Blogging Mistakes to Avoid Making
From the beginning, you are told that blogging is one of the main ways to organically increase your website traffic. Now this is true, but that does not make blogging an easy task. There is a lot of planning, research, and you guessed it, writing involved. Yup, go ahead and add one more thing to your entrepreneurial to do list.
When I first started blogging, I did my research. I read other blogs. Compared notes. You name it. Just so I can get a better understanding of what was to come. But, I feel like none of it really prepared me. A lot of times, other bloggers that claim to give tips to new bloggers are all saying the same thing:
Here’s how to make X money in no time
Your blog will be passive income and do all the work for you
You can quit your job and make a living blogging full time
The list goes on….
…, don’t get me wrong. I’m sure these claims are true for their experiences. But, how often does that happen unless your goal is to really build a business around your blog and its brand, or you’re a full-time blogger? What about the rest of the internet who simply want to grow as content creators, sharing their experiences, knowledge and thoughts with the world?
These tips are for the up and coming bloggers and content creators, who don’t know where to start.
Common Blogging Mistakes #1
Not Set Blogging Goals and Expectations
Step number one. Don’t do anything else before completing this step the moment you decide you want to start a blog. Consider why are you starting the blog or website. Are you looking for another source of income through sponsorships and advertising? Or, is your blog a creative outlet? Is your blog an extension of your business?Whatever the purpose is, never lose sight of that. As I did my research and looked at what other bloggers were doing, it can get really overwhelming. It’s so easy to lose sight of WHY you started when you are trying to keep up with everyone else.
The blogging world does not need any more clones. If you feel you have something unique to offer and share, stick to it!
Create goals based on what the purpose of your blog or website is. This will keep your expectations at a realistic level. For example, if your goal is to grow the number of subscribers to share your content with more people, you won’t expect to make money during that time. Why? Because your actions and focus would be on growing your subscribers not making money. The math is simple.
Common Blogging Mistakes #2
Feeling Stuck in Your Blog Niché
There are a lot of tips out there that say your blog should have one key topic to focus on and stick to it. My suggestion is to take that tip with a grain of salt. It all depends on why you started your blog in the first place.
My advice, is don’t pigeon-hole yourself into one blog topic or niché, especially if it is very specific.
just because you start a travel blog to chronicle your adventure around the world, doesn’t mean you should only post when you travel. You will have very limited content. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box for content that relates to the overall purpose of your blog. This will give your site longevity.
Common Blogging Mistakes #3
Not Considering the Website Design
This could be a small pet peeve of mine, thanks to working in the marketing and website development world. But, the design of your website plays a very major role. This rule actually applies to every possible network someone can interact with your blog – social media, emails, everything. Don’t slack on giving your readers and visitors the best experience ever.
Blogging is not just what you say but it’s how you say it and how you present it.
If the presentation is lacking, you risk having less engaged readers. Don’t be afraid to seek advice from anyone that has any creative or branding experience if that’s not your strong suit. But the extra effort you place in the design of your website and all touch points will make a major difference, even for you – seeing your vision come to life.
Common Blogging Mistakes #4
Lack of Patience
This is probably where I failed the most. I wanted to see everything come together immediately. But it is important not to rush the process. Rushing can lead to creating something that is not as high quality as you want it to be. Understand that creating the perfect plan for your blog will take time but you are in control. You set the pace. This is literally your baby. Don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board if things don’t seem or feel right (I certainly did a few times). This is a product you are sharing with the world, create something you will be proud of which can take time.
I can go on and on about the common blogging mistakes I made before getting to this point. A point where I finally felt Sincerely, Ash was ready for the world. But, it’s lessons learned and I’m sure there are many more in the future. The major takeaway is don’t lose yourself in the process. It is easy to get caught up in all the trends or keeping up with what everyone is doing. But, don’t forget why you started. This is your journey.
What are some lessons you’ve learned during your blogging journey?