Start a Blog

No, for REAL

I’m officially blogging about blogging… the world has come full circle and my keyboard may short-circuit, but here I go! This is for all of you who tinker with the idea of starting a blog. Think to yourselves, 

“Well, why bother, who is going to read it?” 

“What am I actually great enough at anyways that I can write about?” 

“I don’t even know where to start!” 

Ah, hello, little Miss (or Mister); I’d say little It, but repressed memories of #stephenking #ITcome flooding into my mind and suddenly I’m down in that storm drain. 

YIKES. Back to reality! 

I want to share with you 10 significantly important things you NEED TO DO if you are SERIOUS about starting your own blog in 2020. 

Ready? Let’s get going then. 

So, here’s my secret. I love to blog. I hate the actual word, but I love to do it. Am I good at it? Probably not. Does that matter to me? Not likely. Do I have a following? Yes, ma’am. It’s all about the algorithm of social media (which we will dive into a little later). 

Blogging doesn’t need to take the countless house of preparation – however, there is a systematic approach that lessens the workload and eases the hours that do go into writing the perfect blog, such as: 

1. Keep your blog between 500-1000 words and write it in Word or another software before you write it in your blogging system (WordPress, Blogger, Wix, etc.) You always want a hardcopy in case an accidental back skip of a button occurs. Has this happened? Oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes. 

PRO TIP: Why 500-1000 words? Nobody wants to read a novel disguised as a blog. Most of the time we cut through the top 250 words and dive down the “How To” portion of whatever the title was that lured us in. I’m sure you’re doing that right now. 

• Canva. Quickly through together a cover graphic for Instagram and Facebook to advertise the new blog post that you have already posted on your website (be sure to do this first!) or else you will be leading your followers NOWHERE. 
• Affiliate links. Make some money while you’re at. There are plenty of companies out there looking for bloggers to help market their companies and which each click of your blog, you make a buck or two. The bigger the following, the bigger the proceeds. For a list of affiliates, click here. 

Is this all starting to sound like a lot? 

Good. Because it really is. However, it’s all WORTH IT. Blogging gives you the freedom to design your days and your earnings. Blogging is your opportunity to showcase your talent in several arenas and earn money for all of your hard work. 

Don’t get me wrong. You aren’t going to make millions like some may have you believe. I scroll through Facebook and Instagram and see these beautiful women advertising to take their Webinars for free to “Learn how to Make 6-7 Figures in only 6 Months while Blogging around the World.” Others, “Learn why you Aren’t Monetizing off your Following to 7-figure Growth.” I don’t about you, but if any of you have ever sat in those webinars, they aren’t exactly full of information. The first 30 minutes are introductions of the hosts and then slides of positive reinforcement. I walk away learning nothing but how to waste a morning and how to eat my weight in fluffy donuts. 

To the real stuff, my loves! 

What I want you to do. 

• Decide what you want to blog about. What is your niche? Is it tech? Is it beauty? Is it homesteading? There is no wrong answer. Simply, what is it that you want to focus on. 
• Decide on the perfect name for your blog. This is your brand. Your identity. It will be your identifier/logo. When you do, you will want to purchase your domain. I recommend GoDaddy but there are plenty of other options out there. Just be sure to do your homework. 
• Choose the right hosting for your needs. Not sure what hosting is right for you? I use Bluehost but before all else, I do recommend to Google Search and compare your various options. 
• Start your blog with the host you’ve decided.
• Design your blog. If you don’t feel this is your area of expertise, you can request help from a designer, like me! 
• Start writing your blog posts.
• Start designing collateral (graphics) for your blogs to put on social media to gain initial traffic to your site.
• Keep going!
• Start exploring affiliates relative to your niche market.
• Start making that money, honey! 

Disclaimer: This post does contain some affiliate links.