14 Jun 09 Six Blogging Mistakes to Avoid

It started its journey as a web log. Now, a blog is no more just a web log. It is a full-fledged business for some, and a source of authentic information for many. In its initial days, blogging was considered just another fad, but slowly but surely it cemented its position as a serious online enterprise.

Many people have started their blogs; some succeeded and many failed. The question is why? Is there any formula for blogging success? Or can there be any formula to guarantee success in any form? Well, in my view, there cannot be any formula for success, but there are some surefire ways that lead to failure. If you believe that avoiding mistakes that lead to failure takes you one step closer to success then this article is for you. Here, we will discuss about some egregious mistake that we need to avoid in order to push failure away from us.

Do not be me-too

No one likes me-toos. It holds true, whether it’s a brand, or a blog. There should be some real reason for the audience to come to your place. Why some blogs are famous, and others are not? Why some gets millions of visit, and others not even tens? The question might be many, but the answer is just one: the lack of real differentiation.

• You can differentiate yourself from others, even if your niche is very much crowded. You can think of using more simple and innovative design that doesn’t take toll on the readers as a point of differentiation.
• You can also change the style of writing, or vary the length of the post to differentiate your blog from the rest.

There can be many ways to differentiate, and to find one, all you need to do is to think.

Are you speaking from the ivory tower?

If you think, you are up there and your readers are somewhere down here then you need to open your windows, and use your binoculars to get a better view. You do not have any reader! People like to talk to only the person with whom he or she feels connected. Does your blog gives enough reason for people connect with you? Do your readers know who are you; where you are from; what you do, and what makes you write on the topic you are writing? Remove your mask, and let your readers know about you. Put your picture and a brief biography on the about page of your blog. This will help people connect with you. People connect with People. Know this fact!

Thou art Shakespeare?

If you think so then go and write plays, but I doubt if it will succeed! Even Shakespeare used the language his audience understood then why you are after choking your content with unnecessary layers? Keep the content simple, and error-free.

As we all know, people do not like to read much on the internet, so make your posts visual.

• Make the keywords bold.
• Break the article by supplying subheadings.
• Add list if possible.
• Keep the paragraphs short and simple.
• Use bullet points.

Add value

I like you, and you like me, but why?  What is the one thing that makes us like each other? Why do you come to pay me a visit? You must be finding some value in coming here?

Anyone will come to you or talk to you only if they derive some value from the time they invested by being here. This is quite fair! And by value I do not mean any financial gain, or any favoritism. If I make you happy then this humor is also of some value to you. Your readers will come to your blog, only if they get something that is important to them.

Why don’t you talk to me?

You have written a nice blog post. I liked it, and I have written back in the comment box, but what the heck! You did not reply, why? Do not let your readers and the commenter of the post feel this. This happens many times and it can take your blog down. Your answer to the commenter’s reply will caress his or her ego. Your reply will make him or her feel better about themselves. It may increase the frequency of their visits as well.

Save me, I am drowning!

Save him! He can be your reader; a loyal reader in that who is in this situation because of your over-posting. Do not post too many articles on your blog. Writing a 1000+ words article even twice a day is too much for people to digest. Maintain a healthy ratio or your reader will get left behind. Find out how many posts you need to post per week to succeed in your niche, and how often do you need to update your blog? Make a schedule and follow it!

Tags: Audience, Binoculars, blog, blogging, blogs, Differentiation, Egregious Mistake, Fad, Failure, Formula For Success, Initial Days, Innovative Design, Ivory Tower, Journey, Lead, Many People, Niche, Real Reason, Tens, Web Log