Posted on December 20, 2006
Eight Common Mistakes Made By New Publishers
BY JENNIFER EUBANKS
Robert Niles recently posted an article in USC Annenberg's Online Journalism Review discussing to top mistakes made by new online publishers
This list talks primarily about mistakes made while trying to publish online for money, but the tips are also excellent for anyone wanting to build a successful blog with high readership. Many of the common complaints addressed in the article can be traced to a newness and unfamiliarity with the blogosphere. There are few ways to "get rich quick" or see fast results with blogs.
As the article states, you must *be* an expert in your field. To build a reputation takes time, and the best way to do it is to post quality articles and activiely engage and incorporate your readers. Those who look to your site as a resource will likely also have knowledge of their own to share, and it is the community spirit that often draws the large crowds. With the popularity though, it is important to retain a sense of humility--looking down on your audience is one way to cause your audience to seek similar content elsewhere.
I've pointed out similar articles in the past, but Robert's is another good one to check out. It's short and brings up many good points for any blogger looking to be successful. The key is to write well, be aware of your audience, and to avoid using hype methods such as creating a buzz before your blog is live and established or spending unneccessary money to promote the site without having the means to back up the image. Content is king is the online world--if you have great content and are active in discussions with other bloggers you will do far better in the long-run than anything a large budget could buy you. If your readers don't feel you live up to the hype, they are gone, and you never even stood a chance.
I advise you all to take a look at the aforementioned article, and any other ones like it, if you are seeking tips on how to publish successfully online. With a little knowledge and planning, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that await the unseasoned blogger.
