Best Blogging Tips For New Bloggers
Best Blogging Tips For New Bloggers
People occasionally roll their eyes when I tell them that I blog for a living. That's so simple, they exclaim. “You get paid for spending the entire day writing as you browse the internet. Your work could be done by a monkey!”
I roll my eyes at that. You see, people consider blogging a job that is a no-brainer. However, when they settle down to write their first few pieces, they realize that it is far more difficult than anticipated. Just like anyone starting a new job, they make mistakes.
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That's okay; pretty much every new blogger experiences this. Fortunately, if you anticipate these obstacles, you can avoid them quickly.
As a result, if you're a new blogger trying to come up to speed quickly, keep reading. The most typical Mistakes beginners make are listed below, along with some advice on how to avoid them.
Why Don't Bloggers Succeed?
Because they are unaware that blogging is a business that demands effort, time, and attention, new bloggers frequently fail. Some bloggers fail because they don't undertake audience research, don't write appropriate material for their audience, blog seldom, don't follow SEO best practices, or don't market their content.
Anyone can create a blog, but many people never devote the time necessary for it to be an effective business component.
A hobby blog is one thing, but if you want your blog to develop or be profitable, you need to concentrate on a few different areas. Specifically, you must decide on the blog's purpose, understand your target audience and what motivates them, create an accessible blog site, and select a writing style that appeals to them.
Most of a blog's traffic is generated naturally, meaning that users will click on your site if it corresponds to the topic they were looking for when using a search engine. But since many businesses are vying for your audience's attention, it's critical to avoid typical blog blunders to stand out.
Following are the most frequent blog post Mistakes (along with their fixes), as reported by HubSpot bloggers.
1. Write Blog Entries That Advance Your Company's Strategic Objectives
Mistake: You think about concepts that are solely interesting to you.
Even though you may read and reread your blog entries after you publish them, remember that you are not the only reader or the audience you had in mind.
Ideas will start to come to you when you start writing. You could be in the shower, while you are jogging, or even while talking to your mother on the phone you will have sudden ideas. I get mine early in the morning before I get up.
Thoughts should never be random, even if they do appear at unexpected times. It doesn't necessarily follow that something is a good idea for your firm just because it's a nice concept in general or something that interests you personally.
“Your blog is not a loudspeaker; it's a honeypot. Make it a point to center your content on what your audience wants to learn rather than what you want to impart.”
– Amanda Sellers, HubSpot's manager of historical optimization
Solution: Match your blog postings to company expansion objectives.
Your blog addresses issues for your readers and expands your brand. All of your blog article suggestions should therefore support these expansionary objectives. They should naturally relate to problems in your sector and address certain queries and worries that your prospects may have.
Do you need assistance identifying these objectives and determining how to proceed? Talk with your manager about the overall company objectives, and then arrange a meeting with a sales staff member to find out what inquiries they receive most frequently. You ought to be aware of the goals you must accomplish and have some suggestions for how to do so after the two meetings.
2. Discover What Your Audience Finds Compelling
Mistake: You forget your persona.
Your blog material must connect with your audience and inspire action if you want it to perform successfully (i.e., drive traffic, leads, and sales). One of the biggest mistakes is believing your content will perform when you haven't given your audience or the actions you want them to do any real thought.
“The foundation of whatever you produce is your identity. Your intended audience may not always relate to what you write. Instead, if you speak to the problems, obstacles, and objectives of your persona and make them feel as though you are speaking directly to them, they are more likely to stay on the page and take you up on your offer.”
— Christina Perricone, Senior Manager, HubSpot Solution, Content Marketing Recognize and address your persona's pain areas.
You can close the gap with your content by identifying your buyer persona and the issues that are important to them. If you're merely producing material for creating content, which is a waste of resources, you're not actively considering the suffering of your persona.
3. Write As You Would Speak
Mistake: Your writing is too formal.
A term paper is very different from writing a blog article. However, when new bloggers begin, they typically only know the latter. The issue? People dislike reading term paper writing because it is not their preferred style.
Let's face it: Most visitors to your post won't read it from beginning to end. Writing in an easy-to-read style will persuade readers to continue reading if you want to keep them engaged.
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Create personal blogs as a solution.
Being more conversational in your writing is acceptable; we encourage it. More individuals will appreciate reading your blog post the more approachable it is. Humans prefer conducting business with real people rather than machines.
So, write more freely. Include contractions. Eliminate the jargon. Make a few puns. That is how real people converse, and that is also what real people enjoy reading.
4. Display Individuality Rather Than Telling It
Mistake: You believe that others are interested in you as a writer.
Although that may sound harsh, it is true: When people first begin blogging, they mistakenly believe their readers will be innately interested in their tales and passions. However, this is not the case.
No offence is intended against them; it's just that when you're brand-new, nobody cares about you or your experiences. People are much more interested in the lessons you can impart.
Solution: Add individuality without overpowering the subject.
Even when readers don't really care that you wrote the article, you may still make them feel more at ease by incorporating elements of your personality into your writing. It's absolutely up to you how you handle that. Some people enjoy making jokes, some enjoy referencing popular culture, and some have a talent for giving detailed descriptions.
Find methods to connect with your readers on the subject you're writing about, then write in the first person as if you were speaking with them to add personality to your writing. As in a face-to-face conversation, be personable, approachable, and engaging in your tone.
5. Reiterate Your Main Idea
Mistake: You stray.
Don't misuse the opportunity to express yourself in your writing, even when it is encouraged. Being authentic when discussing a subject is one thing, but bringing up too many personal anecdotes will distract you from the point you're trying to make.
You can't be certain that your readers have your full attention since they aren't sitting in front of you, so try to refrain from rambling on too much with these personal experiences and analogies. If people run out of patience, they can (and will) leave your article.
Solution: Reiterate your position.
Reiterate your main points at the end of each paragraph to keep the reader's attention. The finest blog articles commit to the main idea and then progressively convey it, expressing it several times in minor ways from beginning to end.
For instance, don't spend three paragraphs explaining how you returned from a two-week trip to a dead fern if you're writing about how much water a potted plant needs. What is your point, though, given that this narrative provides solid support for it? Some plants can't survive for longer than 14 days without water. That is one potential argument that needs to be made clear immediately.
6. Start With A Working Title That Is Specific
Mistake: Your topics are too general.
Most people who start blogging want to write on subjects that are quite broad, such as “How to Do Social Media Marketing,” “Business Best Practices,” and “How to Make Money on the Internet.”
These kinds of subjects are just too general. It's quite challenging to provide thoughtful responses to these questions because they have so many specifics and nuanced aspects. Additionally, more focused themes often draw smaller, more focused audiences of higher quality and are more likely to become leads and customers.
To maximize both the short- and long-term benefits of blogging, you must become far more specialized.
Solution: Start with a clear, concise concept.
Getting your blog subjects down pat is essential if you want to succeed with your first few entries. With the help of our blog ideas generator, let's brainstorm together. When you enter some fundamental terms, you know you want to cover, this tool generates five potential blog titles that are appropriate for business blogs.
Remember that a working title is merely a specific viewpoint you might utilize to keep your writing on track; it's not the ultimate title. Writing your blog content is much simpler after you master this phase of creativity.
7. Particular Posts Must Nonetheless Relate To The Overall Scheme
Mistake: You don't connect a particular subject to your reader's larger problem.
You are well aware of how crucial it is to connect with and comprehend the pain points of your buyer persona. However, there is a cause for their discomfort and what motivates them to find a solution.
Solution: Recognize the difficulties and repercussions they are experiencing.
- What is at risk is the question you should be asking yourself.
- What do they stand to gain from acting?
- What will take place if they don't act?
All of these things may appear in the blog post material you create. Doing this will show your reader that you have empathy for their situation and want to be of assistance.
“If a subject you're writing about doesn't interest you, it's generally because you haven't taken the time to consider the big picture. Any post you write will have more meaning and value if you know how the subject will fit into your readers' larger problems. This will also help you establish a stronger connection with your readers.”
— Caroline Forsey, Senior Content Strategist, HubSpot
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Consider the situation when you write a post about “first vs. third-party APIs.” Although the subject is dull and does not lend itself to much originality, the overall benefit is enormous: to assist your readers in determining whether they should spend a fortune on an internal API or whether they might save money and time by hiring a third party to create their API.
In essence, the debate of “first vs. third party APIs” touches on issues of computer security, productivity, and financial limits, all of which could have significant implications for your reader.
8. Make An Outline, Use Headers, And Use A Specified Post Type
Mistake: Your writing is a mental waste.
It can be tempting for me just to sit down and allow an amazing idea I'm enthusiastic about to pour out of me. But what I typically receive is a poor blog entry.
Why? Writing in the “stream of consciousness” isn't an appropriate writing style for blog postings. Your blog postings must be extremely well arranged because most readers will only scan them.
Solution: Create a template, an outline, and section headings for your blog.
Selecting the type of blog post, you're going to create should be your first step.
- Is it a how-to article?
- A post with lists?
- A post with curated selections?
- A presentation on SlideShare?
A detailed outline is quite helpful. The rest becomes simple if you take the time upfront to arrange your ideas and make a logical flow for your post; you're essentially simply filling in the blanks.
For the reader's experience, header use is equally essential.
“While it's pleasant to think that your readers pay close attention to every word you say, the truth is that they probably just scan your posts. Make sure to include lots of paragraph breaks, clearly titled sections, pertinent graphics, and formatting that makes it simple for readers to access the material they are looking for as you write.”
— Senior Manager of the HubSpot Blog Team Karla Cook
To develop a blog post outline, list the main points you want your readers to take away from it. Then, divide those key points into more substantial section headers.
Your blog post will be simpler to read and more engaging if you include a section header every few paragraphs. (Also, using keywords in header content is beneficial for SEO.) All you'll need to do is complete those areas once you start writing.
9. Provide Your Audience With Something They Can Take Away
Mistake: You depend on hazy ideas rather than specific knowledge.
One of the first steps in your blog research will be to find out what other publications are saying about a particular subject. If you pay attention, almost all of the articles on the first page of Google results discuss abstract, nebulous concepts. What makes your blog unique? You can provide your audience with specific, doable actions so they can succeed.
Solution: Include concrete recommendations for your readers to take as a solution.
One of the most important principles of content development is that it should be useful, which implies that your audience should get something as a result.
“People want to acquire practical skills rather than merely theoretical knowledge. Ask yourself, “Will the reader know how to implement this idea?” or “Did I provide steps to achieve achievement” once you've finished writing a blog post.”
— Rebecca Riserbato, former HubSpot staff writer
Solution: This could be in the form of a “how-to” where you propose people follow a specific tactic, or it could just be a suggestion for a tool or technique to speed up a procedure.
10. Support The Assertions You Make In Your Posts With Facts And Research
Mistake: You fail to cite data as support.
Imagine that I'm writing a blog post about the benefits of using Instagram for business marketing. Which do you think is more persuasive when I make that case?
“It appears that more people now use Instagram.”
“Instagram's user base is expanding far more quickly than the usage of social networks as a whole. Instagram's growth in the US will be 15.1% this year, compared to the sector's overall growth of just 3.1% for social networks.”
Arguments and statements become considerably more powerful when supported by facts and research. As marketers, we must persuade individuals to take action rather than just convince them to support our position on a certain subject. People are more interested in data-driven material than they are in frivolous arguments.
Solution: To bolster your arguments, cite data.
Any successful story should start with a major argument, build supporting evidence, and conclude with a lesson the audience can apply. In blog posts, you can utilize data as evidence for your main point or to introduce it and explain why it's important to your viewers.
Among the top locations to look for convincing data are:
- Marketing Pew Research Center
- Sherpa
- The State of Inbound report from HubSpot
11. Give Instances To Support Your Arguments For Why Your Points Are Crucial
Mistake: You aren't providing enough context.
When Meg Prater initially joined the HubSpot Blog team, she frequently received the edit that she wasn't providing enough examples to back up her claims. Meg Prater is the managing editor of the HubSpot blogs.
For instance, I might write, “SMBs should expand their social media strategies to experiment with novel, less expensive channels” (see what I did there?). That may be the case, but it's a rather wide statement.
Solution: Provide examples, visuals, and other content to support your points.
It's crucial to provide details to support your points. Meg explains, “A stronger way to communicate this to an audience may be to say, ‘SMBs should broaden their social media strategies to test out other, less expensive platforms. For instance, you might experiment with advertising on Quora's question-and-answer website or just respond to inquiries about your sector with your solution.
“I've made my previously general concept easier to understand and more applicable for my readers by adding a specific example to it.”
— Meg Prater, HubSpot Blogs' managing editor
We develop expertise in our sector as bloggers. Because of this, it's simple to overlook clarity while offering guidance, outlining examples, or describing a typical procedure. Even HubSpot's Senior Marketing Manager of Audience Growth, Pamela Bump, acknowledges that she has made the mistake of not delving into enough detail in an initial draft.
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“Read your blog post from the perspective of a recent graduate entering a field or someone who is learning about a topic for the first time while you are reviewing it.”
— Pamela Bump, Senior Marketing Manager for HubSpot's Audience Development
Examine your writing by asking yourself things such as,
- “Will readers understand this big word? “,
- “Will they understand this acronym? “, or
- “Can they easily visualize this example, or do I need to include a visual aid?”
From there, you may decide where an extra explanation is necessary or create links to related blog entries for any terminology that might be unclear.
There is more to blogging than simply typing text into a screen and pressing the publish button. If, after reading this list, you are thinking, “Well, this is awkward,” don't worry. Every single one of these mistakes was mine.
Remember that I called these mistakes “common” for a reason. The more you blog, the more proficient you'll become at it, and you'll benefit from increased visitors and leads.
Setting yourself up for success is always a key component of blogging as a company, as is recognizing and comprehending your audience and the content they enjoy. Your business will only grow into greater success if you use good grammar, an ordered title, keep true to your brand, and connect with your target audience.
Conclusion
A blog is more than just words typed into an online platform and released to the world. In case you've been thinking, “Well, this is awkward… ” while reading this list, you need not worry. Every single one of these blunders is something I've made.
Keep in mind that there is a reason I referred to these slip-ups as “common.” If you blog regularly, you'll get better at it and see an increase in site visitors and potential customers.
When blogging for profit, you should always consider how to best position yourself to succeed by identifying and catering to your ideal readership.
Constantly checking your blog for typos, coming up with a catchy title, and connecting with your audience will help your business grow. If you want to improve as a blogger, we hope you'll use this list of common blunders as a resource. Successful business blogging takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it.
We hope this list of mistakes will inspire you to improve your writing skills. Maintaining a strong company blog will ultimately be worth the time and effort.
I trust you enjoyed this article on the Best Blogging Tips For New Bloggers. Would you please stay tuned for more articles to come?
Take care!
JeannetteZ
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Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? I would love to hear from you. Please leave me your questions, experiences, remarks, and suggestions on the Best Blogging Tips For New Bloggers in the comments below. You can also contact me by email at Jeannette@WorkFromAnywhereInTheWorld.com.
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