It took me several days to come up with the concept for my first blog. I spent a lot of time defining my niche and thinking of a way to brand it. Soon after, I realized the easy part was over and the battle had just begun.

When you're first starting out with a blog, or even if you've already put a significant amount of energy into it, it's typical to question whether you're approaching the project in the right way. So, while you're waiting for those search indexes to update, what are some other ways to tell if you're hitting the mark with your blog?

Frequent Blog Posts

You can immediately create an edge in your market by being consistent about how often you make a blog post -- try for every day if you can. Seems easy enough, but I've run across many blogs with that notorious apology post,  "Sorry, I haven't posted in a while … [insert excuse here]."

Write Quality Blog Articles

Size up similar blogs. How's the writing? What topics do they cover? How informative are the blog posts? Use this knowledge to get a step ahead in your niche. Take the time to create a quality blog post, that's not only topical, but also engaging and informative.

Check Your Blog Stats

Increased traffic is a good way to tell if you're gaining headway with your blog. However, take this information a step further by evaluating which blog posts receive more traffic. Start tailoring your blog to that audience. 

Blog Comments

Comments are a great indication as to whether you're hitting the mark with your blog. When readers take the time to post contemplative comments, you know you've struck gold. Congratulations -- your audience finds what you're saying worthwhile. Think of those comments as encouragement to press on.