When it comes to running a successful blog, do you think that any person can just wake up and do it? No. If that was true, there would be no such thing as a 9-5 job. Everyone would work for themselves. Have you ever took a second to think that it isn’t the blog that is successful, it is the person or people behind the computer that is responsible for the fundamental success for that blog? Any blog has the potential to become successful, but it is the traits the blogger carries that will determine whether or not the blog becomes successful.
As I thought about this concept, I asked my buddies Derek Jensen, and Mike Stenger to chime in with some of their idea’s of what traits do successful bloggers carry. Within 10 minutes, it became quite obvious that we had the same outlook on what traits successful bloggers carry. As I share with you 6 traits that successful bloggers carry, gather your opinions and share with us what you believe the traits of a successful blogger.
6 Traits that Successful Bloggers carry
Passionate
If you take a look around at bloggers who are doing what they love, and have had success doing it, you will find out that they are passionate about what they do. It’s no secret that blogging is hard work, and if you want to make money blogging, you’re going to have to treat your blog like a business. Bloggers who are passionate about what they do are able to work harder and enjoy their business.
Determined
Successful bloggers are not lazy, they are up and ready to work harder each and everyday. If you’re not determined about achieving the success you want, what makes you think you are going to get it? If you are not determined about becoming successful, you’re better off working your 9-5.
Communication
When you’re blogging, you are blogging to a targeted audience of like-minded people. However, if you are not able to get your point across effectively, your screwed. Never expect your readers to take the extra step and ask you a question about something they didn’t understand in your blog post. Some will, but the majority of readers won’t. Your goal as a blog author is to make sure when you hit the publish button, your readers will have a clear picture of what exactly you’re talking about.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking is a very important trait in successful bloggers. You have to be ready to analyze your site and brainstorm ways to constantly improve. What can I do to improve my readership, how am I going to monetize my site, what can I do to improve my backup plan, etc. You have to be ready to plan this stuff out, and really think about what techniques will work best.
Accepting “Smart” advice
You have to be willing to accept advice. It’s nothing wrong with admitting that you are wrong, or you were doing something wrong. However, it’s not about accepting every piece of advice someone offers you. All you know they can be just as wrong, if not more wrong than you. A trait successful bloggers carry is the ability to weave out the advice that you will decide to carry out with.
Ready to work
If you thought you are going to be making a full-time income online, and only working 2 hours a week. You’re wrong. Successful bloggers are ready to work, and work effectively. Not browsing around on Facebook or Youtube all day, but focusing on improving their site. How much you work depends on your business model, and what you want to do with your business. People like me and Robb Sutton, we are work-a-holics, we bust 50+ hours working on our business weekly. People like Tim Ferris, works 4 hours per week, but he outsources all his work. It depends on your business model.
Group Discussion – What’s your thoughts?
They’re several traits of a successful blogger, and I’ve only named a few. So what’s your thoughts? Do you think bloggers need to carry these traits to be a successful blogger? Maybe I’m wrong? Is it true that every person carries the traits of a successful blogger? I want to hear your thoughts. Discuss them in the comments below with the community 
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William Veasley (5)
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Colleen (3)
Derek Jensen (3)
Devesh (3)
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
You hit it dead on Rob! I think two of the biggest problems is a lack of passion and hard work. I’m not going to lie that I need to put in a lot more work and it’s something that I am very serious about if I or anyone for that matter, really wants to get the results they desire and succeed.
As far as a lack of passion, many get into blogging just for the money. Yeah, if you’re going to be doing it, you WANT to make money but if you could care less about the content and don’t have some sort of love for what you’re talking and posting about, then that money is going to be extremely hard to be made.
Mike Stenger´s last blog . . .Are You Really Open For Business?
I have to agree Mike.
If you’re JUST in it for the money then it’s going to show based on what work you put into your blog and the work you put into what you do around building up an audience around your blog and the best part of the JUST here, is that the money isn’t going to be around… For a long time probably.
Would you say that’s about right or am I off here?
Eric´s last blog . . .Real Or Robot
You’re right on Eric. You know my rants about people who are in it for only making money haha. I’m with you though Eric, and I’m trying to hold back SOO much from getting into one of my “rants” lol because I would probably right 20 pages on why people who only attempt to make money online, fail badly.
But, yes, you’re right on Eric
Right on Mike! I wouldn’t recommend beating yourself up to much if you don’t work as much as you want to, it takes time. Plus it’s a transition process. Even for me, I know I think we talked about this before, but I don’t watch T.V anymore, maybe 2-3 hours per week. And sometimes for me it’s hard to not watch T.V, so it’s all about transition. Trust me, you will adapt if you are really serious about it
Passion is so important. It is hard to write on a topic for an extended period of time – if you are not interested in what you are writing about!
Tom | Build That List´s last blog . . .Do Your Dreams Pass The ‘Wet Manure’ Test?
This is true, though I feel you can write about something for a long time but it will turn out really crappy and that just shows (which is embarrassing) that you’re not into your writing.
Eric´s last blog . . .Real Or Robot
Another thing about that Tom, you need to be knowledgeable about your topic. My advice to people on this topic is, if you are not able to write at least 50+ articles on this topic, don’t write about it.
How do you write 50 articles on a certain type of food recipes?
Your metric might be a little off
What I mean is, if you want to dedicate a blog to a niche, you should be able to write at least 50 fresh articles about the topic. Or else, your content is just going to get old because you ran out of idea’s. Ya know what I mean?
Hi Rob,
You have a very good blog. Kiesha@Highly Favored gave you a shout out and here I am visiting your blog. I’m impressed by this post and I will definitely subscribe to your feed.
You make some good points. I’m always trying to come up with something, but it seems like the people in my niche are not commenting. I do work hard and put in time to put out good content, but I guess success comes with time.
I agree with the traits you have listed. I think they are very important for every blogger to possess.
I believe that every blogger does carry the traits of being a successful blogger, but they must cultivate those traits and not keep them buried.
Take care!
Evelyn ´s last blog . . .Shea Terra Organics Review: Black Soap Facial Cleanser and Mask
Based on what you’ve said here I would go out and comment (adding only value of course) everywhere that has to do with your niche. Talk to people and get to know them. If you’re doing this already, never mind.
Just shooting out ideas to help.
Eric´s last blog . . .Real Or Robot
I guess I have to do that even more than before. Thanks for your pointers!
Evelyn´s last blog . . .Shea Terra Organics Review: Black Soap Facial Cleanser and Mask
That’s a good idea, Eric! Commenting on other blogs is a great way to encourage other readers to come comment on yours.
Glad to see you here Evelyn
hope to see you around the community. For the commenting issue, their are several factors that can play into this.
Do you give them an incentive to comment? For example, at the end of my posts I had “Group Discussion – What’s your thoughts” this encourages people to comment, and give them something to base their comment off of. Try engaging with your readers, reply to comments and engage in community discussions.
Things like that, will really make a different.
Rob,
You stated some very valuable points here and it does take a lot of work to get anything really going.
In fact, one man is busting his butt and has only been blogging for a few months and is already making it pretty big, just not making money quite yet. James at TheInfoPreneur.net is who I’m referring to.
On the same note, I think it really takes an understanding of figuring out you have to know or at least work to find out where you want to go and who you want to target. I feel you can put in hours upon hours of work but if you don’t have a plan and a destination or aren’t working towards that, then it’s going to be twice as hard.
What are your thoughts on this?
Eric´s last blog . . .Real Or Robot
Yea Eric your right. If you’re working hours and hours, but you don’t know WHAT you’re working on or towards, what’s the point? I mean sure, you might get some stuff done. But is it the stuff you want/need to get done? My work flow when I work I always dedicate my hours to something I work on, and I get into that “working” mindset where I cannot stop working. For example, say I completed everything on my list, and I still had a good 5 hours in me (free time), I’d dedicate that 5 hours to my eBook, now for you, you can dedicate to whatever you feel is necessary.
Did that help clarify some stuff?
Yeah Rob,
Using your time to get things done is important as long as the things you’re getting done are important to you.
Eric´s last blog . . .When You Should Follow That Blog
Another great article. Thanks!
I totally agree. If you want to earn some decent money you need to treat your blog/website like a real business, because it is business. There are some differences between online and offline businesses, but the rules stay the same. Nothing comes without passion, hard work and providing value.
You’re right Tom, and the funny thing is, I got into a “argument” with a lady yesterday, and she tried to argue with me that an online business is nothing like a offline business, which is very wrong. All the same rules apply for an online business, except your business is based offline.
Rob, all 6 traits you listed are absolutely ones that are needed to make it in this business (and it is a business), but I think maybe one trait was left out: knowledge. You can’t “fake it ’till you make it” in this either, you should have extensive knowledge in your niche…
Keith´s last blog . . .Does Your Twitter Account Suffer From Erectile Dysfunction?
Oh GASP! Keith you are right on, knowledge is probably the KEY thing. I mean, you can have all those traits, but without any knowledge to back it up, your screwed.
Great post Rob. I have succeeded in other online endeavors before but never with Pro Blogging. Those 6 points mentioned are great ones that should definitely keep us steering straight with our goals and objectives for our blogs.
Rafiq – Web Design Tutorials´s last blog . . .Intro to HTML Web Design Basics: Lesson 1
The thing is Rafiq, if you carry these traits, you will be able to succeed at everything you do (most likely), so if you continue to carry these traits, you will be a big time blogger making a nice full-time salary online.
Rob I’m blogging about my journey of trying to find my real passion because I really don’t know what it is. It’s not a “how to..” blog but more to do with documenting all the highs and lows as I learn and progress. My blog posts contain positive and negative feelings and thoughts, ideas and discoveries as I go along. Sounds like a bit of a backward approach but I want to document the change and improvement so people can see it to understand what it takes to really find our passion. If i’m feeling down i want my readers to know that bloggers feel that way sometimes but need to carry on etc.
This might sound like a wierd question but should a blog like mine have a definate clear cut plan especially when the point of it is to document my journey of trying to find my passion in the first place?
Do you see what I mean?
I think I have a clear image where you’re coming from Wasim, sorry if I don’t.
I think what you’re doing is really cool, however I’d try to make your focused on a clear point, so if your trying to teach people how to find/blog with a passion, do exactly that. And if you want to add your personal journey into it, that’s great! I think since your trying to find your own passion, and help others along the way you can focus your blog on exactly that.
Did that help answer your question a bit better?
Yep you’ve got it. Thanks I’m, glad you understood it. I agree with that I should have a clearer point. Usially people jot down things that spark off ideas but instead of jotting it down I’m bascially just documenting everything out in the open incase it sparks off something for someone else and if it it does then great too. I think there’s so much people who feel so threatened that they don’t want to give anything away in with that attitude I think they alienate themselves. Hold on a minute this should be my new blog post. ha ha !!
And yes your answer helped alot I appreciate it !
Wasim´s last blog . . .Loving What We Do
Great tips, Rob, I think you are right about all the traits, they are really crucial to a blogger’s success in the blogosphere and I think that those traits also relate somehow to business. One tip I would like to add also is that as a blogger you must know how to keep your blog funny all the time and make your readers and visitors have fun all the time because that’s what I do all the time and I try my best as possible to make my blog fun and great to be at.
Shirley´s last blog . . .Google Buzz – Google’s New Move Into Social Media
You’re right Shirley, these traits do relate to business, and like I explained in the post you need to treat your blog like a business, so it is a good business trait.
I also agree with you on keeping your blog humorous, I know a lot of people who don’t have any humor and their personality is just dull and boring, so I do think it’s harder for them. But if you do have a personality, which I know you do Shirley
let it show, that’s the power of blogging.
Only 50?? Slackers…
I love your definition of communication. It totally flies in the face of all those who say to leave a large gap for commenters.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .I’m Looking For Launch Partners – $20 OR Three DoFollow Links For You!
Yea Dennis, you know I’m to lazy to say 100
we’re not all “Super-human” like you haha.
Oh totally Dennis with the communication, and I know you’ve probably read a lot of blogs that lack the communication. How do you feel when you read blogs like that?
I usually won’t return. If I read a post that then has me heading to Google, Wikipedia and/or 6-7 other places to figure out what he/she is talking about…just not worth it.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .I’m Looking For Launch Partners – $20 OR Three DoFollow Links For You!
Since I started I have gotten a lot of good advice and some advice that was not bad, but that did not make sense to me. The first thing I do when some one give me advice is look at their website or blog. When I started I asked a forum to evaluate my site. One guy really ripped into my site and me. He hated my niche. So-so I went to his site it was one long rambling page with no spacing, and about a subject that was very close to my niche. I have never asked any forum to evaluate my site. I just ask my sbi coach for that.
However, I have had people give me great advice, hints, tips and other information that has been a great help. Like this blog is a great help and
Lisa Irby’s site
Melva´s last blog . . .The Best direct sales companies Can Earn You Big Money
Right Melva, and that’s why I made sure I added take “smart” advice, because not everyone’s advice is going to be something that is beneficial towards your blog, or even if they think it is good doesn’t mean it is good to you.
Melva – I’m sorry to read of your forum woes, and I hope you don’t give up on them altogether.
Forums can be an AWESOME place for good, or smart advice (not to mention targeted traffic and backlinks). Two pieces of advice if I may:
Not all forums are created equal, far from it. Ask people you trust for recommendations and be sure to include what niche you’re in…there is a forum out there for anything you can imagine.
Even on the best of them you WILL come across “that guy” or woman from time to time. The best advice there is to just thicken the skin a bit and brush it off.
Dennis Edell´s last blog . . .I’m Looking For Launch Partners – $20 OR Three DoFollow Links For You!
I think you really connected perfectly with these ideas. I think missing even one of those traits separates the people that will make real money online, and those who make an income on the side. You rock! ^^
Josh Katherman´s last blog . . .Best Blogging Practices
Thanks a lot Josh, the funny thing about is I was just on a skype call tonight ranting about what separates the people that make money online, to the people who don’t.
Enjoyed reading your article Rob. I think almost all of these traits are important when you want to become successful, not just in blogging. For one thing though I’d like to think that creativity is very important too. Without it you might run out of material to talk about and information that is interesting to you as well as to your fellow readers.
Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog . . .How to Handle Your Blog Like Real Estate
Right, in terms of creativity, I see that well for brainstorming great idea’s for design and usability, but with how easy it is to outsource, people are able to leave out that skillset nowadays.
True but I personally hate to outsource things. I am the kind of guy who loves to do everything himself and also to teach myself everything. Do you too?
Julius Kuhn-Regnier´s last blog . . .How to Handle Your Blog Like Real Estate
I totally love doing things for myself, but I’m incapable of learning everything I want in a short period of time, so somethings I do outsource. For some of my design work, I’ve outsourced to designers. However, the coding, and majority of designing I take the time to do it myself.
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