7 Mistakes I Made When I Started Blogging

Let’s face it, no matter how popular, how big, how many page views we get, and how many readers we have, bloggers have made mistakes with their blogs. Whether it is in the beginning of our blog or later down the road, mistakes happen and sometimes all you can do is learn from them. In a group I am in on Facebook we have a mentor program going on. Even though I have been blogging for over eight years I still feel like I am not good, so I signed up as a student. I got an AMAZING mentor named Ronni and you can find her over at Grandma Juice. Her blog is funny as anything and you really should go read some of her posts. I know as soon as I saw she was my mentor she could help me overcome some of my shyness and help me be more personal. This girl is a social machine and has no problem giving you the what is or the what for. I think I may even have a girl crush on her, but shhh that is our little secret!

When you have a mentor they ask you questions, it is true, they really do. Like what do you want to learn? What do you want to do with your blog? It is hard when you really don’t think about it and kind of just fly by the seat of your pants. Which, I do quite often. So I actually took some time to think about my blog and what the heck am I doing here? After much thought I realized I made some big mistakes with my blog. Am I sad I made these mistakes? No, not really. My blog is so me. Diverse, out of character, and totally rebel. I have no niche, my readers have no niche, and sometimes we are all just fumbling through these posts together. However, these are the things I might have done differently if I had the chance.

1. Planned my blog- To be honest Dishin’ With Rebelle was just an idea that popped in my head one day. I had been doing another blog with a real life friend and one day I decided to just start one of my own. I bought my URL and the rest they say is history. I didn’t plan Dishin’. I had no idea what I wanted to do and in time it has evolved into a Food, Review, and Giveaway blog, which I am really happy about but I really wish I would have thought about what direction I wanted to take it in the first place.

2. Checked My Posts for Grammar and Spelling Errors- When I read my posts from the first couple of months I cringe. I will be the first to tell you my grammar and spelling sucks but wow have I improved. I did have someone tell me about it and I wrote this big cocky post about how I was too good for that and blogging was a hobby. I actually wrote that lady an apology letter a few days ago and she said “I told you so.” I have learned now to listen to other bloggers and run your article for errors.

3. Got to know my readers- In the beginning I didn’t know my readers at all. Thankfully in the last few months I really been trying to get to know them but still could do better. I wish I had been more social and active in the beginning. Especially since I truly do love getting to know new people and making friends all over the internet.

4. Been more personal- I did write some personal posts but when they largely got ignored, I stopped. Then someone said “Duh! You needed readers to read them.” Now I have gotten so much into giveaways and reviews I really don’t know how to bring the more personal aspect back. I have a lot to say but does anyone want to read it and how many people will I offend with opinions? Also, I did a poll at the end of one my food network posts and only one person took it. The option they chose “Was just stop it already, you are boring me to death.” Now, I can handle the criticism but since that was the only person that bothered to answer and that was the option they chose I stopped doing them. I want to do what my readers want to read and enjoy.

5. Took better pictures- When I look at my older reviews I cringe at the pictures. They look awful and quite frankly I am ashamed of them. I wish I had taken more time doing them so the blog had a more uniform look.

6. Networked with other bloggers- In the beginning I really didn’t talk to other bloggers. Huge mistake because bloggers can be so much help. You can learn so much and some of the stuff I know now; I wish I had learned in the beginning. If I had networked with them then I would have known and saved myself some headaches, like the next wish.

7. Realized blogging is a business- To me blogging was a hobby and I treated it as such. I added free stuff for publicity, took jobs for free just for recognition, and other stuff that if I had to do over I wouldn’t have. This happens when you DO NOT value your blog. Even when you are starting out you are a valuable asset. Even without page views or rank, you are still valuable. I sold myself out by not realizing that my blog is not only my outlet but also my place to advertise the things I love. I should have valued myself a little more and I really regret that.

Now, I want to be clear that I love my blog and yes, there are things I would have changed but I am also a huge believer in what will be will be. I have amazing readers (pat yourself on the back) and even though I am late to the party as usual, I have made wonderful blogging friends. I am honored to own my little part of the internet world and own it with style!