Different blogs for different things; there are benefits to keeping a private journal (hat tip: Make @ DoshDosh.com). I myself keep a less formal journal around and abouts.

A high-profile blog, on the other hand, can be more difficult to achieve. Certainly personal blogs, like Whatever, have made it. But as always, making it is highly dependent on how well you entertain an audience. Much harder with a personal blog, unless you’re someone as charismatic as John Scalzi.

A timespan of years is about right for over-the-top success in most any endeavor. There are those who, by dint of effort and luck, will come out on top in a year, but there is almost always backstory we didn’t hear about. (Previously failed blogs, for instance; or a career in non-fiction; or persevering down the long road of self-improvement for three years.)

“Four years is never” for most folks means that it just won’t happen for them—which is also about par for the course. From what I’ve seen around the web, and through digging up histories and such, people should not go into blogging and expect to be scott-free in a year. Even if they try insanely hard.

Especially this is the case if they have to hold down another job, like writing books and things; though if you have an audience already through books, life may or may not be easier for you.

All you can do is keep truckin’, and keep improving. Look for success and think long-term. And know that any way you cut it, you’ve got a long and hard road ahead.

All that said, I wish you—and my blogger compatriots—lots of luck! I think you all can do it, if it’s what you really want; but don’t underestimate anything said in this article. :)

I’m glad you find my site useful! For me, that’s the barometer of success. I’ve already got a well-paying job that I (currently) like (though that wasn’t always the case…).

It took me a good year to figure out what niche I had a passion for; I am now doing 10 times (literally) better than I did traffic-wise, and have had great conversations with readers on my subject.

One thing that I’m hoping is not true in this article ;) is the “more than four years” idea. I think for most people, 4 years means *never*. Rather, for me I look at folks like Leo at ZenHabits.Net — he ascended to full-time blogger in a year by writing insanely useful topics, responding to his readers, and finding a niche that he is not only passionate about, but surprisingly insightful. He is also living what he writes about, which makes a huge difference in his “authority”.

At any rate, I’ve really enjoyed reading here, and will continue to do so. As you can tell, this isn’t a “nice blog” entrecard comment ;)

Best,
Metroknow
http://www.almostfit.com

Although the next few days I’ll be cutting back—I have a story to get done by the 29th. O.O But I’ll be back in full strength afterwards. :)

Chris Moran