While the internet can be a valuable source for information and facts, it’s also a breeding ground for false information. These days, anyone with a social media profile or website has a voice and can publish whatever content they want. Some of the content is good and true, while some is overtly inaccurate.
The trouble is that many internet users are unsuspecting and take everything they read at face value. Thus, a lie that’s told once suddenly gets quoted, cited, shared, and discussed thousands of times. The result is an endless stream of myths and misconceptions that are perceived as truth.
Five Blogging Myths Denounced
The topic of blogging isn’t immune to misinformation and myths. In fact, the following myths are so common that you may even believe they’re true.
1. Blogging is Boring
While there’s truth to the fact that you need to publish blog posts that resonate with your audience, this doesn’t mean you have to write about things that you find boring. In fact, when launching any blog, you should spend time finding a subject that you like.
Marketer Neil Patel believes that this is one of the most important aspects to long-term blogging success. “You need to enjoy your subject matter. Nobody is forcing you to pick a topic that you loathe.... Pick something that energizes you, excites you and keeps you going! Here’s why this is important: You’re going to be dealing with this topic a lot. You don’t want to be saddled with a topic that makes you want to punch someone. You want to dive into something that gives you joy.”
2. If You Build It, They Will Come
With all of the tools and resources available online, anybody can launch a blog. If you have a few minutes, you can launch your own website. But this is the easy part. Just because you create a blog doesn’t mean someone will visit it. Publishing is the easy part – generating a consistent volume of traffic is the challenging part.
3. Blogging is Free Marketing
While blogging can technically be free, anyone who tells you that it won’t cost you a dime is either inexperienced or a liar. Yes, you can launch a blog for free, but the only way to make your blog professional – and generate traffic – is to spend some money on development, marketing, and advertising. The good news however, is that you can generate tangible returns once your blog gets off the ground.
4. Blogging is Just for SEO Purposes
In the beginning days of internet marketing, two classes of bloggers emerged. The first group consisted of individuals who were writing as a way to journal their personal thoughts. The second group was made up of businesses who blogged for SEO purposes. Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. While blogging can yield SEO benefits, this isn’t the overarching goal for businesses. Instead, it is seen as a form of organic marketing.
5. You Don’t Need a Blog
“Forget Twitter, networking events, and call centers,” marketer Nick Thacker says. “Blogging is a personal, down-to-earth method of keeping your customers informed and in-the-know about not only your latest product offerings, but your internal culture as well.” While it’s hip to say that businesses can get along fine with social media alone, this simply isn’t true.
Never Take Anything at Face Value
As an honest person, you may feel like everyone else is as trustworthy as you are. Unfortunately, you can’t do this when it comes to the internet. You need to become more incredulous and attentive to detail.
Never take anything at face value and always do your homework. The better you become at spotting myths like these, the more likely you are to succeed.