5 Mistakes I Made As a New Blogger {+ How To Fix Them}

Two weeks ago I wrote about 25 mistakes I made as a new blogger. Your comments and some after thought made me realize that there were plenty more mistakes that I made. But instead of adding to the list of things I shouldn’t have done, I figured I would help out those who made or are making the same mistakes I am by giving some fixes for these mistakes.

1. Not learning how to format posts or pictures properly within a post - This is by far one of the easiest things to fix if this is your problem. Decide on a format that works for you and your layout – left justified, centered, or full-justification. Some look better than others and are easier to read, but the fact of the matter is simple: it’s your choice. Pick what works for you and your blog and stick to it. And to aid in the uniform look, make all of your pictures the same width. The width should be the same width of your content section of your layout for the best outcome, whether or not they are landscape or portrait photos. You can use PicMonkey for free if you don’t have a photo editor. 
2. Not learning SEO or how important it is - This is something I still don’t have a great grasp on, but I truly do have a much better handle on it compared to when I first started blogging. I’m not even going to attempt explaining SEO other than to tell you that it’s incredibly helpful and beneficial in growing your blog. Check out this guide for SEO to learn what it is, why it’s important, how to do it, and a ton of other helpful information.
3. Not knowing how easy it can be to take decent photos/edit them even without a fancy DSLR or Photoshop - Okay, so I had no idea how to use anything other than a point and shoot before I started blogging and well into my blogging journey even. I just clicked and prayed it turned out okay. Usually.. it didn’t. Because I had no idea how much lighting affected it and had no clue what to do to edit it. Exposure? Contrast? They were foreign concepts to me. But that’s just because I refused to learn. Once I got a fancy DSLR I thought it might be a good idea to learn the basics and realized how much I was missing out on when I had my point and shoot. You don’t need a fancy camera to take good quality photos that can add great visuals to blog posts. You just need to understand the basics. Here it a great guide to ten basics for better home photography and another for basic photography tips for bloggers.
4. Wishing I could be like another blogger or have their claim to fame - There’s no link I can send you to for you to fix this unfortunately. No quick fixes or “do this, not that” helpful tips. Because what this boiled down to was a sense of uncertainty and insecurity for myself. I wasn’t comfortable in my own shoes and therefore sought out someone else’s in hopes that they had it all figured out for me. I realized pretty quickly that they did, but that didn’t stop me from wanting to be like them in some ways. This was never about being a blogger though – it was about finding joy in my own life and accepting myself for who I am, what I do, why I do things, and the things/people/places I love. When I did that, there was no reason for me to seek out their claim to fame because it never aligned with my hopes and dreams. It just took me a while to figure that out.
5. Thinking that being a “big” blogger meant more than it actually does - Have you ever asked yourself what exactly a big blogger is? And what it really means for you if you were to become one? Does it make you a better person, a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better cook, a better writer, a better creator, etc? Does it mean you’re on the path to your dreams? Does it make you happier, more fulfilled, and more satisfied with your life or your journey? The answer to all of these questions should be no simply because you don’t have to have millions of page views, thousands of social media followers, and be listed as an up and coming blog on any site to be a better you or for your to find satisfaction. It’s just a term that leads to an unhealthy amount of comparison, jealousy, insecurity, and dissatisfaction. Don’t strive to be a big blogger. Strive to follow your dreams/your heart and find a way to let your blog help you do that – no matter what size it is.

Part 2 of 5 coming next week!