I’m laughing again at the people I’ve been meeting. You know the kind… the ones who tell me all the time, “I should start a blog.” I usually ignore them, because if you are thinking about starting a blog, that means that you aren’t actually STARTING the darn thing.
Stop talking about it and start doing it.
The thing is, if you have to ask someone how to start a blog, it probably means you shouldn’t be doing it. Why? Because part of being a blogger is being immersed in the internet, in social media, in Facebook and Twitter, in Pinterest and Instagram. Sure, there are still people who blog as a personal online journal, but anyone who is technical enough to blog should know how to use Google. And anyone who is technical enough to use Google shouldn’t have to ask someone how to start a blog. Google it! Seriously!
When people ask me how, I usually tell them not to bother. And they usually don’t.
Blogging is all consuming. Try it and you’ll see. You start thinking about how many people are reading your posts… and why you haven’t gotten any comments. You start wondering what people think and if you even have a smidge of writing talent. It’s normal. Even for those of us who have been blogging a long time.
So… don’t ask me how to start. Don’t ask me if you should start. Do it! And then come talk to me.
There is so much more to blogging than throwing up a post. Here is what you need to know.
1. Blog design. Yes, it does matter. You don’t have to pay someone to do it and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do it… there are plenty of free sites, but please, make it at least look pretty. You can be the best writer in the world, but when someone comes to your blog to read your words, they want to see “pretty”. Really.
2. Content. Ah yes, content is the dirty word of the blogging industry. We’re all so sick and tired of hearing how you need good content. Yes, of course you do… but you also need some quantity of content. If you want people to come back to your blog day after day, week after week, don’t post once a month. 2 - 3 times a week is a good place to start. Do NOT feel like you need to post something every single day. That is a sure fire way to get burned out.
3. Promotion. Have a personal journal? Great. No need to go any further. But, if you want to spread your message far and wide, you are going to need to figure out all this other social media stuff. There is a fine line between posting your links and growing a following, but that is a whole blog post in of itself. Want to learn how to promote your blog… that I’ll be happy to talk to you about.
4. Writing, Niches and Memes. Believe it or not, I’m okay with you not knowing exactly where your blog is going when you start writing. Sometimes we have to just start before the blog takes on a life of it’s own and leads you down one path or another. If you have an idea (a food blog, a fashion blog, a parenting blog) that’s great. More power to you. But… it’s also okay to have lifestyle blog, a personal blog, a write-whatever-the-hell-I-want blog. It’s also okay to change it up when you feel like it. The key point… this is YOUR blog.
5. Find a Mentor. Remember when people used to intern for companies? They would have someone they work under who would show them the ropes. It’s still a fabulous idea and something every industry should still practice today. When I first started blogging, it was still a very secretive society. Nobody wanted to share how they got big or how they made money. There were trade secrets most bloggers kept close to their vest. Thankfully, those days are fading away. Today, there are many more bloggers who are willing to share their secrets and help up-and-comers. Find someone you respect who has been blogging for more than a year, and ask them if they’ll help you out with some advice and some constructive criticism. If they say no, then they aren’t really the mentor for you anyway.
6. Find a Tribe. I’ve saved this for last because I honestly feel it is the single most important part of blogging. Blogging, by definition, is something you do alone. Therefore, it can be a lonely business, but it doesn’t have to be. There are oh so many support groups and networks out there where you can ask questions, make friends and have a community of like-minded people. It may take some trial-and-error before you find the right tribe for you, but it’s so worth it when you do. There are groups for your niche, for your location, for your age, and for your parenting style. Test the waters and settle down where you feel the most comfortable. And keep in mind that it’s okay to change your tribe when need be. Life changes quickly… be adaptable.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
some great advice!
I find it interesting that you did not include anything about making money from your blog. at least in-depth. Because that is the first thing people ask: how much money I make. Then, when I tell them, not a cent, they get this disgusted look on their face and say, “well, what’s wrong with it? when will you start making money?” Really? Everything has to be about making money? That is so not why I started blogging, and it never will be a part of it I suspect because the competition is fierce!
And yet, all the time I get: you should learn how to grow your brand.
Brand?! I’m a person.
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LOL I get asked all the time how much money I make from my blog. I find it fascinating that you would ask that of a blogger, but would never think to ask how much money an attorney makes… or a doctor… or an accountant. It’s like because you are a blogger, everything is out in the open. The funny thing is, none of the bloggers who have been around for a few years started blogging in order to make money. It was something that evolved over time. And the reason some of us make money is because we have been writing for a very long time and we’ve built up a following. It doesn’t happen overnight. Nothing worthwhile does.
One of the first things I tell people, is the great friends I’ve made blogging; that’s the biggest payoff I’ve received to date. It all stems from finding a tribe, and working at those connections.
I think many people look at this as an easy thing to do-not much work, just throw up some words and wait for the rewards to pour in. Much like anything worth having in life-you reap what you sow.
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