It’s time to start blogging. Blogging can be great fun, a great marketing tool, and a great source of additional income.
So, you’ve heard about blogging and you’d like to start one – hopefully, this post will help you. Of course, there are many facets to it, but I think that once you get started using these tips, you’ll be able to start a compelling and dedicated blog, as well as attract some loyal followers.
I’ll give you 6 tips on what you need to start blogging and how to promote your new blog.
1. Decide on your niche
Making a decision about what you want to blog about is the best place to start blogging. Therefore, one of the first things you should do before starting a blog is finding your niche. If you don’t have a niche, it might be difficult for anyone to find you.
You might think that a blog about whatever interests you will have a good shot of success, but if there isn’t much to interest your target audience in your blog, they won’t stick around for long.
Learn more: How to choose a niche for your blog.
2. Choose your blog name
Your blog name is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting a blog.
Not only does your blog name need to be something that people will remember, but it also should accurately represent your blog’s topic so that others can find it when searching for resources on what you’re writing about.
This is one decision that you won’t want to make lightly.
Learn more: How to choose the right blog name.
3. Choose a blogging platform
This is another important choice you will make as a blogger is which blogging platform to use. Your blogging platform is much like your web host, it’s where your blog lives. There are dozens of different platforms out there and some are better than others for different people.
I’m not here to tell you that one platform is better than the others, but rather suggest the blogging platforms that will come in handy for you. Once you’ve decided on what type of blog you want, it’s time to find one that suits your needs.
Self-hosted blogging platforms
To have the most professional blog possible it’s best to use a self-hosted blogging platform. In case you’re not familiar with the term, this type of platform is one that you can control by yourself and doesn’t rely on third-party company servers.
Many content management systems (CMS) are self-hosted but for this category, I’ll recommend platforms such as WordPress.org.
Hosted blogging platforms
Hosted solutions can be a good choice if you don’t want to spend time and money managing your blog. The biggest advantage of hosted systems is that they handle technical issues such as backups and updating software for you.
You will require a web host or host to store your content on its server. Some hosting services also offer free domains and free website builders. Under this category, I recommend Blogger.
4. Register a domain name and get a web hosting account
Getting a domain name is an absolute must if you want people to find your blog. Don’t forget to get a web hosting account as well, so you can start blogging right away.
If you already have a reputable personal domain name, then you can probably get a hosting account at the same place you purchased your domain name. I recommend using Bluehost for your web hosting solutions.
These are the most fundamental technical ingredients needed to set up a working website, and when done right, provide the foundation of your internet presence.
5. Familiarise yourself with top blogging tools
Blogging is something that can be learned, developed, and mastered but first you need to know what tools you can use to get started and succeed as a blogger.
With social media and blogs becoming a more prominent aspect of Internet culture, many people are jumping on the bandwagon. Blogs deal with a wide range of topics, from travelogues to updates on one’s life.
If you’re thinking about starting your own blog, or have already set one up, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with top blogging tools. These tools will help you create graphics and tweak features so you can be inspired and remain productive.
6. Write and publish your first blog post
There it is…the big one! You are prepared, you have set up everything and even have your domain name purchased.
Among bloggers, one of the most significant milestones is their first post – the first post marks the beginning of their blogging journey. So make sure you do it right! Make a checklist with all of the things you need to do before hitting the “publish” button.
Tips to promote your newly created blog
1. Be active, especially within your niche
Your first couple of blog posts are the most important. As your blog starts to acquire a bit of reputation, you will begin to attract readers and shares. The more active you are within your niche, the greater this effect will be! Join forums, comment on other blogs in your niche.
By being active within your niche, you’re able to notice what topics are rising in popularity during that time. You can’t go wrong with writing about trending topics.
Even if you don’t have the biggest website, by taking an interest in what topics are rising, you’ll attract some to your pages and stick.
2. Start building your email list
One of the most important components of any successful blogging business is an email list. A strong mailing list doesn’t just give you a way to promote your product, it gives you a way to make money for years to come.
With the right tools, email lists can be incredibly profitable. Moreover, sooner or later, as you get more into blogging, you will start this whether you want to or not because you can’t resist the urge to create new content and publish it on your blog.
Learn more: How to reactivate your inactive email list.
3. Promote your content via other platforms
Driving users to your landing page without promoting it is useless. One of the ways to boost your readership is to promote your post on other platforms once you have published it on your content marketing tool.
Blogging is about more than just publishing content—your job doesn’t end when the post goes live. In fact, your real job begins. To promote your blog posts effectively, make sure you consider how each social platform can add value to your overall strategy.
4. Understand your audience
Before you create your blog, it is important to know who the target audience of the blog would be. Knowing this will help you in creating content that would interest them in reading and visiting your blog regularly. It also helps in developing a consistent writing style that is engaging to them.
5. Give it time
During your first blog years, you will need time to gain traction. Patience is key. The more quality content you post the more likely you are to get website page views and followers. The initial response may be minimal, but as you continue doing it frequently, you will build up a strong audience.
Learn more: How to promote your blog.
FAQs
Are blogs dead?
No, blogs aren’t dead. If you visit the right blog written by the right person, you’ll find yourself mesmerized by their ability to give you valuable information and entertainment. Blogs have also gone beyond simple text posts and now people are blogging about everything from sports to cooking to baking.
Blogging is now the most popular form of content marketing, as well as one of the most effective methods for increasing brand awareness, garnering engagement from an audience, and building a community around a topic or brand.
What should my first blog post be about?
There’s no right answer here. Having a great first blog post can make all the difference when you’re starting out. You’ll help set expectations for your audience, share your knowledge, and start to build a community around your blog.
If you are just starting out it is always a good idea to choose an interesting subject that is sure to grab the attention of your readers. Consider focusing on the topics that interest you most will help you be more enthusiastic about writing, which in turn, means better content for your readers.
Is blogging worth it and still relevant nowadays?
Blogging has several advantages. It is perhaps the easiest suitable business opportunity that even newbies like you can venture into. All you need is a blog, the right knowledge of what to do, and easy access to an Internet connection.
Committed bloggers can make as much as $300 to $1000 a month, even more depending on their experience and knowledge about how blogging works.
How do I find a profitable niche for my blog?
A profitable niche is one that has the potential to draw many site visitors on a regular basis. The first thing you need to do is decide what your favorite topic is. Is it fashion, crafts, home design? That will guide you into products or subjects where you can be involved.
What makes a successful blog?
Successful blogs are a mix of passion and professionalism. A successful blog is simply one that gets results. Before you begin, you should know exactly what you are trying to achieve by blogging. Are you using it as a means of achieving notoriety, or maybe as part of a larger strategy to sell some other product?
What are you waiting for? Start blogging!
Many are reluctant to start blogging because they don’t know how, and others are unsure whether they should blog at all. But the truth is that it is straightforward and hopefully you will start it.
How would you feel if you could make money from your hobby or passion? Blogging is now easier than ever and will be a major part of digital marketing in the near future.
With minimal technical knowledge but a lot of motivation and a little guidance, it is possible to start blogging! I’ve compiled 6 tips on what you need to get started. Good luck!