Are You Overestimating Or Underestimating The Value Of Your Blog?
Overestimating
One of the most frustrating things about having an affiliate website is not getting traffic. It can seem like you work and work and work, but you just don't see results.
If you are not getting traffic yet, it can seem like you are publishing into a black hole!
Many times, it's simply that we are impatient and traffic is on its way. A brand new website can take 3-6 months to really gain some traction and start generating traffic. The key is to continue writing high quality content based on low competition keywords, and the traffic will come.
But what do you do if you have been writing consistently for a long time (more than six months), and you still are not seeing any results?
The issue may be that you are overestimating the value of your content.
As a writer, we know that the blog took us three hours to research. We know it took another hour to write, and another hour to source videos and images then spellcheck and do internal linking.
But is it really that good?
Go back six months and see what you wrote. It will probably shock you. I have found that I get so focused on keywords, content schedule, SEO, and wanting to rank that I forget to think deeply about the quality of my content.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Did I provide a unique opinion different from everyone else ranking on page 1?
- Will the reader still have questions after reading my article?
- How does it look on mobile?
- Are there any opportunities to write additional articles on the topic to provide clarity?
- Why should someone read my post instead of someone else's?
This is not a set list of questions I ask myself - you can probably think of more than that. I just mean to make the point that you need to be thinking about why someone should read your website instead of a different one.
Personally, I've found that when I just create template content that says the same thing over and over, or when I repeat what everyone else is saying, my articles don't rank.
Go back and check that your content is unique, engaging, easy to read, and informative!
Underestimating
Another problem people have is more internal - they don't know what to say on a topic! Many times this stems from intimidation. They are concerned that what they have to say is not "authoritative" and that other websites know more than them.
But if you've chosen your niche correctly, you should at least be interested in your website.
Time to start researching!
Don't forget - every other website out there is created by PEOPLE. People are imperfect. They can write information down on the page, but it's not always 100% correct. Every time that happens, you have an opportunity to write something better.
**A Little Secret About Online Publishers**
It can seem intimidating to go up against websites like Mashable, Forbes, and whatever big sites are in your niche. But a lot of the time, they really don't know what they're talking about.
They outsource their work. They write on trendy topics because they get clicks, not because they care.
I don't know how many times I've read articles on Business Insider about craft beer that makes me realize how lazy and uninformed "expert" writers are. They knock out 1000 words in an hour and deliver it to the masses.
Who is more informed on your niche?
You? The person who dedicates 2-3 hours per day for the past six months researching and writing on the same topic over and over again?
Them? The paid-per-word writer who has never written on the topic and will never write about it again?
Find Your Voice
Also, keep in mind that your voice is very valuable. Your opinion is unique, and by default that makes you an asset to your niche. If 10 people disagree with you, there will be 1 person that agrees with you! There's your audience!
More on the idea of being unique! https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/nathaniell/blog/wh...
Also this: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/training/writing-p...
Remember that your opinion is valuable, and becomes more valuable over time!
What do you think? Have you been overestimating or underestimating your value? What are you going to do to change that?
Recent Comments
39
Brilliant blog post-Nathaniell
I recently contacted Kyle via PM as I was worried about a site I was developing without any real results to show.
The site was just under 2 months old and Kyle advised me to monitor again closely once it was 3 months old as there will most likely be different results than what I am currently seeing
It seems that the 3-6 month age of sites seems to be the golden peek in deciding how your site is going to perform.
It was great advice from Kyle as always and makes perfect sense with regard to this post from yourself Nataniell.
Look forward to a bright future with WA
Good insights. I recently went back over some post written two yeas ago. I was amazed at the difference between what I wrote then as opposed to now. It was time to rewrite some of them. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bill
I am exactly at this point - after 4 months of putting out content but yet not getting any traffic to the site. So your article is very opportune and gives me something to think about, and also well needed encouragement as I go forward.
Thanks so much for this!!
Nick
Great pep post! I was feeling discouraged earlier then I read an article in a popular newsletter that was appalling! Poorly researched and with outdated information. I know I can improve my posts, yet I felt I am doing so much better than that!
Great inspiration to keep going after going to Google Analytics and seeing a flat line on your visitor stats
Great blog Nathaniell, a good insight as to the why's and why nots, very informative thanks.
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Thank you Nathaniell - great insight as always.