the things you need to do to actually make people come to your blog

Figure out what it takes to get them to complete targeted actions.

Targeted actions like joining your email list or buying things.

Learn how to connect with these people in the right way to

  • build the relationships and trust that you need to attract customers
  • attract customers and clients instead of browsers and bouncers

It’s not difficult.

Holding on to failure is hard… Letting go of failure is easy.

In fact, it’s probably way easier than what you’re doing now that takes so much time and effort.

Here’s the thing…

The way to make money blogging is to have a simple business structure with an actionable system for you to follow daily.

Once it gets too complicated, once it’s spiders out too much into too many different directions, you lose control of it.

  • It dilutes your focus,
  • your effort,
  • your ability to channel your energy into one single, clear purpose.

Start doing the Right Things

So, just what are the Right Things that you need to be doing?

Of course, that all depends on you, and your specific blog.

And it depends on your specific skillset and abilities.

What results do you want to achieve with your blog?

And what are capable and willing to do to achieve them?

Also, think of what you are not capable of or willing to do.

What’s your niche?

How can you best monetize it?

You see, there are so many variables to consider.

And those are just a few.

So truly, it all depends on you.

The Right Things

That said, I can tell you there are some basic things that work for just about every blogger.

You have to build an email list, for instance.

If you don’t, then it’s going to be very difficult to hold together a loyal band of followers.

And without a loyal band of followers, it’s going to be pretty tough to build a profitable business.

Now, to build an email list, you’ll want to be able to put together an ebook, or something else that will attract new prospects.

To pitch that, you have to create a series of landing pages that will pull your prospects into you sales funnel.

And oh yeah, you need to build a sales funnel.

That’s a series of web pages and offers that will take your prospect from being a casual visitor to your blog, and make them a raving fan and yes… a paying client or customer.

All that is required to follow just one simple goal… to build your email list.

But there are other paths and goals you can follow, too.

The key is, you have to do the right thing for your specific situation, or you’re just wasting your time.

So the very first thing you must determine is exactly… exactly what the Right Things are for You to do.

If Your Blog Fails To Grow And Make Money… Then Maybe It’s Time To Restart Your Business… Ya Think?

At this point, I’d like you to take a look at your blog or online business a little more carefully.

See just how much it may or may not have spun out of control.

  • Fresh eyes.
  • Deep breath.
  • New life.
  • Now, think.

How do you know if your blogging business has spun out of control?

And how do you know if you’ve been doing the right things, or the wrong ones?

Isn’t it crazy?

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I get this all the time.

People tell me they’re doing this, that and the other thing.

But they don’t have time to follow through.

They can’t keep up.

Sometimes they can’t even sleep.

Now, they’ve gotta get a job, they’ve got to pay bills and need money now…

All this stuff…

They hyperventilate in frustration and desperation.

But they really can’t see that they’re just doing a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t work.

They call it a business, but they don’t run it like one.

And all their time is taken up in following dead-end objectives instead of reliable ones.

Then they wonder why they can’t make money with it.

Stop

  • Inhale
  • Exhale
  • Think

Well, if you’re not getting the results that you want, there’s a reason.

It could be that you’re just not working hard enough.

Of course, it could be that you’re working too hard at all the wrong things.

Most struggling bloggers are simply spread out way too thin.

They are racing in too many directions and they’ve lost the ability to focus clearly on what they’re actually doing.

I mean, they’re running… but can’t see their feet.

Now, if that sounds like you, here’s an idea.

Here’s An Idea

Why not just reboot your blogging business?

It’s like, if your computer is doing crazy things, you push the “restart” button.

It shuts down, then reopens and everything starts working the right way again.

Grab your blackboard.

Try writing down all the things you do to run your blog.

Then think about the results that you want.

  • Are you getting them?
  • Are you coming up short?

Special: Join My 30 Day Challenge To “Reboot Your Business”

If not, then there’s a disconnect between what you’re doing, and the results you are trying to attain.

You can clearly see that you’re operating at some stage of failure.

If you find that you’re really struggling to get any good results…

or to monetize your blog or to build your list or to build trust with your followers…

then something’s wrong.

But don’t despair.

It can be much easier than you thought to turn things around.

Start by rebooting your blog.

In other words, simply erase your blackboard.

Stop moving in the wrong direct.

Stop doing the wrong things.

Get going in the right direction by doing the right things!

Erase Your Blackboard

Holding on to failure is hard… Letting go of failure is easy.

  • Holding On creates pain
  • Letting Go releases it

Sigh… relief…

  • It’s time for some change.
  • It’s time to start over.
  • Develop a beginner’s mindset.
  • It’s all wonder and amazement.
  • It’s exciting.

You might be afraid to erase the board.

  • You clutch desperately to every little etching you’ve scratched into it.
  • You believe it has so much valuable information.
  • You’ve collected so much stuff over the months and years.
  • You think it would be a travesty to lose it.

Yet, all this stuff amounts to a whole lot of clutter that is holding you down.

It’s like you’re trying to run in mud.

You’ve got to set yourself free.

Holding on to failure is hard… Letting go of failure is easy.

So, go ahead.

Erase the Board.

You’ve Got Nothing To Lose

Anything that was worthwhile on that board will stay in your mind.

So, don’t hold on to it.

If you erase the board and then forget something that was on it, chances are that it wasn’t worth holding on to.

Just let it go.

Because, it’s really way easier than you might think.

Anything that had value, will still be with you.

Most important, you will be rid of the things that are pushing you in the wrong direction.

For instance, if I had a note on my blackboard to “start a blog on Tumblr”…

  • because that’s something that I’ve wanted to do for the last 6 months
  • but I just never got around to doing it

Special: Join My 30 Day Challenge To “Reboot Your Business”

When I finally erase my blackboard…

  • I can finally just forget about it…

because if it was really that important to start a blog on Tumblr, I’d have done it by now.

So rebooting my blogging business helps me to get rid of excess clutter in my mind, and on my “to-do” list.

You’ve Got Everything To Gain

Getting rid of “dead weight” things like that is actually a gain.

Think how you can gain by letting go of stuff that you don’t need anymore.

You gain the freedom that comes from a refreshed, uncluttered mind.

You gain a new, clear perspective of exactly what you’re doing…

  • where you’re going,
  • what’s important, and
  • what is just marginal, or worse,
  • what is totally distracting
  • even disabling.

And you gain the freedom that comes from replacing all those “wrong things” with a new list of the “right things.”

Those are the things that can put your blog on a new, more prosperous path.

Get Off The Failure Treadmill – Reboot Your Business

Here’s my challenge to you.

Erase your own blackboard.

Turn things around.

Create a new sense of clarity and purpose.

  • Hit the reset button.
  • Reboot your business.

Now, I know you probably have no idea where to begin with this process.

So…

Get started by joining my 30 day challenge, called Reboot Your Business.”

If you’re struggling to make your blog or online business successful and profitable, this is for you.

This Is What Will Happen Next

When you enroll, I take you through the process of erasing your own blackboard and replacing it .

I do this through

  • daily training for the 30 day challenge
  • one-on-one private coaching and consultation

I’ll show you how to

  • ditch your old way of doing things
  • replace it with actionable things designed to help YOUR blog and business grow and prosper.

You’ll get to erase your board…

clear your mind of the clutter that’s holding you back and perpetuating your continual struggle.

What are you struggling with?

  • Is it building a list?
  • Is it getting people on your list to actually buy things from your links?
  • Is it a new product that you wanted to create but just haven’t gotten to yet?
  • Are you spending too much money advertising and not profiting from it?
  • Are you blogging mindlessly on a continual basis, like you’re on a treadmill… yet it’s not making any difference in your bottom line?
  • Or is it something else?

It doesn’t really matter what your specific problem is.

I’ve seen it all.

Whatever it is that’s prevented you from achieving the things you want, then there’s a reason.

We’ll figure out what that is, and we’ll come up with a solution for you.

It’s time to clear the board and start doing only those things that will accelerate your success.

Join me in this 30 Day Challenge… Reboot Your Business

Reboot Business Challenge

I’ve been running the Reboot Your Business Challenge for some years now, so I’ve seen what is really working.

Let’s get you up to date with what can work for you right now. 

I’d love to have you join my challenge group, and figure out out how to break through your own blogging struggles.

Meanwhile, I hope this article has helped you gain some insight into the state of your blogging business.

Do you have a better sense of that?

Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?

So, now I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Why is your blog failing to give you the results you’re looking for?

What do you think you need to do to get on the right track?

-Donna

PS: Please share this article on your favorite social sites… thanks so much 🙂

 

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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62 Responses to Why Does My Blog Fail To Grow And Make Money?

  1. Lori English
    Twitter:
    January 7, 2021 at 6:20 pm #

    Donna,

    This is great and wishing you a Happy, Healthy, New Year. I am going through your posts and learning new ways of communicating and sharing with my blog, The Thirty challenge is great. Thank You and My heart is with yours and the family. All My best.

    Lori English. MSW,LSW

    Lori English recently posted.. How Does Self Compassion Radically Change Your Entire Life

  2. Praveen Rajarao
    Twitter:
    February 13, 2017 at 9:21 am #

    Hello Donna,

    I think my main concerning reason for not making a mark in blogging can be attributed to the fact that I do not have a niche. I do not blog always about the same related topics and that I think affects my viewership. I do not get back readers on my site since they think my next article is completely unrelated.

    Nice read. I do hope I can STOP and erase everything and start fresh again.
    Praveen Rajarao recently posted..The Awesome Tree House by Neha PraveenMy Profile

  3. Tola Korede
    Twitter:
    January 8, 2017 at 7:44 am #

    Donna Merrill,

    Firstly, happy new year to you.

    Wow, this is very long post ever in your blog which you did gave out REAL information required to succeed as a blogger.

    I will share this post to get more massive exposure, so that others can learn from you.

    Thanks.

    Tola

  4. ikechi
    Twitter:
    January 2, 2017 at 6:34 am #

    Hi Donna

    Your words are indeed awesome and what cool way to start the year by removing the clutter in a business and creating simple business structures that become profitable.

    Thumbs up for this post and thanks for sharing. Take Care
    ikechi recently posted..The 10 Most Popular Posts That Rocked in 2016My Profile

  5. Emenike Emmanuel
    Twitter:
    December 29, 2016 at 9:17 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    For several reasons a blog may fail. And far as I’m concern, I will always blame it on the blogger. You see, anything that doesn’t have a plan will always struggle to stand out.

    If you want to run a successful blog, you must incorporate your strategies for making money from day one. Don’t wait until you’ve exhausted your resources before thinking of how to monetize your blog.

    For me, I knew Affiliate marketing may not cut it so I focused in consulting and public speaking. And since then, it has been working for me. At then I was so deep into freelance writing.

    Thanks for sharing this.

    Emenike

  6. Sameer Joshi
    Twitter:
    December 29, 2016 at 4:05 pm #

    Great post, Donna! Loved it. In fact, Glenn Shepherd and I were just talking about you recently.

    I found the part in this post about “Erasing The Blackboard” to be really a turning point – something we all HATE doing for all the WRONG reasons, yet it is the simplest, and the most necessary thing to do at that time.

    I actively engage in a habit of having browser windows and table open of things that I would you “like” to do, but these necessarily are not the ones that I “need” to do (which are on my to-do list, btw).

    Your post got me thinking why we want to hold on to things that we actually just let go off of. No real reason to hold on to them – but we still do. I was really grateful that a computer update that got rid of all my open (and unattended) browser windows and tabs – and gone they are! Hahaha.

    I’d have probably closed them after reading your post anyway!

    Thanks so much. Happy Holidays.

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 30, 2016 at 9:24 am #

      Hi Sameer,

      I can certainly relate to the “open browsers windows and tabs”… I personally find that I just have to close one before opening another, but my husband always has a dozen open… so confusing to me 🙂

      Yes, I think this is the time of the year to declutter and simplify our business.

      I called the challenge I’m running in January “Restart Your Business” but based on things I’ve been hearing from people, I think I should have called it “Reboot Your Business.”

      It’s not really that we have to start business all over, it’s more that we just accumulate so much stuff on our “blackboard”… things start getting sluggish.

      I like the image of too many browser tabs being open because we all know that if we overload the demand on our computers… we get the freeze, the spinning ball, slog down.

      That’s more like how I see people’s blogging businesses rolling… heavy, heavier, heavier still until they hit the spinning ball in their brains.

      It’s just too much stuff, too little design, and an unclear vision.

      Yet we all know that the remedy to an overworked computer is to shut it down and reboot it.

      Then things work so much better.

      So yes, erasing the board as i’ve envisioned it, is much like rebooting your computer.

      We don’t have to start “new” as much as we need to start “fresh.”

      New Years always means “resolutions”…

      my New Years resolution is to “let go” of all the stuff I’ve built into my business that just isn’t working, and isn’t worth lugging around into the new year.

      Have a great 2017, my friend 🙂

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  7. Haider Raza December 26, 2016 at 12:08 pm #

    This article is awesome and it is very helpful for me. I also started blog writing and in beginning i’m not a good blog writer, But it is very helpful to understand how to write a successful article and make money.

  8. Gaurav Jain
    Twitter:
    December 26, 2016 at 12:11 am #

    Hi Donna,

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas & a great year ahead. Awesome post with some very impressive points.

    I believe one should never be afraid of trying new things and should remain motivated at all times, for this it is best to befriend successful bloggers and follow their footsteps.

    To become a successful blogger, it takes time, energy and money. So, if there is not much traffic initially do not get demotivated, instead invest some time in SEO and other aspects of blogging.

    Donna thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog, hope to see you doing that again. 🙂

    Cheers!
    Gaurav
    Gaurav Jain recently posted..Google Hates Keyword Stuffing Engage at Your Own RiskMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 29, 2016 at 10:15 pm #

      Hi Guarav,

      It is a great thing to observe and befriend other bloggers, you can learn so much from what others are doing, and what is working for them.

      But you also have to be true to your own unique mission, and possibly your own methods of running your blogging business.

      I often find that a client is not being productive in their own business because they’re spending too much time looking around to see what others are doing.

      You have to balance the two things, because it’s important to observe, but just as important to implement your own ideas.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Beyond The E-Myth – Michael E. GerberMy Profile

  9. Mi Muba
    Twitter:
    December 24, 2016 at 12:51 pm #

    Hi Donna

    Your well-thought and well-developed post reminded me early days of my blogging when the only aim of mine was to create a post and promote it, to create a post and promote. Other than that I didn’t know what to do and was hoping magical CTR from a few visitors on my Google Adsense.

    It was never going going to happen but fortunately an amazing blogging coach like you notices my blind struggle that was leading me to no where. His regular mentoring taught me that a blog can never succeed without following a proper strategy.

    The points you mentioned are very valid. I also know several bloggers who work day and night but yet to make any big headway and just became a blogging machine.

    Many thanks for this very informative and equally a motivational post.

    Happy Holidays and have a super successful new year ahead.
    Mi Muba recently posted..11-step fail-proof formula to earn big money easily as an affiliateMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 27, 2016 at 11:37 am #

      Hi Mi Muba,

      You have certainly been able to move beyond the early stumbles, eh?

      You make an important observation here, about getting past the plucking away at all the tedious daily tasks of blogging, and develop a system that can turn your blog into a highly profitable business instead of a “minimum wage job.”

      Working day and night is NOT the answer, putting the right systems in place and actually working LESS is what you want to strive for.

      Glad to see you’ve done the right things, and I look forward to seeing you reach even greater success in 2017 🙂

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  10. Peter Beckenham
    Twitter:
    December 21, 2016 at 11:48 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    What a truly inspirational post.

    I loved the concept of “cleaning the blackboard” as a way of cleaning your thinking and allowing us to focus on what is really needed.

    To me the key focus must always be on providing as much value as we can to help others.

    If you are frustrated with the monetary results you are getting from your blog then think are you providing relevant value to your readers? Are you giving to others? Are you engaging with your target audience? Is your mindset simply money driven? Do you have simple systems in place to build your earnings potential?

    For the past 6 weeks, I have not been as active as a blogger as usual as I restructured my marketing strategies in preparation for 2017. This included not creating a blog post for many weeks.The interesting thing was my blog community email list still grew during that period of relative inactivity thanks to the existing systems I have in place.

    Thanks to you and your training the systems I implemented previously carried me through this recent period of major restructure.

    Best wishes as always from the remote Thai village blogger

    Peter
    Peter Beckenham recently posted..Mindset: Is Your Mindset Killing Your Business?My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 27, 2016 at 11:27 am #

      Hi Peter,

      Sounds like you’re on an exciting path 🙂

      Everyone has to find their own system, and their own “crowd” as I like to call it.

      What works for one blogger may not for another, but like you’ve done… each blogger must try some different things until they find what works for them.

      For instance, blog commenting in particular, is probably THE best method for building a community atmosphere on your blog.

      But if your blog is essentially a review site, or a more technical site, then that may not be what really drives your crowd.

      It’s all about tweaks and adjustments until it all comes together, as it has for you, my friend.

      Have a great new year.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  11. Sathish Arumugam
    Twitter:
    December 21, 2016 at 11:47 am #

    The post is very informative, and I exactly like the way you are planning. I’m sure many bloggers will surely love this piece. I was struggling to get the great result for my blog in the early stages, but now I’m very clear about my goals so I’m working for my purpose in a continuous process so I’m getting a freak result, and I’m improving myself lot more in this. From your post, I have found many specific techniques to achieve the most significant results.

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 27, 2016 at 11:17 am #

      Hi Sathish,

      I’m so glad things are going well for you, my friend.

      Once you get clear on exactly what you need to do to achieve exactly the goals you want… all the confusion and overwhelms melts away.

      I’m happy to have played some small role in your improved results 🙂

      Keep up the great work in the new year.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  12. Amar kumar
    Twitter:
    December 21, 2016 at 1:57 am #

    Hey Donna,

    Glad to read your informative post! I agree with your all points, you know ea;ch and every blogger are engaged in building effective strategies in respect of blogosphere to meet successful goals in 2017. Creating and launching an appealing and informative blog is not enough in this era to make successful blog but if we try to add some innovative strategies than after we tracked in successful path.

    Planning can take a number of forms, depending on where you are in your content marketing framework. Eventually, thanks for reveling a light on this topic.

    With best wishes,

    Amar kumar
    Amar kumar recently posted..13 Ways to Easily Update Your Website Content for 2017My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 22, 2016 at 11:26 am #

      Hi Amar,

      So happy to know you enjoyed this blog post. We all want to step up a few notches with the coming year. Indeed, creating and lauching information is not enough to make your blog successful.

      One must have some innovative strategies in place. We have to go through the planning stage ad take action.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Beyond The E-Myth – Michael E. GerberMy Profile

  13. Lea Bullen
    Twitter:
    December 20, 2016 at 9:13 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Overwhelm certainly plays a huge role. As a blogger you end up having a 10 new things to do, you barely know how to do them. Then 5 more things come up that you want to add, but you don’t know how to fit it in. You might do it once but you can’t keep up. I think that’s how you end up with inconsistent results and lack in growth.

    ~Lea
    Lea Bullen recently posted..Stressed Beyond Belief: How to Keep Calm When You’ve Had It up to HereMy Profile

  14. Ilka Emig
    Twitter:
    December 20, 2016 at 4:41 am #

    Hi Donna!

    As good and beneficial the Internet can be (just look at your community), overwhelm and confusion are definitely part of the journey as well.

    You rock with your simple and achievable solution to re-think and re-start a blog and its focus. I’ve implemented a lot of your advice into my blog so far and it always made my blog better and my life easier.

    I wish you all the peace and warmth for Christmas and hope that you can put a thankful smile on your face while looking back at 2016.

    – Ilka
    Ilka Emig recently posted..3 simple tips how to make and break a habitMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 22, 2016 at 11:19 am #

      Hi Ilka,

      It is so wonderful to know you have implemented some of my advice to blog better and make life easier. Indeed, I do try to make things simple and actionable.

      I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Beyond The E-Myth – Michael E. GerberMy Profile

  15. Mark
    Twitter:
    December 19, 2016 at 5:08 pm #

    Donna you are nothing short of amazing coach!

    I couldn’t stop laughing at some of the
    incredibly descriptive, yet creative terms and or phrases you’re using!

    Or excellent advice like, “get off the failure treadmill!LOL!

    While I realize you’re attempting to be humorous, you have simply nailed
    some all too common questions and or comments, I’ve received too!LOL!

    But I must also confess, I finally totally fascinating, that so many aspiring
    online marketers, will spend countless hours, doing what clearly hasn’t
    or doesn’t work!

    Yet they are reluctant to embrace what will!LOL!

    Thanks for sharing another excellent and highly entertaining
    and educational post!
    Mark recently posted..How Strategic Blogging Has A Lot In Common With Offline Power Marketing!Part ThreeMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 21, 2016 at 12:36 pm #

      Hi Mark,

      Some will be reluctant to embrace change. It is so easy to get comfortable and do what we do over and over again. But then one day it hits you….no change, no monetization, etc.

      We all have to move a shake in business to have it grow continually.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  16. Gaurav Kumar
    Twitter:
    December 19, 2016 at 4:14 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    The very first thing which most of the newbie bloggers never try to understand is that success in blogging is not an overnight thing.

    There is a long story of struggle behind every successful blogger. We do mistakes and we learn from them. We evolve, engage, grow and work on where we lack.

    Lack of commitment and greed for money is also the biggest issues why many bloggers fail.

    Once again you have done a great job sharing why bloggers fail.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Gaurav Kumar recently posted..Complete Domain Name Guide : How to Choose a Domain (5600 Words)My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 21, 2016 at 12:23 pm #

      Hi Gaurav,

      Impatience, putting money fast and false expectations will send a blogger away fast. Each blogger has their story of struggle, mistakes, wins and falls.

      This is why it is so important for us to share our information as much as possible for the new guy in town.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  17. DeeDee Lynn
    Twitter:
    December 19, 2016 at 3:17 pm #

    Hi Donna. Great article, and it looks as though it will be a great course. Since my blog is only a couple of months old, I don’t want to erase the blackboard yet. However, I have about a bazillion business building courses in my computer that I am going through, implementing as it seems fitting. I hope you have a lot of students who will benefit from you course and kill it in 2017.
    DeeDee Lynn recently posted..5 Christmas survival tips to help you enjoy the season moreMy Profile

  18. Anand December 19, 2016 at 5:44 am #

    Hi Donna. This post is probably going to force some bloggers to take up a new year resolution about their blog and blogging methods. Very valid points mentioned, and a lot of it gets ignored when you get tunnel vision about your blog. I particularly like the bit about writing down what you’re struggling with. That means you know what you don’t know, and it’s better to get a professional to do it for you, while you focus on your core competencies. That may go a long way in making a blog successful. But this is probably something you know more about, Donna. Thanks again for an insightful post.
    Anand recently posted..Tools to Track Sales Team PerformanceMy Profile

    • Ash
      Twitter:
      December 19, 2016 at 10:47 pm #

      You are right, Donna. Despite how we might feel about things sometimes, we just need to take action. Like someone once said, “Taking action is meeting success half way”, or was it something like that? 🙂

      I love the word “Restart” in the context you use it. Doing my best to think of the best possible way to streamline things.

      Your living room feels like a very energetic place, Donna. Thanks a ton for everything you do.

      Ash
      Ash recently posted..Guest Posting Sucks: No ROI, Timesuck, & Darned HardMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 21, 2016 at 12:11 pm #

      Hi Anad,

      I hope so… When writing things down, it takes away all those post-its in your head and seeing what we write is a good guideline. I love checking things off lol.

      But when it comes down to it all it is all about taking action!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  19. Ash
    Twitter:
    December 19, 2016 at 2:25 am #

    Hey Donna,

    For many years, the goals I’d make each year would just be lines of text on my to-do list. I’d rarely bring myself to follow through on any of those plans, and then the year would just pass through. On to another one, with another set of “to-do” lists.

    This time, I want it to be different. That’s why, I didn’t even make a list. I ran through what I needed to do in my head, and I am actually trying to do something every day to progress, slowly.

    Making your blog grow, building a list, building an audience, and making all this effort pay off is no joke. It takes perseverance, time, effort, hustle, and it’d break your back sooner than another subscriber gets into our list.

    Yet, it’s not worth going back to doing nothing. You are right: My business needs a “restart”. Positioning, the systems I put into place, the pricing, client management, and everything else.

    Thank you for that push, Donna.
    Ash recently posted..PushCrew: Build a Following With Just a BrowserMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 19, 2016 at 2:45 pm #

      Hi Ash,

      Especially during this time of year, people make resolutions, lists and so on. Nothing will get done if you don’t act. What you are doing is wise. Every day put something into action and eventually things will burst.

      I do like lists, but that is not the end all. People need to take action and cross off each and every thing. But does that really happen? hmmm

      This is why I bring up the word restart. As you are positioning, putting systems in place, pricing and client management along with everything else, you will go far.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  20. Ravi Chahar
    Twitter:
    December 18, 2016 at 11:33 pm #

    Hey Donna,

    You rocked it.:)

    People are really frustrated with no money. They work hard but still there is nothing to get. They thing is that their strategy may be not effective as they think.

    It’s important to erase everything from their board and start from fresh. I remember the days I used to struggle to make a single penny.

    Taking a deep breath seems a small thing but it really does have something amazing.

    Thanks for the article.
    ~Ravi
    Ravi Chahar recently posted..21 Confessions of A Professional Blogger Can Change The Way You Think.My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 19, 2016 at 2:39 pm #

      Hi Ravi,

      When it comes to the frustrations of folks making no money, I’m no stranger to that. I have in the past felt that pain. But looking closely at what we are doing always could use improvement.

      This is why I like the restart button lol. It is always great to start from fresh and tweak things here and there that are not working.

      I’ve taken many deep breaths myself and it always turns out to be positive.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  21. Lydia
    Twitter:
    December 18, 2016 at 6:22 pm #

    Hi Donna, really enjoyed reading this. Inhale, exhale, think made me laugh because I remember with my first blog it was like I would inhale and forget to exhale. Therefore staying stuck. I wasn’t doing much thinking at that time more like copying what people would say they were doing then switch when I would watch the next webinar. No consistency wouldn’t give anything time to provide data to assess if the strategy worked or not. Hot mess status I called it. Took a while to get a grip. Thanks for sharing.
    Lydia recently posted..Holiday Abstinence ChecklistMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 19, 2016 at 2:36 pm #

      Hi Lydia,

      I know exactly what you mean because I did a lot of inhaling myself and forgetting to exhale lol.

      This does come from “mistakes” I’ve made myself in the past and how to get over it. But time heals doesn’t it? We get out of that hot mess and eventually get a grip. But that is only if we stay in the game.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  22. Erika Mohssen-Beyk
    Twitter:
    December 18, 2016 at 4:26 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    a great way for bloggers to see the situation and reflect on it.
    Getting aware what did work and what was not effective and erase and restart. It is always better to look back and improve on mistakes than
    to keep struggling. This time of the year maybe right for this.
    You did give very helpful suggestions which can help for a new start.
    Like always you make think of a better way.
    Thank you
    Erika
    Erika Mohssen-Beyk recently posted..How To Enjoy Life Better Without Expectations In 2017My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 19, 2016 at 2:32 pm #

      Hi Erika,

      I don’t know how one can go on without looking at things and never re-starting them. It is not a complete overhaul, but little tweaks and changes along the way. After all, life is change and that is also reflected in our work.

      Looking periodically at our work and seeing where we can improve is a way to press that “re-start” button lol.

      Glad you enjoyed it.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  23. Atish Ranjan
    Twitter:
    December 18, 2016 at 3:10 pm #

    Hello Donna,

    Nice write-up. Enjoyed it.

    I remember when I started blogging I always looked for more comments and social shares, and there I did wrong because my blog is a tech blog, and I needed more of organic traffic that may help me with more earning from Adsense and Affiliate sales.

    Gradually, I realized my mistake, and started focusing more on organic traffic, and Now, I have less comments on my posts but they are helping me 10x more than before.

    Moreover, different blog niches need different treatment. For example, your blog needs more comments, social shares most importantly because your target is different, and that’s what you are doing fantastically.

    Rather than going after every other blogger and their strategies, I tried 100s of things, and find out which ones are working for me. Doing this took a bit longer time but it’s all worth of the time and energy. At least, I found the exact ways techniques that earn me more bucks.

    Thanks for sharing this awesome post, Donna.
    Atish Ranjan recently posted..7 Tips for Optimum Home Internet ConnectionMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 19, 2016 at 2:27 pm #

      Hi Atish,

      I think we all were looking for more comments and social shares back then. Now, as we grow into our unique niche, we are more fine tuned.

      I agree because I’ve tried 100’s of things also and found out which ones work and which don’t. It does take a longer time but well worth it.

      Good to know you have found the exact ways to earn more bucks!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  24. Ruth Bowers
    Twitter:
    December 17, 2016 at 9:24 pm #

    Awesome post Donna! I love what you say about discovering the beginner’s mindset again. Wonder and amazement are in short supply these days I think, and we could all use more of them, especially when it comes to our business. I know I can see new directions coming for myself in the new year and yes, I am wonder-filled and amazed that I’m even considering the change. 🙂
    Ruth Bowers recently posted..[Friday Five] 5 Ways To Use Social Media to Amplify Your MessageMy Profile

  25. lisa thomson
    Twitter:
    December 17, 2016 at 7:27 pm #

    Hi Donna, Great post! Holding on and letting go are two topics that I have discussed in terms of divorce but not in terms of blogging. How true these concepts apply to many areas of our life. Thanks for pointing that out here. It’s hard to admit failure and of course, it is different for every blogger depending on what their original goals are (were). I’m sharing this for sure. Awesome opportunity for a reasonable price I might add. Thanks Donna and have a Happy Holiday break!
    lisa thomson recently posted..10 Tips to Improve Your Post Divorce ChristmasMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 17, 2016 at 8:49 pm #

      Hi Lisa,

      It’s not even about your blog being a “failure” as much as it “failing” to deliver the results you are trying to achieve.

      That’s when you need to rethink things… sometimes when you’ve erased that board and then restructure things, you’ll find the slightest little tweak in what you were doing is all that is needed to start getting amazing results… results that had otherwise been so frustratingly elusive.

      Enjoy the Holiday yourself 🙂

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  26. Chery Schmidt
    Twitter:
    December 17, 2016 at 1:26 pm #

    Hello Donna. Epic Article My Friend! Loved it! Erase the chalkboard and start from the beginning.. WHAT A Super way to start the new year..

    Thanks for all you do.
    Happy Holidays.
    Chery :))

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 17, 2016 at 8:37 pm #

      Hi Chery,

      Sometimes we just get caught up in doing, doing, doing, and never stopping to really assess what we’re doing.

      We just get used to doing what we do.

      That might be okay if we’re getting great results… but if we’re not… we really need to hit the reset button.

      That when it’s time to erase that chalkboard, right?

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  27. Donna Merrill
    Twitter:
    December 17, 2016 at 11:52 am #

    Hi Joy,

    One of the best things you can do to bridge the gap between struggling and success is to put your feet up, hands behind your head and put things into perspective.

    For one thing, success is not what it’s all about.

    Helping to improve people’s lives is.

    Getting all stressed, overworked, depressed, under-sleeped… all these things result only in poor health and even chronic conditions that a person can slump into through neglect of good health, exercise, breathing properly and just loving their life.

    That brings us back to passion.

    You can only find your passion, live your passion and even succeed via your passion, once you have gotten rid of all the gunk that keeps it submersed and hidden.

    I’m glad you’re on a good path.

    Walk lightly, breath deeply, enjoy every moment of it.

    Ironically, even unexpectedly… that’s when success arrives.

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  28. Joy Healey
    Twitter:
    December 17, 2016 at 8:25 am #

    Hi Donna,

    This post reminds me so much of myself even just a few months ago.

    “People” were saying I should do videos and PowerPoint presentations and…….

    So off I went on yet another series of things to learn, which took up so much time. Yes I was pleased with the finished result. NO I haven’t noticed a huge surge of traffic as a result. With hindsight, I think a few nights with my feet up enjoying a book might have done me more good!

    I’ve heard mention of the “vacuum law of prosperity” which, I believe, roughly translates into make room for success by clearing out clutter.

    A few months ago I was running like a headless chicken between one affiliate program and another. Yes, there seemed to be good reasons at the time, but in the end the only thing that made me feel better was a good de-clutter. Funnily enough, just after I cut down on the clutter, sure enough, a new and better door opened. I could so easily have missed it, or turned it down, if I had still been spinning all the other plates.

    So I do urge your readers to take your New Year challenge.

    Joy – Blogging After Dark
    Joy Healey recently posted..Looking Back On 2016My Profile

  29. Ryan Biddulph
    Twitter:
    December 16, 2016 at 7:02 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    What a classic post. And I can only imagine the sensational value in your challenge.

    The exhale, and inhale, the release, all work so well for erasing what does NOT work, to make room for what works. I learned, painfully, that trying to outwork failure is a futile effort. Because where your energy goes, grows, and intending to outwork failure and struggles only gives your attention and energy to failures, and the failures grow.

    No # of actions can outfox a fearful, failure ridden consciousness.

    Love this message.

    Ryan
    Ryan Biddulph recently posted..How to Make Money Online without Selling Your Soul (Amazon eBook)My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 17, 2016 at 12:00 am #

      Hi Ryan,

      You’ve given me more Tweet This material 🙂

      1. You can’t Outwork Failure
      2. # of actions can outfox a fearful, failure ridden consciousness

      Now, you know a lot about overcoming failure, I can tell…

      I’m sure that didn’t come from a philosophy class, but from being in the trenches and persevering through failure.

      That’s my story, too, of course… as it is every successful blogger’s story.

      The thing about failure is, if you focus on it, you get more of it, as you suggest.

      But if you focus, instead, on just one little thing that works, and keep re-focusing on it, then you reap success, instead.

      You start getting the results you really want.

      The way to keep your focus sharp, is to get rid of all the “non-results” things you’re doing, and just keep working on the “good results” things.

      Not only does your business start succeeding in ways you may never have imagined when you do this, but it actually takes you far less time and effort because you’ve been able to eliminate so much dead-end chores.

      I love the ideas you’ve brought into the conversation, Ryan… thanks so much.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  30. Sherman Smith December 16, 2016 at 4:10 pm #

    Hey Donna,

    If you’re struggling with genearing great results then it’s good to erase the blackboard and start from the beginning. Its always something that’s hold a lor of people back and it’s usually a routine or business model as you said.

    For me it was my goals. I created more and more mini goals to get over the humor and accomplish the bigger goals. And yes it’s a continuous process. I’m going to create more goals for next year that will be much improvemen’s from what I learned this year.

    This post is something we all need to reflect and make those necessary changes for the new year. I’m very sure those that are struggling will get a lot our from your coaching!

    Great share Donna! Have a great weekend!
    Sherman Smith recently posted..9 Tips For Introverted Solopreneur Bloggers To Create Productive GoalsMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 16, 2016 at 11:52 pm #

      Hi Sherman,

      Goals, goals, more goals and then a ton of mini-goals.

      That’s sure a recipe for spreading thin, isn’t it?

      It’s almost inevitable that this will happen as you learn more and more about how to run your business.

      But it get to a point where you really meander off your path and get lost in the weeds.

      That’s the whole point of the Restart Your Business challenge.

      It doesn’t mean to trash everything and start anew, it means to scale back your operation to give your energy and focus to what has the greatest potential of getting you the results you want.

      You don’t need to be good at everything, only very very good at one thing.

      That one thing is the only thing you need to do, if you get good enough at it.

      Stray into trying to get good at this, that and the other thing, and your effort gets diluted, and your results dwindle with each new sidetrack you allow yourself to follow.

      You’ve doing a great job, Sherman, and I hope you accomplish what’s MOST important to your business in 2017. I’m sure you will, my friend.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  31. Beth Hewit
    Twitter:
    December 16, 2016 at 3:21 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Great post. I used to spend hours blogging an now I only do 1 to 2 hours a day on my business. The trick as I’m sure you will be teaching in your 30 day challenge is having the right business model, tools, systems and processes in place.

    Sounds like a great challenge.

    Beth 🙂
    Beth Hewit recently posted..Why you should write funny blog posts!My Profile

  32. Rohit
    Twitter:
    December 16, 2016 at 2:31 pm #

    Great suggestions from you for improving the audience of blog posts… Thanks… I’ll see that and apply on my blog… Thanks

  33. Donna Merrill
    Twitter:
    December 16, 2016 at 12:34 pm #

    Hi Kathryn,

    Yea, overwhelm is something we hear about, but I don’t think new bloggers take it seriously.

    Everyone just kind of figures “I’m just going at my own pace, I know what I can handle.”

    But somehow, a few months or even years down the road, if they write down all the things they are doing or trying to do… accomplishing or striving to accomplish… they so often find that they’ve strayed from their one core mission.

    It’s really easy to do, and part of what I do is reign folks in, get back to a simple structure for their business, and make it work.

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

  34. Kathryn Maclean
    Twitter:
    December 16, 2016 at 9:54 am #

    Hi Donna,
    Perfect article for the New Year coming up, for bloggers.
    I liked that term “erase your blackboard” brings up an image of school. People thinking of you as a teacher, and that is exactly what you are. I do know many bloggers who are buried and overwhelmed doing too many things at once and accomplishing nothing as a result. They need help. They can go it alone and hope to get better results or they can get your help with your proven system. It’s not their fault, they just need a better way. Great article!

  35. Bren Pace
    Twitter:
    December 16, 2016 at 8:39 am #

    Spot on, Donna! This post is awesome, especially because a lot of us are planning for the New Year and strategizing world domination. 🙂 I think too many bloggers do get overwhelmed and listen to everything every bloggers says. Rather than, taking bits and pieces and finding what works for them.

    Great tips, my friend! You know I’m passing this along! 😉

    B
    Bren Pace recently posted..Go and Live Your Dreams – Introducing “Market”My Profile

    • Donna Merrill
      Twitter:
      December 16, 2016 at 12:23 pm #

      HI Bren,

      We do tend to listen too much to all the “expert advice” on blogging, rather than just find something that works for us.

      Even if it just works in a little tiny way, like you’re getting 5 subscribers a month, or making $10 a week… even that can be the foundation from which you scale to 50 subscribers a month, then $100 a week… then up up and up until it takes on a life of it’s own.

      Create one path, then stay on it.

      Let everybody else try doing a thousand things. It’s not for the average blogger who just wants to establish a sound business to rely on.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..The 30 Day Challenge – Restart Your BusinessMy Profile

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