Comments on: I Made Mistakes So You Don’t Have To

By: Jay Simcic

Jay Simcic — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:04:31 +0000

I have to agree with you on this. But it fits in to almost anything you do that’s going to reap rewards.

Planning has to be part of your plan. It doesn’t matter if you’re nichi-fying or creating a blog for fun, it should still be planned to some degree.

I’ve struggled in the past because the plan starts in my head but never makes it to paper or the computer. That’s when things fall apart. It’s almost like writing down goals.

If you never write them down, they may never come to fruition. I’ve started planning everything that’s important to me and that includes blogging.

So in all thanks for a great post and I hope people take your recommendations. If they don’t we’ll just have more blogs and websites on the web that aren’t being kept up with.

By: Dare

Dare — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:09:39 +0000

This is a mistake many people make they focus most of their time of the design because some new douche (nah I didn’t mean about you Musing, I just think you still haven’t realized this) and say…WOW THE DESIGN MATTERS IT LEAVES THE FIRST IMPREEEEESSSIOOOON.

OK, this is OK, I don’t say the design doesn’t matter.

BUT DOES IT BRINGS THE TRAFFIC?

Heard of 80/20 rule?

I think when you all guys mention that the design is matter you should also mention that it SHOULD NOT BE THE PRIMARY THINK YOU SHOULD FOCUS ON. It should be in those 20%…

What you should focus on is those 20% that bring you 80% of your blog overall performance…and that is ASSETS.

CONTENT, NETWORKING…if you focus your time 70% of content, 10% of networking and 20% of design, fixing some small bugs and stuff like that I think you would get very far.

So, tell the design matter but that not be the thing they should focus on most of their time.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:09:46 +0000

Very useful tips. In retrospect, I think we all have lots of things that we would have liked to have done differently.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:53:02 +0000

Some of the fun of blogging is the sponteneity, the enthusiam, the passion, and running in headfirst.

But you are absolutely right, for a money-making blog, it’s good to think through things a bit. That’s why my “great idea” for a second blog isn’t going to happen now when I’m very busy with three small children.

Then there’s a good saying, perfection isn’t profitable… so take some time to plan but you have to also be willing to try to experiment and to change.

I’m hoping to learn from mistakes and also have a lot of fun along the way.

http://favoritechildrensbooks.blogspot.com/

By: Bruce > The Big Desk

Bruce > The Big Desk — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:11:33 +0000

I think these are all great tips. One thing I find helpful and easy to manage is setting up mini goals. Monthly works well. Set some targets, traffic is a bit unpredictable but you can set goals for link building, how many posts, how many forum contributions and maybe a short checklist on mechanics (fix sidebar, fix subscription area etc). It enables you to look at your blog a little more seriuosly (if it’s not just a hobby blog).

Bruce

By: earnword

earnword — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:53:12 +0000

i agree with him. We always make mistake and hard to admit it.

By: Millard

Millard — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:00:11 +0000

My blog has a gray background, similar to the background exterior of this site, with white text. I find it easy to read, but then I am not the audience. If anyone would be kind enough to check it out and give me their opinion, it would be greatly appreciated. I probably need a custom header tool.

By: Marion TD Lewis

Marion TD Lewis — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 12:02:35 +0000

Just multiply those mistakes by nine. Because with my nine blogs (I kid you not) I am making every mistake in the book. One of my sites literally has a black background with blue links. Nice…about the excitement factor. I am totally gong ho about my site Divorce Saloon. As a New York Divorce Attorney, I’m supposed to be “excited” about divorce, right? Well, there is a side to divorce that can be quite entertaining. I say that with the best intention. I mean, generally it is not a laughing matter. But what are you going to do? Kill yourself? You have to learn to see the humor in these things….I think the layout on that one is the best of the nine. But I don’t know if I”m the best judge.

Leslie, the Geek Entrepreneur, nice tips!

By Marion TD Lewis, Esq.
Blogger
http://www.divorcesaloon.com

By: Takumi86

Takumi86 — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 10:56:54 +0000

I agree with this one, a blog design does helping you to get more visitor but not all good blog come from design, there are several blog i seen that have good design and template but all of them have less post and none seems to be interesting

By: B2B Copywriter

B2B Copywriter — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:13:33 +0000

Who does not commit mistakes. I have had my share of stupid and enlightening mistakes that have helped me provide better services to my clients. Which is why I took almost 2 months to get my personal website design to match accepted standards.

By: uwak

uwak — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:30:08 +0000

nice experience…..we never do well before doing some mistakes…..most people success cause..learn from their own mistake…..success for you…thanks

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 03:59:47 +0000

Good points. However, from my experience The Monetizer is right when he says the eye twitching background can be an asset. When we changed our website, http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com, from black background to white background people loved the improvement. But adsense revenue dropped 30%. It’s worth noting that prettier isn’t always better.

By: BloggerSavvy

BloggerSavvy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:46:08 +0000

Thanks for mentioning how important the design style of a blog is. I remember when I launched my first blog, I thought it looked great. However, my first post that got traffic on Digg, also got me a lot of negative comments about the design. So, it also goes to show how the community can provide valuable input in this area. (An yes, I changed the design a few days later).

By: The Monetizer

The Monetizer — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:29:06 +0000

Great summary of beginner mistakes bloggers can make..I think as far as the “eye-twitching” background goes, that can be a potential asset in some instances. If you’re looking to create a blog to make money with Adsense, that just might prompt visitors to click away ;)

By: Andre Arnett

Andre Arnett — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:09:34 +0000

I think you are so right. The excitement of building a blog can be so overwhelming. It looks so easy how can you not jump right into it. Thanks for the honesty with the post.

By: Matt Gio

Matt Gio — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:57:49 +0000

I love this article! I love when someone shares their own experiences and doesn’t mind pointing out their own flaws. Excellent!

By: izzat aziz

izzat aziz — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:46:50 +0000

that mistake i been doing all alone, it took me more than two years to realize my mistake. but some time i learn the mistake in very hard way, but even so i feel fortunate because at least i can learn my mistake.

about setting goal, i do write about it in my blog, for me setting goal is very important like doing business. Blogging is just like doing business you failed or success all depend on how your customer/reader felt.

By: Nick Stamoulis

Nick Stamoulis — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:49:33 +0000

It is ok, those mistakes will make your blog even stronger. We have all made them, its all about the growing pains.

By: Momo Fali

Momo Fali — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:01:44 +0000

Great tips! I, too, wish I had done more thinking before launching my blog. For instance…maybe picking a name that people don’t have trouble pronouncing!

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:38:07 +0000

Some great tips. I am not good at the social media aspect of things. I’m getting some of it done, but other aspects are lacking and I just haven’t seen the traffic that I would like. I’m going to need to find a detailed ‘how to’ guide on it.

Thanks for the tips, it’s always nice to hear someone indicate the things they’d do differently.