DISQUS

Rich Alderton · 8 months ago

I'm ashamed to admit I've been guilty of couple of these faux-pas on my blog. I'm definitely of the opinion that less is more - particularly when you're trying to build readership.

The last thing you want to do is alienate people by bombarding them with adverts and affiliate links left right and centre.

What's your take on being open and honest with readers?

"Here's an affiliate link, if you click it you will help my site. If you'd prefer not to, use this plain one instead" sort of approach? Hard to get that message across without losing interest.

Taylor Dobbs · 8 months ago

I have many of these problems on my blog, I will readily admit. Many of these things are problems I'm just not sure how to solve, but it's good to know what they are. Great post idea!

Elissa · 8 months ago

My big peeve as of late would be blogs that have no About page information filled out. I've been receiving tweets from someone lately pushing their blog...when I got there, the About page still had the default text there - "This is an About page...put your text here."

If someone can't even take the time to tell me who they are, then there's no way I'll keep reading their blog.

Elissa

Chinaren · 8 months ago

4b. You come across as a know it all smug bastard.

Edna Rheiner · 8 months ago

Wow! i must have make some of this mistakes. But i think i can change for good.

Thanks for the tips are great!

Elena · 8 months ago

I found this article really informative.

I am a beginner myself but am learning more about blogging every day. There are many people who do it for the fun of it and not just the money.

It's really amazing to me how much of a following some of the blogs can get. I think with good writing, it doesn't matter where you blog is, just as long as your content has merit.

Fantastic job!

Sacramento Weddings · 8 months ago

Having No-Follow in your comments, is another newbie mistake!

Sacramento Weddings · 8 months ago

One of the biggest mistakes that newbie bloggers make is when they have NO FOLLOW in their comments.

Also, new blogs should ALL have the Top Commentator Widget installed on their front page (as should Biz Boink) because it will attract more comments to the site!

Izzy Daniels · 8 months ago

I guess that means I have some work to do on both my blogs. Its not something I do purposefully but showing some gratitute to those that drop by your site can be nice.

Thanks for these tips...I got some work to do.

Eddie Garcia · 8 months ago

I think you have some good arguments here but I can't agree with every one of them.

I don't see anything wrong with using Blogger. I have a site that I paid dearly for and it hasn't done a thing for me. I have done so much better on Blogger, Twitter, FB and Entrecard and they are all free. What is wrong with free?

I do appreciate your honesty and if you choose not to read my blog because it is on Blogger, that is okay with me. I will still read yours and make comments.

Thanks for sharing these thoughts.

Friends 4 Life!
Eddie Garcia

Spinach Tiger · 8 months ago

I'm learning and I agree with your comments. I think that if you are there just for close friends and family, you can do what you want. But, if you want strangers returning consistently, you have to continually ask yourself the tough questions.

I often forget who my reader might be. I post 2-3 times per week. I get posts from some food bloggers that post 6-7 and it wears me out.

I think reason number 11 for food bloggers would be bad photography. Number 12 recipes lifted from another source and no photo.

Number 13 food blogs that get political and make you feel stupid if you don't like their candidate. I'm there for the food, not the politics.

Number 14 Self-Indulgence. But then we're all a bit guilty of that as bloggers.

Joel · 8 months ago

@Rich - In my opinion, building trust and a reputation with quality articles is the important thing. People will eventually realize that when you recommend something, it's worth their while.

I don't personally like the idea of announcing affiliate links. I think you deserve to make money from a referral if you truly believe in the product/service.

Also, a lot of "newbies" don't fully understand how affiliate links work, so that statement might come across as tacky. Worst case scenario - it may even raise a red flag, causing readers to feel like they're being scammed.

@Elissa - Ya, I think what bugs me the most is when it's a personal blog. They want you to know their life story, but they don't bother to put a picture or even a short bio in the about page.

@Chinaren - I'm a sarcastic asshole (but a nice guy) - I don't deny that. I wrote this article with the intent to sound like "a know it all." Why? Because it's that much more entertaining. I figured there would be a few who didn't see the humor.

@Elena - Good point. Not everyone is in it for the money.

@Sacramento Weddings - Do-Follow comments are worthless; nothing more than a breeding ground for spam. I'll go into more detail in a future article.

The top commentator widget is a fun "extra" to have. I'll probably get around to throwing it into the footer at some point.

@Eddie - Free is good :-) . The problem with blogger is that it's limited in so many ways, especially if your aim is to be financially successful.

Having your own domain is part of the equation to "social proof." If you're blogging for fun or personal satisfaction, then I agree, blogger is a perfect solution.

Thanks for the comments everyone - great discussions!

Holly · 8 months ago

I am SO sick of blogspot blogs. They're everywhere and still popping up all over the place.

What's even worse are the blogspot blogs that make you have a blogger account to comment.

If your blog cannot receive comments from everyone, in and out of all blogospheres, it isn't worth reading, at least in my opinion.

Connect with your Teens · 8 months ago

The only one of your many rules (and I agree with them, except number 1) that I violate, is that I have a blogspot blog.

I don't know what the big deal is. I have a custom design so my blog doesn't look like everyone else's. Tell me exactly why you wouldn't read my blog just because of where it is hosted.

So many people put down blogspot blogs, and fine if you don't use one, but I have yet to hear a good reason that someobody wouldn't want to read or advertise on them.

Buckley Brinkman · 8 months ago

Thanks for the read.

For some of us, our blog is designed to help us organize thoughts and ideas -- readers are a bonus.

I've had great fun putting those thoughts together and trying them out on people in my network. One day the readers may come, and then I will remember your 10 reasons.

Thanks for the input!

Danica · 8 months ago

Great list! Whenever I see a blogspot (or other) address I always think the person either didn't think they would stick to a blog long enough to pay for hosting or just didn't want to put the money down for it.

I'm not trying to sound elitist or anything (I'm still a newbie myself), just my opinion.

free css templates · 8 months ago

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I enjoyed reading this review from you. I found that you really update your site regularly that made me more interesting. I've bookmarked your site for my future use.

Thank you
sagar

Melanie Bremner · 8 months ago

This was a very good post. I had a good laugh, at the same time as receiving valuable information.

I do have a couple very good blogger blogs that are several years old and doing well. They are limited with what can be done as opposed to wordpress which is what I have installed with my hosting and domain for my main site.

You do need to stay consistent with your content, keep the topics on track and relevant, provide useful info, and don't load your posts with affiliate links and overt money making opportunities that you have not used yourself.

Good job on the list. I will bookmark this post and show it to some of my contacts.

Melanie

Millionaire Acts · 8 months ago

This is a good list you have here.

I agree will all your points. Probably with number 7, it depends on the kind of update. I update my blog more often than other bloggers with 3 to 5 articles weekly as much as I could as long as I have some extra time to write them. The idea is for my regular readers to keep them coming back with fresh content.

Aside from it, I write articles more often so that Google have something to index for and therefore brings in more traffic to my blog. However, I never sacrificed quality in terms of quantity.

With the constant update, sometimes I see my feedburner readers drop like less 20 but afterwards I see it going back to the former number.

Corey Freeman · 8 months ago

This post was really funny.

I absolutely love #5. I've actually read a post from a meta blog that said "write at a 5th grade level" and another that said "grammar is not as important as getting your words across." I wanted to cry.

I really hate blogspot.com blogs, just because they all look the same, and the designs are all terrible. As well, I'm not a giant fan of the rarely seen but still somehow existing ".tk" If you aren't willing to spring $6 for a domain name, nobody's going to take you seriously...

I don't think I've ever run into a blog that updated too frequently, but I have had ones that go months between updates. It's really irritating, and I think "the content isn't THAT good, so why bother waiting for it?" Seriously wicked list.

I'm loving the new blog.

Shanker Bakshi · 8 months ago

I like to read good content - dose not matter much whether its on blogger's platform or on hosted site.

I would not refused to visit a site merely on the fact that it is hosted on a free platform.

DON"T you read Seth Godin.

Sire · 8 months ago

All good and relevant points, depending on the reader, but you seem to have missed the most important one; I'm Just Not Into You! :D

Rocks · 8 months ago

wow! you made a good point there and I know I've been or I am guilty of at least one.. we share the same sentiments with the widgets on the sidebar :)

bingkee · 8 months ago

I agree on everything except for the no. 1 reason.

I find a lot of nice , informative and entertaining blogs that do not have a domain name and are using the host's name such as blogspot and typepad./ What's wrong with them?

I think having your own domain name makes it "look and sound professional" but it does not affect the content of your blog.

So if the content of the blog is great and the lay-out is organized, then that's fine with me...I will still read and keep coming back to that blog.

Catherine · 8 months ago

I'll join you in being judgemental and rate your blog an 11 on the Hostility Index

Katherine · 8 months ago

How disappointing, such negativity.

Not all of us bloggers follow "the 10 reasons why you won't read our blog" rules.

Perhaps you're missing a few good blogs out there simply because they are affiliated with "free" blog networks like blogspot or blogger.

I judge a blog by the content. Not the fluff and stuff you seem to fixate on.

Billy B. · 8 months ago

This is a very pretentious list for someone who has a blog with crap Alexa and PR rankings.

Not mentioning your point 4 : have you seen your widget and ads ? It looks like a billboard.

That's some reasons why I will Refuse To Read Your Blog in the future.

Mircea @ MyTestBox.com · 8 months ago

Well, that means my blog sucks :)... or, does it not?

Alan · 8 months ago

I don't think I'm guilty of any of these anymore, though I am planning to announce a scheduled one month hiatus, after 2 years of regular postings, so I might get caught on the 'don't update enough' rule....

Windi · 8 months ago

I have no idea why in the world you have just requested to follow me on twitter. I do everything you just complained about.

Kevin in Manila · 8 months ago

I agree with most of what you say, except for the blogspot thing. I've never chosen or rejected a blog based on the platform or host. Plenty of crappy blogs with their own domains.

Uberlib What ? · 8 months ago

You forgot one thing, the design of the blog and font size, i know for some people those two are not important, but for me it is :)

MeiYah · 8 months ago

Well, there are still some blogs that are hosted from free hosting platforms that are really worthwhile to be read...

Scott McQueen · 8 months ago

Uh oh! I'm one of those Blogspot blogs, but I guess I'm stuck with it for now (I'm broke).

Some very good pointers here on mistakes to avoid in blogging. I guess I am a bit guilty of the miscellaneous thing too, but that kind of goes along with my niche of being a cross between a personal/diary type blog and Christian growth/fellowship site.

And I am so guilty of the collage thing, thanks for the reminder, I just deleted a few of those pesky Widgets ( I gotta stop falling for those widgets).

Maybe too many community affiliations too, well at least I don't do PaidPost or monitize my blog. But I guess that doesn't really matter, if I have broken one of these blogging commandments, I have broken them all. (man I'm never gonna get things right).

Take care my friend, you have a very nice, organized, clean, and useful site here; if it wasn't a sin I might steal it!

izandi · 8 months ago

I don't like to visit "dark-theme" blog, it's hard to read :D

Peggy Dolane · 8 months ago

No reason to cut someone off from your list if they use blogspot. That's the same reason people miss great vocalists like Susan Boyd.

In my book the platform is not what's important, it's what you have to say. I don't look at your url, your ideas are what make me come back and keep reading over and over. The irony here is that blogger was created by the same folks who made Twitter.

The goal -- make blogging accessible to all. Time to give platform snobbery a rest and judge a blog by it's value not by it's cover.

Online Diva · 8 months ago

Great observations. I also share the same reasons on some blogs that I visit. This also makes me aware that I have to avoid the same things too. :)

Chimica · 7 months ago

I so agree about the free blog stuff.. I mean come on a domain doesn't cost that much money. B

But I have to admit sometimes I do a few no nos on my blog..

martinact420 @ Great Ways to M · 7 months ago

So yuo won't read my blog but you'll advertise. K!

riez · 7 months ago

that's right, about the contents and ads, but a domain is relative :)

pcmemoirs · 7 months ago

I'd have to agree with all of your points, but only partly with number 1.

Even thought having a domain name makes it look more professional, it doesn't affect the content.

On the other hand, it could attract more visitors...

MichaellaS · 7 months ago

tks for the effort you put in here I appreciate it!

Enk. · 7 months ago

Wow, That was cool !

Pretty well written.. ;)

All of them are really great mistakes newbies do !

Wenko · 7 months ago

I think blogging is about writing whatever the heck you want and wherever you want it.

Sure a lot of blogs need editing, over time I have learned to tweak some mistakes. But I believe that using free services out there is wiser and very frugal, which is A-OK with me.

If you're a full time/professional blogger and have no day job and are financially free then go ahead and pay for everything.

But it's totally not cool to diss free services, look at Millionaire Mommy Next Door. She started with Blogger and worked her way up.

That's just my opinion.
Toodle-oo!

Aman S. Aneja · 6 months ago

I will try not to make mistakes as im a newbie..thanks for ur help to new bloggers