This list compiled by TimeForBlogging has wonderful advice for you (and me) if you are going to start keeping a blog.
The Top 77 Mistakes New Bloggers Make
- Not hosting their own blog
- Registering a blog name (URL) that has been copyrighted
- Registering a long and difficult to remember domain nameStyle, Design, and Basic Blog Ingredients
- Keeping the basic template that came installed on the blog
- Using a black background or one that flashes, blinks, or moves in any other way
- Using background music
- Not updating the blogroll that comes with the blog
- Not using permalinks for their blog posts
- Not protecting their blogs from SPAM comments with easily installed plugins
- Under-utilizing easily installed plugins
- Not including a clear way to contact them
- Not including a basic About the Author page
- Not creating a sitemap for Google and other search enginesBlog Comments
- Keeping the first post & comment that came with the blog
- Forcing guests to register in order to leave comments
- Commenting on other blogs with nothing to say other than “nice post” or some other worthless nonsense
- Commenting on other blogs and posting spamming their blog’s URL in the post
- Not commenting on other blogs enough
- Not thinking through what they comment about on other sites
- Not responding to comments on their blogs
- Asking other bloggers to link to their blog in comments
- Gathering email addresses from people who comment and adding them to email marketing lists without permission (privacy violation)
- Posting affiliate links when making comments on other blogs