A while ago, I wrote a post about what I’d wished I’d known before I started blogging. You can read the article here; I’ll summarize the six gold nuggets I share with new bloggers:

• only reblog 10% of someone else’s post.
• hot links are bad.
• it takes a long time to write a post
• I need to be myself.
• it’s easier than it sounds.
• it’s harder than it sounds

I got a lot of responses to that post, with readers sharing what they wish they’d known when they started blogging as well as what they’d learned since. Which one’s resonate with you?

1. I agonize over pushing the “publish” button.
2. I needed more tools on how to blog. I wish I’d researched more.
3. It’s a learning experience.
4. Keep up a regular schedule of posts. This is the difference between 10 views and 100. Once a week minimally.
5. I schedule my posts a week in advance, so it fits better with my life.
6. The first time I blogged, I gave up because I did not know it took time to build a readership.This time, I’m ready.
7. I like to think of blogging as using your non-dominant hand – it sharpens all facets of my writing brain.
8. It is hard work, but anything worthwhile is.
9. I wish I’d set up an email address just for my blog.
10. Keep personal information private. It’s tempting to hang it all out there, but don’t. Being a digital citizen has rights AND responsibilities; one of those is to protect privacy.
11. Respond to comments. Engage with your community. Yes, this takes time, but that’s what blogging’s about.
12. I had no idea how much time I would spend connecting with other bloggers.
13. Read other blogs and comment.
14. Blogs cost money if done right. If you don’t use one of the all-in-one-free packages (like WordPress), you need hosting, a domain, problem solving, maintenance help, not to mention SEO guidance.
15. Your voice is your blog. Don’t be afraid to let it out.
16. Give lots of credit to others in your posts–especially if you use their material. Linkbacks are easy. Trackbacks bring your blog to the attention of others who might come visit.
17. Blogging is fun. Make time for it.
18. Push your blog posts out to your social networks.
19. Be careful with pictures. If they aren’t in the public domain, you can’t use them without permission. A linkback isn’t sufficient!
20. Don’t compare yourself to other bloggers.
21. You’ll want to quit a hundred times as you wait to build readers, gain traction, accomplish your goals. Remind yourself why you started. If that reason hasn’t changed, continue blogging.
22. Don’t expect to make money blogging. It rarely happens. Do it for other reasons.
23. Today’s blogging is not yesterday’s journaling. Now, it’s focused, purposeful, and uses correct grammar and spelling.
24. Work smarter by using tools that are available: editorial calendars, Hootsuite, Twitterdeck, Google Analytics.
25. I wish I would have done my homework upfront to research the different blogging platforms and educated myself on the pros and cons.
26. I had no idea about the communities, linkups, sharing and connecting available to help new and experienced bloggers.
27. Be proud of what you blog about. If you aren’t, change it.

What would you add to this list?

Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. In her free time, she is editor of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. Currently, she’s editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer.

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