One of the things that I encounter with my clients as a blog coach is a great fear of being not good enough as a blogger. It can stall any progress one makes in growing their blog. How do you overcome imposter syndrome as a blogger?
How do you move past the feeling that your readers may figure out that you don’t have 10+ years of expertise in your niche?
Can you overcome imposter syndrome?
Absolutely yes. I’ve been there several times in the past 10+ years of blogging.
And I almost gave up several times.
It’s really hard for many who are venturing into blogging as a business. Many women bloggers face imposter syndrome, as the expectations and roles they have can conflict with them achieving their blogging goals.
These few tips that I’ll be sharing with you, will help you feel like you’re a good blogger… Actually, no, they will make you feel like a great blogger!
And you’ll start overcoming imposter syndrome to be on the way to blogging success.
DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them. For more information, please read my Disclaimer.
NOTE: I’m not a psychologist, nor is this medical advice. These are tips that you can try out based on what worked for me.
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What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Before I share the cure, let’s look at the “illness” first.
First of all, it’s not an actual illness.
Imposter syndrome involves:
- Feeling that you are a fraud, compared to what others think of you
- Self-doubt that you aren’t as smart as others perceive you
- Feeling like you haven’t mastered your niche expertise, despite having experience, knowledge and skills
- Demanding more of yourself to reach perfection.
Imposter syndrome, no doubt, affects those who are hardest on themselves, and who feel like they need to be perfect. Their fears play a big role in making them feel this way.
For bloggers, this can manifest itself in how you position yourself as a niche expert and your personal branding activities. Or lack thereof of these kinds of strategies.
Ever feel like nobody is going to like your blog, because you’re a nobody?
There are so many experts in your niche that are dominating in Google search results. They’ve got thousands of followers on social media.
They seem to have everything running smoothly.
And in the meantime, you’re floundering. You’re nowhere near where they are in your business goals.
Imposter syndrome can make you feel like you’re a fake.
But the truth is, you aren’t, and we’ll walk through some of the ways to get past imposter syndrome.
Why Do People Have Imposter Syndrome?
Dealing with imposter syndrome means coming face-to-face with the root cause.
For many, it’s a personality trait: you’re a natural perfectionist, or always want to be right – and struggle with feelings of failure.
Some believe that imposter syndrome stems from having parents who “stressed achievements and success.”
For some, it’s the belief that they’ll be successful if they’ve accomplished what society deems to be a success.
Dealing With Imposter Syndrome As A Blogger: 10 Tips
Imposter syndrome can really set you back as a blogger or new online entrepreneur.
So how do you deal with imposter syndrome?
These tips can get you on the right track.
Remember, even bloggers who’ve been blogging for 10-plus years will have bouts of imposter syndrome.
It’s a normal thing to sometimes feel like you’re not really what you claim to be.
Self-doubt can really play havoc on your achieving your blogging goals.
So what are the best ways to overcome this challenge?
These tips for bloggers dealing with imposter syndrome can be easily adapted for business owners and others.
1. Remind Yourself Why You Chose Your Blogging Niche
The way that I get past any feelings of imposter syndrome is to ask myself a few very important questions about my blog niche.
If you did it right, you chose your blog niche because:
- You’re passionate about the subject
- You know something about the subject, based on personal experiences
- You’ve studied it, or have a professional background in it
See that first bullet point? It tells you that you don’t have to get certifications or degrees in your blog niche topic to come across as a credible expert.
Consider some of the best entrepreneurs out there. Some of them didn’t finish college, and yet they went on to achieve great success.
If they can do it – so can you!
2. Stop Comparing Yourself To Other Competitors In Your Niche
There are some very big names out there in the blogging world that are my direct competitors.
But I try to avoid comparing myself to them for one single reason: their circumstances, skills and path to success are unique.
As are mine.
They all had to start somewhere, and they probably felt like imposters at some point in their careers.
Heck… they may be feeling them now!
The personal branding strategies you use, and the actions you take with your blog or online business, should all help you move past the feeling that you’re not good enough.
If they aren’t, you may need to tweak how you’ll reach your goals.
Remember, your path to success will be unique!
| RELATED: How To Find Your Perfect Brand Voice For Your Blog Or Business
3. Learn From Your Mistakes And Move On
Another way to get past imposter syndrome is to understand that everybody makes mistakes.
Those that are successful are those who learn from them and move on.
Guess what? You’ll make many mistakes with your blog or your online business.
Even successful entrepreneurs make mistakes. Nobody is perfect 100% of the time.
Some of these mistakes will be minor, while others might be costly.
I’ve certainly made several mistakes with my blog. For example, I started blogging as a hobby and insisted for quite some time that it was the best way to blog.
However, I was missing out on opportunities to monetize my lifestyle blog. Think about all that missed income!
While other bloggers were making money, I was missing the boat.
Luckily, I learned from my mistake and changed my mindset to a money mindset. The rest is history!
| RELATED: Mistakes New Bloggers Make And How To Fix Them
4. Stop With The “If” And “Then” Statements
Stop thinking that “if” you do something, “then” you’re an expert. Dealing with imposter syndrome means you don’t put those expectations on yourself.
When working in the corporate world, we always need to meet expectations and goals to get promoted or a raise.
In this case, you are your own boss. You set the benchmarks for success.
You are a success if you start getting people following your blog.
If your blog traffic starts increasing – even if it’s slowly.
Don’t downplay small successes. They all add up!
| RELATED: How To Set SMART Blog Goals And Actually Reach Them
5. Take Criticism and Turn It Into A Positive
One way of dealing with imposter syndrome as a blogger is to flip negative criticism into an opportunity to improve.
Ever got a negative comment on one of your blog posts and wondered if perhaps you should just quit blogging?
Because obviously, you’re not the expert you claim to be according to the person who left that nasty comment.
Yeah, I’ve been there.
But you see, I have this personality where if somebody criticizes me, or tells me I’m full of sh*t, I take their opinion into consideration and figure out who to be better.
Or get better at doing something.
For new bloggers and budding online entrepreneurs, criticism can completely derail you.
But don’t let it.
Adopt an “I’ll show you” attitude, and you’ll banish feelings of imposter syndrome faster.
6. Leverage Support Groups Of Peers At Your Level In Blogging
How to overcome imposter syndrome? By getting a little help from your friends.
But I’m not talking about your personal friends, although they can be supportive too.
Where you get the most positive support is from other bloggers.
You can find support groups of blogging peers within well-run Facebook groups, like my Blog It Better Society.
Not only can you grow your blog traffic and exposure with a Facebook group, but you will get feedback and tips on how to improve.
Often you’ll find other bloggers commenting on how GREAT your blog is.
This is a fantastic way to boost your confidence and get past imposter syndrome.
7. Claim Your Title And Rewrite Your About Page
Another way to overcome imposter syndrome is to claim your title.
For example, I’m Margaret Bourne, Blog Coach.
What about you?
Imagine meeting somebody while riding an elevator. They ask you – “What do you do?’
How would you answer?
A great way to perfect your answer is to work on your About Me page.
As a blogger or solopreneur, your blog or business site is a reflection of you the niche expert.
So, writing that first paragraph that speaks to your mission, audience and who you are, really helps you claim your position and title.
Update your About Me page as a way to positively re-focus on your successes and how your blog is helping other:
8. Talk With A Trusted Friend
Another way you can be dealing with imposter syndrome as a blogger is to speak with a trusted friend.
This may be another blogger who you’ve known for a while. They have seen your ups and downs, and your successes.
Let them know how you’re feeling. You want them to give you a positive pep talk because they have seen your successes.
9. Underpromise And Over-Deliver On Your Goals For Yourself
You are the arbiter of your own success.
You set the key performance indicators (KPIs) that determine whether you are successful or not.
Nobody else does.
One easy way to overcome imposter syndrome is to underpromise and over-deliver on your own goals.
If you’re a beginner blogger, instead of saying “I’ll make $100 this month”, say “I’ll make at least $1 this month.”
If you make $25 you’ll feel positive and successful. Small wins can go a long way in boosting your confidence in yourself.
10. Celebrate Your Wins – All Of Them!
Every win, even small ones, is a reason to celebrate.
Write them down! Track them!
One of the easiest ways to overcome feelings of imposter syndrome is to celebrate the small wins and look at how they accumulate over time.
Last year, what were your:
- Blog traffic stats?
- Social media followers?
- Email newsletter subscriptions?
- Sales?
- Affiliate income?
When you look at all of your successes over time, you realize, you’re most accomplished than you think!
| RELATED: How To Become A Successful Blogger – 15 Habits Of Top Bloggers
Create A Vision Of Success
One last way to overcome your imposter syndrome is to have a vision board.
I love using Vision board templates. Creating my own annual vision board helps me put myself in the right frame of mind for success.
Here’s one that I created for 2024 – you can see a blend of me focusing on my work, blogging, social media, while also balancing my health, family and self-care.
These are a reminder of what my priorities are – especially when imposter syndrome starts to creep in and derail me.
You may want to reflect on what your true goals are – the achievable ones and create your own vision board.
| RELATED: 50 Powerful, Motivational Quotes For Bloggers And Entrepreneurs
You’re More Capable Than You Think
These 10 tips for dealing with imposter syndrome are a good place to start when you’re not sure of yourself.
The best way for bloggers to overcome imposter syndrome are:
- Remind yourself why you chose your blogging niche in the first place
- Stop yourself from comparing yourself to competitors in your niche
- Learn from your mistakes and move on
- Stop with the “if” and “then” statements to justify if you’re successful or not
- Take criticism and turn it into a positive
- Leverage support groups of your peers at your level of blogging
- Claim your “title” and update your About Me page
- Talk with a trusted friend about your feelings
- Underpromise and over-deliver on your goals for yourself
- Celebrate your wins!
If you can keep yourself from giving up on your blogging or your business, you’re ahead of the game.
Banish thoughts of not reaching your goals or that you can’t make money with a blog (you can!).
I wish you much success in 2024… with keeping imposter syndrome at bay!
QUESTION: How do you overcome imposter syndrome? What are the tricks that work for you?
Thank you for your unselfish ideas.I feel trapped by this Impostor syndrome.
Glad this post helped! No go be amazing!
Thank you for the amazing tips you share, I have imposter syndrome, I just didn’t know what to call it.
I thought I was the only one lol.
Wow Margaret have I ever been there LOL. In truth, my greatest worldly success was earlier during my blogging career. The past number of years has been solid but my values changed. Plus I am delving deep into unconscious fears regarding success, money, popularity, etc. Thank goodness for mind training; going within teaches us the most valuable lessons. Excellent blog post.
I think you are right – sometimes you have to face this to get over it.
this is such an informative post thank you for all the information
You’re welcome!