Except it’s totally not. As new social media continually emerges additional discussions erupt debating the importance of blog writing. But while others insist blogging is broken and attempt to bury it alive, the rest of us smile inward at the accusation, grab a laptop, and start to write compelling content to solidify our online presence. Sure, it ain’t as easy as it used to be because there is a lot of competition. However, you can crush the competition by ensuring you avoid these bad blogging blunders.
- Self absorption
This is a big one. Building a brand through blogging is less about you and more about them. A blog exists to give away information, to solve a problem, or to entertain the audience. When you write a blog, you have to focus on the reader and give them compelling reasons to stay. Once you have given all that you can give, give more. Because after you have given enough you can ask for something in return, and some people will actually respond. In essence, you need to give more than what you might be asking for. If you give something of value, a bigger fraction of the audience will take action.
- Irrelevance
People are going america phone number list to be interested in what they are interested in. That wasn’t a trick sentence. My point is: don’t try and sell a bag of only yellow Starbursts to everyone, even if those are your favorite. Target your content to those who are interested, and make it relevant and relatable to them.
- Uselessness
As long as we’re talking about relevant content, remember to craft compelling content as well. I discussed some content marketing essentials here. But what I want to make sure you don’t commit is the crime of being boring. There’s always that guy at the office, the guy who gives an hour long lecture about why Star Trek devotees are Trekkies and not Trekkers despite the fact that you’ve been inching for the door. Avoid being that guy.
- Impatience
You’re not going to gain an online presence and build the best audience known to the blogosphere fast. A lot of the frustration that comes with blog writing is the fact that it takes time, like most successful things. Plenty of blogs build slowly and then gain momentum. At the six-month mark, try asking:
Is my mom the only one interested in my topic? If so, choose something more interesting.
Am I trying to take more than I give?
Do I network with other bloggers? Do I support their work so they can support mine? It’s okay to have these ulterior motives–most bloggers do.
When it comes down to it, blog writing is an excellent and effective way to build a powerful online presence if you do it right. So how about you? What blogging blunders would you put on the list?
