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There’s one thing you need to know about blogging:

Those who are looking for inexpensive ways to generate business leads online rely on it – swears by it and at the same time, those of us seeking to make living online worship it.

We all agree that blogging is the way to go. It is lucrative and luxurious.

But there’s one problem.

It is not always roses from the day you start your blog to the day you earn your first dollar.

During this transition, you may question whether you made the right decision because sometimes, nothing seems to work.

The truth is, blogging can be complicated which means, you ought to be doing the right thing at all times.

But doing the right thing at all times is the hard part.

For this reason, I’ll use this post to show you 17 dangerous blogging mistakes you might be making with your blog and how to fix them.

17 Blogging Mistakes That Will Cost You Readers, Credibility & Revenue!

Blogging Mistake #1: Not taking time to understand your readers

This is the deadliest blogging mistake that if you will not solve, you can kiss goodbye to your blogging lifestyle.

I see a ton of situations where bloggers have excellent grasp of topics and expertise, but fail to make the crucial connection with their readers.

Why is connecting to your readers important?

Understanding your audience gives you a unique chance to craft solutions to challenges facing them. Miss this and no one will read your blog.

No one wants to read articles that don’t help them?

How to solve the connecting with readers issue in blogging

• Understand who your reader is as a person. Get to know what he/she struggles with daily
• Use your blogging skills to craft articles that provide solutions to these problems
• Use the language they understand and engage with them

Blogging Mistake #2: Not focusing on a single blogging niche

The biggest mistake you can make as a blogger is juggling all topics. Trying to produce everything for everyone.

Focus is the principle here.

And without it, you will burn out, waste your time, and eventually quit.

Here’s what you should do if you have identified that you are already making this mistake:

• Pick a niche/topic you understand very well and have passion about.

Why passion?

• Earlier I mentioned that you’ll feel as if your blogging efforts aren’t getting you anywhere. When that happens, you will need to keep going and I tell you this; you won’t push past this point if you do not love what you do
• Focus makes it easier for you to produce content that your readers will appreciate since you understand what they want
• Build your credibility and authority one stone at a time. Then grow with it

Blogging Mistake #3: Not consistently posting in your blog

Blogging is not an excuse to be lazy. You need to write and post at least twice a week or any frequency that works for you.

The thing is, you should be consistent lest your readers forget about you.

Talking of posting consistently is not a ticket to churning out low-quality content. be consistent with the quality of your articles.

How to fix inconsistency blogging mistakes: –

• Have a posting schedule and adhere to it
• Make publishing a routine and not just a thing you do when you feel like it.
• Research beforehand to help you produce quality content that will rank on Google
• Make these a habit and see yourself grow

Blogging Mistake #4: Not purchasing your own domain name

I know what you are thinking.

That it is easier to use free hosted blogging platforms the likes of WordPress.com and Blogger.com.

Well, the thing is, you are not in control of that platform which means you cannot customize it to fit your taste and style.

Another thing, some of these free hosted platforms do not allow advertisements. So, tell me, once you get sizable traffic, how will you monetize it?

Fixes for these blogging mistakes

• Purchase your own custom domain name
• Build a blog from scratch or hire someone (we’ll do it for you for Ksh. 10,000) Contact us
• Invest in your blogging business

Blogging Mistake #5: blogging for the wrong reasons

If you started blogging just for the sake of making money, you will not be here for love.

Blogging requires passion and patience due to the ups and downs ahead.

You will not be able to overcome these challenges if you are in it for the wrong reasons.

Instead, start a blog and do all you can to make an impact. Money and abundance will follow.

Blogging Mistake #6: Posts with poor headlines

Blog post headline is what makes people stop, read, and share.

If it isn’t catchy, no one will read your blog even if you post the best articles in the world.

Fixes for these blogging mistakes 

• Learn how to write catchy headlines
• Short and to the point
• Your headlines should evoke curiosity

Blogging Mistake #7: Not capturing leads on your blog

Once your posts start attracting loads of readers, you should set up systems that capture them.

Capturing emails should be your priority.

Why?

Email marketing generates 38X ROI. This means that for every dollar you put into it, you get $38 back.

For this reason, 73% of marketers agree that email is the cornerstone of their business strategy.

Also, having a list of your readers’ emails; makes it easier to notify them every time you publish a new blog post.

So,

• Collect emails and names of your readers
• Install Facebook pixel on your pages to generate custom audience later when using Facebook Ads
• Build a relationship with your email list

Blogging Mistake #8: Not marketing your blog

Post and forget.

I have seen a lot of bloggers who subscribe to this notion that you create a blog and they (readers) will come.

If you do not promote your blog, no one will find it. Thousands of blogs are created daily and millions of articles are produced.

If you do not take the time to promote your blog, you will be buried in the noise and forgotten.

• Share your articles on social media (especially Facebook and Twitter)
• Tag influencers on social media
• Leverage SEO so your posts can be found on Google
• Message or email people you think might benefit from reading your articles.

Blogging Mistake #9: Not producing valuable and actionable content

It is chaotic out there with a ton of content produced and shared daily on social media.

Seeing this might push you to join the race without a plan and end up producing content just for the sake of creating. Producing content that lacks substance adds to the noise and injures your reputation.

Instead, produce content that your readers will want to read. Content that helps them solve problems and answers.

One more thing:

Make your posts actionable and shareable.

Blogging Mistake #10: always talking about your company, products, and services

Readers do not care about you or your companies until you give them a reason to. New readers do not care what you have to sell. They are in your blog trying to find answers to their questions.

If you are not offering these answers, they will leave and never come back.

To avoid this, always avoid self-promotion unless it is in line with the problem you are trying to help your readers solve.

Use tips/tricks as well as how-to articles to help your readers.

And when it is appropriate, mention your products or services (after you’ve offered enough value). This might come up as you conclude your article, where you remind your readers to check out your product or service but not before or frequently.

Blogging Mistake #11: Ignoring your readers’ comments

Not replying to your readers’ comments on your posts is a terrible thing to do. You are showing them that you do not care about what they have to say, and that hurts.

Engaging with your readers in the comments helps you build an engaged community. It builds social proof that you actually read their comments and care enough to reply.

After hearing this, some of you will rush to automate the comments reply.

That’s also a big mistake.

Your readers know how to differentiate between a human voice and bots replies. So do not try tricking them.

Instead, take time weekly, go through all the comments, and thoughtfully reply. Engage them in a conversation and they will thank you for it.

Blogging Mistake #12: neglecting your blog and not making investments

Your blog is your business. For it to grow, it requires regular investments, be it your time or in the form of money.

For instance, once your blog starts generating revenue, invest in a professional theme that makes it beautiful and inviting.

Also, invest in your blogging skills. Purchase blogging courses, attend seminars, and invest in the security of your blog.

Blogging Mistake #13: thinking success will happen overnight

Many people get into blogging thinking they will see the impact almost instantly. That you will be smiling on your way to the bank the next day.

Readers will throng your website as soon as you hit publish.

All of these are fantasies.

Not that they will never happen, there’s much you don’t see.

Blogging is a process. And if you do not commit to the process, you will not enjoy all that comes from a successful blog.

Have a blogging plan and stick to it.

Blogging Mistake #14: ignoring blogging communities

Avoiding fellow bloggers is a mistake. You need them to mentor and show you the way especially when getting started.

Blog communities offer advice and tips to bloggers. You get to meet those who write for the same audience as you. You learn from them as much as they learn from you.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking blogging is a lone wolf kind of adventure. Get out there and socialize with like-minded people.

Blogging Mistake #15: keeping your expertise and knowledge to yourself

If you do not share your expertise through your fellow bloggers’ blogs, you are missing out.

Seek guest blogging opportunities to build reputation and credibility. You will need it once you start selling products or services through your blog.

Actually, no one wants to buy from a stranger.

Blogging Mistake #16: procrastination

If you are the type of person who waits until everything is perfect to take action, you will be waiting forever.

You see, your blog is never going to be perfect (whatever that means). There will always be something to fix, something to change, or something to add.

This perfectionist behavior is just an excuse not to do anything, brushing it aside, thinking, ‘I will do it tomorrow.’

You should stop spinning your wheels and hit that publish button.

In fact, it is better to publish and later make updates rather than postpone waiting for the perfect piece.

Blogging Mistake #17: Not using blog post templates

I sometimes get excited about a blog post topic and tempted to sit down and let it pour out of me. Whenever I do that, the result is a sub-bar article that doesn’t deliver my goals.

And that’s a serious blogging mistake there!

Why?

Most of your readers will scan through your article. And if you wrote without a clear plan, you will lose them.

Instead, have a blog template that shows you how to write a post that will make people stop and read.

Use headers, have a post outline, and use a specific blog post type.

• Decide on the type of post you wish to write. Is it a how-to guide, a case study, or a list-based post?
• Once you have the template, sit down and come up with the post outline. To do this, think of the biggest takeaways from what you’re about to write, then break it down into subheadings.
• Now you are ready to sit and fill in the blanks.

Final Thoughts on Blogging Mistakes to Avoid Like a Plague 

You shouldn’t worry if you’ve read through these blogging mistakes and you’ve made almost all of them; because now you know what to do about it.

Don’t you?

The thing is, the more you gain blogging experience, the better you get at it.

I want to hear from you though. What are some of the mistakes you’ve made in your blogging career? How did you amend them?

Also, is there any major mistake I left out? Let’s talk about it in the comments.