If you have been writing blog posts for months or years and haven’t seen any substantial influence in terms of search engine visibility, you’ve probably started to think that content marketing simply does not work, and understandably so.

But hold on for a minute before you give up on blog writing posts altogether. Make sure you go through the common blog writing mistakes that both businesses and individual bloggers often commit. That will help you rectify your approach in case there’s something you’re probably overlooking all along.

1. Neglecting Keyword Research

Not giving attention to keyword research can prove detrimental to your blog’s success. It’s essential to understand that after defining your target audience, the next crucial step is conducting thorough keyword research. 

Ignoring the potential of keywords might lead to disappointing search engine rankings, and consequently, your business and blog posts might not reach your desired audience.

But what exactly are these keywords, and how do you go about developing a keyword strategy? Keywords are the search terms that people use to search on search engines like Google, Bing, and YouTube. 

So, if yours is a software development company serving the healthcare space, some of the keywords could look like this:

• Healthcare software development company
• Healthcare software development guide
• Healthcare software development services

Keyword research tools like Semrush, Ahrefs, Moz, and Ubersuggest can help you find the right keywords relevant to your niche. Using these powerful tools, you can identify high-ranking keywords, assess their search volume, and even gauge their competitiveness.

For more budget-friendly options, you might leverage keyword research extensions for Chrome like Keywords Everywhere, Surfer SEO, etc. They can he;p lay the groundwork for your keyword strategy.

2. Not Publishing Consistently

Maintaining a consistent article posting schedule is vital for a blog’s growth. Without a well-planned editorial calendar, businesses may experience irregularity in publishing, leading to a decline in audience engagement and search engine rankings. 

By creating a thoughtful editorial calendar, you can strategically plan and schedule your content, ensuring a steady flow of high-quality blog posts. 

Research reveals that companies publishing around 16 blogs per month experience 3.5 times more traffic. But that’s only possible when there’s a concrete posting roadmap outlined for every month.

3. The Content is Not User-Focused (Neglecting Your Audience)

Neglecting your audience is a crime. It transpires when you fail to prioritize the preferences, needs, questions, and pain points of your target readers. Instead of tailoring the content to cater to the audience’s interests, businesses often publish blog posts that are mere promotional pieces. 

By prioritizing your target audience and crafting content that aligns with their interests and questions, you can create a meaningful connection with them. This not only attracts and retains readers but also encourages them to share it with others — extending your reach and influence in the process.

Also Read: Can AI Write B2B How-To Guides? Findings from Our Experiment Suggest Otherwise

4. The Content is Poorly Formatted (Ignoring the Visual Appeal of the Article)

You might have crafted a comprehensive article, but its impact can be hindered if the visual appeal and formatting are not up to par. 

To ensure your content stands out, focus on incorporating proper headings, subheadings, bullet points, and using bold and italic text wherever needed, along with images and infographics, so that the article does not become mundane to the reader. 

These simple yet effective elements can transform your article into an engaging and visually appealing piece of work, enhancing the overall reading experience for your readers.

5. Including Google Images

One of the most expensive mistakes a blogger can make is using images sourced directly from Google. While it may seem convenient, this practice can lead to copyright issues and legal repercussions, including lawsuits. 

It’s crucial to start using images from licensed and copyright-safe sources like Pexels, Unsplash, Pixabay, and Flickr to ensure compliance with intellectual property laws.

6. Failing to Include a Call-to-Action (CTA)

When crafting your articles, always keep your target audience in mind and consider the next logical action they should take — something they, as well as the business can benefit from. For that, here’s what you can do:

• Suggest relevant follow-up articles
• Ask them to sign-up for your newsletter
• Offer valuable premium content
• Provide opportunities for free trials
• Encourage them to comment on the blog post
• Ask them to follow you on social media accounts

Keep your audience engaged, provide links that offer opportunities for them to learn more from your content, and enhance their experience.

7. Not Building a Blogging Community / Not Promoting Your Blog Posts

Building a blog community is a crucial aspect of success for bloggers in 2023 and beyond. Two powerful strategies stand out in fostering an engaged audience. First, creating a Facebook group allows bloggers to connect directly with their readers, fostering discussions, and sharing valuable insights. Second, building an email list provides a direct line of communication, promoting articles, updates, and promotions with their followers.

FAQs

1. What is the most difficult part of blog writing?

Blogging’s most challenging aspect lies in in-depth research and writing, coupled with consistent effort. Patience is key, as tangible results can take months to manifest.

2. Which type of content gets the most views?

List articles (listicles) are highly popular as they offer valuable guidance and reap numerous social media shares. Their format presents unrelated points concisely, making them easily digestible for readers.