falsealarm
I appreciate your comment but I don't totally agree.
Firstly, you say "A successful blog should have high quality content", well this entirely depends on what you mean by "successful". This word is not only subjective but also is thrown around with little meaning or clarification.
I'll give you two examples based on your statement.
Blog A - About fly fishing in Montana
content: "High quality" info from an experienced fly fisher. Tips, knowledge, personal recommendations of where to fish and how to hook up your line, etc.
earnings: none or very little, only interested in posting about fly fishing
outcome: Successful. Why? Because it's full of "high quality content" for those interested in fly fishing.
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Blog B - About a person's journey in the internet marketing world
content: Nothing particularly unique because this person is new and is basically saying what many others already say. Not enough experience to come up with unique ideas (may NEVER come up with "unique" ideas). Info is 'copy-and-paste' because it is relevant to what they are learning and may help out another "noobie".
earnings: $30/month from small readership and modest SERP results
outcome: Successful. Why? Honest blog about trying to make a few bucks online. Nothing original or unique other than that particular noobie's perspective. Seasoned online/marketing veterans will find next to nothing useful other than this person's "guts" to give Internet Marketing a go.
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I read alot about people who are supposed to be "successful" and these so called "gurus" earn millions of $$ online every year with their products. I've spent quite a bit of money buying "crap" online trying to learn this game. And, the stuff is mostly regurgitated junk.
In terms of those who write "high quality content" well, I've read some of the big name websites too and to be honest, their info is not all that "high quality" or it's only re-written stuff (copy-and-paste?) I've read elsewhere on other blogs. Also, "high quality" is relevant to one's own personal knowledge and experience.
So, in conclusion. Success is a subjective word. Do you think success is measured by how much money one makes? How many readers one has? How unique one's ideas are? All the above?
Some of the most "successful" online people today run several, tens, maybe even hundreds of blogs, even if its with the help of a team.
To everyone's success