Blogging: Getting Started
i have been blogging about blogging for awhile now and i realized i have not started at the beginning. i know a lot of you have already made it through the first parts of you blogging journey but i also know that there are quite a few of you who are wanting to start a blog but nervous about jumping in! if there is anything you can learn from my story, it is you should just do it and see where the Lord takes it! be encouraged! every blog has a journey of its own - some blogs start out with millions of followers or some blogs start with 5 friends back at home to comment occasionally... for years... before anyone discovered it (i am the latter!) if you love what you do, you will keep doing it no matter what. perseverance, dedication, and real passion makes a blog worth reading.
WHERE DO YOU START WHEN YOU WANT TO START A BLOG? start with a brainstorm session! take a Saturday afternoon to write down your blog thoughts. names, themes, ideas, and dream away. then just start! read other blogs, reach out to bloggers you admire, and try new things. blogging is an evolution - if you went back and looked at the first post from all your favorite bloggers i am sure you will notice a difference! it is something that you learn and grow in while you are in the midst of it! you cannot perfect your blog before you start so just dive in! here are somethings to check off as you start your blog:
1. PICK A NAME: picking a name is an exciting thing! before you slap the first thing that pops into your head all over the internet, here are some things you should do first:
- figure out what you want your blog purpose or mission statement to be. find a name that represents that and at the same time is timeless.
- Google said name and see if any other blogs are using it. if your blog takes off, you don’t want to not be able to own a custom domain name because www.abeautifulmess.com is already taken. also, you want your readers to easily find you - not search through a list of “Whatever is Lovelies” when they are looking for you. for me this was also huge because i really didn't want to have to worry about any copy right issues or things of that nature "Disney Girl" might have caused some issues if i was growing and making money. i say, be careful and unique. do something different to protect you form copy right but to also make you stand out!
- pick a name that is unique but simple and easier to remember. when you are blogging you are starting a brand. you may end up huge or your may have a smaller influence but either way, it is always important to treat yourself as a brand. value the work you do and take time to pick a name that can stay with you.
- be able to explain your name in a couple sentences to others. this does not mean your title has to be deep and thoughtful, i just think it is important to be able to articulate what your blog is and why it is named what you choose.
2. PICK A PLATFORM: i'll be honest, i do not know a ton about this! i know i use blogger and so do a lot of other people. i know also, that a lot of people use Wordpress. i say, look into both of them and see which one makes more sense to you! i started with blogger four years ago and it is easier for me to just keep with it. squarespace is also pretty awesome if you are willing to pay monthly for a whole package (you can also add a store to your blog really easily that way!).
3. MAKE IT LOOK PRETTY: i think it is so important that you make your blog look nice. people will be more interested in the work you do and the things you have to say if your blog is inviting and pretty. some of you know a thing or two about html and can create this on you own. others are super creative but still learning all this digital design stuff - you can google tutorials and teach yourself how to make the blog you want. others are like me and love blogging but never have opened photoshop and do not want to take the hours to teach myself how to do all these things so for those people i highly encourage you to look into working with a designer. i tried to design my blog for a while and it was way too overwhelming! i am a writer, not a designer! and that is totally okay! i think that when we all come together and do what we are good at, GREAT things can happen! there are tons of options out there for designs & designers. from really affordable pre made templates to custom designs & brand development one-on-one meetings! look at your budget and shop around for a design or designer you want to work with. do not be afraid to ask for quotes and tell people you are looking around. the one you love most might even offer you a discount to keep your business! also, new designers are always looking for a way to build their profile so they might give you a really good deal!
4. PICK WHAT YOU BLOG ABOUT: this is not a "make a list of the three things you will blog about and never stray from that list" kind of thing but you do need to have a general idea about what your blog does and represents. take a day and think about this. what do you like to do? what inspires you? why do you get up in the morning? what things can you not imagine your day/ life without? it is okay if you have a lot of things you want to talk about, they call those blogs “Lifestyle Blogs” and yes, i have a lifestyle blog! make sure that you blog about what you WANT to blog about not what you feel you NEED to blog about. and also be YOU! there are so many blogs out there but there is only one (or maybe more) written by you! that is what you have to offer! say you love healthy living and also sweets - then blog about how you live healthy and still enjoy eating delicious sweets. OR maybe you love to bike to work but also look cute - show us your outfits that travel well and look fab! you can combine your loves into your blog and that is so unique!
readers can connect more with you and your blog when they know what they are getting into. they like knowing that they can go to your blog for fashion advice, baking, and kids activities. i have several themes on the left of my blog (see all those boxes with all of those themes?) obviously i blog about a lot of things - some blogs have less themes and some have more but i find that it is very helpful to be able to organize each post. that way a reader who wants to see my whole 30 journey can just click that link and see all my posts on the matter. most things i blog about fall under one of those categories. make some categories of your own to keep your blog focused and organized.
5. NETWORK: this is so important for blogging. we are in a community and the way to grow is to reach out! comment on other blogs, find blogs that are similar to yours and follow them, and make friends! send out emails asking to work with people, swap buttons, guest post, or work with you on a blog project! when you reach out you may be rejected but you also make create a wonderful partnership!
i think these five things will really get you and your blog started! feel free to ask questions below and check out all the other blogs posts i have done on blog it: making the most of your online space. my encouragement to you is: be you, keep learning, comment on other blogs, and enjoy it! the only blogs worth reading are blogs that are written by people with passion and purpose!
WHERE DO YOU START WHEN YOU WANT TO START A BLOG? start with a brainstorm session! take a Saturday afternoon to write down your blog thoughts. names, themes, ideas, and dream away. then just start! read other blogs, reach out to bloggers you admire, and try new things. blogging is an evolution - if you went back and looked at the first post from all your favorite bloggers i am sure you will notice a difference! it is something that you learn and grow in while you are in the midst of it! you cannot perfect your blog before you start so just dive in! here are somethings to check off as you start your blog:
1. PICK A NAME: picking a name is an exciting thing! before you slap the first thing that pops into your head all over the internet, here are some things you should do first:
- figure out what you want your blog purpose or mission statement to be. find a name that represents that and at the same time is timeless.
- Google said name and see if any other blogs are using it. if your blog takes off, you don’t want to not be able to own a custom domain name because www.abeautifulmess.com is already taken. also, you want your readers to easily find you - not search through a list of “Whatever is Lovelies” when they are looking for you. for me this was also huge because i really didn't want to have to worry about any copy right issues or things of that nature "Disney Girl" might have caused some issues if i was growing and making money. i say, be careful and unique. do something different to protect you form copy right but to also make you stand out!
- pick a name that is unique but simple and easier to remember. when you are blogging you are starting a brand. you may end up huge or your may have a smaller influence but either way, it is always important to treat yourself as a brand. value the work you do and take time to pick a name that can stay with you.
- be able to explain your name in a couple sentences to others. this does not mean your title has to be deep and thoughtful, i just think it is important to be able to articulate what your blog is and why it is named what you choose.
2. PICK A PLATFORM: i'll be honest, i do not know a ton about this! i know i use blogger and so do a lot of other people. i know also, that a lot of people use Wordpress. i say, look into both of them and see which one makes more sense to you! i started with blogger four years ago and it is easier for me to just keep with it. squarespace is also pretty awesome if you are willing to pay monthly for a whole package (you can also add a store to your blog really easily that way!).
3. MAKE IT LOOK PRETTY: i think it is so important that you make your blog look nice. people will be more interested in the work you do and the things you have to say if your blog is inviting and pretty. some of you know a thing or two about html and can create this on you own. others are super creative but still learning all this digital design stuff - you can google tutorials and teach yourself how to make the blog you want. others are like me and love blogging but never have opened photoshop and do not want to take the hours to teach myself how to do all these things so for those people i highly encourage you to look into working with a designer. i tried to design my blog for a while and it was way too overwhelming! i am a writer, not a designer! and that is totally okay! i think that when we all come together and do what we are good at, GREAT things can happen! there are tons of options out there for designs & designers. from really affordable pre made templates to custom designs & brand development one-on-one meetings! look at your budget and shop around for a design or designer you want to work with. do not be afraid to ask for quotes and tell people you are looking around. the one you love most might even offer you a discount to keep your business! also, new designers are always looking for a way to build their profile so they might give you a really good deal!
4. PICK WHAT YOU BLOG ABOUT: this is not a "make a list of the three things you will blog about and never stray from that list" kind of thing but you do need to have a general idea about what your blog does and represents. take a day and think about this. what do you like to do? what inspires you? why do you get up in the morning? what things can you not imagine your day/ life without? it is okay if you have a lot of things you want to talk about, they call those blogs “Lifestyle Blogs” and yes, i have a lifestyle blog! make sure that you blog about what you WANT to blog about not what you feel you NEED to blog about. and also be YOU! there are so many blogs out there but there is only one (or maybe more) written by you! that is what you have to offer! say you love healthy living and also sweets - then blog about how you live healthy and still enjoy eating delicious sweets. OR maybe you love to bike to work but also look cute - show us your outfits that travel well and look fab! you can combine your loves into your blog and that is so unique!
readers can connect more with you and your blog when they know what they are getting into. they like knowing that they can go to your blog for fashion advice, baking, and kids activities. i have several themes on the left of my blog (see all those boxes with all of those themes?) obviously i blog about a lot of things - some blogs have less themes and some have more but i find that it is very helpful to be able to organize each post. that way a reader who wants to see my whole 30 journey can just click that link and see all my posts on the matter. most things i blog about fall under one of those categories. make some categories of your own to keep your blog focused and organized.
5. NETWORK: this is so important for blogging. we are in a community and the way to grow is to reach out! comment on other blogs, find blogs that are similar to yours and follow them, and make friends! send out emails asking to work with people, swap buttons, guest post, or work with you on a blog project! when you reach out you may be rejected but you also make create a wonderful partnership!
i think these five things will really get you and your blog started! feel free to ask questions below and check out all the other blogs posts i have done on blog it: making the most of your online space. my encouragement to you is: be you, keep learning, comment on other blogs, and enjoy it! the only blogs worth reading are blogs that are written by people with passion and purpose!
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