If you’re starting your first blog, chances are you’re making 9 common blogging mistakes first time bloggers make. Probably the same ones I made.
When I say beginner, I don’t mean someone new to writing. I am talking about someone who is starting a blog for the very first time. You can be an excellent writer, an accomplished freelancer, or someone with a knack for writing. But what you’re not is a blogger.
9 Common Blogging Mistakes First Time Bloggers Make and How to Avoid Them
Here is what I have learned in my first few years of blogging. There are numerous common blogging mistakes first time bloggers make. However, the research I have conducted through discussion boards, forums, and real-life conversations has helped me narrow it down to these 9 missteps.
I am sharing it with you in the hope that you will steer clear of these common blogging mistakes.
Blogging Mistake #1
Focusing On Keywords With Low Competition and High Search Volume
Everyone encourages the “low competition and high search volume keywords“ strategy. They say it is the easiest and effective way to build your blog.
This plan is 100% correct, but your blog may fail if you are not writing from experience.
Tips on How To Avoid This Blogging Mistake?
Here are a couple of tips to help you avoid this common blogging mistake.
1.) Write what you know
Many guides fail to explain the most important part, which is to write what you know.
Don’t chase keywords because they look good on paper. Focus on topics you actually know.
2.) Find your area of expertise
To understand this better let’s change the wording of this strategy.
❌ Focus on low competition and high search volume keywords.
✅ Focus on low competition and high search volume keywords in your area of expertise.
The key point is the area of expertise. Your area of expertise is anything you are good at.
For example, if you are a gamer, you can write gaming guides and reviews. If you are a mom, your content could be teaching new mothers how to raise newborns. Therefore, focus on what you can do.
Blogging Mistake #2
Relying on AI Tools
Many are running towards AI tools to write content for them. AI-generated content, lacking human touch and personal experience, will not rank well.
Think about it. If you have zero knowledge and experience in that niche, you won’t know what to write about. So, what worthwhile posts are you planning to share with your readers?
You would end up copying a fellow blogger’s work and relying on AI to “rewrite it to make it sound different and unique.”
The downside to this is that Google will not promote your content because there is nothing new.
Google’s official statement on AI-generated content.
Here is a tip: Remember, AI is a tool — not a substitute for your voice and expertise.
Tips on How to Humanize Your Content?
You need to share something that provides value and that only works when you write from personal experience.
Here are a few things you can do to add something unique to your post:
1.) Share personal experience
Experience is one of the “E” in the E.E.A.T Google talks about. So, always add experience to your writing.
2.) Gets your hands dirty
If you don’t have any expertise in that topic, then study what it is.
3.) Generate the draft
Tell AI to create a draft of the post you want to write. It will give you topics, headings, and subheadings. Research and write on those topics.
4.) Connect with your reader
Rewrite sentences to add a personal touch and a unique voice by filling your content with emotions.
Blogging Mistake #3
Not Finding a Specific Sub-Niche in Your Area of Expertise
Uncover a specific niche in your area of expertise that is not dominated by strong competitors.
I wrote on WordPress-related content because I have years of experience in this field. However, I didn’t do my homework. I wasn’t aware that I was up against giants who have dominated this niche for years. Their website had a high domain authority score of 60+, and some are over 90.
I had no chance of beating them. They secured the first page in search engines and had a strong grip on the second, third, and fourth pages.
Tips on How To Find a Specific Sub-niche
Here are some tips explaining how to find a specific sub-niche in your area of expertise.
1.) Drill down in your area of expertise
After identifying your area of expertise, see what specific topic you can write on. Let’s say you’re a boxer. Here are a few things you can write on:
- Boxing equipment
- Boxing drills
- Beginner boxing tips
Assume you have selected boxing drills, NOT as your sub-niche but as your area of expertise. Now drill further down and see what content you can write on, which revolves around boxing drills.
For example:
- Boxing drills without equipment
- Boxing drill challenges for professionals
- Heavy bag boxing drills
- Head movement drills
Repeat the process till you find your specific sub-niche.
2.) Providing solutions to problems
Write about the questions that people ask. You can find such questions in the “People ask for” section in Google search results or on forums such as Quora and Reddit.
Writing on a specific niche means you are aiming to solve a problem by providing expert-level solutions.
3.) Write on topics with low competition
Writing on a topic with expert-level knowledge is not enough to get on the first page of search engines. You must find topics with competition having a low domain authority score.
Search for the topic you want to write on and look at the results on the first page. Only write on it if:
- The competitors have a domain authority of less than 40.
- You can’t find posts that solve a specific problem.
- The search results contain questions from forums.
Once you establish a firm foothold in the blogging world, you can expand your niche.
Blogging Mistake #4
Being Formal in Your Writing
When I wrote my first post, I was very formal. I believed that using unique words would impress Google and readers. I wanted to showcase my exceptional writing skills, but I overlooked the fact that it wasn’t easy to read.
Here is an example of a formal and informal writing style.
Hard-to-read (too formal): ❌
Individuals who pursue blogging often encounter difficulties in engagement due to complex and formal language.
Easy-to-read (informal): ✅
If your writing feels too stiff, readers won’t stick around.
Can you feel the difference?
Remember, you’re a blogger, not a writer. Your content is based on personal experience.
Ask yourself this: when you share your experience with someone, what’s your writing style?
Do you talk in a formal manner using difficult words to show off your academic intellect?
Or do you talk casually and informally?
I am sure it is the latter.
As a blogger, write in an informal and friendly manner to establish a connection and trust with your readers.
Tips on how to write causally
Here are some tips to help you write more causally, creating a connection with the reader.
1.) Write like you talk.
Write the way you speak and read it out loud! If you don’t like what you hear, rewrite it.
For example:
❌ “It is imperative to utilize effective strategies.”
✅ “You’ve gotta use strategies that actually work.”
2.) Keep sentences short
Many bloggers add fluff in their writing to increase the word count. Fluff doesn’t provide any value. Short sentences keep things flowing.
3.) Use simple words
Using technical jargon or complex words will make you sound academic. Try to aim for a high readability score using AI tools like Hemingway and Grammarly.
Blogging Mistake #5
Not Rechecking Your Content
As soon as you finish your content, don’t rush to hit the publish button. Take your time to proofread what you have written. Recheck your content again and again.
I guarantee you may find silly common blogging mistakes, such as grammatical errors or awkward sentences, which would make you want to write something new.
Tips on how to recheck your content
Here are practical tips on how to recheck your content before publishing. Think of it as your final “quality assurance” checklist.
1.) Use AI tools
Use free AI tools to check for grammar, readability score, and spelling.
2.) Recheck it over and over
Remember, every post needs multiple rounds of editing. Always look at it again with a fresh mind in the morning.
3.) Read it out loud
Reading your post aloud helps you hear awkward phrasing, missing words, or unnatural flow.
This is a sentence I wrote that sounded perfect in my mind. However, as soon as I read it out loud, it felt awkward and unnatural.
WordPress is King! I am exaggerating. WordPress isn’t the king of blogging. I would like to think it is.
Right now, the message feels a bit uncertain. I want to encourage the use of WordPress, but I am going back and forth on what it is and isn’t.
Clumsy sentences like this confuse the reader.
4.) Remove the fluff
Fluff is repeated ideas or sentences that don’t add value. Good writing is concise, not wordy.
Blogging Mistake #6
Ignoring Spin-Off Content Ideas
While writing, you’ll often touch on topics worth their own posts. Capture those ideas. They’re seeds for future content — and help with internal linking and SEO.
These moments are potential blog posts. If you overlook them, you miss out on valuable content ideas and internal linking opportunities.
As soon as you see the connection, write the topic and save it later. No need for a perfect title or detailed plan. Just save the spark!
Tips to Spot Content Ideas Inside Your Own Post
Here are some tips to generate months’ worth of content ideas.
1.) Look for side notes
If you find yourself explaining a small concept briefly — like a tool, strategy, or example — that’s a clue. You can develop it into a more comprehensive, standalone post later.
2.) Expand on common questions
When editing, ask yourself:
- “Would a beginner understand this point?”
- “Is there a question someone might ask here?”
- Those questions can become new blog topics.
3.) Break down complex steps
If you have a multi-step guide, each step can become its own article.
Example:
Post: “How to Start a Blog”
Spin-offs:
- “How to Pick a Blog Niche”
- “How to Write Your First Post”
- “How to Set Up Google Analytics”
Every post can be the seed for several more — if you’re paying attention. Prepare a document to list future content ideas.
Blogging Mistake #7
Focusing on Your Website Before Writing Content
When starting a blog, many focus on designing the perfect website. But here is the truth: in blogging, the website comes after your content.
You should have at least 2 months’ worth of content ready before launching your blog.
If you focus on designing and launching your site with nothing to publish, you will only have an empty blog on the web.
Blogging Mistake #8
Blogging Inconsistently
Inconsistent posting is one of the fastest ways to lose readers and search engine trust.
You post weekly at first, then life gets busy, and your blog goes silent.
Here is what will happen?
- Your domain authority will begin to drop.
- You will lose search engine ranking and readers.
- You will struggle to grow your blog. It will feel like starting from zero.
This was my biggest mistake.
Tips on How To Blog Consistently
Consistency builds trust, improves SEO, and keeps your blog alive. With pre-written content ready, you can stay consistent — even when life gets busy.
1.) List content ideas
Discover content ideas you can write on. Keep a simple “Content Ideas” document and add ideas during research, writing, reading comments, scrolling on social media, etc.
2.) Create a realistic schedule
Don’t aim for daily posts if you can’t maintain them. Start small — one post every week or two — and stick with it. Consistency matters more than frequency. Create a content calendar to help you stay on track with your schedule.
3.) Research beforehand
Research on what to write beforehand and prepare an outline. This will save time on finding your next blog post.
Blogging Mistake #9
Writing for Google — Not People
When I first began blogging, my aim was to write for Google by stuffing in keywords. I didn’t care what readers wanted to know. All I believed was that if I had the right keywords for my blog post, Google would be happy.
But here’s the truth: Google doesn’t read your blog — people do.
If your content:
- Doesn’t provide value
- Answer real questions
- Connect with the reader
It won’t perform — no matter how “optimized” it is.
Search engines now reward engagement, clarity, and relevance.
Tips on how to write for people
Always write for the human first. The best SEO is content that actually helps someone.
1.) Answer Questions
Write posts about what people are asking. If you search for a specific topic, forums like Reddit and Quora may appear. These are clear indicators that people are asking these questions.
If you prepare a valuable post on this, you will be writing for people first.
2.) Include E.E.A.T in Your Post
E.E.A.T stands for Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. This is Google’s guideline to evaluate the quality of web content.
The more acceptable the E.E.A.T, the better chances your post has of performing well in search engines.
3.) Use Keywords Naturally
Keywords should fit the flow, not force the sentence.
✅ Example: “Here’s how to speed up your WordPress site.”
❌ Instead of: “WordPress speed optimization tips for beginners site.”
4.) Optimize After You Write
First, write freely for humans.
Then, go back and tweak SEO elements:
- Add your main keyword
- Optimize meta description and slug
- Add internal links naturally
This way, your content sounds human but still performs well.
Conclusion
Don’t worry if you are making these 9 common blogging mistakes. It is not the end of your blogging journey. Look at me, I am still here.
If you’re starting out, let these lessons fast-track your progress. Your blogging journey will still have ups and downs, but you don’t have to make the same common blogging mistakes.
You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to start smart.