5 Mistakes I Made as a New Blogger
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I spent YEARS reading about blogging instead of actually blogging. I thought my blogging journey would be smoothest and least embarrassing if I learned everything possible FIRST, instead of starting a blog and learning by trial and error.
There are some things you just can’t learn from a blog post or masterclass. Eventually, you need to show up and make mistakes and watch how much more quickly you learn!
Today, I’m sharing 5 mistakes I made as a new blogger, but please - don’t make mistake #5. Skim this post real quick, grab my free download (the Build a Blog Checklist) and GO START YOUR BLOG. I mean it!! You’ll learn so much more in those first embarrassing weeks than you will reading dozens of blogs about blogging tips.
1. Writing Posts I Wouldn’t Want to Read
Technology these days makes it so easy to write whatever you want and throw it up online. You can publish journal entries, middle-of-the-night ramblings or incorrect facts. When I first started blogging I thought any old journal entry would do. I thought just by posting it online, I would get readers.
The more I wrote, the more I realized I needed to write to serve someone instead of just to scratch the writing itch. Now, I frequently write on topics I’ve googled or searched on Pinterest like pros & cons of a 15-month age gap, reasons to give birth at home, or how to make time to read the Bible.
I learned my posts need to have something in it for the reader like tips or tangible takeaways. Let's be honest, nobody wants to read my random midnight journalings!
2. Using Confusing Titles
The other day, I asked my husband what I should call my post announcing our third pregnancy. “Grateful hearts?” he suggested, and I couldn’t help but laugh! A few years ago, I would have used something similar, but no one is going to click on a post called “Grateful Hearts.” A post with that title could be about anything!
Instead, I went with “Announcing Our Surprise Third Baby.” An even more clickable title would be something like “5 things I’ve learned from my surprise third pregnancy” because it highlights the takeaways and makes it about the reader instead of making it about me.
Before making this switch, I used titles like “The Best Day Ever” and “Running Out of Ideas.” If I were to publish those posts now, the content would be the same, but I would call them “5 Things to Remember on Your Wedding Day” and “3 Things to Do When You Run Out of Ideas.”
3. Using too many words
I used to try to fill a word count instead of simply getting the point across and serving a reader. I tried to use artsy, fluffy language instead of clearly communicating. Of course, simplifying our language is something we can all stand to work on. But I've come a long way since those early blogs that I mercifully took off the internet.
I've been reading Donald Miller's Marketing Made Simple (amazon.ca | amazon.com) and it is bringing so much more clarity to the way communicate and title posts! I thought I was a clear communicator before reading this book, but, wow, I still have a lot to learn!
I also strive to make blog posts “skimable” by using titles that stand out and bolding important sections.
4. Believing I needed to be Instagram famous to get readers or earn an income
When it comes to making money online, there are so many ways to do it. If you’re like me, your brain often gets stuck thinking the only way to make money and impact is by growing a following on Instagram and either joining an MLM or getting brand deals
While those are two great ways to make money, there are so many more! And an Instagram following isn’t necessary for success.
Since I signed up to receive Christian business coaching, my mind has been open to so many other possibilities! Creating digital projects, affiliate marketing, having physical products manufactured, self-publishing a book and SO many more I’m sure I haven’t even heard of.
In thinking I needed to be Instagram famous to make an impact, I was neglecting a platform that is a much better fit for me, Pinterest. Sure, I used Pinterest for years to pin recipes and cute animals and occasionally do some light research. But I only learned recently that I could be the one creating content for Pinterest!
5. Letting insecurities hold me back
I've started so many blogs over the years and quit just as quickly. I would have told you it was my circumstances holding me back, but I now know it was insecurity. That lame old fear of what people might think.
I wasn't able to work my way out of negative thought patterns until I finally had someone to talk to. Receiving business coaching from certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Practitioners has been truly life-changing! The way my brain works is changing, and I am quickly able to identify negative thought patterns and find a way out.
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I hope you learned something from these five mistakes I made as a new blogger. Have you caught yourself doing any of these things?
Or better yet, are you still doing #5, sitting on the sidelines reading about how to blog without actually doing it?
You’re telling yourself you don’t know how, but trust me, “how” is the easy part! Getting over your negative thought patterns and just doing it is the hard part.
If you want a simple step-by-step process to get your blog up and running, I've created a free pdf download for you! My Build A Blog Checklist will help you get started in six simple steps.
