Is Blogging Dead In 2024? Nah, So Here’s What I’m Doing
In March 2024, Google rolled out a core update — a big one. It was a followup to their helpful content update (HCU) from the previous November, which didn’t affect me. But this time, my site got hit pretty hard.
I lost around half of my traffic, and my motivation dropped to new lows. I really thought that this was the end(ish) of my online writing project. I felt defeated and had low confidence for how to move forward with this portion of my brand.
My blog is a passion of mine and it suddenly felt fruitless.
But, as with all things that have ever existed, the blogging world is simply readjusting to a new state. This is how everything operates, from the content world to the cosmos — it’s all dynamic! So new strategies and mindsets are required.
This is what I’m doing.
Table of Contents Show
The State of the Blog (Google, AI + more)
If you have a blog, then you know what’s going on. AI is everywhere, ranking is down and Google is confusing us all.
I’ve been trying to stay patient and optimistic throughout this season. Because the truth is, content will always be needed. I don’t see a world where a unique written voice is simply pointless.
Fluff, on the other hand, that job can be taken.
It’s like this: handmade pots still exist, despite there being much quicker and cheaper options.
So what’s the state of the blog? We’re going through some growing pains. This isn’t terribly surprising. After all, SEO and content marketing are only 20-something years old.
Blogging is maturing and sometimes that growth is rocky and awkward. Here’s what we’re dealing with right now:
SGE (search generative experience) answering queries in full
March 2024 core update (where I lost half of my traffic…)
Community threads (like Reddit) outranking blogs
A strong shift towards authentic, experience-based content with unique angles
So, Is Blogging Dead? (my take)
For the past couple of months, I’ve been analyzing the state of the blog. I’ve been reassessing my own strategy and watching countless hours of videos and podcasts from professionals on the topic.
So, what’s my final verdict? Is blogging actually dead this time? (as I write to you in the summer of 2024)
Nah. It’s just changed (yet again).
A blog is still a traffic channel. It still builds your brand and establishes authority in your domain through long-form content.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s still enjoyable for me.
This long-form content can still be repurposed (especially with AI) into short-form blogging pieces, which you can use on places like X. Learning the skill of SEO and writing is still worthwhile and transfers to other channels quite well.
And there are still millions of low-competition, high search volume keyword opportunities that you can rank for. You can learn more about how I find keywords here.
But in my view, blogging is not dead and very much still alive. You just need to adapt.
How I’m Blogging Moving Forward (6 moves)
The future of blogging is here. This is how I’m adapting.
1. Infusing More Unique Angles + Personal Brand
Personal brand is a buzzword. But it’s one I’ve adopted into my vernacular.
A core focus for my content is to build my brand identity by sharing the things I love and do. This is personal brand blogging, which is turning your life into keywords and SEO.
This is also part of the reason I have a multi-niche blog, because I’m a multi-niche human — everyone is. This is where the magic lives! But I do need to be more strategic with sh*t.
So this is how I’m infusing more intentional personal branding into my blog
Prioritize authenticity and infuse more personality into my writing…damnit
Focus on experience-based content
Always add a unique angle to bring different ideas to the conversation
AI is good for many things, but I’ll continue writing
Focus on more relationship-building content
Each piece of content on my site is intentional and ties back to my personal projects and/or life. I’m simply sharing my processes and experiences, which are naturally unique to me.
2. Getting Out the Chopping Block
One of my biggest problems has always been choosing one thing and staying in that lane. So of course, I spread myself too thin with this blog.
I wanted to cover everything that represents who I am.
I’m a musician and an artist…who travels…and lives a carefree lifestyle…and likes to talk about blogging…and creative entrepreneurship.
But each one of these pillars goes deep, and is packed full of various sub-niches. So I keep finding myself struggling to build topical authority in any one of them.
And topical authority matters. It’s a signal to Google (and your readers) that you do indeed know what you’re talking about.
(plus, it’s just better organization and less confusing)
How can I expect to build authority for SEO ranking in all of my pillars and all of their sub-niches, all at once, straight from the get go?
I can’t. I’m only one person and I don’t use AI to write. So I need to rework things.
I need to get out the chopping block and get clear about who I am and what I want to be known for.
This is painful. But necessary.
Because thin focus is a core reason why I’m struggling to grow sustainable traffic, domain authority and an income online.
I have no offer because I’m trying to do everything. I have no clarity because I’m constantly being pulled in six different directions. And I have no time because I’m disorganized.
So welcome to phase two of my rebrand.
Of course, I’m not abandoning who I am, but I do need to organize things better. For example, I’m moving all of my music and art content over to my other blog (quin jef), which is my artist name (yes, just this site name, but backwards lol).
I’m adding more intention to this blog.
3. Taking A Stronger Funnel Approach
In marketing, a sales funnel is used to represent the buyer’s journey. In blogging, it looks something like this:
Top of the funnel (TOFU)
Simpler, lower-competition and informational
Example: Listicles and ideas posts
Middle of the funnel (MOFU)
More in-depth, educational posts
Example: “How-to…” posts
Bottom of the funnel (BOFU)
More competitive and stronger buyer intent
Example: “Best of…” posts
TOFU articles don’t require a lot of trust or authority. This audience is “cold” and they don’t know me or need too many credentials.
MOFU articles require a little more expertise and teaching. So authority and reputation start to become more important.
BOFU articles are where conversions take place — most easily with a warmed up audience (like “hot” leads). This is where trust and expertise matter most.
So I’m simply being more strategic with how my articles interlink to each other and move readers through a content journey. Rather than just choosing a sexy keyword with high volume and low competition, I think about what’s next (and what was before) for that person reading my post. I’m only writing a post if it fits into my overall content strategy, funnel and brand (not just “will it bring me traffic?”).
This is lead nurturing (for blogging).
I’ve always known it to be important, but I’ve always glanced over it. So I’m trying to fix that.
4. Exploring Other Content Types + Traffic Channels
While SEO is still core to my blog growth, I’m also exploring other options (for both my brand and awareness).
I won’t be doing everything, but given the recent changes and traffic hits, I see the value of not putting all of my eggs into one basket. So I’m testing things out.
Namely, I’ve been doing a lot more videos on YouTube.
I’m learning how to talk to a camera, edit videos and put together new creative projects beyond just my blog. I’m loving it.
But honestly, this was always a vision of mine — a vision that I kept putting off.
Because talking to a camera is awkward. And starting something new can be cumbersome. I guess this Google situation is just the push I needed to finally start.
Beyond YouTube, some other (written content) traffic channels to boost your brand include:
Pinterest
X
Social media (turning blogs and ideas into written carousels, image videos, etc.)
Republishing or writing on Medium and LinkedIn
I wouldn’t recommend doing everything, but these seem to be some of the top alternative traffic drivers right now for bloggers.
Explore more:
➤ Vlog vs. Blog vs. Social Media
5. Building My List
This recent Google update and traffic loss was my first major disruption caused by an algorithm change outside of my control. And veteran bloggers will tell you it won’t be the last one either.
So I’m finally heeding their advice and taking back some control by building my email list.
A list is an “owned” audience, meaning I’m less vulnerable to platform changes, algorithm updates and industry shifts.
An email list is a direct line of communication with an audience and it’s a crucial asset if you have a blog or personal brand. So I’m focusing more heavily on this part of my content strategy.
Building an email list is the one audience that no one can take away from you. It offers great ROI, conversion rates and engagement. So I’m prioritizing this.
I’ll be creating more enticing lead magnets and freebies in the future for everyone who signs up to my list, but for now, it’s just a way to stay updated with my stuff.
6. Revamping My Monetization Plans
One of my biggest weaknesses is sales and monetization. So this year, I’m fixing that.
Previously, my monetization plans were a bit sporadic and survived off of hope, chance and randomness.
I didn’t blend any offers into my content with any serious intention and I avoided creating my own products out of fear of failure and imposter syndrome.
I need to change that.
Making money is necessary to sustain this project and build the life I want. I don’t need to become some household name — not at all! I just need to be more intentional and pull better levers.
Because here’s the truth. By not packaging and selling what you know, you’re doing someone else a disservice by not sharing your unique experiences, knowledge and passion.
There is someone, somewhere who can only learn from you and no one else.
Money isn’t bad. Selling isn’t evil. Just ask Ken Honda and his take on Happy Money.
So I’m breaking past those limiting beliefs and apprehensions by revamping my blog’s monetization strategy. Here’s how:
Placing ads on my main site (after my traffic resettles)
Being more selective with the affiliate programs I recommend
Creating my own products and services
Using data on content performance to make decisions and offers
Mindset shift — how can I genuinely help this one person?
Later ✌️
Blogging isn’t dead. It’s just evolving, like everything in this dense, third-dimensional universe does. So, I’m adapting, in kind.
My main goals right now are to boost my authenticity, reorganize my content strategy, add new traffic channels and shift my mindset.
I’m forever optimistic, naturally, but I’m confident that this blog situation is not the end.
Rather, it’s an opportunity.
An opportunity to step into my brand with more intention, clarity and fulfillment.
So, will you join me?
Want More? Nice. Here’s More.
