7 Blogging Traps to Avoid
As I write this post I am working under the assumption that you diligently want to create the best blog you can and that you want to improve every day as a blogger.
I love writing these types of how-to articles because I get to share what I have arduously learned over the years, reinforce what I know, and even remind myself to follow my own advice.
Since I first started blogging in 2004 I have learned so much about how to stay on the straight and narrow path of blogging. One thing is certain, there are a lot of traps that bloggers can fall into (I’ve fallen into many of them) and if I can steer you from them or at least remind you about them, then my work here is done.
So without further ado, the seven traps to avoid as a blogger.
Trap #1: Be a Know-it-All – The precise minute you think you know it all and no one can teach you anything new about blogging is the precise moment you have lost the blogging fight. You will be surprised by how much you can learn from your blogging peers as well as from experts in the field, even newbies! I will tell you there is an entire slew of bloggers who can run circles around most in SEO and link exchanges that will make most people’s head spin. My motto: Learn from as many as possible as often as possible because you never know what trick you’ll pick up!
Trap #2: Fall Behind Technologically: I don’t use Google+, however, I know it is going to come back to bite me. I have no time or interest in Pinterest. It’s just not my thing. But, I know in a year or two I will wish I used both of them now.Back in 2007 I knew Twitter was going to be the wave of the future so I started multiple accounts and went for it. Now, that time has passed I am more skeptical about new social networks and just don’t have time for them all. So I have to be choosy. I have a feeling though that if I don’t wake up to the reality of using Google+ and Pinterest I’ll be wishing I had a few years down the road.
This is all to say that you have to stay on the cusp on technology, even me! I know I’m being left behind. I need to catch and if you’re shunning the newest social networks you are, too.
Trap #3: Get Lazy: The worse trap you can fall into is the lazy trap. The moment you get lazy is the precise moment you’ve lost your footing. Keep writing, even when you don’t see an immediate payoff! Remember, the race isn’t won by the fastest, but by those who keep running.
Trap #4: Turn a Blind Eye to Stats: Oh, goodness…stats! They are the bane of my existence. But, and this is a huge but, I have learned over the years that, yes, stats are key to your overall business plan, but they are NOT the definitive factor that determines how successful your blog will be.You can glean a lot from your stats like keywords that people use to discover your blog to your bounce rate. Use your stats to make tweaks to your content, but don’t let them drive you to the brink. Do not get obsessed with your numbers, but don’t ignore them either!
Trap #5: Stay in a Bubble: There are so many bloggers out there that if you stay in a bubble and only converse with the people you already know, you’ll lose out. Broaden your horizons and converse with those you haven’t met. These days it is extremely easy to communicate with your readers and fellow bloggers on Twitter and Facebook that there is no reason to be in hiding. Do yourself a favor and mingle with other mom bloggers. You’ll quickly learn that the blogging world is all about relationships. Start networking!
Trap #6: Offend Others: Do you know what you don’t want to do? Offend others! Always, always, always remember that behind avatars is a real person. And always remember that if you write an opinionated post others with dissenting opinions may disagree. If you’re okay with that, feel free to take the chance of offending others. But, if you’re not ready for that level of scrutiny, steer clear from it.
Trap #7: Get Wrapped Up in Other Bloggers’ Blogs: One of the most detrimental things you can do to yourself is get wrapped up in another blogger. Perhaps they have copied everything about your blog word for word, or used your exact tag line or even copied your exact blog title. They may have gone as far as stealing your content and passed it off as theirs. My advice is this: take a deep breath and think. Really assess if they matter. Most times a copycat will quickly fall by the wayside because they don’t understand what it means to come up with original ideas anyway.
Also, don’t spend obsessive amounts of time comparing yourself with other bloggers. It will just drain your spirit and hurt your performance in the long run!
As always, great tips.
Technology…. it can be a beast to keep up with. But, we have to grow as technologies grows. We need to be present on all (or most) social media platforms.
Personally, Pinterest is my #1 referring site for traffic and has been for over a year. I think Pinterest has changed blogging on a lot of levels- and that is not to say it is all good change. I think Pinterest has the potential to fizzle at some point, like Twitter is losing it’s luster, but we have to stay on top of the technologies and platforms our readers are using. So for now, I invest time promoting and growig my blog via the avenues my readers expect.
Thanks! These are some of the best tips I’ve seen. I tend to get overwhelmed with all the posts on “how to blog the right way” but don’t see too many on what NOT to do. :)
Kelly
Fantastic article. SO helpful, thank you. Am bookmarking it so I can keep referring back to it!
fantastic article – thank you thank you thank you!
Jennifer,
I got into #7 trap when I began blogging. I spent so much time on my favorite bloggers blogs I neglected my own. I still wrote but I didn’t focus on stats, SEO or even social engagement other than at those blogs. In my defense, I was getting to know these bloggers and learning from them but I should have stepped back more often to help my own blog flourish.
If you would allow me to mention my own trap: SEO. If you are a blogger that wants to get more traffic other than that you find with being social, definitely learn some SEO basics and implement them. That was my downfall for the last year.
Thanks.
~Allie
You always write great articles, encouraging and honest. I need to post these tips on my computer screen each Monday!
Very interesting article and should be headed.
Also being caught up in blogger drama.
SO true re: drama.
Loved this! Thank you for timeless blog reminders. :)
This is a helpful post. I’m actually getting very lazy writing lately.
I’m completely new to blogging and decided to start one a couple of months ago for fun. I’ve been very inspired by all of the blogs and runners on Twitter and I love your advice. Hopefully I’ll be able to break into the world of blogging to meet and inspire others too. :)
Wonderful tips! Great article!
I have recently jumped on Pinterest and I have to say – I love it!
Google + on there, but don’t love it so much.
Excellent advice, Jennifer (as always).
Like you, I have yet to jump onboard with Google+…for the same reason you listed. That said, I have a suspicion that you are right and I’ll have to “leap” at some point.
I do, however, enjoy Pinterest. Not so much as a way to promote my own blog, but as a fun, creative outlet. I don’t spend copious amounts of time there, but I do enjoy enjoy cataloging innovative ideas for future reference.
RE #6. I think it is important for people to write posts with strong opinions about politics, parenting, blogging, etc. This is a prime way that we all grow – by reading well-reasoned perspectives that are divergent from our own. With that in mind, it is equally important to write potentially controversial posts with humility, gentleness, and respect.
What a great post…thanks for inspiring me to keep “blogging” along!!
This post is great! I’m new to blogging and these tips will help out a lot!
Wow great tips! I needed to hear those. I ‘get lazy’, blind on stats, and ‘stay in a bubble’ :/
I wish there are more hours in a day that I can spend time with my laptop. I wish I don’t need to sleep :D I just can’t keep up!
I love this! Thanks for sharing.
Love #5 and #7
Getting trapped in your own bubble is so easy, especially if your community is already very engaged with you and you feel safe. this year I decided to get out of my comfort zone and started going to conferences where I was going to be one of a handful of Latinas. I learned so much and met so many amazing people!
But, I might not be expanding enough in my social media conversations, so thanks for that reminder!
This is such a great article. I really needed to hear #7. I just noticed someone copying my topics, and, yes, my titles. The content is different so I’m just letting it slide.
I get so many pearls from you and to you and everyone else, this stuff WORKS. I have really been deligent on your advise for the past two months and I can SEE a difference. Thanks for everything.
Oh dear. I really should proof read my comments before I publish them. What’s with my grammar? I’m an English-first-language speaker but i sound like I’ve just translated my comment randomly from Russian!
Sorry. I usually do use MUCH better grammar. Note to self: DO NOT RUSH!!!
No worries :) We all make mistakes in comments.
Jennifer, I always enjoy your blog tips article in these (Mom Blogger) newsletters.
I have not make a big focus on SEO and in fact, only have a very vague idea of what it is… mainly because i don’t want to just write with “keywords” in mind. Perhaps I have it all wrong. I definitely need to look into it more, because I really want more people to read what I work so hard to write.
Pinterest. I held off going there for a few months… until a freind showed me how she used it – it is FAB.
As a blogger, it is a great way to put your work out there where people (non-Bloggers) can find your work.
“Pinning” your own articles/pictures is so easy to do. I write a lot of party posts, and so now creating a pinboard for each party I create not only helps me find ideas, but also helps others find MY ideas. It’s a very useful and ENJOYABLE tool! Quite different to other social media.
Google+ I have NOT looked into, mainly because “it’s just one more thing” and honestly… It didn’t seem that many bloggers were using it yet. HOWEVER with Google ditching Friend Connect, I suspect that many WordPress bloggers will end up using it. So I’m guessing at some point soon I’ll have to go there…
thanks for the reminder. As always – FAB!
x
As a relatively new blogger, I appreciate all the tips and insight. Very helpful post. Thanks.
Great post. I agree with Heather not always easy to break into a circle, but I think being genuine helps. Google + another tool. I don’t know if it will help but, I have done some things on it & would like to learn more about it. I am glad I came across your site & article. Look forward to seeing what other tips you have.
Jennifer, great article! Being a mom blogger is a great job but it’s so easy to fall into some of these traps, especially staying in a bubble! We’re all so busy that it’s just too easy to converse in our own little circles. Also, the one about technology is right on target! I reluctantly did Twitter 3 years ago and now don’t have time to do the Goggle+ thing either.
Thanks for your continued efforts to help mom bloggers!!!
Hi Jennifer,
I really appreciate your clear sighted advice! I will take your advice and bone up on Pinerest … keep hearing about this all day today! Must be in the water or something!
As always Jennifer your words are like a pat on the back or a gentle nudge in the right direction from a friend. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
So sweet of you to say. Thank you!
Awesome post thanks for sharing
Thank you for reading!
Great advice! Thank you for sharing your experiences. I can definitely relate to the situations you mentioned.
You’re welcome!!
Thanks for the tips….I’m a one month old blogger with much to learn.
Happy Holidays!
Glad to help! Happy Holidays to you as well.
great and fantastic advice.
Thank you Adriana!
Omg stumble upon I awesome for finding new blogs. I can Only stumble once a week because I find so many good blogs and get distracted from mine
I need to use StumbleUpon more often for sure!
As usual… spot on! I find #2 challenging because you can really stretch yourself being on too many networks. I feel the same about Google+ but at the same time, I’d rather do this with a better quality than spread across so many (which I have in some ways). Also, the “lazy” factor may also become the “tired” factor. If you run at full steam ahead due to excitement, you may just get plain tired. So try to take breaks, too. Thanks for the info!
Indeed. There are only so many hours in the day, right!
That technology one is an ever changing one. Each day there is a new thing to join or try or add. I learn something everyday!
Yes, it’s always changing and it’s hard to keep up!
I wish there were more hours in a day. I get so involved in the writing aspect of my blog, that when I am finished there is little time for exploring other blogs, keeping up with them, and staying as crazy connected with all forms of social networking , as I would like to. I can’t tweet all day, play games on FB…I just can’t. My hectic life doesn’t allow for it. Maybe when the twins are off to school, lol. I worry about content. It’s true..don’t let numbers get you down, keep on going..they will rise. Work hard, and don’t lose hope.
Shelly
http://www.twinpossible.com/blog
#5 is a hard one….Like Cat, I Stumble and find lots of great blogs to READ. But actually breaking in to network with new people is hard and takes a lot of work and comments. A tweet here and there isn’t enough to get into someone’s circle. I wish more people were open to accepting new faces!
I completely agree Heather!
Oh I have a tip for helping with Trap #5 …. Stumbleupon has been my go-to tool for discovering other amazing blogs. If you just take 15 minutes out of your day, you can stumble thru several new blogs based on content you already are interested in. Just this week alone I found 5 new blogs to add to my google reader from there.