Sometimes trying to be both a resource and a support system can be a challenging line to straddle. IFB wants to motivate you, help you, inspire you and make you the smartest, most successful blogger you can be.
Recently we’ve been talking a lot about dealing with the negatives that come with blogging (and just about any bold endeavor, am I right?). From handling and growing from rejection and criticism to tackling Internet bullies, the life of a blogger is certainly not all photoshoots and cupcake Instagrams.
To twist a line from an Ice-T song, bloggin’ ain’t easy (but somebody’s gotta do it). Anyone who tells you that it’s not hard work to produce great content and get it in front of already over-saturated audiences and convince them it’s amazing – is a damn fool. Really, they are. Here’s the thing about it, too: For all that hard work, you still might fail.
Ahhhhhh! What!? Fail!? Me, the greatest, most talented blogger ever!?
Bare in mind, though, that failure is sort of an ambiguous term in blogging. If growing your traffic, building your following, establishing relationships with brands and networking with your peers isn’t something you want to achieve from your blog, and you’re just doing it for fun or a hobby – then congrats, you will never fail!
What we’re here to tell you is: don’t be afraid to fail. Work your you-know-what off to make things happen and to achieve your goals – but don’t freak out if Plan A (or B or C or D…) is a total bust. Seriously. We came across this very inspiring article from Business Insider the other day that listed 26 people who failed at first and went on to succeed in huge ways.
Here are just a few of our favorite notable success stories:
- Dr. Seuss’ first book was rejected by 27 different publishers. He’s now one of the most popular children’s book authors ever.
- Charlie Chaplin’s (1899-1977) act was rejected by executives because they thought it was too obscure for people to understand. But then they took a chance on Chaplin, who went on to become America’s first bona fide movie star.
- Marilyn Monroe’s first contract with Columbia Pictures expired because they told her she wasn’t pretty or talented enough to be an actress. She kept plugging away and is one of the most iconic actresses and sex symbols of all time.
- Oprah Winfrey was fired from her television reporting job because they told her she wasn’t fit to be on screen. But Winfrey rebounded and became the undisputed queen of television talk shows. (She’s also a billionaire.)
- Vera Wang failed to make the U.S. Olympic figure-skating team. Then she became an editor at Vogue and was passed over for the editor-in-chief position. She began designing wedding gowns at 40 and today is the premier designer in the business, with a multi-billion dollar industry.
- The first time Jerry Seinfeld went onstage, he was booed away by the jeering crowd. Eventually, he became a famous comic with one of the most-loved sitcoms ever.
- J.K. Rowling was unemployed, divorced and raising a daughter on social security while writing the first Harry Potter novel. She is now internationally renowned for her seven-book Harry Potter series and was the first female billionaire author.
We aren’t here to be the judges or the police of who is failing and who is succeeding. We can’t exactly quantify it, and in most cases it will come down to a personal decision based on what you think is best. You may find yourself uninspired by your content and want to expand, narrow your focus, or change directions. Go for it!
There’s no rule that says your first attempt (or second, or third…) has to be the one. The worst thing you can do for yourself and your blog is spend time on something that isn’t making you happy or isn’t delivering what you wanted to get out of it. There’s always time to start over, re-vamp, re-do, and wipe the slate clean. (This is the Vera Wang way, apparently!)
Here’s the other side of the coin: If you’re completely happy and motivated and excited about what you’re doing – and no one else is – whatever! Just keep doin’ your thang (Like Monroe and Seinfeld). Other people will always want to put in their opinion, to judge you or try to convince you that they know what’s best. It’s your life and your blog, and what becomes of it is completely in your control.
So what’s our point here? Don’t be discouraged. Sometimes failure is just success that hasn’t happened yet.
image credit: Shutter stock and Be Frassy.
This is a great pick-me-up piece! Thanks for the positivity.