I remember when I was a lad and started this money making blog. Okay not quite a lad, but it was 32 weeks ago and I was a little naive, in a blogging sense, at the time.
I mean, can you imagine ...
1. Being Anonymous.
There I was starting a blog but didn't give too much away about myself. How naive was that? I did say my name was 'Mike' but that was it, no photo or what part of the world I came from etc.
One day I woke up and realised that this wasn't the way to run a business. It's publicity you want, it's attention you want, it's well traffic you want. So I told my story, became 'Mike Perry' (it is my real name) and published a photo. Strangely enough, it actually made a difference - despite the photo!
Blogging is about communication and community. You wouldn't go to a party wearing a mask and not tell anyone who you were, would you? Unless, that is, it was one of those 'odd' parties I've only read about.
Look at Kate Moss, the model, she put herself about this week, wearing hot pants, in aid of her Topshop fashion collection. She wasn't anonymous, she made use of her name and created some publicity. It's the same with blogging. You can't hide your light under a bushel. So, like Kate Moss, get yourself on display.2. Being Concerned About How Other Blogs Are Doing.
Quite honestly it doesn't matter a toss about how your rivals, if you consider them as such, are doing. I remember judging myself by how another blog, which started at the same time, was doing. How naive was that?
You've got to be true to yourself and set your own objectives. Know where your want to go and then try to get there. It's all pretty obvious (a bit like Kate Moss), but without set targets most people fail.
3. Being A Newbie Without Doing Any Research.
How naive is that? I would never, in a million years, start a business without doing my research first. But I started my blog on a whim and without knowing very much about virtually any aspect of blogging. I suppose this was because it didn't cost me anything, other than my time.
I should have done my homework first, goodness knows there's plenty of advice and info on the Internet - though some of it is a bit dodgy to say the least.
4. Being Concerned About Mentioning Other Blogs.
At first I thought that if I mentioned any other blogs in my posts, of a similar nature, it would be detrimental to my own success. How naive was that?
By referring to other blogs, with their links, actually helps you. I guess it's a little like 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours'. There's a whole lot of scratching going on. And some backs are no doubt more rewarding (and perhaps more pleasurable) than others.
5. Being Daft Enough To Monetise The Blog From The First Day.
I had adverts on my blog from day one. Not sure why as there wasn't any visitors! How naive was that? This is getting the cart before the horse. You've got to get traffic before anyone will click on your offers. It's quite obvious really. I keep writing the formula: Traffic=Money.
Prioritise! Learn about traffic, keywords and so on - preferably even before you start the blog - as in 3 above.
6. Not Knowing What To Write About In Your Posts.
I remember one snooty so and so saying she couldn't see why anyone would want to read my blog. There was nothing of value there. She was actually quite right (though I'd only just started out) but she didn't say it in a very nice way!
From day one it's necessary to write content of value. What's value? Something that will make readers want to return and possibly subscribe.
I do feel though, that it does take time before a blog can normally be of real value. It builds as the weeks pass, or at least it should.
So that's six of my naive mistakes from when I was a blogging lad. Have you made any?
I'm a little wiser now - and that's why I brought Kate Moss into the conversation!
Good luck,
Mike.
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