5 Worst Blogging Mistakes for the New Copywriter
You were told to create a blog to get yourself "out there." Well done. Your decision is a good first step. Blogs are actually much easier to create and maintain than what we call a "static" web site – the kind you usually see, and that require a web designer to create.
Blogs are fun. They're loved by the search engines. They keep you engaged with your audience. And they give you a huge advantage over the poor saps who paid $10k for a pretty web site they can't update.
What's next?
I'll tell you in this post what you SHOULDN'T do, just to make sure that you don't run off in the wrong direction before you can get your feet solidly planted in the blog-o-sphere. Later, if you're nice to me, I'll give you a few hints on what you should be doing to develop a blog following and build your blog platform properly.
Mistake #1: Using a free blogging platform
Sure, you can go to Blogger, Yahoo, Google, or any one of a number of other sites to create your free blog. The problem is that your blog looks just like every other unprofessional blog out there. You've got limited design options, and you can't take advantage of the many SEO, social media, and other lead-generation tools that are available.
Spend a little money and get your own domain name and hosting account. Then, install a REAL version of the Wordpress blogging platform on YOUR site.
Mistake #2: Using a free template for your blog
Yeah, I know. You've already forked out a whole $94 bucks or so for your hosting account (for a year). You're short on cash, and some of those free Wordpress templates (called "Themes" in the blogging world) look OK.
Go ahead and splurge with another $70-$90 at iThemes or the "Thesis" theme (http://diythemes.com/) for a professional-looking blog that is already optimized for the search engines and are designed for real businesses like yours.
Mistake #3: Rushing into things
Wow. You got a blog up. How cool is that?
Unfortunately, the only post you have on your site is the "Hello World" post that comes with Wordpress. So … since you can't wait to get going, you start blogging about your life, your cats, and that horrible neighbor with the barking dog.
Wait!
Plan this out like you would a client project. Get to know your customer (blog visitor). What does he or she most want to know? Plan out at least 10, and preferably 20 blog posts that you'll write over the next month.
Split these into 4-5 categories that are labeled according to the most important keyword phrases of your niche market. Plan out 4-5 blog posts for each category.
Remember that your blog title is like the headline of a promotional piece. You need to capture the attention of your audience quickly and draw them into the body of your article. By planning out your first month carefully, you'll quickly gain a reputation.
Mistake #4: Waiting for people to come because you've built it.
If you avoid mistake #3, then you're well on your way to getting noticed by the search engines. I started a blog a week ago, and already my site is ranked in the top 10 for a couple keyword phrases using only one simple syndication technique.
Once you've got a nice cache of articles (your first 20-30 days of blogging), you can start letting people know that you exist. That is, you'll "syndicate" your content through a variety of channels (I'll tell you where later).
Mistake #5: Thinking you have nothing to say
Like anything in life, you'll have good blog posts and horrible blog posts. Some posts will create a plethora (love that word) of activity on your blog with dozens of comments. Others will fall completely flat.
The new blogger often tires of his or her own voice. That's fine. As a writer, you know that you can always go online and search for new ideas. An even better way to build your blogging base (add more content) is to line up guest bloggers. Team up with other copywriters and share ideas.
There are also two great FREE services of which I'm aware where you become part of a network of blogs. They send you new articles every day for your blog. You can accept them or turn them down as you choose. This gives you a never-ending stream of posts for your blog.
Don't despair, and never give up. More to come later. Post your questions in the comments area below.
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Very nice, Sid! This is *exactly* why we "tune in" to AWAI in the first place: useful content that helps us move forward. I'd call this an excellent first effort. Keep up the good work!
mgsmith – May 6, 2009 at 12:42 pm
This is great! I'm taking a class on how to use blogs to support my college's marketing and this information will help me enter the class with a better understanding of blogs.
ehalsey – May 6, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Hello Fellow-Finalist! Good luck in the competition. But no matter who wins, I'm going to add your blog to my favourites (I already subscribe to at least one of the others) because I know I'll learn from it! Ann. p.s. (Are you on Twittter or Facebook?)
Ann – May 6, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Great practical advice. I especially like number three.
I'm looking forward to more of your practical - use today - tips from your future posts.
Bernardo
Bernardo – May 6, 2009 at 2:37 pm
As a "new copywriter" thanks for the time savings tips and tricks!
Diane
Diane – May 6, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Great advice. Very useful tips. Thnx.
Adrianne Kelly – May 6, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Sid's blog is my number one choice. Like his format and useful information.
Nina – May 7, 2009 at 5:35 am
Great info but leave while your audience clamors for more.
You state that you will tell of other channels but then.....
you sign off.
Please continue with the info!
Barbara Hales – May 7, 2009 at 8:45 am
Thanks for all the kudos. Yes... more to come. Much, much more...with your votes, of course... :)
Seriously, tell me what you'd most like to know about making money online. In next week's post, I dissect a highly successful landing page that gets 40%+ conversion. You get to see a pro (not me) who made $25 million online last year, and I tell you step-by-step what he did that makes it work so well. Let me know if this is useful to you.
Sid – May 7, 2009 at 10:04 am
P.S. Syndication channels (why wait?): My favorite is Socialmediascience - they are ready to launch a new version of their software that is going to be killer. Others include Traffickahuna (currently closed), Syndicatekahuna (big brother of above), and Bloggeraps, which allow you to post articles to other blogs in a large network (for SEO). For video, my favorite is a new one called Video Submit Wizard - superior to and a fraction of the cost of Traffic Geiser.
Sid – May 7, 2009 at 10:17 am
Great article Sid,very informative.
Great tips I can use,I am certainly looking forward in hearing more of you.!
Pariv
Pariv – May 8, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Wow, Wow! That was a very informative blog there and very timely for me as I was approved to be one of Today.com's professional bloggers. I have been reading articles on increasing blog subscribers. I will definitely take what you blogged to heart and look forward to more information. Very informative! I will be looking for that successful landing page that you referenced that you will be showing. Great job!
Vanessa – May 12, 2009 at 5:21 pm
You may have to wait on that successful landing page... we're working on how to give you the info you need in the best possible way. I've been collecting great landing pages (you should, too). I use a nifty program called the "Coffee Cup HTML Editor" which allows me to actually download all the HTML, images, etc. so that I can look at the page long after the marketer has taken it down.
Sid – May 12, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I thought your blog was the strongest, Sid. You stay in voice, it's cohesive, there were no disheartening grammar issues.
I like the organization and the headlines (wish I'd used headlines ...). It has a real AWAI feel to it, upbeat and professional.
You get my vote. w
Webda – May 19, 2009 at 6:40 pm
I like your writing style- to the point, not a lot of "fluffy" words and phrasing.
E – May 19, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Sid... good job. I find it's very strange that a grammer and spelling nazi is judging these blogs... two of the things we throw away in copywriting.
Content Content Content... you hammered it.
John Wiggill – May 21, 2009 at 9:17 am