Picture this: you’re at the starting line of your new blogging career armed with ideas, passion and a dash of nerve. It’s an exciting world of possibilities that holds the promise of success but it’s not without its traps. As a rookie blogger, it’s easy to stumble into common pitfalls that can slow your progress but don’t fret! In this guide, I’ll equip you with this cheat sheet of tools and insights to dodge those early blogger speedbumps that myself or others have met so you don’t make the same mistakes! Ready to copy off my paper while the teacher isn’t looking and ace which beginner blogger errors to avoid?! I’ve got you, bestie!
1. Overloading Your Blog with Ads
Tell me you haven’t been a victim of the following: you land on a blog and bam! Ads, pop-ups and banners bombard you like a swarm of annoying ass mosquitos in the Mississippi Delta! Yeah, no one likes that. Sure, ads can be a moneymaker but less is more, dahhhling. Remember strategy is key and a clutter-free blog is a happy blog.
2. Ignoring the Power of SEO
Skipping out on SEO is like throwing a party without sending invites. Nobody’s showing up, friend! You don’t have to be an SEO guru, but you should definitely cozy up to it. Keywords are your secret sauce and not using them is like trying to bake a cake without flour. You wouldn’t do that, right? So learn the basics of SEO to ensure your blog gets the visibility it deserves, sprinkle those long-tail and short-tail keywords strategically throughout your posts and let Google fall in love with you.
3. Not Building an Email List IMMEDIATELY
The first time I opened a blog, which was during the Myspace days, a mailing list was the furthest thing from my mind. The idea for some reason seemed unnecessary especially when it was so easy to get visitors to my websites without the social media conglomerates throttling organic reach. In the off chance that I would get around to starting one, I didn’t actively try to get people to subscribe or offer many incentives beyond maybe a 10% off code for them to do so.
They say when you know better you do better, though, right? So when I opened Glamber Alert and The Cyberhustler, I had my mailing list up before launching on the countdown page. I’d done my research and decided to go with Flodesk and I have not regretted it! Hmph play with your mom, not me! 😜
Before you unleash your literary masterpiece, make sure you’ve got that mailing list locked and loaded. Building your email army from day one is basically having a squad of loyal followers ready to devour your content. Don’t skip this step or you’ll regret it later!
4. Neglecting Your Audience
You’re not talking to a wall; you’re talking to real people. Engage, reply and create content that’s basically a big virtual hug to your readers. Ignoring comments is like leaving someone hanging mid-high-five – not cool. *shakes my head disapprovingly*
5. Comparing Your Chapter One to Someone’s Chapter Fifty
Listen up, buttercup: comparison is the thief of joy, especially in the blogger/content creator/influencer world. Your journey is unique and your progress is your own. So don’t sweat it if you’re not at the “Instagram-worthy mansion” stage yet. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a successful blog.
6. Neglecting Consistency
Blogging is like a plant – it needs consistent water and sunlight(i.e. content and updates) to thrive. Vanishing for weeks and then suddenly reappearing is a recipe for confusion, not success. Keep your readers engaged and happy by sticking to a posting schedule. If you struggle with consistency, you must first identify why and learn how to stay on track. I can speak to this because as soon as I opened both of my blogs, I got shiny object syndrome for the millionth time & let them sit mostly untouched for 2 years. Don’t be the old me who has slowed my growth/results and is currently bouncing back as I type this. There’s no telling how much money I’ve missed knowing full well I’ve been sitting on literal gold mines. It’s moving very fast but I am posting a blog a day this month to speed my results. I know, kind of insane, right?! That’s going to be 31 posts. But it’s only for this month then I’ll revert to a less psycho routine LOL!
7. Ignoring Mobile Friendliness
Your blog looks fab on a desktop, but on mobile, it’s like solving a puzzle in a dark room. Ew! With everyone glued to their phones, a mobile-friendly blog is your ticket to the virtual party. Make sure your layout and fonts are finger-scrolling-friendly.
8. Spending Too Much on Blog Design
To latch on to the previous entry since we’re already on the topic, yes, we all want a blog that looks so good you want to eat it. But here’s the thing: as a beginner blogger, you don’t need to spend endless hours – or dollars – perfecting your design. If you can, then by all means: splurge and get that website you deserve! But if you’re still testing the waters or there’s even the smallest possibility you may not stick with this, “doth not” invest too much. Just keep it clean, user-friendly and mobile-responsive while saving the fancy stuff for later when you’re rolling in that sweet blogging coin.
9. Chasing Trends Blindly
Trends come and go faster than ice cream on a hot summer day. Jumping on a bandwagon just because it’s the “in” thing might lead you off course from your blog’s authentic essence. If it doesn’t align with your brand, stay ‘Ray Charles’ to the bs.
10. No Content Calendar & Writing Without a Plan
Imagine waking up on a sunny Wednesday, all set to write a blog post and then… nothing. You have no clue what to write about. Don’t be that blogger! You’re excited, I get it. But random, unfocused posts can lead to a blog that’s all over the place. Take a breath, create a content calendar and give your readers a journey they can follow. It’s the roadmap that ensures you never run out of ideas and that your posts are on-brand. Planning is the key to coherence and consistent cyberhustling.
11. Neglecting Your Brand Voice
Sure, you love your favorite bloggers but don’t morph into a copycat version of them. This internet is a really vast yet very small place and people notice. The person you’re copying may even notice even if you’re think they’re too large and you’re too small to. Your voice is your magic wand and it is exactly what’s going to help you stand out in a sea of pixels.
12. Underestimating the Power of Visuals
Words are great but visuals are the icing on your blog’s cake. Crisp images, striking graphics and well-designed Canva templates add that extra oomph to your content. Think of it as giving your readers an Insta-worthy treat for their eyes.
13. Steer Clear of Free Hosting Platforms
This should probably have been number 1 on this list of beginner blogger errors to avoid!
You’re excited to start your blog and the thought of dishing out cash for hosting makes you cringe. I get it, but trust me, this is not the area to go penny-pinching. A self-hosted WordPress plan may feel like a splurge, but it’s your golden ticket to total control over your blog. Plus, it makes you look like a pro from the get-go. Say no to some the “free” stuff; it’s not as “free” as it sounds.
This is one of the ones I can’t personally relate to but just do what I told ya and go where I showed ya lol! Sure you may be tempted to open a blog on a free platform but start how you want to finish. Avoid wordpress.com and opt for wordpress.org. If you’re not technical and would prefer you blog be set up for you in a few clicks, you should pay for hosting at Bluehost for as low as $2.95 monthly. They have instant WordPress install options!
14. Networking is Non-Negotiable
Don’t be a lone wolf in the blogosphere. Network like your blog’s life depends on it.. spoiler alert: it kinda does! Connect with fellow bloggers, engage with your audience and be active on social media. Building relationships is your ticket to exponential growth.
15. Quality Over Quantity
The temptation to publish a new blog post every day is real but don’t let it consume you. Quality trumps quantity. Write well-researched and engaging content that resonates with your audience. Your readers will stick around for your brilliance, not your ability to churn out posts like a content factory.
“End of the Road” 🎶 no Boyz to Men
Now that you’ve eaten the Super Mario Bros invincibility star to sidestep those common beginner blogger blunders with nary a scratch, go make it happen! Remember that you will still make mistakes – just hopefully not these – and that every blogger was a newbie once. The experience is all about learning, growing and having a blast while doing it.
