Starting a blog is exciting, whether you’ve started it to help others, grow a community, make money, or all of the above.
However, new bloggers make way too mistakes when trying to make money off their blog. Some leave out crucial components of a successful blog.
Blogging is a journey and no one is perfect. Most if not all bloggers have made the mistakes listed below and eventually learned from them. Trust me, you don’t want to neglect what is on this list!
Below is a list of some of the most common mistakes bloggers make when trying to create a profitable blog.
DON’T MISS: So You Want to Start a Blog: 4 Things to Do This Week to Get Started
1. Using a free blog site
This is a huge mistake new bloggers make. Most people assume that a free blog and a paid blog is the same thing, but they are drastically different in what you’re legally allowed to do with them.
With a free blog, like Blogger.com, you are limited on making money with ad revenue, sponsored posts, and more. Even worse, your blog could get shut down at any time. You own your blog, no one else.
With a paid blog, you have the option to grow your blog with ad revenue, sponsored posts, use affiliate marketing, and more. You have the total ability to customize everything on your blog.
If you’re serious about making money from blogging, do it the right way from the very beginning.
Do you want to start a blog? Start here for as little as $3.95 per month!
You create your avatar by thinking about what type of reader visits your blog. You’ll create an avatar by figuring out their age, sex, interests, and get as detailed as possible.
By creating an avatar, it’s going to make it easier to write since you are directing your posts to a certain person. Your audience will feel more connected and closer to you.
You may find it’s easier to write articles when you are writing to a specific person. What are their needs, problems, motivations? Your writing will feel more personal and genuine.
3. Not writing with the end in mind
Every article should be posted with intent. Are you trying to grow your email list? Sell a certain product?
Writing without any purpose at all is a big mistake and leaves a lot on the table. Each post should have the end in mind whether it be earning money or adding subscribers. Create a call to action at the end of posts.
Read this list to get the best-recommended resources for blogging!
4. Not keeping track of affiliate strategies
Blogging takes a lot of strategy and sometimes we’ll find that a lot of things don’t work. This is why it’s important to keep track of which affiliate links are performing well and which links aren’t.
Changing up strategies can increase conversions and build a better relationship with the reader. Over time you will figure out what is working and what isn’t, and your income will grow from there.
5. Not listing affiliate links
Neglecting affiliate marketing is a big mistake new bloggers make. They are afraid to come off as scammy, when that’s not the case at all as long as the blogger is being genuine and helpful.
Affiliate income can be a great income earner, especially for new bloggers. Many affiliate programs accept new bloggers.
6. Only listing affiliate links
There are bloggers out there that insert way too many affiliate links, which can crowd the article and make the blogger seem desperate for money. This can make a reader think you care more about profit then actually helping the reader.
Be genuine with your writing and you will get higher conversions on your affiliate links because of this.
7. Neglecting email lists
An email list is a powerful tool that many bloggers neglect taking seriously. With your email list, it’s 100% yours and you can do whatever you want with it.
Since email is incredibly personal, you can also work on building a relationship with your reader. Building trust with your readers is a crucial component of blogging since your audience makes up your blog.
An email list can boost your page views, income, and can create a large community that consistently visits your blog.
If you’re ready to start a blog, make sure to read this list of 4 things to do this week to get started blogging!
Have you made these blogging mistakes?