How to Start a Blog Well

Blogging is a fun, enjoyable way to share your thoughts and even make a decent income. Today, people are blogging on a variety of subjects, from career advice for corporate hopefuls to niche discourses among dedicated hobbyists. Whether you’re a first-time writer or a seasoned journalist, you can write about any topic that interests you. Starting a blog can seem intimidating, but with a little set-up and some good content, you will soon be ready to begin!

First, choose a concept. Perhaps you enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, or maybe you are an avid hiker that loves to write about nature. As long as you are passionate about a subject, you can turn it into great content! Also consider how broad or specific your concept will be. If your concept is too general, you may have difficulty finding a dedicated audience and standing out from the competition. If it’s too specific, you may quickly run out of material to write about.

Decide on a focus. Why are you writing, and what will readers gain from it? With so many options available on the web, readers need to have a good reason to keep coming back to your site. Your focus should also reflect who you are and your motivation as an author. For example, a political commentary written by an active-duty soldier varies greatly from one written by a former White House journalist. A website about fashion that provides style tips and tricks on a budget is much different than one focused on the hottest runway looks and celebrity trends. Developing a clear focus is vital for success. Take time to carefully reflect on your personal motivation, target audience, and overall goals.

Once you have a concept and focus, brainstorm catchy names. Try to convey your concept and focus in a memorable way. As you consider possibilities, browse other blogs online to see if your names are already taken. Keep an eye out for popular websites with similar names; you want to avoid confusing potential readers. Take note of elements that appeal to you and the size of your competition. If there are already many sites with similar concepts or topics, consider what you can do to make yours stand out from the rest.

Next, choose a blogging platform. WordPress, Blogger, and Tumblr are some popular options. If you like to write on-the-go, consider a platform that you can log onto through an app. For beginners and professionals alike, many people prefer WordPress for its user-friendly interface and great plug-ins and themes. It’s easy to install and also offers an app for smartphones or tablets. Depending on your platform, you can either use a free service which will provide a domain and host for you, or you can self-host and pay for domain space and hosting service yourself. Self-hosting provides greater freedom and the chance to have a more memorable domain name and URL; many free sites offer sub-domains that can be awkward and hard to remember. However, if you host on your own, be prepared to pay domain rental fees and monthly costs for hosting services.

After choosing your platform, pick a theme. Try to match the aesthetics of the design with your content. For example, if you plan on discussing serious and professional topics, avoid whimsical or overly colorful designs Discover More. Many themes can be personalized with color choices and art to better suit your aesthetic. Avoid designs that might distract from the actual articles themselves. Some themes are free, while others may be purchased for a one-time fee.

Install plug-ins to expand the capabilities of your website and add additional features. A huge variety of plug-ins are available, such as SEO (search engine optimization) tools or analytical tools that log the page views and traffic on your site. Other plug-ins include links to social networking websites, such as Facebook or Twitter. Some are geared towards helping you generate material for your articles. For example, PhotoDropper, a WordPress plug-in, helps users find creative commons-licensed pictures and art on Flickr.

As you start writing and putting up your first posts, promote yourself. Integrate keywords to make your website easy to find on search engines. Post links and information on all of your social networking platforms to inform friends, family, and co-workers, and put a link in your e-mail signature. Most importantly, interact with other bloggers. Comment on their articles and share links to their posts, and they will likely return the favor.

By following these easy steps, you can quickly become an active blogger and generate a following on the web! Create new posts regularly and always proofread your work for errors and typos. Though it may take time for readers to find you, keep posting and continue to advertise as much as possible. As you continue to create quality material and increase your presence online, your new blog will become even more successful.

Summary

Starting a blog is easy with the right steps. First choose a concept, identify your focus, and create a catchy name. Browse other blogs to ensure your title is unique and check out the competition. Next, choose a blogging platform and install plug-ins. Finally, promote your site through social networking and interact with other bloggers.