Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a passionate foodie, or a business guru, chances are you’ve considered starting an amateur blog. The allure of sharing your thoughts, experiences, and expertise with the world is undeniably strong. However, many amateur blogs often fall short of their potential, languishing in obscurity due to common pitfalls.
This makes succeeding a bit harder. It’s important to acknowledge the challenges of establishing an amateur blog in a crowded digital space. But fear not. With the right knowledge and strategies, you can overcome those hurdles and achieve blogging success.
This guide will cover 10 crucial mistakes amateur blogs make. Plus, we’ll share practical solutions so you can avoid them entirely.
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Why Amateur Blogs Fail
It’s crucial to understand why amateur blogs fail so you can avoid making the same mistakes. Most of the time, this isn’t due to a lack of enthusiasm, but rather a misunderstanding of blogging fundamentals.
Neglecting SEO and Google Traffic
SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization, can seem intimidating to those new to blogging. You might be putting in a ton of work creating fantastic content.
But, without a proper SEO strategy, you risk getting lost in the vast sea of online content. Ignoring SEO means missing out on valuable organic traffic, which refers to the visitors who discover your blog through search engines like Google.
Over the past six months, I’ve been experimenting with various AI-assisted SEO tools for content development, and Outranking has rapidly risen to the top of my favorites for SEO. Learn more about Outranking here!
Inconsistency and Lack of Direction
Jumping from one topic to another without a clear content plan will make it challenging for your audience to know what your blog is really about.
Without consistency in your posting schedule and a defined niche, it’s hard to build a loyal following.
Not Engaging with Your Audience
Treat your blog like a business, even if it’s a passion project. Imagine walking into your favorite store only to be ignored by the staff – not a great feeling.
Neglecting to respond to comments or engage with your readers on social media can create a sense of disconnect and discourage interaction.
Common Amateur Blog Mistakes (and How to Fix Them.)
Now that we’ve uncovered some overarching reasons amateur blogs struggle, let’s dive deeper into specific mistakes and how to rectify them to maximize your chances of success.
Not Self-Hosting Your Blog
One of the most common, and frankly detrimental, mistakes is not self-hosting. Starting with a free blogging platform might seem appealing initially, but it drastically limits your blog’s growth and monetization potential.
Free platforms usually mean your web address includes their branding (like YourBlog.Wordpress.com), immediately making you appear less professional. You’re also at the mercy of their rules, limitations, and advertising, without the freedom to truly control your own website.
You can use a reliable hosting provider like Bluehost. This is the best web hosting, you get a free domain for the 1st year, free SSL certificate included, and 24/7 support.
More importantly, you have the flexibility to install plugins, customize your site design, and even monetize through advertising and affiliate marketing.
Poor Permalink Structure
While it might seem like a minor technicality, the way you structure your permalinks has significant implications for your amateur blog’s SEO and user experience.
Many amateur blogs make the mistake of using the default permalink settings. This often results in lengthy and messy URLs containing dates and random numbers, which are both unattractive to readers and confusing for search engines.
Strive for clear, concise URLs that accurately reflect your content. Using your post title as your permalink not only makes the link easier to read and remember. This strategy also makes it easy for search engines to understand what your content is about.
Disregarding the Importance of Email Lists
Here’s a secret: successful bloggers understand the importance of cultivating a strong email list. Building relationships should be your top priority.
Think of it like this: social media platforms can change their algorithms overnight. However, an email list is a direct line of communication to your most engaged audience. You own that relationship, free from the whims of social media giants.
Offer valuable incentives for signing up, such as exclusive content upgrades, e-books, or email courses. Platforms like ConvertKit (my favorite.), Mailchimp, and Flodesk provide robust features to create engaging email campaigns, segment your audience, and even build visual automations for optimal impact.
Not Optimizing for Mobile Devices
We live in a mobile-first world, where people are constantly scrolling through content. In today’s mobile-dominated era, amateur blogs must prioritize a seamless experience across all devices. This isn’t an option anymore – it’s a necessity.
If your content is difficult to navigate or looks distorted on a smaller screen, readers are likely to abandon ship before they even give your brilliant prose a chance.
Invest in a responsive theme that automatically adapts your website’s layout. Regularly test how your amateur blog appears on different screen sizes. Plus, optimize your images to load quickly on mobile to prevent sluggishness and keep your audience engaged. I recommend checking out Themeforest they make the best responsive themes at reasonable price.
Neglecting the Power of Visuals
Words might be your forte. However, images, videos, and other visual elements breathe life into your content, enhance readability, and can even improve your SEO ranking.
A blog solely filled with walls of text can feel daunting and uninviting to even the most avid reader.
A striking featured image can entice a potential reader to click on your post. Within your content, carefully chosen images can help to emphasize a point, create visual breaks, and maintain reader interest. For sourcing attribution-free images for my blog, I have a strong preference for Unsplash.
Writing Thin, Uninformative Content
It’s easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing quantity over quality, churning out blog posts just for the sake of it. However, search engines (and your readers.) can quickly identify thin, superficial content that offers little value.
Instead of focusing solely on hitting a specific word count, concentrate on crafting in-depth, comprehensive articles that answer your audience’s questions thoroughly. Do your research, cite credible sources, and infuse your personality and unique insights to make your content stand out.
Ignoring Keyword Research
Many new bloggers make the mistake of writing about whatever tickles their fancy without considering what their target audience is actually searching for online.
Keyword research is the process of identifying those search terms and incorporating them naturally into your content. By targeting relevant keywords, you increase the chances of your blog showing up in search engine results pages (SERPs) when potential readers are looking for information related to your niche.
Tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, and even Google’s free Keyword Planner can be valuable allies in uncovering hidden keyword opportunities and understanding the search volume and competition for specific terms. I personally use RankIQ that helps me rank on Googles 1st page. It tells you what to put in your post and title, so you can write perfectly optimized content in half the time. Learn more here!
Lack of Social Media Promotion
You’ve poured your heart and soul into crafting an amazing blog post, but it’s not enough to simply hit the “publish” button and hope for the best. Your blog won’t magically attract readers on its own, especially in the early days.
Social media platforms can act as powerful amplifiers for your content, allowing you to reach a wider audience beyond your immediate circle. Share snippets, quotes, or eye-catching visuals to pique their interest and drive traffic back to your website.
Engage with your followers, respond to comments, and participate in relevant conversations within your niche to cultivate a sense of community and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
I recommend grabbing the Ultimate Small Business Social Pack – Includes 4,806 pieces of social media to help you save time, grow your brand awareness, and make money online. Click here to see everything that comes included.
Not Proofreading or Editing
Typos, grammatical errors, and poorly structured sentences can instantly diminish the credibility of your amateur blog. Readers may perceive you as unprofessional or careless if your content is riddled with mistakes.
Before hitting that “publish” button, take the time to carefully proofread and edit your work. Better yet, enlist the help of a fresh pair of eyes, as they’re more likely to spot errors that you may have overlooked.
Consider using grammar and spelling checkers like Grammarly, which can catch common mistakes and improve your writing clarity. Investing in professional editing services can also be beneficial, especially for longer-form content like e-books or guest posts.
Giving Up Too Soon
Building a successful amateur blog takes time, effort, and a healthy dose of patience. Don’t expect overnight success.
It’s normal to feel discouraged when you’re not seeing immediate results. Stay persistent, consistently produce high-quality content, and actively promote your blog across various channels. The blogging journey is a marathon, not a sprint.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, analyze your website traffic data, and adjust your strategies along the way. Celebrate small victories and learn from your setbacks. The most important thing is to remain passionate about your craft and dedicated to sharing your unique voice with the world.
Conclusion On Amateur Blogs
Growing an amateur blog is an incredible journey of creativity. It allows you to share your voice with the world and connect with a global audience. While amateur blogs often face many challenges, the rewards far outweigh the risks.
Remember that consistency is key. By steering clear of common pitfalls and embracing best practices for blogging excellence, you’ll be well on your way to carving out your own digital space.
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