Do you have a blog that’s not doing much for you? Well, chances are, you’re falling for a common blogging mistake that’s sabotaging you and your brand.
When I tell you what the mistake is, you’re going to furrow your brows at me and say, “What are you even talking about? I don’t do that!”
Well, maybe. Or maybe you do. But first, let me tell you what it is.
You’re treating your blog like a hobby.
Maybe you feel like you don’t do this. But… what if you do? And I’ve done this too, so don’t feel bad! It’s easy to slip into this mindset every so often.
Here are some symptoms that you’re treating your business like a hobby…
- You only write what you’re passionate about.
- You’re blogging only when you feel inspired.
- You blog inconsistently (This one is huge!)
- Your blogs aren’t resonating with your audience.
- Your blogs aren’t converting readers into subscribers.
I’ve said this a million times, but I’ll say it again: Blogging for your business is nothing like blogging for fun.
Now, don’t misunderstand me. I didn’t say “Blogging for your business isn’t fun.” I said it’s not the same as blogging for fun.
Blogging for fun means blogging about whatever you feel like—whenever you feel like it.
Why Is This a Blogging Mistake?
It’s a mistake because treating your business blog like a hobby undermines the core strength of a blog: consistency.
List-building guru Amy Porterfield says that consistency is what sets apart the entrepreneurs who are here to stay—and those who are simply a flash in the pan.
I have a feeling you and I are the type of entrepreneur who does not want to be simply a flash in the pan.
But consistency isn’t really the fun part of blogging. It’s not flashy or attractive. It’s… kind of boring sometimes.
Consistency means you blog even when you don’t feel like it, even when you don’t feel “inspired.”
That doesn’t sound very “fun,” but it does sound like a recipe for success!
The other reason treating your blog like a hobby actually sabotages your efforts is that it tricks you into writing about things that don’t actually move your business forward.
In other words, you’re blogging about whatever seems interesting to you instead of blogging according to a set strategy that you know will fuel your business with quality leads.
At best, this confuses people who come to your blog because they’re not exactly sure what you’re all about.
At worst, it repels the very people who could have become your ideal clients!
3 Tips to Combat This Blogging Mistake
So now that we’ve talked about why hobby blogging for your business is counterproductive, let’s discuss some action-packed ways to fix the problem.
(Again, this doesn’t mean your business blog can’t be a total blast! It really can be… when you do it right.)
1. Come up with a strategy.
Do your blogs push your ideal clients closer to buying your offer? When people are finished reading your blog, is your offer on their mind? Does your blog help them see why they need what you’re selling?
If not, now is the time to get strategic. Come up with a plan to write about topics that exacerbate your ideal clients’ pain points surrounding your offer.
If you offer made-for-you healthy meal plans, a blog about exercising or vitamins isn’t necessarily going to make people see the need for your offer as much as a blog about the financial benefits of planning a week’s worth of meals will.
See what I mean?
In my 1:1 coaching sessions, I help clients walk through this to come up with a strategy that’s tailor-fit for them. But hopefully these tips and examples are enough to at least get you thinking in the right direction!
2. Batch your content.
The easiest way to get behind on your blogging is by waiting till the last minute to do it.
No joke.
When I first started my blog, I was at least a month ahead! Then, as life’s duties overtook my time, I started getting less and less ahead… to the point that I was writing them the day before they were supposed to go up.
That’s when I started missing a week here. A week there. A week over yonder.
Yikes.
That’s why I highly recommend batching your content. If that phrase is new to you, all it means is that you schedule a set time on your calendar when you write multiple blogs at the same time.
This is especially helpful because when it comes to writing, it can take a little while to get into the flow of it. But once you’re there—wow, the words keep coming!
Your goal is to get in that flow. And why not use that flow as an opportunity to whip out 2 or 3 blogs?
The key is scheduling that time on your calendar and keeping your commitment to yourself.
3. Stay connected to your readers.
Always remember that your business blog is about your readers more than it is about you.
Are you writing about things they care about? Problems they’re facing? Issues that keep them up at night?
Are you using the language they use to describe their problems?
And are you writing with a desire to bless them?
I hope your answers to all those questions is a resounding “YES!” But if not, I encourage you to pray about this and ask God how you can better use your blog to help your audience.
God has given you a unique and beautiful message that He wants you to share with this world. Maybe it’s in how you teach or in services you offer or in products you make. Your blog is the tool you can use to spread that message.
Whatever it is … I pray you allow God this week to use your blog as a way to build your business—and His kingdom. 🙂
And hopefully this article gave you fresh ideas for fixing that common blogging mistake!
By the way… have we connected yet on Pinterest? If not, you can follow me here. And if today’s blog helped you in any way, please share it on your social media!
Jenny Rose is a freelance copywriter and content marketer specializing in B2B marketing, real estate, and accounting. She's written for clients like AAA, Edward Jones, Flyhomes, Guild Education, and more. Her writing has also appeared in publications like Business Insider and GOBankingRates.
