DISQUS

Omar · 11 months ago

Thanks for sharing. I am sure we can learn a lot from some of these common mistakes.

I have blogging for almost a year now and old habits die hard :). I am still a stats junkie. I still work late and get up early.

I think in the end the key is to take it slow and steady and remain focused and committed.

Omar

Titus · 11 months ago

I made no mistakes, it was perfect. :P


"Making too many promises to your readers" / "potential audience of 27 people"

Does it really matter what you promise to 27 _potential_ (one time) visitors?

Kristine · 11 months ago

Read some really great blogging tips here.... but as a "quiet" blogger I'm not sure if it helps bring traffic to my blog... any suggestions?

Kristine

luna · 11 months ago

Your tips are wonderful, and all ones I did too.

I'm within my first month of income-based blogging as well and one of the things that spent too much time on was tweaking my theme/site design. I'm a WordPress junkie and love new plugins, but there is a moment where you just need to say enough is enough and leave the site alone. I hope I have found that point (until I start my video series).

Are Morch · 11 months ago

Really a informative post here for a newbie. Also in my first month (or just past it.. tehe) of blogging. Your article point out some of the difference I want to do for myself working with my blog. This article is both bookmarked and will be tweeted...

Cheers.. Are

Dan Massicotte · 11 months ago

Great post! I've found that by focusing on the monetization of my blog, I can learn more about my topic because the people who's ads I'm showing are in fact related to my topic and allow me to learn more about my topic.

Christine · 11 months ago

Had to post a comment! Really great to read this guest post. I have been following Mikes blog and the interesting thing about him is the ability to change and adapt. He isn't set in stone, and he moves the topics, formats.... according to advice or what he is learning.

This isn't meant to be 'patronising' what I'm saying is it takes a very determined and intelligent person to change and adapt to a new field. Many people don't like change and that could be their downfall. He's learning and above all else he's SHARING what he's learnt.

Keep up the great and inspiring work Mike!

Dalirin · 11 months ago

I have a new blog now. In my previous blog, my mistake was not replying to comments. I was either late to reply or I didn't reply at all.

Mike CJ · 11 months ago

Thanks for the positive comments! One of the best things about blogging is that we all help each other do better, so I hope you'll join me in the journey to getting it right, part of which means signing up with David's site, so we can all learn from someone who's already doing it!

Terra Andersen · 11 months ago

I notice that almost every blogger I know spends way too much time staring at stats. While it's good to know where traffic is coming from and why, it's also better to focus on genuine relationship building, as the blogging landscape becomes much more social than in previous days.

Great post! :)

Mike CJ · 11 months ago

@Titus - Yes it does! Go visit my blog and read about Henri who owns the hardware store in my village.
@Techwag - Thank you!
@Christine - feel all warm inside.
@Terra - follow me and follow David on Twitter!

MLDina · 11 months ago

Looks like you've learned a lot in your first month of blogging. Part of the process is trial and error, so even if you make mistakes, it will only help you improve in the long run. Good luck!

Sharron Field · 11 months ago

I don't remember each particular mistake I made in my first month; but if you can think of it then I probably made it.

One of the most important things to remember in the first month is not to give up. this applies afterwards as well; but the first month may often be the hardest, and the one in which you ask yourself "Am i doing the right thing here? Is this really worth it?" the most. Each failure and mistake is a rung on the ladder to success: unless you tread on the rungs of failure to get there you'll never reach the pinnacle of success.

You won't get much traffic in your first month unless you're really lucky. Instant worldwide fame is as rare as rocking-horse pooh. - But if you're serious about it then stick at it: Remember; no matter who you are, you've got to be in it to win it.

Good luck.

Robyn Durst · 11 months ago

I am guilty of #3; having too many RSS feeds. I follow quite a few people, but only really take advice from a few. I just weeded out the weak ones. Thanks for the tip (and for saving me time!)

Mike CJ · 11 months ago

Sharron - that is a world class line, and one every blogger should have pinned on the noticeboard:
"Each failure and mistake is a rung on the ladder to success: unless you tread on the rungs of failure to get there you’ll never reach the pinnacle of success."
Thanks for sharing it here.

Mike CJ · 11 months ago

I posted about the significant traffic effect this post had on my own blog, so stop by when you have a moment and read the article.

Michael · 11 months ago

Thank you for sharing your experience! I just started blogging again and don't know too much about it. I am in a situation where I have to do something because I lost my job before the holidays. It stinks but maybe I can get something good to come out of it such as becoming a successful blogger. However, my wife wants to kill me because she thinks it's a waist of time. I really hope something pans out...
Thanks,
Michael

Mike CJ · 11 months ago

Michael - you need your wife's support if you're going to be successful. Get her involved as early as you can - maybe guest posts? maybe admin work? maybe research? But also share the stuff you are reading that is motivating you to be a blogger.
It's really, really important to have family support in the early days, when you're working hard for little return.
This has given me an idea for a follow up post - keep watching!

Mdc · 11 months ago

Hi there,
I am also fairly new to blogging and have found that I sometimes sit in front of my laptop, either reading other people's blogs or hoping for inspiration to just come to me.

I am definitely guilty of having too many blogs in my google reader. I need to learn to set daily tasks so that I do achieve something at the end of the day.

Christian · 5 months ago

Wasting time was a big problem for me when I first started looking for a way to make money online. I finally got to the point where I had to NOT open my email until late afternoon if I wanted to be productive that day. That was before Twitter, and I now only send tweets now and then.