The One Mistake I See in 90% of Blogs

Blogging has become one of the most effective ways to build an audience, establish authority, and drive traffic to your business. But here’s the kicker: despite the best intentions, 90% of blogs are missing the mark in one critical area. And it’s not what you might think.

Sure, people make common mistakes like poor SEO, bad formatting, or weak headlines. But the biggest mistake—the one I see over and over again—is failing to engage with the reader directly. Let me explain.

It’s Not About You

Most blogs fall into the trap of being too self-centered. They focus too much on what the writer or business wants to say, and not enough on what the reader needs to hear. Writers often use their blog as a platform to showcase their expertise or promote their services—both of which are fine in moderation. But if your blog is all about you, you’ve already lost the reader.

Here’s the truth: your audience doesn’t care about you—at least, not initially. They care about themselves. Their problems. Their struggles. Their goals. If your blog isn’t speaking directly to those things, you’re going to lose their attention fast.

Why This Is Killing Your Blog’s Potential

Think about it this way: when someone lands on your blog, they’re not looking for a lecture. They’re looking for a solution to a problem, a helpful tip, or an inspiring story that resonates with them. If your content doesn’t immediately address their needs, they’ll click away and find someone else who does.

This mistake leads to several issues:

1. Low Engagement: Readers won’t stick around to comment, share, or engage if they don’t feel like your content is for them.
2. High Bounce Rates: If your blog doesn’t catch their interest in the first few lines, visitors will leave without reading further.
3. No Loyalty: If readers don’t feel like you “get them,” they won’t come back for more.

So, how do you avoid this massive problem? It’s simple: focus on your reader.

Here’s 5 Proven Ways of Keeping your Audience Engaged

1. Write in a Conversational Tone

Imagine you’re sitting down with your reader over coffee. You wouldn’t start the conversation by rattling off facts about yourself. Instead, you’d ask them questions, listen to their concerns, and offer helpful advice. That’s how you should approach your blog. Write like you’re talking to a real person. Be approachable, empathetic, and human. Don’t overcomplicate things—just talk to your reader.

2. Address Their Pain Points Immediately

In the first few sentences, make it clear that you understand what they’re going through. Identify their challenges and let them know you’re here to help. This shows empathy and builds trust, two key factors in creating a loyal audience. If you’re writing a blog about productivity tips, start by acknowledging the stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed your readers may have. Then, offer actionable advice that’s tailored to their situation.

3. Use “You” Language

Here’s a simple trick that can instantly make your blog more reader-focused: use the word “you” more than “I” or “we.” When you write in second person, you shift the focus from yourself to your reader. It feels more personal and engaging.

Compare these two sentences:

• “I’ve helped hundreds of clients boost their website traffic.”
• “You can start boosting your website traffic with just a few simple changes.”

The second sentence speaks directly to the reader and makes them feel like the content is for them, not just you bragging about your accomplishments.

4. Provide Real Value

Readers don’t visit your blog to hear about how great you are—they’re looking for value. Whether it’s a how-to guide, a list of tips, or a deep dive into a particular topic, your blog should provide actionable advice that readers can apply to their lives. Before publishing, asking yourself: What’s in it for my audience? If your blog doesn’t offer real value, you should revise it and try again.

5. End With a Call-to-Action (CTA)

Remember, blogging is a two-way street. You’re creating a relationship with your reader. And relationships are built on interaction. Ending with a CTA encourages readers to engage with your content, whether that’s through comments, sharing, or exploring other parts of your site. Your CTA doesn’t have to be salesy. It can be as simple as, “What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!” or “Want more tips like this? Subscribe to my newsletter.”

It’s all About The Reader

The number one mistake I see in 90% of blogs is focusing too much on the writer and not enough on the reader. By shifting the focus of your blog to be all about your audience—writing in a conversational tone, addressing their pain points, using “you” language, and providing real value—you’ll keep them engaged and coming back for more.

So, next time you sit down to write a blog post, remember: it’s not about you—it’s about them. And that’s the key to creating content that converts.