How do you deal with Blogger Comparison?
Whether you’re new to the blogging world or you’ve been at this awhile, at some point you’ll probably find yourself having to deal with blogger comparison. We have bloggers from all walks of life showing us their best stuff, telling us what we should be doing, and even posting regular income reports for the world to see how well (or not) they’re doing.
Sometimes we’re the ones doing the comparing (Okay let’s face it, most of the time!) and other times we feel that other bloggers are in a sense comparing themselves to us when they share their knowledge and success.
So how do you deal with blogger comparison?
Get Offended
When other bloggers are telling you that you should be doing this or that, do you think to yourself, “Just who the heck are THEY to tell ME what I should be doing?! It’s so easy to take offense and to think that Miss Know-It-All should just stop telling everyone else what they should be doing and focus on her own blog!
OR
Use it to Fuel You
But this is the thing with taking offense…it never gets you anywhere but unhappy. Suppose Miss-Know-It-All really does know a thing or two…you might gain a little knowledge yourself by listening to her advice. And if she doesn’t, then as Frozen says (I know that’s getting old but come on people, I have three girls!) just ‘Let It Go!’ If her know-how isn’t applicable in your situation, then move on and find information that is.
Let it Discourage You
I have to be honest here…some days I start off my day very positive and totally content with my little (tiny, minuscule) place in the blogging world. Then BAM, I see an income report of a super-mega blogger who’s earning $10,000, $25,000, or $50,000 a month…and I want to scream! I know they do it to encourage other bloggers (even though let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to brag a little at achieving that level of success? Especially in blogging!) but sometimes I think it has the opposite effect.
When your blog traffic is still primarily consisting of your best friend, neighbor, sister, and mother, it can be discouraging to see the success of another. Particularly when they’ve been blogging the same amount of time as you (or less even!). I’ve found myself thinking more than once, “What in the heck am I doing wrong?” and feeling like maybe I should throw in the towel since I’m nowhere near that level of accomplishment.
OR
Allow it to Encourage You
Seeing another blogger’s achievement at least shows you that it IS possible to make it in the blogging world! Many times if you really look at that person’s story, they aren’t anyone special…they might not have any more education or even be a better writer than you are.
But they persisted, learned, listened, pushed through their moments when they wanted to throw in the towel and call it quits…and then ultimately they succeeded.
SO CAN YOU!
So when you’re tempted to compare yourself to another blogger, just remember…everyone is different. You probably don’t know exactly what she went through to get to the place she is now (although she might tell you, if you’ll only listen!). You don’t know the resources she has, whether it be money or time. Maybe she’s working 60 hours a week on her blog, and you can only squeeze out 20. Everyone is in a different place, and that’s okay!
There’s a quote by Jon Acuff that I absolutely love and try to remind myself of when I’m feeling low.
Don't Compare Your Beginning To Someone Else's Middle Click To TweetSo instead of comparing ourselves to other bloggers, why don’t we network, interact with, and support them, and who knows? Maybe we’ll even learn a thing or two!
The was a guest post from Kimi Clark. Kimi is a freelance blogger, VA and runs The Mom Shopping Network where you’ll find great tips, amazing products and what’s trendy and hip for moms, dads and kids! TMSN helps you find the best stuff online!
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Oh, I needed this today. Thank you!! A positive outlook- especially in blogger world.. is so crucial. I really enjoyed reading this. Xo
Jill I’m glad it helped, I think we all deal with this from time to time. Thanks for reading!
I always do my best to let it all encourage me! Thanks for the reminder
xo
Lee Anne
I try to as well Lee Anne, but to be honest, it doesn’t always…we just gotta keep on keeping on, right? Thanks for your comment.
I always appreciate advice on my blog. Usually other bloggers are very kind and offer knowledge I needed even if I didn’t know I did!
Constructive criticism is always helpful, just as long as it’s nice! Thanks for reading Linda.
Love it! My motto is surround myself with brilliant people and maybe it’ll rub off. I love your way of turning the negatives into positives.
Abbie I love your motto! I’m trying to do the same, that’s one reason I’m posting here on Living For Naptime!
It is hard to stay positive and not compare to others (I do it all the time!) but this is a great reminder!! Thank you for the boost 😉
Lindsay it is very hard, but just remember, even the pros had to start somewhere…be true to yourself and do the best you can and you’ll get where you’re supposed to be. Thanks for your comment!
Loved this post! I find myself comparing myself to others often. I’m just starting out and I agree it’s definitely better to use it as motivation than to fuel negativity!!
You can do it Francesca! Thanks for reading!
As a new blogger, it is difficult sometimes to avoid comparing my work with others. It is good to see that others sometimes struggle with this as well. I love the quote at the end, “Never compare your beginning with someone else’s middle”. I think this will help me as I get the hang of this blogging thing.
It is difficult Liz and yes, we all struggle with it at some point I think, but you can do it! Best of luck to you!
I try not to compare to other blogs because you’re right were all different. But sometimes it’s hard. I feel like sometimes I can’t enough hours in. But my blog is about my family, and I can’t ignore my family to write because then I would run out of things to write about. Thanks!
Heather I totally relate to where you’re at…I was in tears yesterday feeling like I was sucking at balancing my blogging and my family life, there never does seem to be enough hours. Be true to you, everyone’s journey is different. When I feel like I need to take time for my family, I step away and do it, because that’s my whole point of blogging is to work at home and be around for them. Thanks for sharing your heart.
I love everything about this! There are so many times that I feel like I’m not doing enough and that my blog will never go where I want it to, but I also try to think about how far I’ve come in a relatively short amount of time and I remember that nothing happens overnight. Thanks for the encouragement
You’re not alone Ashley, keep at it, you’ll get there! Thanks for your comment!
thank you!! It’s hard when you just get started trying to stick to the long game! Your encouragement is AMAZING!
Thanks for your kind words Kristen, you’ve got this!
Struggle with this all the time — nice to know I’m not alone! If only I started 15 years earlier! lol great post! http://www.heartofchic.com
Ha ha, I know, right Arin? I actually started blogging in 2008 but it’s been on and off since then (and many blogs). I think that to myself all the time, if only I would have stuck with the first one…but we live and learn, right? Thanks for your comment!
I try to let it encourage me so I can learn from it, but some days it can do the opposite. Thank you for sharing this and encouraging us to keep going ?
I agree Suzanne, same here. Keep on keeping on, you can do it!
I love that quote! Definitely gonna repeat it to myself when I feel like comparing! So often it’s very unfair comparison. Thanks for this post Kimi!
I like it too Corina, it is very unfair when we compare ourselves to someone who has been blogging for longer or who might have different circumstances than we do. Thanks for reading!
It’s all so true! I think I’ve reacted in all the ways you pointed out. Positively on my better days, and jealously on my less confident ones. It’s funny how your own blog results (or lack of) can sway the mood. So I’ve started keeping more stats and notes on goals so I can point to things accomplished (like I completed two posts this week instead of one) instead of traffic or other blog results.
I’m right there with ya Michelle! Love that you are keeping notes on everything, there’s nothing like seeing tasks get accomplished, at least you feel like you’re making progress, no matter what the stats and traffic say, right? Thanks for reading!
I really resonate with this article. Most especially the quote at the end: Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. That’s so true! I have a good friend who has made it big in the blogging world. Although I have two websites, my blog is newer (June 2015). I have never compared myself my sweet friend, but instead see her as a fantastic inspiration of what can be accomplished with time, being savvy, and a LOT of hard work. For producing good income, it really does seem that the magic number for a successful website and blog is about 4-5 years. So I’ve decided to take the yellow brick road. I’m putting one foot in front of the other, skipping along and enjoying the process along the way to the Emerald City!
Ha ha, I love that Denay, follow the yellow brick road! That’s so great that you get inspiration from your friend, and I agree, it does seem to take a few years to earn a good income (although I’ve seen it done in one!). I think a key factor is the hard work, some people can literally dedicate full-time hours to their blog, while others manage a more part-time schedule. We all have different lives and priorities, and you have to do what’s right for you Thanks so much for your comment!
So true! Thanks for the nice reminder on this.
Thanks for reading Matt!
This is great, especially snice I have barely been at it a month and feel so lost. I want to rush to be where everyone is at, but I need t focus on where I am at. Especiaaly since alot of it is foreign ha.
Patricia you’re exactly right, focus on you, not the masses. You’ll get there!
I’m never sure why people put their incomes online or whether they are really true. It’s fine giving out tips on how to make money blogging, (but sometimes these are sponsored posts in the first place). I’m glad I’m not the only one who compares to bloggers who do this x
Sarah I think most bloggers who do income reports mean for it to be encouraging, but it doesn’t always have that effect, I know. We’re all at different places, that’s why we have to focus more on ourselves and less on what others are doing. Best of luck to you!
So encouraging! Thank you!
You’re so welcome Vivianna, thanks for reading!