I started my blog with big dreams and zero money.

Three years later, I’m making consistent income from it. But those first two years? I was broke, confused, and wondering if blogging was even worth it.

Looking back now, I can see exactly where I went wrong. And honestly, most new bloggers are making the exact same mistakes I did.

So if you’re blogging but not making money yet, this one’s for you.

Mistake #1: I Didn’t Build My Email List From Day One

This is the biggest mistake I made, and it cost me years of growth.

I spent months writing blog posts, posting on social media, creating content… and sending all that traffic into the void. No email list. No way to connect with people who actually liked my content. No way to sell anything even if I wanted to.

I thought I needed a huge audience before I could start an email list. I thought people wouldn’t subscribe. I thought I had to be “ready” first.

All lies my brain told me.

The truth is that every single person who reads your blog and doesn’t subscribe is a missed opportunity. They might love your content, but if they leave without joining your list, you’ll probably never reach them again.

What I should have done: Put an email opt-in on my blog from the very first post. Even if only five people subscribed that first month, those five people would have been MY people. I could have emailed them, built relationships, and eventually sold to them.

What you should do: If you don’t have an email list yet, start one today. Use Kit (it’s free up to 10,000 subscribers). Create a simple opt-in like “Weekly tips in your inbox” or “Get my free guide to X.” Just start collecting emails and send your subscribers value through broadcasts every single week.

Mistake #2: I Had No Monetization Plan

I wrote blog posts because I enjoyed writing. I posted because I had things to say. But I had zero plan for how any of this would make me money.

I vaguely thought that if I just built a big enough audience, money would somehow appear. Maybe through ads? Maybe someone would hire me? Maybe magic would happen?

Spoiler: Magic didn’t happen.

What actually happened: I burned out creating free content with no return. I felt resentful that I was working so hard for nothing. I almost quit.

What I should have done: Decided from the start how I wanted to make money. Did I want to sell digital products? Offer services? Do affiliate marketing? Create a membership? I should have picked ONE monetization method and built toward that from day one.

What you should do: Choose your monetization method now. Not “someday when I’m ready.” Now. Even if you’re not selling yet, know what you’re building toward. This changes everything about how you create content and grow your audience.

Mistake #3: I Waited for Everything to Be Perfect

My blog design wasn’t quite right. My logo needed work. I wanted to write ten posts before launching. I needed better photos. I wanted a professional headshot first.

So I waited. And waited. And waited.

Meanwhile, other bloggers who started after me were already making money because they actually launched.

Perfection is procrastination in disguise. And it kept me broke for way longer than it should have.

What I should have done: Launched messy. Posted my first blog post even though my site wasn’t perfect. Started my email list even though I didn’t have a fancy opt-in yet. Created my first digital product even though it wasn’t a polished masterpiece.

Done is better than perfect. Always.

What you should do: Whatever you’re waiting to do until things are “ready,” do it today. Imperfect action beats perfect inaction every single time. Launch the thing. Post the content. Start the list. You can improve as you go.

Mistake #4: I Focused on Social Media Instead of SEO and Pinterest

This is the one most bloggers are currently doing.

I spent HOURS creating Instagram posts and Stories and Reels. I posted multiple times a day. I engaged with other accounts. I tried to go viral.

And you know what happened? My blog traffic stayed flat. Because Instagram doesn’t send traffic to blogs. The algorithm doesn’t want people leaving the platform.

Meanwhile, I completely ignored Pinterest and SEO, the two strategies that actually send consistent, long-term traffic to blogs.

What I should have done: Invested my time in Pinterest and SEO from the beginning. Written blog posts optimized for search. Created pins and posted them consistently. Built traffic sources that compound over time instead of disappearing after 24 hours.

What you should do: If you’re spending more time on Instagram than on Pinterest and SEO, flip it. Social media is a bonus, not your main strategy. Pinterest and search traffic are what will actually grow your blog and make you money.

Mistake #5: I Undercharged (And Gave Everything Away Free)

When I finally created my first digital offer, I priced it at $27.

Why so low? Because I didn’t think anyone would pay more. Because I was scared. Because I thought I had to be “affordable” to everyone.

That $27 product took me weeks to create. And even though people bought it, I barely made any money because the price was too low.

I also gave away SO much free content that there was no reason for anyone to buy anything from me. My blog posts were basically free courses. I answered every question in detail. I gave away all my best strategies.

I thought this was generous. It was actually just bad business.

What I should have done: Charged what my work was actually worth. Created valuable free content, yes, but saved my BEST strategies and frameworks for paid products. Understood that pricing low doesn’t help anyone, it just devalues what I created.

What you should do: If you’re undercharging, raise your prices. If you’re giving away everything for free, create a paid offer that gives people your best work in a structured, supported way. Your knowledge is valuable. Price it accordingly.

What Changed When I Fixed These Mistakes

Building my email list consistently meant I finally had people to sell to. Having a clear monetization plan gave my content actual direction instead of just throwing spaghetti at the wall. Launching imperfectly (even when I was scared) started bringing in money. Focusing on Pinterest and SEO instead of Instagram made my traffic explode. And charging what I was actually worth? That’s when I started making real income.

None of this happened overnight. But these shifts were the turning point between “broke blogger wondering if this is even worth it” and “profitable business owner living in Bali.”

If You’re Making These Mistakes Right Now

First, don’t beat yourself up. I made all of them and I still built a successful blog. You’re not behind, you’re just learning.

But now that you know what’s holding you back, you can fix it.

Start your email list today. Pick your monetization method. Launch imperfectly. Focus on Pinterest and SEO. Charge what you’re worth.

These five shifts will change everything. I promise.

Ready to build a profitable blog the right way?

Her Soft Blog Mini-Playbook shows you exactly how to set up your blog, grow it with Pinterest, build your email list, and create your first digital product. Everything I wish I’d known from day one.

→ Get the Blog Playbook here

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