5 Blogging Faux Pas To Leave In 2018
2019 is an opportunity to start fresh and make the most of your blog and your readers! Check out the 5 blogging Faux Pas to leave in 2018.
2019 is rapidly approaching and I must admit, I’m pretty excited to see what AMAZING things are in store.
I don’t know about you but I’ve been working on my ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ all month and it got me thinking…
Are there any universal resolutions that we all could be making for our blog’s in 2019?
I mean, setting goals are one thing, and those will vary from blog to blog, but what about the things that we could all be doing to ensure our that our blog’s continue to thrive in 2019?
Well, I did a little research and noted a few trends that I see among some of my favorite bloggers.
These trends are what I believe make the difference between average bloggers and GREAT (profitable) bloggers.
These are the trends that I believe have set these bloggers apart from the rest and the great thing about it is, they are strategies that we can also implement to see a greater return in 2019.
Let me throw this small disclaimer out there though,
I am in no way promoting copying bloggers
However, I do believe that we all can learn a thing or two from taking a look at some of the different strategies that are working for them.
So without further ado, here are the 5 blogging Faux Pas to leave in 2018.
Being Unorganized
If you haven’t noticed, December has been all about planning and productivity here on the blog.
That said, if you don’t have a plan for your blog, you can forget about creating consistent, quality content.
Whether you post twice a week or once a month, it’s always a good idea to plan your posts out in advance.
Being organized also plays a huge role in avoiding blogger burnout. If you’re on the brink of burnout or burned out completely, check out this post to learn how to avoid burnout and stay on top of your blogging game.
Planning my content quarterly has really helped me stay consistent and has given me a lot more time to promote my posts (hello traffic).
Not harnessing The Power Of Pinterest
This one is HUGE!
While there are a ton of different ways to get traffic on your blog, Pinterest is by far one of the BEST platforms to utilize if you really want to get eyes on your content.
However, you MUST have some sort of strategy in place if you want to succeed on Pinterest.
I’ve signed up for countless free courses and even bought a couple of paid products and this strategy, by far, is one of the best that I’ve come across.
Once I implemented the strategy above, I was able to get my Pinterest Monthly Viewers from 480 (yes, four hundred & eighty) to 106k in two months.
Furthermore, each blogger that I researched had at least 3 or more posts specifically about Pinterest.
Additionally, 1/3 of the bloggers that I researched had some sort of freebie or course that was specifically related to Pinterest.
That said, I think it’s safe to say that Pinterest is an absolute necessity if you want to see success in 2019.
So if you aren’t using it yet, what are you waiting for?
Go and set up a business account now!
Not Having An Email List
Listen, if you don’t have an email list, you are missing out on one of the best ways to connect with your audience.
While it may seem a bit daunting but consider this:
In the point above, we discussed how important is is to utilize Pinterest to get more traffic to your blog, but what if for some reason Pinterest shut down tomorrow, how would you connect with your audience?
Sure there’s Facebook and Twitter but you wouldn’t get nearly as much engagement as you would if you were able to speak directly to your readers like you can through email.
Email is a great way to be more personal and share more exclusive details with your subscribers.
There are a ton of email marketing companies out there but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Convertkit!
I took this amazing Convertkit course before I started my blog (because I’m a nerd and I like research EVERYTHING) and it taught me everything I needed to know about Convertkit and then some!
In 3 months since launching my blog, I have acquired over 300 subbies and now that I’m approaching my 4th month, I have 400+ subscribers and counting!
UPDATE: I now have 800+ subbies on my list
Thats about 100 subscribers a month which isn’t too shabby, if you ask me!
Needless to say, if you don’t have an email list in 2019, now’s the time to start one!
You can check out Convertkit here!
Not Networking With Other Bloggers
I’ll be the first to admit that reaching out to other bloggers isn’t my strong suit. I’m not sure why, but it can be a little intimidating to reach out to other bloggers, especially when you’re new.
However, believe me when I say that blogging is a whole lot more fulfilling when you have someone that you can talk ‘blog’ with.
One of the easiest ways to connect with other bloggers is to engage with their posts. If you read a post that you like, why not leave a comment letting them know what you liked about it?
Before I started blogging I used to think that leaving comments on other people’s blogs was, well, pointless.
I thought they they didn’t read them so I didn’t want to waste my time commenting.
I’m happy to say that that’s the furthest thing from the truth!
Another way to connect with other bloggers is to send them an email.
Think about the different email lists that you’re subscribed to. Now think about how many times you had the urge to hit ‘reply’ to an email but changed your mind because you figured you wouldn’t get a response anyway?
I know I’ve done it!
However, I’ve found that most bloggers LOVE getting feedback from their subscribers!
A huge plus with email is that it’s one of the most intimate ways to connect. I can almost guarantee you that you’ll get a much more detailed answer to a question that you ask via email versus asking on a random thread in a Facebook group.
Which brings me to my next point…
Another great way to network with other bloggers is through social media.
Most bloggers have their very own Facebook groups where they share little gems that you probably wouldn’t find on their blogs.
Looking for Facebook groups to join?
Most bloggers advertise their Facebook groups throughout their blog posts and in their author bios!
Not Engaging With Your Readers
I had to save the best for last!
You can do all of the above BUT if you aren’t engaging with your readers, you’re shooting yourself in the foot!
Why would your readers want to continue to engage with you when you aren’t even acknowledging them?
The easiest way to engage with your readers is to respond to the comments that they leave on your blog posts!
I mean, they took the time to not only read your blog but to also leave a comment. The least you can do is acknowledge that!
That said, engagement goes a lot further than responding to comments.
Your social media platforms are just as important.
If someone tweets you, tweet them back!
If someone comments on your photo on Instagram, respond to it!
This is how you build trust with your audience and more importantly, this is how you build authentic relationships with your readers.
I know that sometimes we may mean to respond and then we forget.
That’s life and it’s totally understandable!
A great way to combat that is to try to respond to comments as soon as you get them.
This is a great way to really spark conversation with your readers and show them that you appreciate them.
Are you guilty of any of these blogging ‘faux pas’?
Don’t worry, I’m guilty of a couple of myself.
However, 2019 is an opportunity to start fresh and make the most of your blog and your readers!
In the spirit of New Year’s Resolutions, I have a challenge for you!
I challenge you to be more intentional about your blog in 2019.
Be intentional about the content you create.
Be intentional about connecting with other bloggers.
Most importantly, be intentional about engaging with your readers because without them, your blog won’t be around very long.
What are your blogging goals for 2019?
Share them in the comments below!
How inspiring, thank you! I will most definitely be using Pinterest more from now on.
Awesome! Thank you for reading!
More great advice for bloggers Kermilia. Thank you.
You always give such great actionable advice to bloggers. I know I am guilty of more than one of these.
Thank you Karrie! I’m usually just preaching to myself haha I’m definitely guilty of a few of these. Luckily we’ll have a clean slate in a few weeks haha
This is a great post, and you are spot-on about all of them! (though that’s not to say I haven’t been guilty of all of them at one point in time!) – I have heard a lot of great things about the particular Pinterest resource you referenced, too, so your post was the final nudge I needed to go invest in it already! (thanks!) 🙂
Thanks so much Flossie! I HIGHLY recommend that Pinterest strategy! I bought another popular ebook about Pinterest annnnd I rather help everyone save their money and get what works haha. Thanks for reading!
Hey, great post! I think you were definitely speaking to me in regards to cranking up my email list! It’s been last on my list of to-do’s as a new blogger but I’m going to be more intentional with that going forward. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Brandi! I was preaching to myself with a couple of these! I believe as long as we’re intentional with our blog and our overall brand, we’ll see great success in 2018. Thanks for reading!
Fab post Kermilia, and all such valid points. I’ve been delaying getting on the Pinterest bandwagon since months now but it’s my immediate blog goal for 2018. And your post has just spurred me on:) Sharing x
Yay! I’m glad to hear it! Pinterest has been a total game changer for me! It’s a little tricky at first but you’ll love it once you get the hang of it. Thanks for reading!
My huge blogging faux pas is not having an email list. I don’t even know what to send out in an email lol. I guess I could collect emails and think of what to send out later?
Hey April! You totally could! Before I launched this blog I collected emails from people and emailed them once my site was live. You could also send out a monthly newsletter that highlights some of your posts from the previous month, as well as letting your readers know what they can expect from you in the coming month. It is a bit daunting but you’ll love it once you get the hang of it. Thanks for reading!
Such a great post! I am definitely guilty of some of these (yikes!) I am determined to fix these ‘faux pas’ (starting now) and take my blog to the next level in 2018! Thanks for the inspiration!
Yasss!! Anytime Mama! I’m preaching to myself with this one! It’s time to get serious about our blogs in 2018! Thanks for reading!
These are great strategies for a solid and profitable blog foundation. I’m all about the plan, vision, and mission right now. And LOVE Pinterest- I’m revamping some of my older pins because I’ve learned so much since then.
Me too!! Once I started really thinking about my mission for my blog and being intentional about it, things really changed for me. Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for this post! I have a hard time being really purposeful in my blogging, which I think makes a HUGE difference in success. My biggest goal for next year is to actually try to be dedicated and successful at it. Baby steps, right?
Hey Sarah! I totally get where you’re coming from! In the beginning I really had to force myself to be consistent and then it just became a habit for me! Definitely baby steps! You got this!
Omg! There are so many things I need to work on in 2018. Being organized is probably at the top. You know what… they are all probably at the top lol.
I’m right there with ya mama! We can do this!
Good stuff! I’m notoriously disorganized! I will be keeping to your planner info mine and use it. I actually find that stumble upon is a great way to get views! I’m not a Pinterest person so I use stumble upon instead. Also yes responding to comments in working on!
Thanks Angel! I still can’t figure out StumbleUpon but I love me some Pinterest! Maybe I’ll crack the code for StumbleUpon one of these days! Thanks for reading!
I bet you would never guess this, but all of these things are on my list for 2018 as well! I am so excited to see what the new year will have in store for my little business venture!
I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for 4 months! You are a rockstar! Loved the tip about the Convert Kit Master Class. I watched a video by Pat Flynn about all the things you can do with Convert Kit and quite frankly, it’s overwhelming. I’d love to utilize it more.
Thanks Lauren! Convertkit is amazing! It can definitely seem overwhelming but luckily, they make it soooo easy! I love the flexibility of it and I’m sure you would too! Thanks so much for reading!
Kermilia, great tips. I’m super at engaging with my readers and not-so-hot at figuring out what to do with Pinterest!
Thanks Jean! Pinterest can definitely be a bit tricky to figure out but I’ve found that a little bit of consistency and patience goes a long way! Thanks so much for reading!
Excellent advice! I’m in the beginning stages of starting a blog for the very first time! I found this on Pinterest and I’m already seeing how impactful Pinterest is for bloggers!! It will be called My Mom The Medium, and Guess what! I’m a stay at home Mom who doesn’t drink coffee!!! Hehe
Yay for taking he plunge and starting your blog! Please let me know once you launch! I’d love to check you out! And yes for another stay at home mama who doesn’t drink coffee! I knew I wasn’t the only one! Thanks for reading Britney!
This was a great read! I’m definitely going to work on my consistency once I’ve redone my website !
Love this post Kermilia!
For me the biggest challenge is being organized! I know! For a mom that has two businesses and clients and twins, it should be more most powerful skill. But it’s not. I live my life with to-do lists and more to-do lists 🙂
One thing I love that you mentioned is responding to your comments. I’m amazed when I go to a blog and the blogger hasn’t commented on any comments! I love connecting with my readers!
Thanks so much Elna! I totally know what you mean about being organized. I always start strong and then kind of taper off after a while. Definitely working on being more consistent this year!
Thanks for reading! 💕
Kermilia, I can’t believe you have been blogging only for four months! It is amazing how much insight you have already. Truly inspiring! Thanks for a great post.
Alenka
Thank you! I’m so excited to see where I will be at the one year mark! Thanks for reading!