How to Know You’re Doing the Right Thing

I could start and stop with “you’re doing what you love and find fulfillment in it” because ultimately, that’s the most important factor in figuring out you’re on the “right” track both in life, and in your career, but there’s more to it than that. And how do you know you’ve chosen the right direction for your blog?

You’re getting Feedback

This goes for both positive AND negative feedback – If you’re following your passion and that comes through in your work, someone somewhere will take issue with it, and they’ll probably let you know. Alternatively, if your writing or photography makes someone thing about things differently, or helps them feel better about themselves, you’ll get more than a few positive emails and comments.

If you’re not doing anything particularly interesting no one would care either way to leave a comment or send you an email, so if you’re getting any emails or comments at all, you’re on the right track.

You’re making money

If you’ve chosen to monetize your blog, and you’re doing so, then yay! you’re on the right track! No, it’s not THAT simple, but whether you have google ads, affiliate relationships, or straight up direct advertising, if you’re getting paid for your work, and people are clicking and/or buying, then your work has value.

Figure out what works best for you (direct advertising, affiliate, etc.) and grow it this year. If your readers are buying via your affiliate links and your advertisers renew, then it means your readers trust you and value your opinion enough to buy.

You’re getting attention

Again, unfortunately, this is true for both good and bad attention – ultimately, you’ll want to get more positive than negative attention, but any press is good press, right?? The key is to take the “negative” attention or feedback and learn from it, if it’s constructive, and ignore it if it’s simply destructive and hurtful.

If you’re not getting any negative attention or feedback, you’re not reaching a wide enough audience…you’re preaching to the choir, as it were. Sure, there will be some people who will want to just pick on your cankles or too-high-heels, but they’re not the ones who matter.

You have a Community

Over time, if you’re on the right track, you’ll have built a community of readers who relate to you, who appreciate you, and who will offer you feedback, both on your blog and in social media.

Success is different for everyone; you have to figure out what it means to you, and how to get there. Ultimately, when everything comes together, and you “feel” like you’re on the right track – you enjoy what you’re doing, and it’s validated somehow, that’s all that matters.

Image credit: Thumbs and Ammo