Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Blog for the First Time

Blogging may seem easy but you should consider a lot of things if you want to be a success in the business. Experience may be the best teacher, but I wouldn’t want you to fail before you learn a lesson or two about blogging. In fact, I will let you learn from some of the mistakes I made as an amateur blogger! Here are the most common ones you should avoid:

Basic Mistakes

Failing to proofread. Being the owner of the blog, you have the freedom to write in your own style and language, but keep in mind that grammar rules still apply. Spelling and grammar mistakes in a post may not only result in a misunderstanding of the content, it can also affect your credibility as a blogger.

Using big words. Readers tend to turn away from a post when they encounter words that they don’t understand. It is easier to look for another post about the same topic than to consult a dictionary, so cut those long and complex words into simpler ones!

Not providing enough information. Readers visit your blog for facts, not for your opinions (unless you are a well-known public figure). If you want to share your thoughts on politics or other serious matters, give balanced views and provide the necessary facts.

Repackaging existing information. It is not enough to give readers information that they already know. If you want to get noticed, your post should be different from others’. You can do this by providing readers with up-to-date information and insights that are refreshing to read.

Not Appealing to the Readers

Failing to promote your blog content after it is published. Writing is just the beginning of blogging. You need to promote what you have just written. Make an effort to promote your blog even when you are just starting it.

Failing to consider SEO. If you want your post to be more searchable, you have to learn how search engine optimization (SEO) works.

Promoting or selling a product in a blog post. Readers may feel pressured when you do this and they may think that you have another purpose for your blog.

Inconsistent Updates. You have to update your blog posts regularly. Your job is not only to attract readers but also to keep up with  them.

Lack of a feedback mechanism. With online written materials, it is possible for readers to interact with the writer. Take advantage of this to connect with your audience.

Not-so Reader-friendly Blog Posts

Long posts. Making a very long post will probably bore your readers and scare away potential ones. Always be concise and direct to the point.

Using full paragraph format. Present information in a numbered or bulleted list when you can. This is more friendly to the eyes.

Lack of headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings are like guide posts that marks where readers can find the specific information they need. It will also help to highlight important terms and concepts.

Hopefully you will keep these things in mind as you write in your blog. If you need more help, try The Blog Builders – a site dedicated to helping both novice and experienced bloggers to succeed financially in the blogging world.

[symple_toggle title=”References:“]

The Social Media Examiner: Blogging Tips;
[http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/tag/blogging-tips/]

Search Engine People Blog: 12 Common Blogging Mistakes to Avoid;
[http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/12-common-blogging-mistakes-to-avoid.html]

Social Media Today: Eight Common Blogging Mistakes (We Learned the Hard Way);
[http://socialmediatoday.com/ginidietrich/696166/eight-common-blogging-mistakes]

Advise Media: The Top 3 Most Common Blogging Mistakes;
[http://www.advisemediagroup.com/the-top-3-most-common-blogging-mistakes/]

Be Aware of the Most Common Blogging Mistakes; Cynthia Minnaar;
[http://www.seo-news.com/be-aware-of-the-most-common-blogging-mistakes/]

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