1. Spending too much time on SEO - Search Engine Optimization. In certain
weeks I have made the mistake of spending more time on learning and implementing
SEO techniques for a blog than I spent on writing original quality blog
posts. While SEO is important, I’m realizing now that original unique
interesting posts is what creates loyal blog reader. SEO will bring new
visitors, however only the quality blog posts will turn them into regular
readers. I like how great writers sum it up “write for people first and search
engines second”.
2. Spending too much time on social news networks like digg, reddit etc.
Submitting my blog posts to social news sites is a great way to generate
traffic, however I try to make sure it’s not a priority. Using digg, reddit and
other social bookmarking sites has been a very big distraction for me at times.
I realize now that putting more of that time into writing quality posts will
generate a lot more traffic in the long run.
3. Trying to write perfect blog posts. I have fallen into this trap
myself whether I’m trying to find the perfect words, worrying about
capitalization or constantly going back into each post of my posts and editing
it and making it prettier. I now try to think of a blog post as food for thought
not a piece of art
4. Not being personal in your blog posts. I think what makes a great
blogger is the unique combination of their past circumstances and experiences.
Sharing those circumstances and experiences allows readers to relate to a
blogger’s writing on a deeper level.
5. Sharing the good and leaving out the bad. I notice that when sharing a
personal problem that I’ve dealt with, I’m tempted to not talk too much about my
shortcomings and focus a lot more on how the “powerful strong immortal me”
overcame it . This ends up creating this image of a super-star blogger who no
one can relate to.
6. Writing about subjects of little interest. There can be various
motives for this, whether it’s to generate more buzz about a new blog, or just
feeling the need to regularly publish content. This takes away all the fun of
blogging. The most successful bloggers tend to be very passionate and genuinely
interested in their topics of choice.
7. Constantly Checking Blog Stats. I’ve noticed that this is a big time
waster for me. When I first started blogging I would even check my blog’s number
of visitors multiple times in a single day. I now realize that this is just a
waste of time. I now try to only check my blog’s traffic and performance
statistics once or twice a week.
Blogging do's :
Blog posts are a great way to generate some criticism from others.
Criticism can be either entertaining if it’s stupid and shallow, or it can be
insightful and help you discover more about your personality.
Blogs are not just for computer nerds and geeks anymore, even small businesses
are encourage to start their own blog for marketing and promotion purposes
Regularly posting on your blog is a great way to build accountability and stay
on track. Many have started blogs to declare their weight loss or fitness goals
publicly and regularly post on their blogs with progress and pictures. Having a
community know about your goal and support you makes it a lot harder to slack
off
Apply the principle of purity to your life and it will become much easier to
decide the things you should be doing and the ones you shouldn’t.
