Blogging is a powerful way to showcase your expertise, build trust, and grow your personal brand. But many people hesitate to start or maintain a blog because of some common myths that hold them back. In this article, we'll debunk six of these myths and show you how blogging can help you become a thought leader in your field.
One of the biggest misconceptions about blogging is that you need to publish new content every day to attract and retain readers. This can be overwhelming and unrealistic, especially if you have other commitments and responsibilities. The truth is, quality matters more than quantity when it comes to blogging. You don't need to blog every day, but you do need to blog consistently and provide value to your audience. A good rule of thumb is to blog at least once a week, or as often as you can produce high-quality content that solves a problem, answers a question, or shares a unique insight.
Be flexible with the timing but steady with the habit. Customize it to match your lifestyle. The golden rule is simply to blogging into a consistent routine, not a random occurrence.
Another myth that stops people from blogging is the fear of not being knowledgeable or credible enough to write about their topic. They think they need to be an expert on everything related to their field, or that they need to have a formal qualification or certification to prove their authority. This is not true. You don't need to be an expert on everything, but you do need to be an expert on something. You need to have a specific niche, a unique perspective, and a clear value proposition for your readers. You need to demonstrate your expertise by providing relevant, reliable, and actionable information that helps your readers achieve their goals or overcome their challenges.
You are already an expert in something! Just start talking about what your younger self would have want to known one year ago – trust me, this really works!
When I spoke about marketing in the sextech industry, I was just sharing my own experiences and perspectives. I wasn't claiming to be an absolute authority. My goal was simply to have thoughtful conversations and exchange ideas, not present myself as some kind of expert. I found the topics insightful to explore based on my own background. I didn't intend to come across as the only voice worth listening to. I know there are always different angles to look at things. I was just offering my point of view to further the discussion. My aim was to contribute my thoughts, not make bold declarations of expertise. I believe we can all learn from hearing each other's stories and insights, even if no one has all the answers.
A third myth that prevents people from blogging is the belief that they need to write long and complex posts to impress their readers and establish their thought leadership. They think they need to use fancy words, technical jargon, or academic references to sound smart and authoritative. This is not true. You don't need to write long and complex posts, but you do need to write clear and concise posts that communicate your message effectively and engage your readers. You need to use simple language, short sentences, and clear structure to make your posts easy to read and understand. You need to use examples, stories, and visuals to make your posts interesting and memorable.
If you can't explain something clearly and simply, it won't be understandable or useful to most people. The more complex and convoluted the writing, the fewer people will grasp its meaning. The most effective writing uses plain, straightforward language that gets ideas across in a way anyone can understand. It avoids complicated jargon and unnecessary intricacies. The best writing makes comprehension easy and accessible. It recognizes that complicated writing does not equal intelligence. The smartest communication makes difficult concepts easy to digest. If readers need expert knowledge to follow what you've written, you have not done your job. Write accessibly if you want to maximize impact.
A fourth myth that discourages people from blogging is the assumption that they need to cover every aspect of their topic in each post. They think they need to provide a comprehensive and exhaustive analysis of their subject, or that they need to address every possible question or objection that their readers might have. This is not true. You don't need to cover every aspect of your topic, but you do need to cover one aspect of your topic in depth. You need to focus on one specific problem, solution, idea, or insight that your readers can benefit from. You need to provide enough detail, evidence, and explanation to support your point and persuade your readers.
A fifth myth that hinders people from blogging is the fear of controversy and criticism. They think they need to avoid expressing their opinions, challenging the status quo, or disagreeing with others to avoid offending or alienating their readers. They think they need to be neutral, diplomatic, or agreeable to be liked and respected. This is not true. You don't need to avoid controversy and criticism, but you do need to handle them with respect and professionalism. You need to express your opinions with confidence, but also with humility and openness. You need to challenge the status quo with evidence, but also with curiosity and empathy. You need to disagree with others with logic, but also with civility and kindness.
A sixth myth that limits people from blogging is the notion that they need to do it all by themselves. They think they need to come up with all the ideas, write all the content, edit all the posts, and promote all the articles on their own. They think they need to be a one-person show, or that they need to be self-reliant and independent to be successful. This is not true. You don't need to do it all by yourself, but you do need to leverage the power of collaboration and community. You need to seek feedback, advice, and support from other bloggers, experts, mentors, and peers. You need to share your knowledge, insights, and experiences with other people, and learn from theirs. You need to network, connect, and engage with your audience, and grow your influence and impact together.