So, you’ve decided to dive into the world of blogging—awesome! Blogging is one of the best ways to share your thoughts, connect with like-minded people, and even make some money along the way.
But let’s be honest: when you’re just starting out, it’s easy to make amateur blogging mistakes. You might feel like you’re doing everything right, only to realize later that your blog isn’t growing as fast as you thought it would. No worries—you’re not alone!
Many amateur bloggers fall into the same traps.
In this article, we’ll walk through the most common blogging mistakes, share real-world examples, and offer practical, actionable tips on how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
Whether you’re starting your first blog or have been at it for a while, these insights will help you avoid some of the most frustrating (and totally preventable) mistakes.
Not Knowing Your Audience
When you start blogging, it’s tempting to think you’re writing for everyone. You have so many ideas and thoughts to share that it seems natural to cast a wide net. But here’s the thing—if you try to please everyone, you end up pleasing no one. This is one of the most common blogging mistakes amateurs make.
Knowing your audience is absolutely critical to building a blog that resonates. For example, if you’re writing a lifestyle blog about personal finance, you’ll want to think about the kind of person you’re trying to reach—young adults who are just learning about budgeting?
Parents trying to save for college? Once you define your audience, you can tailor your content to their needs and interests, making it more engaging and shareable.
Actionable Tip: Take the time to create an audience persona. Jot down their age, interests, challenges, and goals. This will guide your content creation and ensure that you’re writing with a specific person in mind, making it much easier to connect with your readers.
Inconsistent Posting
You’ve probably heard that “content is king.” And while that’s true, consistency is key! One of the biggest mistakes amateur bloggers make is posting sporadically.
You might write a few killer blog posts, but then life gets in the way, and suddenly it’s been a month since you last published. This inconsistency can confuse your readers and even hurt your SEO rankings.
Inconsistent posting sends the message that you’re not serious about your blog, which can turn readers away. If your content isn’t showing up regularly, there’s a good chance your audience won’t bother to come back.
Actionable Tip: Set a manageable posting schedule and stick to it. Whether it’s once a week, biweekly, or even once a month, consistency is far more important than posting sporadically. You could also batch-write content in advance so that you’re not scrambling to meet deadlines.
Not Optimizing for SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) might sound intimidating if you’re just starting out, but it doesn’t have to be. SEO is essentially the art of helping Google (and other search engines) find and rank your content.
When you’re writing without thinking about SEO, you’re missing out on potential traffic.
For example, let’s say you’re writing a blog post about “10 Tips for Starting a Blog.” If you don’t optimize that post for SEO, no one is going to find it.
But if you strategically place keywords like “how to start a blog,” “blogging tips for beginners,” or “start blogging today” throughout the post, your chances of ranking higher in search engine results improve.
Actionable Tip: Use SEO plugins like Yoast (if you’re on WordPress) or plugins built into platforms like Wix or Squarespace. These tools will guide you through basic SEO practices like adding meta descriptions, optimizing titles, and using internal links.
Ignoring Mobile Users
It’s 2024, and mobile internet usage is higher than ever. Your readers are likely to be accessing your blog on their phones or tablets. If your blog isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re likely losing out on a large portion of potential readers.
One common mistake many new bloggers make is focusing solely on the desktop version of their blog. While the desktop view is important, you can’t forget about mobile users who make up a significant chunk of your traffic.
Actionable Tip: Always test your blog on mobile devices before hitting publish. Most blogging platforms offer a mobile preview option, so make sure everything looks good and functions properly.
Mobile optimization includes making sure your images load quickly and that text is legible on smaller screens.
Skipping the “About Me” Page
When you’re busy crafting your content, it’s easy to overlook the “About Me” page. After all, your blog is all about the content, right? Wrong! Your readers want to know who you are.
The “About Me” page is one of the most visited pages on any blog because it’s where visitors go to learn more about the person behind the blog.
Without an “About Me” page, you miss the opportunity to connect with your audience on a personal level. Think of it as your chance to build trust and show your readers that you’re more than just a bunch of words on a screen.
Actionable Tip: Keep your “About Me” page authentic and friendly. Share your story, your passions, and what inspired you to start blogging. Don’t be afraid to get personal—it’s one of the best ways to build a relationship with your audience.
Writing Without a Clear Purpose
It’s easy to start writing a blog post without a clear purpose. Maybe you just feel like writing about something that’s on your mind, or you’re writing in a rushed state. But every blog post should have a purpose.
Are you educating your audience? Are you solving a problem they have? Are you inspiring them to take action?
Without a clear purpose, your blog posts can come off as rambling or confusing. Readers won’t stick around if they can’t quickly understand the value of your post.
Actionable Tip: Before you start writing, ask yourself: “What is the main takeaway from this post?” Focus on providing clear, actionable advice that your readers can benefit from.
Focusing Too Much on Design
Don’t get me wrong—design matters! A well-designed blog will help keep visitors around longer and encourage them to explore more of your content.
But many amateur bloggers get so caught up in perfecting the design that they forget about the most important aspect: content.
You don’t need to have a perfectly polished blog from day one. Focus on providing great content first and foremost. Once you have an audience and a steady flow of posts, then you can fine-tune the design.
Actionable Tip: Use a simple, clean design that allows your content to shine. Stick with a basic layout that’s easy to navigate, and choose fonts and colors that are easy on the eyes.
Failing to Promote Your Content
You might think that once you publish a blog post, readers will magically find it. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. If you don’t promote your content, no one will see it.
Amateur bloggers often make the mistake of thinking that writing great content is enough.
It’s essential to share your posts on social media, engage in relevant online communities, and collaborate with other bloggers to spread the word about your content. Without promotion, even the best blog posts can go unnoticed.
Actionable Tip: Share your blog posts on all your social media channels. Join Facebook groups or Reddit communities related to your blog’s niche and contribute helpful posts that link back to your content.
How often should I post on my blog?
Consistency is key! Aim to post at least once a week, but make sure it’s something you can sustain. If that’s too much, consider posting biweekly.
How do I make my blog mobile-friendly?
Choose a responsive theme or template that automatically adjusts for mobile devices. Test your blog on various devices and ensure everything looks good.
What should I put on my “About Me” page?
Your story! Share why you started blogging, what your blog is about, and any relevant personal info that will help readers connect with you.
How do I do keyword research for my blog?
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest to find keywords that people are searching for in your niche. Then, incorporate those keywords naturally into your content.
Can I make money blogging as a beginner?
Yes, it’s definitely possible! Many bloggers start earning money through ads, affiliate marketing, or selling products/services once they have a steady flow of traffic.
How can I grow my blog’s audience?
Promote your blog on social media, engage in online communities, and collaborate with other bloggers in your niche. Consistent posting and quality content are also crucial for growth.
How do I stay motivated to blog consistently?
Set small, achievable goals, celebrate your successes, and remind yourself why you started blogging in the first place. Finding a blogging routine can also help.
Do I need to invest in a custom domain name right away?
While you don’t need it immediately, having a custom domain looks more professional and can help you build credibility over time. It’s a good investment once you’re serious about blogging.
