You read blogs all the time, and you think to yourself, “I wish I could do that and become a blogger too!” But there’s just one problem. You aren’t where to start and aren’t convinced that it’s even a lucrative business. If you were to create your own blog, you don’t want all your hard work to be in vain!
Before shutting the door to blogging, why don’t you check out these tips! At first glance, blogging can seem intimidating. You may think there’s no way you can compete with all the well-known bloggers out there.
But that’s not true. You have a lot of talent, and sometimes you need to go for it! If you’re itching to break into the business of blogging, no one is stopping you except for yourself. Here are five tips to get started today!
1. Pick a Name and Choose a Blogging Platform
First thing’s first, before setting up your blog, you need to select a name. If you aren’t sure what type of audience you’ll target, go with a broader name that you can change later.
For example, say your blog’s for your freelance business. Then the name of your blog could be something as simple as your first name followed by your profession. “Vanessa Brand Communications Specialist” is one example.
Don’t be this specific if you plan to branch out at any point, though. In that case, it’s best to stick with your name as opposed to having your profession in the URL. While nothing is set in stone, it’ll be easier if the URL you choose doesn’t have to change later on.
After picking a name, you’ll need a blog host and to sign up on a blogging platform. There are sites like Tumblr and Blogger, but WordPress offers more creative control. As for a blog host, Bluehost is one example.
Using Bluehost, you can go through the steps and sign into WordPress and from there, pick a theme. If your budget allows — design your theme or hire a designer! The choice is yours.
2. Find Your Voice
After you successfully set up your blog, it’s time to hit the ground running! Start writing your heart out. While you may put pressure on yourself to sound a certain way, that isn’t going to help you accomplish your goal.
Yes, there are a lot of incredible bloggers out there. But as cliche, as it sounds, the best way to get anywhere is by being yourself.
Even if your goal is to make money by selling your services, it’s best to find your voice first. Write a few blog posts without worrying about what others may think. As a skilled professional, your expertise will come across through your writing.
3. Create a Content Calendar
To effectively develop your content, you’ll need a content calendar. You have many options on the web, from using Excel to using a site like Loomly.
Here are a few ways to create a content calendar:
- WordPress calendar plugins
- Loomly
- Trello
- ContentCal
Putting together a content calendar will give you direction. It’ll also motivate you to follow through with your goals. Don’t overcommit yourself from the start, though. Come with a reasonable timeframe for completing articles, and you’ll be more likely to stay on track.
4. Infuse Creative Images
Another way to shine on your blog is by making sure you have the correct creative elements. In particular, photos say a lot about your blog. A few photo elements to integrate are a logo, featured blog images, and infographics.
Brand Logo
Having a logo helps your audience identify your brand, so it’s essential to have the right one. Find a designer who understands your needs and can create a logo that reflects your brand well.
Featured Blog Post Image
Featured blog images and infographics are two other vital elements for a blog. Select a high-quality image that’ll look nice when displayed on social media. Some bloggers put the title of the blog post on the featured image. It makes it easy for someone to see what the article is about when the featured image and link show up on a site.
Besides the featured image, the images within the body of the article should be unique and high-quality as well.
Infographics
When there’s time, experiment with infographics. They take time to create but can generate a lot of traffic. And they’re excellent for educational purposes.
5. Convert Blog Posts Into Emails
Beyond setting up your blog and engaging readers through articles, another idea is to create an RSS feed. An RSS feed is an online file that keeps details about the blog posts you write. It automatically syncs all the text from the posts.
With an RSS feed, you can easily convert your blog posts into email newsletter content. Send your articles out through a newsletter, and you’ll reach an audience beyond your blog. From there, you can gain new subscribers and use your newsletter to sell products, such as an eBook.
The options are limitless when you’re a blogger. Using a newsletter to convert your audience is just the tip of the iceberg!
Conclusion
Being a blogger sounds intimidating, but don’t let the word “blog” scare you. Blogging can and should be a lot of fun, especially when you’re writing about topics that mean a lot to you.
Even if you intend to make money blogging, don’t lose sight of what it’s all about. Teach and touch readers with your words, and you will have accomplished your goal!