Put your hand up if you have a thirst for publishing quality content? Good, now who loves reading articles on other people blogs? Excellent. I’ve gathered that people enjoy consuming content on a daily or weekly basis. The content which some of us depend on is being tainted by bad blogger practices, I’m going to reveal the Top 5 Deadly Blogging Mistakes. Are you ready to be enlightened?
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Mistake 1: When’s The Next Update?
[/box] When your blog followers start to ask you questions like “when’s the next post coming?”. They’re excited and can not wait to read your next post, that’s awesome. But this compliment is a double edged sword. Your followers are really trying to say “Why haven’t you posted more stuff, I have needs and you’re not fulfilling them”. Yes people will always be demanding more from you, but don’t make your blog updates become irregular or inconsistent. Loyal followers will disperse and seek out others that are reliable. [box color="blue" icon="lightbulb"]Mistake 2: Comment Awaiting Moderation
[/box] Some people may know that I like to contribute to a few online communities, these include blogs spanning over a wide range of niches. Every week (sometimes more often) I visit these blogs and craft thoughtful, valuable and witty comments. A pet peeve that really grinds my gears stems from seeing that “Your Comment Is Awaiting Moderation” message.Now I don’t mind seeing that message as it shows me that you care (I use that word loosely) enough to read all comments beforehand. But wait! What’s going on here, oh no it’s been 5-7 days since I originally left the comment and still I see the message “Your Comment Is Awaiting Moderation”. From this lack of action It’s easy to conclude that you really don’t value your followers or their time.
[box color="blue" icon="lightbulb"]Mistake 3: Hello, Is Anyone Their?
[/box] So you approve new comments to your blog, that’s a real good start well done (big pat on the back), but hold on a minute. I’m starting to doubt if you’re a real person. Signs indicate otherwise, you post new content all the time but you seem to have a problem replying to them. Is this blogging? Stop being ignorant and interact with the very people who are contributing, it honestly takes less than 5 minutes and you can build a better bond with them. [box color="blue" icon="lightbulb"]Mistake 4: Mind On My Money
[/box] Don’t take this personally but what are you trying to achieve? Every time I visit your blog it seems as though you’re promoting yet another product and giving me a zillion reasons how this new product is going to change my life. All posts you publish are now geared towards, how fast you can empty my pockets and release me from my hard earned cash. It’s difficult to see where you are really adding valuable content, all creditability you once acquired is now completely lost. [box color="blue" icon="lightbulb"]Mistake 5: My Eyes, They Burn!
[/box] Listen I understand you want to make a little money while blogging, no problem. But, What’s the deal with needing so many banner ads, literally they are hiding in every crevice of available space. If you plan on keeping them. Search virtual marketplaces such as Clickbank, JVZOO or Digiresults for products your followers will be interested in purchasing, we’re all tired of seeing those “Miricle skin rejuvenation cream ads” stop being lazy. You know 1 affiliate sale equates to like 30-60 Adsense clicks – Think about it.Read : How to convert blog visitor into regular readers
[box color="blue" icon="lightbulb"]I’m Watching You (Not really.. But I Am)
[/box] You certainly want to avoid The Top 5 Deadly Blogging Mistakes at all cost. They can hinder your blogs growth, reduce its appeal, decrease profitability and down right annoy people.To be on the same side,its also important to have regular backups for your blog.You can use Free WordPress Backup To Dropbox plugin to make a automatic free backup of your blog.Word of warning, please don’t let me catch you breaking any of these. Remember your bank balance will thank you for it.Do share your opinion with us.
These really are deadly mistakes Simmeon, and any business owner, marketer or entrepreneur that might fall victim to these mistakes should correct them right away.
It doesn’t take much to pay attention to your audience, give them something good to read that provides benefits to them and if you are promoting affiliate products, make sure they relate to your market.
Good reminders for any blogger, thanks for sharing Simmeon!
Hi Lynn,
Why is it that some people don’t pay attention to the people that they are trying to gain the attention off? Focus your time listening to what they say would be a start.
I agree with you on that one Simmeon!
I strongly agree with the point #2. I also facing the same problem sometimes.
It is useless to comment on sites which do not make replies to our comments.
Usually I am replying the people within a day of commenting. I think it is reasonable.
I feel your pain, Sajith
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth when someone doesn’t bother to approve comments in a timely manner, it puts me off for good. I’ll never return and contribute anything else.
It’s really just basic house keeping, someone leave a reply, respond to it and get on with your day, SIMPLE!
You’re right Simmeon, these blogging mistakes are deadly since committing them more often than what’s tolerable and acceptable might propel a blog to the grave.
Mistake #5 is the one I mind a lot especially if the add is placed between paragraphs of a post I find really interesting. It is not only distracting but the impact of the message is lessened somehow.
Thanks for pointing these out Simmeon!
Hi Theresa,
I’m not sure why but whenever i create blogs or websites, I like to keep them clean in appearance, really not a fan of clustered pages or sidebar.
If someone is going to buy a product you recommend then it will bee most likely from a review or tutorial you have created. I take pop ups, slide slide ins and every other invading ad.
Use ads sparingly, more ads doesn’t mean more money made, it means more distractions. Happy you enjoyed it.
The guide and instructions that you have shown and discussed here is very useful and I find it to be very helpful and relevant. I hope many will be able to receive great benefits from this information that you have shown here.
Will this are really a deadly mistake, you really need to communicate with your audience so that they keep visiting your blog. Also if you allow guest post it will really help.
I hope it was insightful. Communication is the solution to alot of mistakes in general. We need to put ourselves into the position of the visitor so you can truly appreciate how people should be treated.
Hi Simmeon,
Very good tips you gave here. Just wish lots of people who need them read this post. That’s why I’ll make sure to share it later when I’m able to.
By the way, two of my three blogs keep this ANNOYING the hell out of me “moderation status” for comments, even if you’ve commented bunches of times before. I went in and can’t not even understand why it’s stays that way. Do you know what the problem could be?
Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Hi Sylviane,
That’s the real irony of the situation the people that should have their pen and paper on standby, don’t really care less.
I would setup a new instillation of Wordpress on a sub domain, copy over the theme and start trying to isolate the problem. It could be your Wordpress version, theme or conflicting plugin.
Have fun (or not as the case may be)
Hey Sylviane , you can go to Wordpress dashboard > settings > Discussion > over there you have a option saying that ‘Comment author must have a previously approved comment’ check that box . If you are still getting problem , let me know. would be happy to help you.
I just love the way you write Simmeon. I can hear a voice just by reading your blog.
These are deadly mistakes. It drives me crazy when I get to a blog with too much bling …”Make Money” “Join my Secret” …all that stuff. Especially if things are blinking at me. I’m otta there!
So true when you say that one affiliate sale equates to 30-60 Adsense clicks.
I’ll spread the word my friend.
Donna
Hiya Donna,
What a nice surprise.
He he, Same here I find those ads distracting and mostly find they hurt my eyes. Less is always better in my opinion.
Hi Simmeon, I really can relate to everything you talked about in this post. I don’t like going to blogs that have lots of ads and pop ups asking me to opt in or buy something. I also like to follow blogs that offer good content that helps you without trying to sell something all the time. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Shelley,
The times have changed where all you needed to do is slap a ad in your blog visitors faces.
More effort is needed to make those sales, people that put the effort in and market properly are the winners.
Hi Simmeon,
Those are definitely mistakes that I see bloggers make a lot. Lately the one that I’ve been struggling with is answering my comments in a timely manner. I’ve added a new major project to my already full plate and it is a challenge to find a schedule that truly works. I’m sure I’ll find it with some more testing.
Stacy
Hi Stacy,
You’re only having a problem replying to comments because you have an awesome blog and post quality content.
You may struggle, but I know you’ve always replied to my comments.
Hi Simmeon,
These are some great points that you make in this article. I am really struggling with #1 myself. I have so many other projects going that I don’t post as much as I should. This is something that I have to work on. Thanks for sharing! Tracey
Hey Tracey,
I’ve got two projects that I’m constantly working on, two blogs. That’s really my limit, otherwise things would begin to suffer. Happy you liked it.
Hi Simmeon,
I have read tons of articles on blogging mistakes, but these 5 mistakes which you shared there is really something new for me.
I really enjoyed it.
thanks Ehsan for dropping your comment , even i loved the way how simmeon wrote this posts , its like as if he is talking in right of us , great way of writing simmeon , hope to see you soon again here
Awesome,
That’s the main thing is you learnt some new stuff and found it midly entertaining.
Simmeon hahaha i totally agree and let me that you that you have a good sense of humer
Hi Ravi,
Well I do try to inject some personality into what I write. Happy you liked it.
so all i need to do is just leave my sites with no comment moderation? well i will try tommorow and let’s hope my traffic will increase
Hi Edo,
It’s not about increasing traffic. It’s about not taking a decade to approve and reply to comments.
Hi Simmeon,
Great guide you’ve managed to give in the post. One thing that also plays quite a big part is spelling and grammar – one need to remember that when leaving a comment with a spelling or grammar error it will be open to the public’s viewing – if the webmaster neglects to change the mistake. If you want to appear professional online – then this is a mistake you can afford to make.
Hi Anton,
I always like to give my comments a once over and see if their are any glaring mistakes. Each comment you leave is really a reflection on you and your work.
Simmeon really great post. If I could echo the one biggie for me it’s the consistency, not only in terms of how frequently you post but also to keep the same style and tone etc.
Another mistake is when people just don’t take the time to engage and respond back to comments.
Hey Lilach,
Everyone finds their voice at different points in their blogging career. Sometimes it just takes a little while to find what works for you.
Hello Simmeon,
Glad to see Amazing blogger like you here on this blog
. your all points are very informative. I want to say thanks for sharing such a wonderful content with us.
I want to add one from my side that blogger should give complete information about the topic from A to Z.
It is also truth that i have also activated “Comment Awaiting Moderation”, i activated because i don’t like spam comment by my college friends and i approve comment of my commentors within half an hour.
By the way, it is marvelous content and it’ll really help bloggers to know their deadly mistakes.
Thanks Again
Hey Avinash,
I like the point you make about fully explaining the topic for the reader. Nothing more annoying when you read something but then need to do addition searching to find out whats really going on.
your second point makes sense its very irritating if someone dont reply to our query
Hi Ujjwal,
I agree, we all are important.
If you’re the 10th commentor or the 100th we all should get a response. It’s just good practice to approve comments in a timely manner.
its very important to make a good relation with all those who are coming and commenting on your blog , without a good relation no one can survive for a long
Hey Raj,
Yes, Thats why people often quit and wonder why people are not visiting thier blog.
we can take an example Simmeon how quickly and in good he is dealing with all the commentors
Hi Gaurang,
It varies for me, but I can most times reply to comments within minutes to an hour most times. When you wake up in the morning will be fine though.
I’m actually in bed replying now.
Don’t reply to comment and placing ads all over the place are annoying readers and decrease the relationship between each other. I like you this post.
Hi Ferb ,
Happy you liked this post. Ads in moderation, I always say.
Waiting for next update is surely correct. I agree with that point. Many people try hard till some update and leave their blog completely. This is main mistake every newbie is doing
Hi Amar,
They normally realise making money with a blog is not plain sailing. Then run away. Scared.
Yes I agree, this mistakes can destroy blogger
I have also made some of the mistakes mentioned above when i started my blogging career.But soon i realized my mistakes and corrected them.I enjoyed reading your article.I am waiting for more such stuffs.
Thanks Neeraj , I am glad you found the article helpful , hoping to see you again for you to learn great tips!