Like many writers, I spend a great deal of time honing my craft. I try to write as often as possible and read many different blogs on topics that I love, some of which I have a new interest in. I’ve long since believed that this is the best way to improve and find your voice when it comes down to blogging.
Some days, I come across articles that pique my interest just from the title alone, and I believe there’s an amazing value proposition. Sometimes, I end up leaving the article, feeling like I wasted my time even trying to get through it—respectfully, of course. My takeaway from these blog posts is that there is always room for improvement.
In this article, I want to cover five common mistakes that many bloggers make and how to fix them. Now, I’ve noticed these mistakes more recently and just want to say that they do not apply to every blogger. I also understand that sometimes, these things can be for stylistic reasons, so take this article with a grain of salt and keep an open mind.
Poor Grammar
Have you ever read something and said huh? Remember how it made you feel. The sense of confusion and feeling like something does not make sense is nothing new. This actually happens a lot with poor grammar. But why is grammar so important, especially with blogging?
Grammar helps us understand the meaning of a sentence. Grammatical errors, such as misused punctuation, unclear sentence structure, or incorrect verb tenses, can make writing difficult to follow and boring.
Often, readers have to work harder to understand what you mean, which can be frustrating and lead them to leave the article altogether. Sometimes, this involves re-reading sentences or looking up phrases or words online, which can disengage the reader.
Quick Tip: Read out loud. Yes, I know it’s elementary. However, you’d be surprised how well this simple tip works. It’s better to find out aloud than later!
Too Much Fluff
When readers choose to read something, they sometimes hope that the material is easy to understand. However, they can get frustrated by too much fluff in their reading material. So, what is fluff?
Fluff is unnecessary content that doesn’t move the story, develop characters, or provide any real value. Fluff distracts from the main point, making it harder for readers to understand the story’s purpose or follow the central conflict. Fluff does the same when it comes to blogging.
Excessive fluff feels like padding, dragging out the story and making readers feel like they’re not getting anywhere. They might get lost in irrelevant details and lose track of the overall narrative. Readers invest their time in reading and want that time to be well-spent.
If a blog post is cluttered with unnecessary or irrelevant information, you may have lost the reader, and they’ll go find their answer elsewhere. The lesson here is to avoid fluffing a reader if you can.
Quick Tip: If the explanation looks too long or feels like a long-drawn one, start cutting and revising. If a long explanation is not particularly the goal or does not fit the style of writing, then you’ve fluffed it.
No Direction
Readers typically don’t run away from a story without direction, but they might get frustrated or lose interest. There are a few reasons why. Stories thrive on building anticipation and guiding readers toward a resolution. Without direction, there’s no clear goal or path, making it confusing and hard for a reader to stay invested.
Readers want to understand what’s happening and why. A story with no direction might leave them feeling lost and unsure of what to expect. It’s important to remember that readers invest their time in a story expecting a payoff. If there’s no clear direction, they might feel like they waste their time.
Generally, a good story provides enough direction to keep readers engaged and wanting more. It doesn’t have to be a straight line but should have a sense of purpose and progression.
“Stop, drop, shut ’em down, open up shop…”
DMX – Ruff Ryder’s Anthem song
Quick Tip: Using a verse from the late great hip-hop artist DMX’s song, Ruff Ryder’s Anthem, you should stop everything and figure out what you’re writing first or the message you’re trying to convey. Use an outline and start with a thesis statement or question.
Not Answering the Question or Providing Value
Readers come to you for a reason – they have a question, need information, or want to be entertained. When you don’t answer the question or provide value, it frustrates them.
Imagine needing a simple answer to a simple question and feeling even more lost after you think you’ve found it. This can be equally irritating for any reader.
They invested their time and attention expecting a payoff, and you didn’t deliver. They could have spent that time finding the answer elsewhere.
If your response is irrelevant or makes zero sense, it confuses them more. They might not even understand why your answer doesn’t address their question.
In short, not answering the question or providing value is a broken promise to your readers. They came to you for something specific, and you didn’t give it to them. This can damage your credibility and make them less likely to trust you in the future.
Quick Tip: Answer the call and give the reader what they came for.
No Pictures or Videos
Now, more than ever, pictures and videos are crucial to any blog. In fact, social media has made it nearly impossible to thrive online without them. For the purpose of engagement, readers are less likely to engage with blogs that lack visuals and it actually makes sense. Here’s why.
First, it breaks up monotony. Our brains are wired to process visuals quickly and efficiently. Especially in the age of information overload, a blog post with nothing but text appears daunting and overwhelming. Images and videos act like breaks, allowing readers to process information in smaller chunks and making the content more visually appealing.
Second, visuals can enhance understanding and memory. A well-placed image or video can perfectly illustrate a complex point, making it easier for readers to grasp or digest the concept.
Research shows information retention is higher when combined with visuals. So, pictures and videos not only make the blog more engaging but also help readers remember the key takeaways.
Quick Tip: Add videos and photos sparingly. Shutterstock offers affordable plans and single downloads for pictures and videos, which I recommend. It’s important to find the right visuals and apply the right balance in the blog post to enhance its effect.
In Conclusion…
In conclusion, by avoiding these common mistakes – poor grammar, fluff, lack of direction, unanswered questions, and a text-heavy format – you can craft engaging blog posts that truly resonate with your audience.
Remember, readers come to you for a reason, and it’s your job to deliver value through clear, concise, and visually appealing content. By following these tips, you can turn frustrated clicks into loyal readers who keep coming back for more.
So what do you think? Did I miss something? Are there things that annoy you when you read a blog post? Leave a comment down below.