Top 12 Blogging Mistakes You Need to Fix Now!

Top 12 Blogging Mistakes You Need to Fix in 2017
Blogging mistakes: take the time to do it right the first time.

Blogging is a crucial part of online marketing in today’s digital world. Even if you’re blogging regularly, at least a few times a month, you may not be getting the results you want or expected. Moreover, it’s challenging to find the time to write an article that’s at least 300 words. (You can go longer if you need to explain something fully. After 900 words — it’s considered “cornerstone content” or a pillar page.)

When I’m asked to do a free analysis, I usually find the same mistakes on many people’s blog sites. First, let me tell you that you’re in a big boat with lots of folks who just don’t know what they don’t know.

However, ignorance is no longer an excuse.

Here are the Top 12 Blogging Mistakes and Some Simple Fixes…

  1. Using the free WordPress or other free, blogging platforms. On any other platform, whether a free blogging site or social media, you’re just borrowing the space there. You don’t own it. To boot, you have to follow their rules and they can change them at any time AND use your content as they wish. I recommend having your own WordPress website. If you have a tight budget and you do want to start free, go with WordPress.com. At least when you do want to migrate to your own WordPress site, your content can be exported easily. However, keep in mind that as your business grows, you will outgrow the free-to-a-point platforms. Moreover, know that you are limited to what you can do with it.
  2. Using industry jargon. You’re the expert, your reader is not. You don’t want your message to go right over their heads, right? Write for an 11-year-old. Use the Flesch Reading Score. The free WordPress plugin, SEO by Yoast, will test your post for you.
  3. Not creating fresh, relevant content regularly. To be effective and grow a following or build an email list, you should blog 2-3 times a week. And, once you’ve built an audience, you can get away with blogging weekly but, no less than that.
  4. Not writing for the human reader. Write for your target market with the search engine and keywords in mind. Use a thesaurus. Don’t overuse your keywords.
  5. Forgetting to proofread before publishing. Check spelling and grammar. Moreover, Google notices! Furthermore, it is your online reputation! Preview the post, then read it aloud to yourself.
  6. Writing long paragraphs. Break up your content with bullet points, lists, and H2 and H3 sub-headings. (This helps with SEO, too!)
  7. Not sharing your content on social media. This is the main way to publicize your blog posts. Furthermore, it drives people to your site. Besides that, it helps with SEO. Google loves those relevant backlinks.
  8. No credible internal and external links. Add internal links to related content on your site and external links to related, relevant content on someone else’s site. The keyword here is “relevant”.
  9. Trying to be cute with your headline. Your headline should entice people to click on the link to get them to your website. Yet, creating “clickbait” is a no-no. Use this free Headline Analyzer to help you create catchy headlines. Write a good headline then deliver the content.
  10. Not adding the title of the post or keywords to image “alt text” descriptions. If someone pins your picture on Pinterest, this is the description that comes up. Don’t make the user have to add their own description. On top of that, doing this also helps with SEO. The search engine doesn’t see the picture, it sees the file name and the “alt text” description. Also, don’t leave the file name with the original file number from a camera. Call it what it is.
  11. Leaving default widgets like “archives”. (Widgets are the boxes you see in the sidebar with calls-to-action). No one is going to look for what you wrote on a specific day. They’re looking for topics or categories. If anything, put a widget with a drop-down menu of your categories.
  12. Not having a “tag cloud” with the tags (keywords) that are relevant to your article. This is another way to keep people longer on your site. Additionally, keywords are what the search engine sees. Look over to the right sidebar and you’ll see mine. >>>>>
  13. Bonus! Relying solely on AI for the content. Obviously, AI can help you save time with research. HOWEVER, you MUST add your personal expertise and experience into each article. That will help you rank on Google!

In conclusion, learning how to properly and effectively blog on your website can only benefit you.

Learn to Blog on WordPress Gutenberg

Furthermore, stop thinking of blogging as a chore. Consider it as a way to talk to your target market; to educate your potential customers; and to provide value to their lives.

Think these are a lot? Check out all the other mistakes that I see people making online with their marketing.

Stop making excuses about your blogging mistakes!

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