I have been reading and commenting on quite a few new blogs recently.
Some bloggers are following proven, sound fundamentals to position themselves to become pro bloggers.
Other bloggers are making common mistakes, hamstringing their blogs and eating into their blogging potential.
If you cannot seem to grow your blog traffic, comments or profits, note these mistakes.
You may struggle by falling prey to these common blogging errors.
1: Using Free Platforms
Never use a free blogging platform because:
- a free platform looks unprofessional
- a free platform domain name looks unprofessional and eats into your credibility
- you blog on rented land, and can be kicked off your blog at any time for many reasons
- free platforms have zero branding potential
- using free platforms suggests you don’t have $3 to $20 each month to invest in hosting, indicating you are not a serious blogger
Buy your domain and hosting. Own your blog. Set your own rules. Emit a professional image. Build a branded, credibly blog. Maximize your monetizing potential.
2: No Networking
No blog or blogger is an island.
But many bloggers try to succeed spending 100% of their time onsite and 0% of their time offsite.
Most of your success flows through other bloggers.
Comment genuinely on blogs. Promote other bloggers on social media. Link to bloggers via your blog.
Network. Observe how your blogger friend network amplifies your reach. Prosper.
3: Not Rewarding Commentors with a Link to their Blogs
I commented on 3 blogs before writing this post.
Each blogger used a 3rd party, G Plus platform.
Bad idea.
Not only is G Plus shutting down next year but commentors have no extra incentive to publish comments on your blog because you cannot give them a link via 3rd party systems like G Plus or Facebook commenting platforms.
Give your readers the opportunity to link to their blogs.
Boost comments and blog traffic. Grow your blogger friend network, too.
4: Changing Blog Topics
Do not change blog topics.
Stop confusing your readers.
Never post according to the topic on your mind at the time because you will write-puke an off topic, poorly informed, low quality post, 100% of the time.
Do 1 thing.
Do 1 well.
Cover 1 blog topic.
Be a specialist, not a generalist.
I help you with smart blogging tips.
I do not stray off topic save the odd travel post, and only do so because I have been featured on famous blogs as a digital nomad authority.
Stay on topic.
Avoid straying off course.
5: Not Posting Frequently
I commented on a few blogs today, noting the last publish date being in late October.
This is a no-no, guys.
You run a weblog; not a static website.
People stop following stale blogs because frequently updated, helpful blogs sit around the cyber corner.
Publish at least 1-2 posts weekly. Aim for 3-5 to really get things cooking.
Be seen. Be heard. Be successful.
Release any perfection obsession. Just write a post or record a video solving your reader problems and publish that sucker.
I explain via a Facebook Broadcast:
6: Not Monetizing
If a blogger claims to be serious but avoids monetizing I do not take these folks seriously.
Why?
Fear of monetizing signals you are not ready to move up in blogging circles. Plus you’ll have a tough time landing features on high level sites without a professional product or service to offer; people will see you as a green amateur.
Monetize your blog now. Add 1 income stream. Steadily add streams every few months. Prosper and stand out from the crowd.
7: Lack of Patience
Lack of patience cripples most bloggers.
I fell prey to this mistake as a newbie blogger. I did smart stuff for a few weeks or months but panicked and bailed because I lacked patience.
Learn blogging. Create and connect. Be patient. Succeed.
Wrap Up
Own these blogging mistakes.
Make the appropriate correction.
Move in a freeing, successful direction.