• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About/Hire Me
    • About Me
    • Hire Me
    • Contact
    • Family
    • Faith
    • FAQ
    • My Running Story
    • Recipes
  • Disney
  • Fitness
    • runDisney Information Page
    • Fitness
    • Races
  • Parenting
  • Travel

Through Heather's Looking Glass

  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • family
  • About Me

5 Huge Mistakes I Made As a New Blogger

June 5, 2018 | blogging, social media

I have been blogging over eight and a half years (wow) and there is still plenty that I don’t know. That’s what is so fun about this job, I learn something new every day because things change so quickly. If you want to be successful, you have to learn to adapt, which admittedly isn’t my strong suit…hence why this has been so good for me. Anyway, I’m rambling. I recently came out with an online guide for bloggers wanting to make money working with brands.  I wanted to help bloggers that were looking to make money with their blog and social media accounts that didn’t really know where to start. But then I started thinking…let’s back up to before you even get to that point, right? I feel like I skipped a step. I have a free email course for people wanting to start a blog, then I have my how to make money eguide I mentioned above…but nothing really for “in between”, so I thought I would craft a post with 5 huge mistakes I made when I was in my first 6 months or so of blogging in hopes that you can avoid some of them, and be on a faster path to success.

5 huge mistakes I made as a new blogger

1.) Blogging too often just for the sake of posting: When I first got into blogging, I was writing posts SEVEN days a week. Lawd. I mean, I know I didn’t have a child then so I had more time on my hands (can you believe I used to get BORED on the weekends?!? That clearly hasn’t happened in over 3.5 years)…but WOW that’s a lot of writing. The problem was, I felt like I “had” to blog every day because that’s what everyone else was doing, and so I would crank out a post even if I didn’t really have anything to say. This led to some really boring and useless posts that make me want to hide my head in shame. Now, I only blog typically two or three times a week, and my posts are much more informational and “deep”. Writing a post and editing photos is a big undertaking. Don’t get burned out by thinking you have to put up new content all. the. time. Because you don’t. It’s better to have QUALITY stuff that people will resonate with and want to come back for more of again and again.

2.) Not asking for help/not networking: Sometimes I will admit I can let my pride get the better of me, and this can lead to me trying to do things on my own. Blogging is NOT one of those things that you want to try to do on your own. Your peers are a wealth of information, and most bloggers are happy to share tips, help cross promote for you, and encourage you. If you put yourself on an island, you will remain on an island. People talk, PR agencies talk about bloggers to each other and to other bloggers. If you are viewed as someone who doesn’t play well with others, it could hurt you in the long run. There are some great Facebook groups out there you can plug into for some help and advice.

3.) Tried to be someone I wasn’t: I think at one time or another we have all fallen into this trap. We see someone else having success, and we want success too, so we do as they do. Granted there is nothing wrong with getting ideas from other bloggers, but there is a difference in getting an idea and making it your own, and trying to be someone you aren’t. Remember that your readers are reading your blog because they like you and what you have to say, not because you are just like someone else. Own your unique perspective and find your own voice. People will notice and you will find your tribe!

4.) Not being self hosted: It took me a minute after I started blogging to jump on the self hosted bandwagon. One because frankly I had no idea what it meant other than it sounding technical and complicated, and two, it meant spending money on my blog, and I had not even made any money, so it was scary to take that leap! Just remember, if you wait until you “have more money” to do things in life that have the potential to MAKE you money, then you will never make the leap. Being self hosted does have a cost, but it’s not high when you consider all the things you most likely spend money on in a week. You can get started for just $3.95 a month, and it will enable you to host ads on your site that will make you income. I don’t have to ever touch my ads and the money just gets deposited into my account every month, and it way more than pays for my self hosting.

5.) Not promoting my posts enough: When I first began blogging, I thought you wrote a post, shared it to Facebook and Twitter once, and that was that. It’s sad to think how many of my posts would have done so much better had I promoted them more. (I have gone back and reworked and re promoted some things, but still, it’s sad.) There are so many more ways to promote your posts, and you should definitely promote them more than one time! You did all that hard work, so get as many eyes on it as possible!

If you have any questions about the links above such as my free email course or my new eguide, let me know.

RELATED: The Ultimate Blogger Guide for Working With Brands

Like this:

Like Loading...

Sign up for my newsletter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carrie says

    June 5, 2018 at 10:45 am

    Oh my gosh, it’s so nice to know that these seem to be common mistakes! I’m getting my act together to revamp my brand and move forward with a whole lot more knowledge! <3

Primary Sidebar

I am Heather Montgomery, a 30 something southern girl living in Knoxville, Tennessee with my husband Bobby, 10-year-old daughter Emma Kate, and our goldendoodles Dolly and Luna. I’m just a regular girl who likes to workout, travel, hang with my family, text, and eat chips and queso. Be sure to check out my “about me” page for more info!
Thank you for visiting, and feel free to contact me with questions, (or for PR inquiries or press trip invites) at Support@HeathersLookingGlass.com.

Please, no guest post requests. 🙂

More about me

Privacy Policy

You can also find me here:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • A Quick and Easy Seasonal American Road Trip Guide
  • Why Quick Workouts Deliver Big Results
  • 4 Things That Stop People From Exercising (And What To Do About Them)
  • 6 Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
  • Family Fun in Tuscaloosa: Your Ultimate Getaway Beyond Game Day

 

Search

How to Start a Blog

How to start a blog
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Disney
  • Fitness
  • Travel
  • Family
I’m not suggesting you go into debt to go on vac I’m not suggesting you go into debt to go on vacation. But I am suggesting you remember that time is something you can’t get back, and memories are something that will stay with you longer than things. 🚢 

As we enter the holiday season, maybe it’s time to consider that long overdue vacation instead of quite so many things under the tree? Maybe a few less items for some time away to rest and recharge with loved ones?

@disneycruiseline is great for just that because they truly have something for everyone, from babies, kids, to adults. The cruise we just went on included beach time, pool time, an obstacle course, lots of eating, basketball, foosball, ping-pong, movie, watching, scavenger hunt finding, pirates (the nice kind!), ice cream, and so much more. ✨🫶🏻 

Always happy to answer questions about the most magical cruise line around! 

#disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneywish #disneyvacation
🚢 A vacation should actually feel like a vacati 🚢 A vacation should actually feel like a vacation right? I hear too many people coming home from vacations with their kids that say they are exhausted and now need another vacation from their vacation. 

This is why I love @disneycruiseline. 💖

They have kids clubs included in the price of your cruise fare* that are open for a lot of the day and late into the night. This allows for adults only time at the adults only pool, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Not to mention, the kids absolutely have a blast. Mine never wanted to leave! 🫶🏻

it’s a win-win situation in my book. They get to go have some fun with other kids, and I get to relax and recharge on my vacation, and then we can also spend quality family time together as well! ✨

Send this to someone you are trying to convince to go on a DCL cruise with you! 😏

*included in cruise fare for kids clubs, not the nursery which is an extra charge. 

#disneycruise #disneycruiseline #disneywish #disneycruisekids #disneycruisevacation #cruisevacation
We absolutely love Orange Beach, it’s one of our We absolutely love Orange Beach, it’s one of our favorite places to visit and feels like home. 🫶🏻

There are so many great businesses with employees that make you feel like family. Here are a few we visited over fall break. Be sure to save this for your next visit to the beach! Have you been to any of these places? 🍊 

@coastalorangebeach: Not only a beautiful restaurant right on the gulf with amazing food, drinks, and servers, but also a really great store with amazing merch! We found some great stuff. If you go to the restaurant, ask for J-Mac to be your server and make sure to get a bushwhacker with a peanut butter floater! 😋 

@florabama_olerivergrill : Right on the bama/Florida line, this fun restaurant boasts beautiful sunsets, a fun cocktail menu (the key lime colada was amazing!) and you can even rent pontoon boats and jet skis from the marina, or take a dolphin cruise! 🐬 

@theorangebeachstore : I’ve passed this store 100 times but this was my first time inside and now I’m mad that I have been missing out all this time. They have a beautiful selection of really nice souvenirs from great brand names you already know and love. Great quality clothing and other things like blankets, cup, hats, and candles. I shopped forever! 

@fbyachtclub_ : The Flora Bama Yacht club is also right on the state line on the bay side and has fun live music, a really nice menu including crab claws, hummus, chicken pasta, and key lime pie. Service was great and we loved the live music. 

Thank y’all for having us! ✨
#florabama #coastalal #orangebeach #orangebeachalabama #orangebeachrestaurants #orangebeachdining #albeachblogger
But why are they like this? I even tell him “I d But why are they like this? I even tell him “I don’t want a Bobby-sized bite” and it’s still fit for a polar bear. 🍰 

#loveandmarriage #husbandsandwives #menbelike #orangebeachalabama #coastalal #marriedlifebelike
Big batch, big flavor, zero stress! 😍 #sponsore Big batch, big flavor, zero stress! 😍 #sponsored 

I picked up the NEW Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage at @Foodlion and added it to my favorite red beans and rice — lean, smoky, and less sodium! 🍽️ 

The best part? This recipe makes plenty of leftovers, so no cooking tomorrow 🙌. 
Quick, easy, and totally elevated — your weeknight dinners just got a major upgrade! 

Comment “BUTTERBALL” to receive a link to shop these products at your local Food Lion. *Check your message request folder if you don’t follow my account in order to receive the link.

Bobby’s Red Beans and Rice: 

INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 - 1 cup celery, about 3-4 ribs
• 1 Sweet Onion
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 2-4 cloves Garlic
• Seasoning, Tony’s, chili powder, pepper, bay leaf
• 1 tsp paprika
• 45 oz kidney beans
• 28 oz beef sausage, 2 packs
• 2 packs of Butterball Smoked Turkey Sausage
• 2 cup Beef broth
• Buttered Rice

PREPARATION STEPS
1. Chop/mince veggies (suggest food processor)

2. Warm butter on medium heat in pot then add veggies (about 10 minutes)

3. Add beans (slightly drain) and sausage (about 7 minutes)

4. Add garlic and seasoning and simmer about 10 minutes. 

5.) Serve over warm buttered rice

 #Butterball #SmokedTurkeySausage #FoodLionFinds #RedBeansAndRice #WeeknightDinner #EasyRecipes #MealPrepWin #FlavorfulAndHealthy @butterballturkey
Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of Holiday shopping days with my mini me are some of my favorite traditions. ✨☕ 
From grabbing coffee to wandering through the decorated stores, there’s just something magical about this season. We laughed, made memories, and even managed to cross a few names off our list. 🎄 (ad) 

One of our favorite stops was Reeds at West Town Mall, where I spotted the new Victorinox Air Pro — a watch that’s Swiss-made with incredible craftsmanship, a stainless steel case, shock + water resistance, and even the ability to track 3 time zones at once. 🙌 It’s modern, timeless, and such a meaningful find for the men in my life.

The best part? Ending the day with full shopping bags, full hearts, and a gift I know will be worn and treasured for years. 💫 @victorinoxnorthamerica 

#HolidayShopping #Victorinox #AirProWatch #MyVictorinox
Apple cider margaritas! 🍎 🍺 🎃 This reci Apple cider margaritas! 🍎 🍺 🎃 

This recipe is super easy and tastes like fall in a cup! A great option for people who want to have a festive fall drink but would prefer a cold drink. 

👉🏻Comment the word MARGARITA and I will send the recipe right to your inbox! ✨

#applecider #margarita #applecidermargarita #holidaydrinks #festivedrink #halloweendrink #falldrink

Copyright © 2025 · Through Heather's Looking Glass · Theme by Bella Creative Studio

 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.

    %d