Look, I’m about to be that friend who tells you the real deal before you dive headfirst into starting a blog. Because here’s the thing—everyone’s out here painting blogging as this dreamy, laptop-lifestyle fantasy where you write a few posts and suddenly you’re making bank from your kitchen table.
But real talk? That’s not how it works.
I’ve been in the trenches with hundreds of new bloggers, and I’ve seen the same cycle play out over and over: excitement → overwhelm → “why isn’t this working?” → giving up. And honestly? It breaks my heart every single time.
So, before you pick that perfect domain name or spend hours designing your header, let me share the 7 hard truths about blogging that nobody talks about. These aren’t meant to scare you off—they’re meant to set you up for actual success.
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Truth #1: Your Blog Won’t Make Money for Months (Maybe Years)
Here’s what they don’t tell you in those “I made $10K in my first month blogging” posts: most successful bloggers didn’t see real income until months 6-12. Some took even longer in their blogging journey.
The biggest blogging mistakes beginners make? Expecting immediate returns and giving up when the money doesn’t roll in after their first few posts. Building a profitable blog is like planting a tree—you’re nurturing something that will pay dividends later, not next week.
The reality check: Plan for at least 6-12 months of consistent work before seeing significant income. Yes, some people hit it faster, but they’re the exception, not the rule.
What to do instead: Focus on building your email list and creating valuable content first. The money follows the audience, not the other way around.
Truth #2: “Build It and They Will Come” is a Myth
Nobody is sitting around waiting for your blog to exist. I know that stings, but it’s one of those truths about blogging that’ll save you months of frustration.
You can write the most brilliant post in the world, but if nobody knows it exists, it might as well be invisible. This is where so many bloggers get stuck—they think the hard part is writing the content. Plot twist: Promoting your content is just as important as creating it.
The reality check: You need a promotion strategy from day one. Pinterest, email marketing, SEO, social media—pick your poison, but pick something.
What to do instead: Spend as much time promoting your content as you do creating it. Write one post, then create 10 different ways to share it to help grow your blog.
Truth #3: You Can’t Blog About Everything and Expect to Grow
I see this blogging mistake constantly: new bloggers trying to cover lifestyle, food, travel, business, and DIY all in one blog. While it might feel more “authentic” to share everything, it’s actually hurting your growth.
When you try to serve everyone, you serve no one. Your ideal reader needs to know what they’re getting when they hit your blog. Are you the go-to person for budget travel tips? Small business advice? Easy weeknight dinners? Pick your lane.
The reality check: Successful blogs have a clear niche and stick to it. You can always expand later, but start focused.
What to do instead: Choose 2-3 related topics max. Think of yourself as the expert in those areas, not a generalist.
Truth #4: SEO Isn’t Optional (Sorry, I Know It’s Boring)
Look, I get it. SEO feels like learning a foreign language made entirely of acronyms. But here’s one of the hardest truths about blogging: if you want people to find your content through Google, you need to speak Google’s language.
This doesn’t mean you need to become an SEO expert overnight, but you do need to understand the basics. How to start a blog for beginners without understanding SEO is like opening a store without putting up a sign.
The reality check: Most successful blog posts target specific keywords and follow basic SEO principles.
What to do instead: Learn the fundamentals—keyword research, title optimization, and internal linking. It’s not as scary as it sounds, I promise.
Truth #5: Consistency Beats Perfection Every Single Time
This is where perfectionist bloggers get stuck in an endless loop of editing, tweaking, and “almost publishing” their posts. Meanwhile, the blogger who publishes good-enough content consistently is building an audience and gaining momentum.
Your first posts won’t be your best posts, and that’s totally okay. The goal isn’t to nail it immediately; it’s to start the conversation and improve as you go.
The reality check: A published imperfect post is infinitely more valuable than a perfect post that never sees the light of day.
What to do instead: Set a publishing schedule you can actually stick to. Whether that’s once a week or once a month, consistency is your superpower.
Truth #6: You Need More Than Just Blog Posts to Grow a Blog
If your entire blog strategy is “write blog posts and hope people find them,” you’re missing about 80% of the growth equation. Successful bloggers treat their blog like a business, which means multiple traffic sources and revenue streams.
Email marketing, Pinterest, social media, guest posting, collaborations—these aren’t nice-to-haves, they’re necessities. Your blog is your home base, but you need to be out there in the world, inviting people over.
The reality check: Blog posts alone won’t grow your audience. You need a multi-platform approach.
What to do instead: Pick 1-2 additional platforms to focus on. I recommend starting with Pinterest and email marketing—they’re blogger-friendly and have proven to have serious staying power.
Truth #7: Most Blogs Fail Because People Give Up Too Early
Here’s the hardest truth about blogging: most people quit right before things start working. They hit the 3-month mark, don’t see explosive growth, and assume they’re doing something wrong.
But here’s what’s actually happening—you’re building momentum. Every post you publish, every email subscriber you gain, every pin you create is compound growth in action. It might not feel like much day-to-day, but it’s adding up.
The reality check: The difference between bloggers who make it and those who don’t often comes down to persistence, not talent.
What to do instead: Commit to at least 6 months of consistent effort before evaluating your results. Give your blog a real chance to work.
The Bottom Line: Blogging is Worth It (But Only If You Know What You’re Getting Into)
Look, I didn’t share these truths to discourage you. I shared them because when you know what you’re signing up for, you can actually succeed. The bloggers who make it aren’t the ones with perfect launches or viral first posts—they’re the ones who understand the game and play it strategically.
If you’re ready to start a blog with realistic expectations and a solid blog plan, you’re already ahead of 90% of new bloggers. The key is treating your blog like the business it can become, not just a hobby you hope will pay off and make an income blogging.
And here’s the thing—once you nail the fundamentals, blogging becomes this incredible tool for building an audience, sharing your expertise, and yes, making money blogging. But it starts with getting real about what it actually takes.
Ready to start your blog the right way? Download my free “How to Start a Blog Checklist” and avoid the most common blogging mistakes from day one. Because when you know better, you blog better.
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Every single one of these are so, so true Candice! Starting a blog was one of the best decisions I’ve made and while it’s still not everything I want it to be, it is a very rewarding job. It is also a ton of hard work and I think too often people see those Pinterest pins that say they got rich within six months or just something random that likely is not going to work that way, and they get discouraged. I am believer in hard work and strategy paying off though, and in due time, it all comes together. Your blog is such an amazing resource for me and anyone who has a blog or wants to start one! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you so much for your thoughtful words! You’ve nailed it! Blogging is rewarding but definitely takes time and effort. It’s great to hear you believe in hard work and strategy, because that’s truly what makes the difference. I’m honored my blog can be a helpful resource for you and others on this journey! Keep going – you’re doing amazing!