I started blogging almost four years ago – and have made a lot of mistakes along the way. Sure blogging has evolved over that time as well but many of the mistakes that I made have to do with ME not with the technical aspects of a blog.
Mama Kat’s writing prompt this week – asks us to write about our mistakes. Here are mine:
- This is a biggie – I should have had more confidence in myself and my abilities. When I was new on the internet, I felt like everyone knew more than I did. I was in awe of the big bloggers. And I was afraid to open my mouth for fear of appearing stupid. So, I wrote sporadically, and the posts were rather lame. Well, guess what? Four years later I still experience “stage fright” but I know that I have something to contribute – and that sense of confidence has paid off exponentially.
- I should not have worried so much about keywords. I learned about the importance of keywords early on. My nature is to do everything by the book – so I wanted to write something that was not keyword focused – then I just didn’t write it. Bad move. Maybe some people can pull it off, but trying to build my sites around profitable terms resulted in shallow content and writer’s block.
- I should have networked more early on. Looking back, I avoided social networking because in the beginning I felt like it was a waste of time. Mastering social media is tricky – because it certainly can turn into a black hole, sucking up lots and lots of time. But with a good strategy in place, and good discipline too – it is a good for meeting like minded people and developing business relationships.
- I should have treated my blog like a business from the outset. From the start, I knew that I wanted to create an online business – but four years ago, aside from that goal, I really had no clear cut plan as to how to achieve that. With no blueprint to follow – I found myself wandering around the web aimlessly and accomplishing nothing. Today, I know where I want to be – and have outlined the path to get there.
- I should not have focused so much energy on learning the technical side of blogs. Instead, that time would have been better spent creating good content. Sure, a “pretty” site might attract more visitors, but in the end it is the words that will keep them captive and draw in the visitors from the search engines.
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: MaggiJones
April 29, 2010 at 3:04 pm
All good tips. I have been especially surprised by the difference networking makes. I thought that was mostly hype, but it really helps.
Margaret ~
You and me both! The advice that the people I followed gave out was that social networking doesn’t pay. But monetary rewards aside, I so much appreciate the support I receive through these channels. It keeps me blogging everyday.
Twitter: MaggiJones
April 29, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Maybe it’s the concept of “networking” that makes it sound like it’s supposed to be a financially profitable endeavor. Really, it’s more about people visiting your site which encourages you to keep writing. When you feel like a tree falling in the forest, you feel like no one is going to know whether you have posted anything or not. But once you see other people coming to see what’s new, there’s an accountability there that you don’t have without networking.
It sounds like you have learned a lot of things in your blogging career : ) Very nice.
Thank you for the compliment – and for the comment.
#5 is something I DID do right!
My site wasn’t the prettiest AT ALL, but I was more concerned about learning how to develop content and readers. After a year of blogging, I’d earned a little money and was recently able to migrate to WP and hire a GREAT designer. Don’t get in a rush to sink money into your blog. Wait until you’ve earned some first! 
Great post. I can sure think of a fair share of my own newbie missteps!
great resources and tips! i tweeted a link and shared on my FB page. thanks!
Twitter: Diannakennedy
April 29, 2010 at 8:41 pm
This sounds similar to my post as well! Congratulations on 4 years!!
We are in the process of making most of those mistakes, so its great to get the heads up before we go any further, I wish I had come across your site sooner its full of great advice – thank you from Ireland!
Yvonne ~
I am so glad that you find the info here helpful!
Dianna ~
. I very much enjoyed your post!
Yes, it does. Great minds think alike
Roxanna ~
Thank you so much for the shouts out – I truly appreciate it!
Angela ~
I love your blog design! Definitely worth the wait. Taking things slowly is a hard thing to do but so important when it comes to creating a business on the internet. It takes time to develop a following and it’s a lot of work to earn those readers – your site is proof that all that effort does pay off!
Twitter: Ileane
April 30, 2010 at 1:37 am
I love these kinds of posts when bloggers can admit they should have done something differently. I guess that’s mainly because I think you’re pretty brave to do a self-assessment. I just started visiting your blog and it’s been my pleasure. I think you’re doing a fantastic job. Great post!
Those are great tips!! It’s hard when you are starting out and when you see other bloggers and feel they must “know more”. Your blog is great! Thanks for following me on Blog Frog! Can’t wait to ‘learn’ more about you
Thanks Ileane!
Your compliments and feedback mean a lot to me – constructive comments are what keeps me blogging.
Hopefully I can help others by sharing ~ it makes no sense for all of us to make the same mistakes.
Tessa ~
Thank you for the kind words. I know how it feels to just arrive on the web scene – and it can be intimidating. That feeling never really goes away because the internet is continuously developing and there is always some new thing that I need to learn about!
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