How to Grow a Blog from Scratch (Even When It Feels Like No One Is Reading)

Building a blog from scratch is hard, and let’s just say the hardest part out loud. Building a blog in the beginning feels a little like talking into the void. You write the post. You hit publish. You refresh your stats like a hopeful little gremlin. And… nothing.

No comments. No shares. Maybe a couple of clicks if you’re lucky. If you’re in that stage right now, I want you to know something important. This is not failure. This is the beginning. It’s depressing, but it is the beginning.

Why Growing a Blog from Scratch Feels So Hard

When you’re learning how to grow a blog from scratch, it’s easy to think that success should happen quickly. We see viral posts, big creators, and polished websites and assume they got there overnight.

They didn’t.

What you don’t see is the quiet phase. The phase where they showed up again and again with little feedback, little traction, and a whole lot of doubt. This is the phase where most people stop. Not because they aren’t capable, but because it feels like nothing is happening. Again, this is the depressing part

The Truth About How to Grow a Blog from Scratch

Here’s the truth. You don’t grow a blog from scratch by going viral. You grow it by showing up. You write when it feels easy. You write when it feels hard. You write when you’re inspired and when you’re absolutely not. Growth is happening, even when you can’t see it yet. Every post is a brick. Every idea is a step forward. Every time you hit publish, you are building something. It just doesn’t feel big… yet.

I have a blog plan – yes, I am an utter geek.

My Blog Plan – aka Being Consistent

I’ve mentioned before about my now defunct Live Journal Community, Think Positive 30. I started blogging to share positive thoughts every day. Then I was using it to promote my book Think Positive: Take the Journey into Positivity. From there I decided I needed a writing blog. That was too much for me to handle. I wasn’t able to be consistent with my posting, so I dropped my Think Positive 30 blog and started building this one. I also created a store here called Words and Wonders where I share my books, including Think Positive: Take the Journey into Positivity, along with the teacher-created resources I’ve developed over the years. Then I realized I was talking a lot about teaching, because I’m a teacher. Yes, relax, I’m getting to the plan.

I started to wonder if my focus was too split but I realized all I needed was a plan. In this one instance I didn’t have to focus on how to grow a blog from scratch. I had a ton of content. I imported all my blog posts from Think Positive 30 and I devised a blog posting schedule. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are writing posts. Tuesday is dedicated to teaching posts, and Thursday is a positive thinking post. Weekends are not necessarily dedicated to anything, but if a topic pops into my head, I write it.

I also have a list of potential blog posts so if I sit down to write and am struck with a case of blank brain (it happens – a lot more than you think) I open up my list of posts and pick one of them. Long story short, being consistent is key.

What Keeps You Going When Motivation Drops

This is where things get real. Because learning how to grow a blog from scratch isn’t just about strategy. It’s about mindset. It’s about what you do on the days when no one clicks, no one comments, and your brain whispers, “Why am I even doing this?” Those are the days that matter most.

When you’re building something that hasn’t “taken off” yet, mindset matters more than anything else. You need something that helps you reset, refocus, and keep going, even when the results are quiet. It’s not about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to show up anyway. If you’re in that early stage of blogging, where everything feels small and uncertain, this kind of daily support can make all the difference. Remember what I said about being consistent!

You don’t Have to Do it Alone – And You Shouldn’t

Knowing where to start when you grow a blog from scratch, it’s easy to feel completely overwhelmed. Don’t let that happen to you. There are tons of resources for new bloggers. Check out this resource How to Start a Blog. You probably don’t want to invest a lot of money to start, but you can get a free blog on wordpress, and it’s pretty easy to get set up if you’re not technical. Me, I’m not technical! If you are afraid to start, just out a post I wrote not too long about about being stuck and taking that first step. If there is a blog you read often, try reaching out to the author.

I don’t know about other authors, but I always love to hear from people. Comment on blog posts that resonate with you. Every blog author likes comments. Don’t think you’re alone in that! And don’t forget to advertise. Share your blog posts on different social media sites. Get the word out. And again, be consistent about this. You can’t share one blog post and expect the world to show up.

You’re Not Behind. You’re Building.

If your blog feels small right now, that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. It means you are in the building phase. The quiet phase. The phase where consistency matters more than applause.

Keep going. Keep writing. Keep showing up.

Because one day, what feels small right now will feel like momentum. And you’ll be so glad you didn’t stop.

Let’s Recap:

Down & Dirty Takeaways (aka your “do this, don’t overthink it” list)

• Have a plan (even a simple posting schedule works)

• Be Consistent (being consistent > bursts of motivation)

• Keep a running idea list (future-you will forget everything)

• Show up even when it feels pointless (this is the whole game)

• Accept the quiet phase (it’s not failure, it’s the build)

• Don’t wait for inspiration (it’s unreliable and dramatic)

• Visit other blogs (see what works, get inspired)

• Engage with other creators (comment, connect, be human)

• Share your posts (social media is not optional)

• Use free tools to start (don’t overinvest too early)

• Focus on mindset (this is what keeps you going)

• Don’t do it alone (resources + community matter)

 

Remember: Small, consistent action beats waiting for big results. You’ve got this. Truly.