5 Most Common Blogging Mistakes + How to Avoid Them

Hey there, fellow content creators! 👋

Let’s chat about something we all love (and sometimes hate): blogging. Remember when you could write about your cat’s favorite toy and suddenly have a viral post? Yeah, those days are long gone, my friend.

Here’s the deal: the blogging world has changed big time. With over a billion blogs out there – that’s like one blog for every seven people on Earth – it’s getting harder and harder to stand out. But don’t worry! I’m not here to rain on your parade. In fact, I’ve got some good news for you.

I’ve been digging deep into the data (because who doesn’t love a good spreadsheet, right?). I’m talking about analyzing over 700 global customers and 191 blogs. Why? To figure out what really works in 2024. And let me tell you, the results are eye-opening.

So, grab your favorite drink, get comfy, and let’s dive into the 5 most common blogging mistakes that might be holding you back. More importantly, I’ll show you how to avoid them and start crushing it in the blogging world. Ready? Let’s go!

1. Creating Only One Type of Content

Okay, picture this: You’ve found your niche, you know your audience, and you’re pumping out content like there’s no tomorrow. But here’s the kicker – you’re only creating one type of content. Maybe you’re all about those beginner-friendly “How To” posts, or perhaps you’re diving deep into advanced topics that only industry experts understand. Either way, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.

Here’s what the data says:

• Beginner content gets 3.68x more SEO traffic than advanced content. That’s huge!
• But wait, there’s more. Advanced content gets an average of 91 more Facebook shares and attracts more backlinks.

So, what’s a savvy blogger to do? It’s time to mix it up!

How to avoid it: Implement what I call the 40-40-20 content strategy. Here’s how it breaks down:

• 40% beginner content: Think “How To” guides, basic explanations, and introductory posts.
• 40% advanced content: Deep dives, expert opinions, and cutting-edge industry trends.
• 20% content refreshes: We’ll talk more about this in a bit.

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By balancing your content, you’re casting a wider net. You’ll attract newbies with your beginner content, keeping your SEO traffic flowing. At the same time, your advanced content will earn you those valuable social shares and backlinks, boosting your authority in the long run.

Remember, it’s not about choosing one or the other – it’s about finding the perfect mix for your blog.

Read More: How to Start a Blog (and Make Money)

2. Neglecting Content Refreshes

Let’s be honest: how often do you go back and update your old blog posts? If you’re like most bloggers, the answer is probably “not often enough” or even “wait, I’m supposed to do that?”

Here’s the thing: that old content you wrote years ago? It could be a goldmine for SEO traffic. But if you’re letting it gather dust, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity.

Why it matters: Search engines love fresh, updated content. When you regularly refresh your old posts, you’re telling Google, “Hey, this stuff is still relevant and valuable!” Plus, you can add new insights, update outdated information, and improve the overall quality of your content.

How to avoid it: Dedicate 20% of your blogging time to updating and improving existing posts. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it:

1. Use Google Analytics to identify your top-performing posts.
2. Look for posts that are starting to slip in rankings or traffic.
3. Update statistics, add new information, and improve the overall content.
4. Don’t forget to update the publish date!

By keeping your content fresh, you’re not just pleasing the search engines – you’re also providing more value to your readers. It’s a win-win!

3. Forgetting the “Marketing” in Content Marketing

Alright, time for some tough love: creating great content isn’t enough. I know, I know – it hurts to hear that after you’ve poured your heart and soul into a blog post. But here’s the harsh reality: if no one sees your content, it doesn’t matter how amazing it is.

Too many bloggers fall into the “if you build it, they will come” trap. They write an awesome post, hit publish, and then… crickets. Sound familiar?

The reality: Even the most incredible content needs a push. You need to actively promote your blog posts if you want them to get the attention they deserve.

How to avoid it: Spend 30% of your time on content promotion. Yes, you read that right – almost a third of your blogging time should be dedicated to getting your content out there. Here’s how:

1. Internal linking: Every time you publish a new post, add links to it from 3 relevant old posts. Then, link from your new post to 3 old ones. This helps spread link juice and keeps readers on your site longer.
2. Social sharing: Don’t just share once and call it a day. Create a social media schedule to share your content multiple times across different platforms. And don’t be shy – ask people to share it! Sometimes all you need to do is ask.
3. Build links: Reach out to other bloggers in your niche, participate in forums, and consider guest posting. Building quality backlinks takes time, but it’s worth the effort.

Read More: How to Build Links and Increase Authority

Remember: don’t forget the “marketing” in content marketing. Your job isn’t done when you hit publish – it’s only just beginning!

4. Ignoring Data-Driven Insights

Let’s talk about gut feelings for a second. You know that hunch you get about what your audience wants? It’s great, and you should definitely listen to it… sometimes. But here’s the thing: your gut isn’t always right.

Too many bloggers rely solely on intuition when deciding what to write about. And while there’s definitely a place for creativity and instinct in blogging, ignoring data is like trying to navigate with your eyes closed. You might get where you’re going eventually, but you’ll probably bump into a lot of walls along the way.

The power of data: When I analyzed those 191 blogs I mentioned earlier, I uncovered some pretty interesting trends. For example, did you know that posts with charts and graphs generate significantly more backlinks? Or, like I said, beginner content tends to get more SEO traffic, while advanced content gets more social shares? These aren’t guesses – they’re cold, hard facts.

How to avoid it: Start using tools like Google analytics to guide your content strategy. Here’s a quick how-to:

1. Go to Google analytics and type in a keyword related to your niche.
2. Check out the “Keyword Ideas” section to find related terms people are searching for.
3. Look at the search volume and SEO difficulty to find keywords you can realistically rank for.
4. Use these insights to plan your content calendar.

By basing your decisions on data, you’re not just shooting in the dark. You’re making informed choices that are more likely to pay off in the long run.

Read More: On-Page SEO: What It is and How to Do It

5. Skipping Visual Elements

Okay, be honest: how many of your blog posts are just walls of text? If you’re not including visuals in your content, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to engage your readers and boost your SEO.

The data doesn’t lie: Posts with charts and graphs generate significantly more backlinks than those without. And it’s not just about backlinks – visuals can help break up your text, illustrate complex ideas, and make your content more shareable on social media.

How to avoid it: Start incorporating visuals into every post. And before you say “But I’m not a designer!” – don’t worry. There are tons of tools out there that make creating visuals a breeze, even if you’re on a tight budget.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Use Rawpixel: This free tool has tons of templates for creating attractive graphics, even if you have zero design skills.
2. Create charts and graphs: Use data from your post to create simple visualizations. Tools like Google Charts or Venngage can help.
3. Add screenshots: If you’re explaining a process, screenshots can be incredibly helpful.
4. Use stock photos: Sites like Unsplash offer high-quality, free stock photos you can use in your posts.

Remember, your visuals don’t have to be works of art. The goal is to enhance your content and make it more engaging for your readers.

Read More: How to Monetize Your Blog in 2024: 10 Proven Ways

Wrapping It Up: Your Blogging Game Plan for 2024

Alright, we’ve covered a lot of ground here. Let’s do a quick recap of the 5 blogging blunders we’ve talked about:

1. Creating only one type of content
2. Neglecting content refreshes
3. Forgetting the “marketing” in content marketing
4. Ignoring data-driven insights
5. Skipping visual elements

Now, I know what you might be thinking: “This sounds like a lot of work!” And you’re right – it is. But here’s the thing: blogging isn’t dead, but the old ways of doing it are. 💀

Here’s my promise to you: follow this approach for 6 months, and you’ll see results. Stick with it for a year, and your traffic will be noticeably different. Keep at it for 2-3 years? That’s when the magic really happens, and your efforts start compounding.

But let’s get real for a second. This isn’t just about traffic numbers or SEO rankings. It’s about building a community, establishing yourself as an authority in your niche, and creating content that genuinely helps people. That’s the real reward of blogging.

Think about it: every time someone leaves a comment thanking you for helping them solve a problem, or when you get an email from a reader saying your post changed their perspective – that’s the good stuff. That’s why we do this.

So yes, avoiding these blogging mistakes will help you grow your audience and improve your metrics. But more importantly, it’ll help you create better content that resonates with your readers on a deeper level. And isn’t that what blogging is really all about?

Remember, blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to build an audience and establish your authority. But with these strategies, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. You’re not just avoiding mistakes – you’re laying the foundation for a blog that makes a real impact.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to stop making these rookie mistakes and start blogging like a pro. Your future self (and your readers) will thank you!

Now, I want to hear from you. Which of these blogging blunders hit close to home for you? What changes are you going to make to your blogging strategy? Drop a comment below and let’s chat about it!