by Ana Hoffman 80 comments

The Slow Rotting of the Web and Blogosphere



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blogging is dying business

Overly dramatic? You tell me...

Today I am being interviewed by Allison Duncan who runs the BlogsAloud Podcast as well as the BlogAllie podcast, which is produced in cooperation with the good folks at BlogInteract.com.

She sent me her preliminary questions for the interview and one of them really struck the cord.

I’ve spoken to a lot of social media types who seem to think that blogging is old news. Do you agree? And if not why?

Do I ever…

How many blogs have you visited in the past and are yet, unfortunately, to visit that scream at you “Blogging is the easiest way to make money online! Why aren’t you doing it yet?”

And so many folks are buying into the whole “if he/she can do it, I can do it too” charade and blogs are popping up like mushrooms after a spring rain.

Result?

You can’t turn around without stumbling upon yet another blog that offers “the latest and the greatest” tips and tricks to help you to… guess what?… build a blog of your own, that’s right.

Never mind that they still in blogging diapers themselves and have never built a successful blog with a solid readership.

Yet here they are. Teaching the rest of us how to do it better.

Over-saturation. Watered-down information. Over-exaggeration.

Will blogging survive this “free for all” phase?

You tell me.

And there’s another thing. Bloggers never make money. Well, most of them.

Sure there was a time (say about 10 years ago) when making money online was super-easy.

People LOVED being marketed to.

People ATE UP any and all information that would potentially help them do what you do.

People LIKED joining email lists and even READ your emails!

Why was it so?

Novelty.

Not any longer, to say the least.

Doing business online is getting harder and harder every day, and those who fail to recognize (and adapt) to the changes taking place will soon be extinct.

Most people who are “fresh off the boat” and trying to start an online business are reading and using advice that is for the most part 12-24 months old.

No wonder the failure rate is so high…

In this business, old and bad information is truly DANGEROUS.

Another thing that came to my mind when Allison asked me the question above was the report I recently read by Ryan Deiss, who I have a tremendous amount of respect for.

The report is call “The End of the Web as We Know It” and it unfortunately made a lot of sense.

If you haven’t read it yet, make sure you grab a copy right now - the name sounds gloomy and he does talk about a lot of things that I talked about above.

However, he doesn’t just tell you how bad things are and leave you hanging like I just did.

He’s got some solutions as well.

You can get a complimentary copy right now by clicking the link below:
==>https://trafficgenerationcafe.online/deathweb

I’m sure that some people will say that Ryan’s being overly dramatic or that he’s gotten too emotionally attached to his ideas, but I think that you’ll see: the facts back him up 100%.

And everything I’ve learned about building a business online does as well.

So… lots of food for thought here.

And I’d love to know what your take on it is.

Especially if you had a chance to read Ryan’s report - do those bold claims hold water in your opinion?
traffic generation cafe


traffic generation cafe comment below

{ 80 comments }

Bryan P. Hollis October 25, 2012 at 3:55 am

Been a while since this one Ana. All I could do was chuckle….Take care,
Bryan

Mark November 9, 2011 at 4:32 am

What a unique perspective. Newbies trying to teach professionals. That is so funny.

That is exactly what I see every day online.

Personally, I think blogging and MMO is like marriage. If you can just survive past “that point”, it has a chance to make it…:)

Mark

Ana Hoffman November 9, 2011 at 8:22 am

LOL!! Good point, Mark. “That point.”

John Langford September 28, 2011 at 4:25 am

Hello Ana
Thank you for your repeated encouragement. I believe that trying to run an online business today is very hard work, requiring dedication and perseverance. However, I am beginning to wonder if this road is only for certain business types (e.g. people telling you how to run an online business). Asking around, more and more people have invested time, money and effort and had little or no return. I will continue along this path but I hope it leads me to the right place. Thanks again.

John

Sarah Nicely August 29, 2011 at 8:50 pm

You make Blogging look so easy, I struggle over every post…at least I can come here and get some insperation! My Hubby Chad Nicely only has great things to say about you ;) Thanks for the help

Ana Hoffman August 30, 2011 at 5:11 am

That’s great to hear, thank you Sarah.

Noel Addison August 26, 2011 at 9:03 am

To avoid you extinction from blogging industry is very important that you are always open for new information, strategies and always willing to learn something.

Ana Hoffman August 26, 2011 at 9:27 am

You’ve got to be in it for the long haul, Noel; that’s for sure.

Sylviane Nuccio@Persuasive Article Marketing August 24, 2011 at 1:48 pm

Hey Ana, great post again. I have came across your blog (don’t ask me how, can’t remember) about 2 weeks ago or so, and I’ve been browsing it like a chicken without its head because, first and foremost, I think you sound true compare to a lot of people out there. This is what I am trying to accomplish with my blogs, because I hate liars and the ones who just exaggerate everything which ends up to be a lie in the end.

I think that another reason why I got interested in you is our few similarities. You were born and raised in another country and so was I. You did modeling and I was in the theater, you learned English darn well and I want to think that I did too!

I really enjoyed this post as well, and I hope to post an article as a guest on your blog very soon. I’ve done that before and love it.

Now to talk about the topic of your post here, yes indeed, the internet changes very fast, and yes, I have been the witness of some paying internet marketing platforms which are really selling old stuff from last year of worst. Like Squidoo, for example, I created over 80 pages on that Site, I started in January of 2008 and it was probably 80% different than it is today. Only 3 ½ years makes a tremendous difference on the internet, and this is just a small example.

Ana Hoffman August 26, 2011 at 2:47 am

Sylviane, somehow it feels like you have been around for longer, probably because of the similarities you mention.

Yes, things change fast around here. Blogs are constantly evolving, as is Google.

Michael August 16, 2011 at 1:34 pm

GREAT article!

However, I have an issue with the material Ryan puts out. It all seems to be “run & gun” style of marketing and it fundamentally violates my sense of order and fairness. It’s one thing to be market smart and understand peoples buying triggers. It’s quite another to focus on “disaster & doom.” It reminds me of watching FOX News.

Ana August 17, 2011 at 1:05 pm

LOL!! That’s an interesting observation, Michael.

Ingrid Abboud August 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Hey Ana,
This is definitely an interesting observation but I’m not sure how I feel yet. I know there’s a ton of truth to what you said and I sure as heck trust your judgement when it comes to all things blogging.

It’s true that blogs are popping up like mushrooms - each for their own reasons and many if not most for the sole reason of one day making money online. Granted, it’s touch as hell and the competition is fierce. And like you said - blogs that are still in pampers with no credibility or track record are giving advice on how to make it. But in general - those are easy to spot and ignore.

What I do know though - is that for whatever reason you blog - if you don’t put your personality in there and your passion doesn’t show - you won’t get very far - not with readers anyways. I blog because I love to write! I don’t make any money whatsoever from blogging but I think that my words exude passion and I think that’s why my readers come back and share their thoughts. It’s what makes my little community so incredible. And to me - it’s all I care about. Providing some kind of value - whatever it may be - in an entertaining manner.

Anyhow - all that to say that this piece was definitely interesting and I’ve already downloaded The End of the Web. I’m hoping to make time to read it at some point this week. Once I do - I’ll make sure to let you know if I’ve had a change of heart in regards to what I’ve said here. Either way - I’m sure I will learn a lot and have a more informed opinion to go with this very interesting discussion :) .

Thanks so much for sharing your perspective on this. Always nice to read your thoughts as they’re usually right on!

Have a great week ahead.
Cheers Tzarina

Ana Hoffman August 26, 2011 at 2:51 am

Those are kind words from an expert in her field, Ingrid.

I agree that you should put your personality out there and that is something you do with much success on your blog.

By now you’ve probably read it and I look forward to your feedback!

Cheers!

Alex August 10, 2011 at 3:16 am

Azah!

LOVE IT Ana.

I have not read the book by Ryan, in fact I have never even read his emails that I constantly get, but if you like him then maybe I should take the time to click through… anyway…

I love this post and agree whole heartedly, in fact I think my absence from the blogosphere speaks volumes for how much I actually agree.

Must be off again to make money.
It’s funny you know - the less I go near the blogosphere, the more money I make.
Interesting value add to this post I say :)

Ana August 10, 2011 at 6:12 am

Absolutely. Yes, you should read Ryan’s emails, they are good. Glad you stepped into the blogoshere long enough to come say ‘hi’.

Jean August 9, 2011 at 1:38 pm

The market is definitely more saturated than its ever been. Thats just the natural trend and in a few years from now we will likely be talking about how much easier it was in 2011. While a few years ago it was easier to make money online, and market as you say, I would still argue that it was just a few people who were able to dominate. I mean think about it, only so many people can be on the first page of any given search engine. In a way its like a high school football player trying to get into a NFL team, theres only so many spots available on the team, and each year the population so select from keeps getting bigger and bigger. Its just the way it is in life. Offcourse though just because its getting tougher doesnt mean there isn’t opportunity for those who know how to bring their A game to the table.

-Jean

Ana August 10, 2011 at 6:17 am

Your comment makes sense. However, niches were not half as saturated then, as they are now.

Jean August 10, 2011 at 12:42 pm

Good point about the niches, and its especially the case when more gurus and experts are teaching people about how to target the less common niches so the spaces have for sure rapidly filled up.

-Jean

Ian Belanger@Network Marketing Success August 9, 2011 at 7:47 am

Hey Ana,

I read Ryan’s report and he does make many valid points. History has shown us what happens with technology and the web is not immune. Actually, it is moving through the 5 phases much faster, due to the speed of life today. Everything moves faster today. What may be the newest and greatest trend today, will be obsolete in a month or 2. That’s just a fact.

I don’t think that blogging will become obsolete though, as long as we have great writers sharing their ideas and thoughts, but those who say it is easy to make money online are living in the late 90′s. It becomes harder and harder each day to make a buck online. You must be creative and offer something that people can’t find anywhere else. Which of course, is nearly impossible today, but it can be done.

Thanks for sharing Ana and have a great day!

Ana August 9, 2011 at 12:37 pm

He does, Ian. I agree with your observations too.

John Falchetto August 9, 2011 at 1:03 am

Hi Anna,

I think the report has a point. Some blogs will die, or are actually already DOA. You point out hte reasons why, lack of personal experience and lack of originality. Everyone seems to be a social media/blogging expert these days.

What won’t die is true value, delivered through a blog. You are a great example and my friend The Sales Lion comes to mind also.

Keep blogging :)

Ana August 9, 2011 at 12:57 pm

You are right, John. True value delivers. I frequent The Sales Lion myself.

Paul Salmon@Technically Easy August 7, 2011 at 2:37 pm

We live in an ever-changing world, and the world online isn’t any different. Unfortunately, the misconception of making easy money online is still active. People don’t realize how difficult it is to really make money online, and when they don’t see results in a month, they give up and say it isn’t possible.

The fact that old information is available, and is used is a result of the nature of the web. Keeping old information around will always an issue as not many people probably go through their content and remove outdated information. Many sites are just too large to do something like that, so those starting out will start following bad information.

When I search for information in Google I usually specify to show search results that have been updated within the past month so I know I am going to reading newer content.

I’ll have to download the e-book and see what Ryan has to say. From what you described, it does sound interesting.

Ana August 8, 2011 at 8:02 am

That makes sense. Thanks for sharing your opinion, Paul.

Sam Patwegar August 7, 2011 at 1:16 pm

There maybe a glut of blogs out there but there are very few that stand out either for quality (like This blog) or for personality (like Johnchow.com).

Ana August 8, 2011 at 8:03 am

Thanks for including me in that, Sam.

Sally Brown August 6, 2011 at 9:45 pm

Hi Ana,

I love reading your blog because you are not afraid of controversy. You state your honest opinion and allow others to chime in. I am not as technically comfortable as some of your readers, but I read a lot of their sites and am so glad that they are helping beginners learn how to do things the right way.

I have downloaded Ryan’s e-book and will be back to give my opinion on it. Unless, I don’t forget, so you can remind me. I’m close to the ‘new 40′ and sometimes I have a tendency to forget things.

Love the article and keep it up. Sally

Ana August 7, 2011 at 3:48 am

Thank you for your kind observation, Sally. I’ll try to remind you - unless I forget LOL!

Sally Brown August 6, 2011 at 9:34 pm

I am hoping the same thing, Leena! I love to write, so whether in blog format or another format, I’ll be writing.

Michele Li August 6, 2011 at 8:19 pm

Web/Internet is constantly changing since it was born. I still remember old days with dial up, you only see the basic html pages, later with so many web enhancement, we are seeing the birth of blog, then later facebook/tweeter like websites. Will facebook die in a few years, will people stop using tweeter? it’s not impossible.
What’s next? no one knows. However one thing for sure is, blog will still have it’s position, reason is it simply the ways people publish content. I believe the book name is just to grab people’s attention. You can still say “the end of web the way we know it” 10 years later

Ana August 7, 2011 at 3:53 am

You may be right. People will always go on to something new, but eventually return to the old if it worked better for them.

Sunil from The Extra Money Blog August 6, 2011 at 4:22 pm

great, thoughtful post. IMHO - blogging is here to stay. it is the new form on publication, and interests are simply too broad and vast for the entire blogosphere to crash. not everyone was blogging on making money, in fact that will become the minority if it’s not already. there will always be passionate individuals who blog on various topics, and as long as individuals exist who consume that information, i think we will be alright, no?

Ana August 7, 2011 at 3:55 am

I sure hope so Sunil - LOL!

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:20 am

I guess then we’ll just all have to read each other’s blogs - kind of like a library. LOL

Wayne Lambert August 6, 2011 at 6:04 am

I have read Ryan’s report and saw his video presentation about a month ago in the early pre-launch phase when he was discussing the anatomy of a perfect squeeze page.

Ryan is simply describing the product or innovation lifecycle which is not a new concept. Products and services evolve over time and marketers must adapt and change by pre-empting trends and preparing themselves for the forthcoming challenges and opportunities.

Many people will start a blog and they will give up because it is too much like hard work to get the end result that they’re really after - wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Once this has happened, there will be less competition in the marketplace and people remaining in the marketplace will be the persistent entrepreneurs who learned how to provide real value.

Whilst Ryan is a marketer to be respected, he is using fear marketing to stimulate desire for his product since he knows that the reptilian brains of his market will respond to that.

It is also worth noting that he is experiencing more pain than the majority of marketers since he made a good decision in the late 90′s to get involved in Internet Marketing when you could sell snow to an Eskimo.

Whilst he has some interesting facts in the report, let’s not forget that his motive behind writing the report is to sell as many subscriptions as possible to his Digital Marketer Lab.

Have you derived any benefit from his Digital Marketer Lab membership?

Ana August 8, 2011 at 10:00 am

Fear is one of the best ways to sell a product, Wayne - can’t help but agree with you.

However, in this particular case, I would say that the fear is health and well-founded.

We are all seeing the effects of constant changes on our businesses, yet most of us are not equipped to handle those changes.

If I had a research team like Ryan does to see what really works and what doesn’t, I’d probably sleep better at night knowing that I can handle tomorrow.

I’ve been a member of his DM lab for a couple of weeks now. It’s not well-populated with content as of yet, since the official launch is still on its way, but yes, I’ve gotten tremendous value out of it even the information he already has in there.

Plus, I’ve purchased many products from Ryan in the past and the best word I have to describe them is ACTIONABLE - my kind of stuff. I always look for something that I can apply to my business today and get results tomorrow, and Ryan’s products have delivered so far.

So I think his doom and gloom message is well-founded; that’s how I’ve felt for a while now.

I am looking for a change.

Wayne Lambert August 8, 2011 at 12:43 pm

Hi Ana,

There is no need for you to use sleep. You’re on the up and it only takes a few adjustments from your current course and you can get infinitely better results.

Yes, Ryan’s content has also benefited me greatly. I’m sure you’ll take the content and run with it.

“Apply today and get results tomorrow”… bloody hell, not the most patient woman around then? ;-)

Ana August 8, 2011 at 9:22 pm

Patience - what’s that? LOL

Traffic Generation Cafe took off too fast too soon - I can’t say I was entirely ready for that. I am definitely due for some adjustments to the course.

Mark August 6, 2011 at 5:52 am

Well, I will say this much…I can independently confirm the fact that there are literally droves of MMO blogs spread across the web like a field of weeds.

How long will this last? My guess is for the forseeable future until there is some kind of check put in place that makes “false claims of sensational earnings” illegal.

Time will tell…:)

Mark

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:12 am

Some of those sites are being weeded out, so to speak. People have told me that they are no longer able to advertise “work from home” on ad sense. Time will tell.

Cristina Ansbjerg August 8, 2011 at 11:44 am

I’ve also read that Clickbank is finally redoing their policies. After 31st August they won’t allow more fake life stories, fake scarcity, etc.
Apparently the FTC is pushing strongly this time.

If it really happens it will make a change (big or small, we’ll see).

Everything changes very fast these days, especially on the Internet. Not necessarily for bad. Changes mean new opportunities for creative and commited people.

Just be sure you are one of those And for sure, Ana, you are).

Cristina

Ana August 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm

“Changes mean new opportunities for creative and committed people.”

Love what you said, Cristina.

Behind all the doom and gloom, that was exactly the message I had in mind.

Jon August 10, 2011 at 5:46 am

I’m not a fan of making it “illegal” as that implies regulation. The minute we allow an entity to structure the net and dictate what people can say and how they say it, that’s the minute it becomes like government. It’ll rot faster. It’ll be ruined.

People need to decide for themselves and use caution. Instead of looking to an authority to filter choices for us we need to use common sense and research.

Lou Barba August 6, 2011 at 5:31 am

Hi Ana,

The current economic climate is certainly a factor in anyone’s lack of success. However, there is no question that what you say is true. There are tons of blogs claiming to be authorities on this and that. As a person who knew very little about traffic generation, I came to trust you as an authority because of your results in the short amount of time your blog has been around. Perhaps it would be good practice for bloggers looking for trust to publish their verifieable results, as you have. Noone has to “bet the house” to attempt making money by blogging, but not many people have time or money to find unverified “authorities”. You have risen to the top because you are what you say you are, an authority on traffic generation.

Lou

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:14 am

I sure hope that is what people see, Lou. I’m just glad to be able to bring some value to the table.

Adam James August 6, 2011 at 3:20 am

Hi Ana, another great one here - going to check out the report asap.

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:16 am

Enjoy, Adam and thanks for stopping by.

Sire August 5, 2011 at 7:08 pm

I don’t think blogging is old news at all. The way the question was asked it is inferring that blogging is on the way out and like Mitch said in his post the figures say otherwise.

As for those blogs saying they have the secret for making money online they’ve existed ever since I’ve been online and I’ve been blogging for so long I can’t remember when I actually started.

You said in your comment to Mitch that ‘Once everyone starts writing, there won’t be anyone to read’. I can’t see that ever happening because only those with a passion will survive all the rest will cease to exist. While Mitch mentioned the growth in blogging numbers I wonder as to the failure rate, is that also in the increase?

Ana August 8, 2011 at 9:10 pm

I don’t know, Sire… Just because there are so many blogs being started on a daily basis, doesn’t mean blogging is not dying; just means that no one told those guys yet. LOL

You are certainly right though: blogging is a business of longevity and endurance. Those who stick around the longest are the most likely ones to succeed.

donna young August 5, 2011 at 5:38 pm

I hear what you are saying Ana. The thing that I’ve noticed is that people are all jumping into the hype and since everyone is all trying to get into that small little boat, it kind of sinks the industry. I’ve also noticed that a lot of blogs are just rewritten articles, people just spin other people’s words, there hasn’t been enough fresh information lately which tend to make readers bored. I think that is the reason why I appreciate food blogs, LOL, because some writers do go the extra mile to experience the restaurant and the food instead of just reading someone else’s work and rearranging the words. I think the blogosphere needs people with fresh original ideas and also quality writing (I noticed this on ezinearticles - a lot of writers here are submitting trash articles and think they are good because they got published). Maybe another fad will come after blogging or maybe it will just be called by something else and marketed in a different way but it would still be the same kaboodle …hmmm. I always think of it this way, the only thing that is constant in this world is change.

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:23 am

LOL - you’re right, Donna. Although EZA has upped their editorial guidelines in terms of duplicate content and they are super-strict about that now. True - the only constant is change.

Ray August 5, 2011 at 4:05 pm

Everything changes so quickly these days. It is popular and the in thing one day, and gone the next. I don’t see it dying off just yet. It probably is a little over-saturated, but what isn’t. There are so many websites out there doing the same or similar things. Not just in the blogging world, but with all kinds of sites. Maybe we will be saying the same thing with social networking and social media in a few years.

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:27 am

I think so, Ray.

Tom August 5, 2011 at 3:17 pm

Ana,
This is something I have struggled a lot with lately. At some point I was almost ready to pull everything offline, but Panda came, and my long years of efforts were somewhat rewarded. Still, even if you know what you are doing, you have to put in more and more work to get the same results, as there is a much bigger competition. Or just information overload, not necessarily competing, but blocking what you are doing. I’m still in the loop, plugging away, but I came to the realization that even if my web site will be of no use one day or nobody will find it, I want my business to be able to succeed offline alone.

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:29 am

Yes, I do think there’s information overload for many people. However, at some point everyone has to realize that it is simpler and faster to do things online - most of the time anyway.

Oliver Tausend August 5, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Hi Ana,

thanks for a lot of food for thought.

At the end of the day, what is a blog ? A blog is a website, a special kind of website and highly customizable. So what’s so special about blogging when a blog is “only” a website ?

And the internet isn’t special either, it is only a certain way of communication, is it not ? Just like telephone and mail.

That’s why I am not particularly concerned about the rise and fall of internet marketing and blogging because marketing on the internet, for example through social media and blogs, will be always there.

The only thing that doesn’t work anymore - probably - is that the industry of internet marketing nourishes itself by selling shovels to people who don’t have a clue how to find gold, who aren’t able to tell a gold nugget from a worthless pebble. Most people take pebbles for gold…that’s the problem.

Last but not least, let’s take my home market, Germany: I can’t see that it is saturated at all with good quality information. There are plenty of shovel sellers and buyers (still), but this market will grow up as well.

Chances are this holds true for entire Europe and many other parts of the world.

Take care

Oliver

Ana August 8, 2011 at 9:16 pm

You made some very valid points, Oliver.

You are right: online marketing will most likely always remain for as long as internet exists; it’s just a matter of what form it will take and are we ready to go with the flow?

Oversaturation is a huge problem right now, but maybe it’s also temporary; once the survival of the fittest takes place, everything will be in balance - once again.

Justin | Mazzastick August 5, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Hey Ana,
I got the report already via your newsletter. Just like fashion nothing is static and everything goes through changes.

I am a blogger for the long haul and I am always willing to share what I know with my readers. If I learn or know of something that works I will write a post about it.

My blog is consistently improving every month because I know how to find the right information and sources like your blog which has been a huge help.

I am lucky because my blog is only one of four income streams that I rely on so I am not under any type of pressure to get fast results even though I would like to.

What I learned is that bloggers need to be consistent. Meaning stick to a posting schedule. I don’t care much for flaky bloggers who blog whenever and that are not very active in the blogosphere.

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:32 am

You’re a great blogger, Justin. It’s good to know it’s improving constantly and goes to show that consistency pays. Keep up the good work!

kelli August 5, 2011 at 11:42 am

I’m a mommy blogger- specifically- a homeschool mommy blogger- so the technical aspect of all of it is somewhat over my head (didn’t study marketing or internet) I was a Realtor in my former life- and learned enough to make a great living for my family- everything I learned at the time about internet marketing is now outdated-

fortunately, my blog is about writing, curriculum, raising children, teaching and outdoor adventure (yes it all ties together) it isn’t intended to make me a bunch of money-

I have been able to learn enough (thank you Anna) to market my blog to homeschool businesses which have provided me with free curriculum and such (helps the family budget- same as money)

I recognize the rate at which the blogosphere is growing and realize that I am just another drop in the mommy blog bucket - but hopefully I will continue to grow, and be able to use my blog as a way to market my books- I’ll take advice from brilliant people (like you folks) and someday will be able to do more with my little domain than I’m doing right now.

One thing that I think is important (albeit old fashioned) is taking time and effort to put a face with the name- and shaking hands with real people. I made more progress in one conference (just by talking and passing out cards to vendors who’s products were a good fit for my blog) than I did in a full year of blogging. I don’t think that the one works as well without the other. Not so techy, I know I know, but there is something about that personal contact that is hard to beat!

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:50 am

Nice to see a comment from another mommy blogger. You need not be a marketing or internet genius to learn and if you have learned enough to succeed, power to mommy bloggers!

Thanks for all the kind words and well done on your success so far and all the best for your future blog building!

Alexis August 5, 2011 at 11:33 am

Any time the barrier to entry is low you’re going to get a flood of people offering questionable products. And the barrier to entry on the web just keeps getting lower. 5 years ago hosting was expensive and you had to know how to arm-wrestle Dreamweaver to make anything happen. Now hosting is a heartbeat away from free and things like WordPress make it so easy to get online that I’m currently hosting 6+ sites for friends and keep getting requests to set up more (not selling things, just mommy bloggers and such).

And I definitely agree that the get-rich-quick stuff is old. So many sites are using the same tactics (free download, pop ups, etc.) and repackaged content that none of it seems particularly compelling.

I guess the good news is that those rare sites who really do offer something worthwhile (you, CopyBlogger, etc.) become places I come back to time and again. Because nobody has time to wade through 500 trillion search results to find something useful, the value of being a trusted provider of information and establishing that relationship becomes even more critical.

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:23 pm

You are so right, Alexis.

Wide is the road to blogging and many will enter.

Narrow is the road to innovation and few will ever find it.

Blogging as a business model is becoming more and more obsolete.

Thanks for reading TGC - always much appreciated!

Ivan@Noobpreneur.com August 6, 2011 at 2:16 am

Agreed - the web and blogosphere are over-saturated with web and blog sites that offers something like others. However, there will be natural selections - blogs that suck will tumbling down, and only the unique, strong, controversial, and provocative blogs survive.

It’s pretty much like Google Panda update, really… only the quality ones survive (regardless of how subjective the Googlebots are.)

IMO, if you can offer value not available in 90% others, you win.

Ana August 6, 2011 at 6:21 am

I tend to agree with that statement, Ivan: “if you can offer value not available in 90% others, you win.”

Thanks for stopping by.

Mitch Mitchell August 5, 2011 at 11:08 am

Me being me, I have to say that I think you answered a different question than was asked, at least based on what I see above.

You answered the question “Is blogging and making money at it old.” In that respect I’m not sure I’d say old, but the ability to make money directly from a blog is definitely difficult, more difficult than in the past.

However, if I were asked to answer the direct question, I’d have to say no emphatically. In 2008 it was estimated that there were around 88 million blogs. The last figure I heard earlier this year was around 122 million blogs. That’s fantastic growth and to me means there are more people that at least think they have something new to say. In that respect blogging isn’t old at all, and probably benefits from social media in that it’s an unfiltered way for people to get their full opinion out in their own space without being cut off.

And now more businesses are starting to understand the ROI of business blogging, something they didn’t get even two years ago. So dying as a general thing… no, I don’t think so.

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:15 pm

I’d say making money blogging is not impossible by any means, but is not for everyone to say the least.

However, out of those 122 mil blogs, how many are actually being read by more than a handful of people?

Anyone who says that they blog just because they like to do it and don’t care if they have readership, are not being truthful with themselves.

Once everyone starts writing, there won’t be anyone to read.

Another thing: do we read other blogs to really learn or to simply self-promote in some way?

I see more and more of the latter.

Mitch Mitchell August 5, 2011 at 8:49 pm

I read blogs to learn and talk, otherwise I don’t give it any credence. Always been that way, even when I learned the lesson that the best way to drive bloggers to your blog is through blog commenting. I can’t write anything on a blog I don’t care about; if others can, then that’s on their conscience.

And I bet almost all blogs are read by someone, but it’s not really about that as much as self expression. True, there are a lot of dead blogs, but it’s kind of like Twitter where maybe only 7% of everyone there is actually posting more live things than anything else. Yet both blogging and Twitter are still growing; that’s not quite dying, though I understand your point.

Ana August 8, 2011 at 9:12 pm

I do see what you mean, Mitch.

I suppose only time will solve this one.

Ken Nadreau August 5, 2011 at 10:57 am

As much as I resisted due to the “doom and gloom” sound of Ryan’s message, I finally did read it. And it made sense. I’m not sure if all his predictions will come true, but they’re certainly something to consider as a strong possibility.

Putting that up against what you’re saying Ana, it’s definitely getting harder to make money online. And while I have no problem with all the “newbies” coming on board, someone should explain to them that it’s not as easy as it sounds.

It just kind of puts us all in the middle with the big corporations taking all the top spots, and the newbies filling the rest of the space with mediocracy.

I guess it just means we have to work all that much harder :)

Not sure if I’m at the “if you can’t beat ‘em, join em’” point yet though.

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:10 pm

One idea that I completely and wholeheartedly support, Ken, is that we simply can’t afford to do what we’ve always been doing.

It’s like doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.

I wish I had an answer to this, but I don’t. Does Ryan? I am a part of his Digital Marketer Lab and look forward to see what he’s got in store for us. He certainly has the resources we might never will to have at least some of the answers.

Tom August 5, 2011 at 10:31 am

Blogs have to be current. It’s too easy to read yesterday’s news so you have to write your best stuff today. Quality over quantity.

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:06 pm

Even blogs that are current publish a bunch of regurgitated info. I have a very hard time finding blogs that I actually enjoy reading and learning from.

Usman August 5, 2011 at 9:55 am

Hi, Anna !

In old days people don’t find information online so they like to grab and read each and every help full email they get. Now a days there are so many blogs which gives all the necessary information for not cost or you don’t need to subscribe to get all information.

All you need is how to search around the web and all information will be on your desk, but the case is totally different at old days.

Regards

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:05 pm

Definitely, Usman.

However, it’s the quality of information I am questioning. Blogging gets a bad rep because there are so many rotten apples out there.

TrafficColeman August 5, 2011 at 8:34 am

Blogging is what it is..but the great marketers always find niches to continue to make money in…no matter how crowed it gets.

“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:04 pm

Very true.

However, how do you become one? Where do you get the knowledge needed to get you there?

Arfan Bhatti August 5, 2011 at 7:22 am

Old information can be the death of us all. Now there is a point!

Quick example being Panda update, it has ‘changed’ the SEO world from the old throw a few links and rank it philosophy to make sure you have good content and on page factors before throwing links and ranking.

Old tricks are not effective (as effective) anymore.

Old marketing techniques from 10 years ago (pre FB/Twitter) while still work are more effective with the two and so old information about optimizing campaigns (even for early FB/twitter) the game is totally different now and could cause you more harm then good.

Will check the ebook out when time permits

Ana August 5, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Now imagine that you are brand new to blogging and this is the kind of information you rely upon to build your business, Arfan?

Failure written all over.

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