Nearly 2 years ago I decided I was finally going to start my blog. I had talked about it and planned it out in my head for years but never took that first step. I have no degree in information technology or computer sciences. I’m a nurse practitioner, not a tech guru by any means, so I didn’t really know how to start.
So, I dove in headfirst into the blogging world, without having a clue what I was doing. Just knowing I wanted to be a part of it. I wish I knew then what I know now. Hindsight is 20/20, right?
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- Started a blog when I didn’t have time to commit.
I started this blog in the fall of 2020. I had been furloughed in early March due to COVID and hadn’t worked as a nurse practitioner since. I had a 5-month-old baby who still wasn’t sleeping through the night, a 2 1/2-year-old, and two 4-year olds that were doing virtual preschool.
Things were NUTS!
But I was stir-crazy. So, I started this blog. Then had very little time or energy to devote to making it succeed. It was almost like this cloud that constantly hung over my head because I knew it was there and needed attention, I was just stretched too thin.
I wasted nearly a year! A year worth of worry and stress. A year worth of monthly payments (it’s not expensive but we were now on one income). And, a year of questioning if I could even be a blogger. It’s not as easy as I expected. Which leads me to number 2:
2. Thought it was easy
Oh, how naïve I was. I had read so many blogs that specifically said it wasn’t an easy hobby or an easy way to make money. I thought I would be different.
I. was. WRONG.
And I found that out very quickly. I can sit down and write all day. I like to write and it’s an awesome outlet. I just suck at anything related to technology. So, what did I do? Mistake number 3:
3. Hired someone to help me.
Now, did he help me? Yes. But I really just had him do it for me. He designed the layout and setup my blog to my specifications and it gave me a starting point, which was actually beneficial to me.
So why is this a mistake?
Because I need to know HOW to do what he did. As a blogger, I realized I can’t NOT learn the processes to make a blog functional. And I can’t rely on someone to fix it for me when I decide to change the design or accidently delete something I needed.
I have to do that. And I have now, for the most part.
I will say, the most beneficial lesson he taught me was that if I can’t figure out how to do something, there is probably a YouTube video about it. Remember that.
4. Quit out of frustration.
I did this for the first year. If I had a few minutes to look at my blog, I would get overwhelmed by all the controls, buttons, and commands. It was like I had TOO much control and didn’t know how to utilize it.
And I didn’t have the time to sit down and figure it out. Sometimes I still want to pull my hair out. Sometimes I still have to step away and take a break. But, I don’t want to quit. I’m still trying and still learning.
5. Paid for my first logo
You can do this, it’s just fine. I think I paid $40 for my first logo that I ended up ditching. Instead, I used BrandCrowd and chose a FREE logo that I played around with until I was satisfied with it. Starting out, I shouldn’t have been so eager to spend the money for a mediocre logo.
6. I was unorganized.
I can’t stand clutter.
I can’t stand not knowing where things are. If things are cluttered in my kitchen or living room, I can’t find what I need. Same thing on my computer. I had folders and folders of ideas for my blog on my computer. I had two or three notebooks in my office that had topics, log in information, and passwords.
I needed it all in ONE place!
So, I recommend creating a parent folder in the document on your computer, then creating smaller folders within it. For example, parent folder: “Blog.” Child folder ideas: blog photos, blog posts, blog printables. It makes everything so much easier when it’s cleaned up and organized so you can find what you are looking for.
I’m already such a hot mess anyway, that a little organization does A LOT of good for me.
7. Didn’t utilize Pinterest
I had never taken the time to really learn how to utilize Pinterest, that was my problem. I used it, as most people do, as a search engine. I didn’t know how to create a pin or promote a website.
I do now. I’ve spent late nights and lost a lot of sleep creating and designing.
Do I know it everything I need to know yet?
Nope.
But, I’m still learning. And I’m proud how far I’ve come the last several months.
8. Didn’t utilize Canva.
I use this for creating feature photos for my blog and creating Pinterest pins to promote my blog. I am NOT a creative person by nature. I would always joke that my baby sister got all the artistic genes from my parents because myself and my twin sister got nothing.
Want to know a little secret?
You don’t have to be super creative to use Canva!
I love that they have templates, fonts, and complementary colors ready for use! The free version of Canva is adequate, but I signed up for Canva Pro and I don’t think I’ll go back to the free version.
I started my blog nearly two years ago and I still consider myself a “new” blogger. I’m still learning. Some days I still struggle.
I hope you won’t make the same mistakes I’ve made. I’m trying to learn from mine and help others do the same.
If you’re interested in blogging, I strongly suggesting using Bluehost. Plans start at $2.95 a month for the first year! You really can’t beat that. If your goal is to have a money-making blog, this is the place for you to start!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me!
Good luck! And happy blogging!
UPDATE: We will call this Bonus Tip #1 (because I’m sure there will be more I add to this list): Don’t have your links you have added to posts open a new tab. It looks and feels like spam! I just went through each of my blog posts, hundreds of links, and fixed this rookie mistake.