Are you eager to start a blog? Maybe you’ve envisioned earning a substantial income from blogging or creating a career that opens unexpected doors. Before you dive headfirst into the world of blogging, there are essential steps you need to take to set yourself up for success. Here are nine crucial things to do before you begin to ensure your blog gets the best start possible.
1. Decide What You Want to Blog About
Choosing your blog’s topic is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, as it can determine your long-term success. If your blog becomes popular, you could be writing about this subject for many years to come, so it’s crucial to choose a topic that you’re genuinely interested in. Aim for a topic that checks off these three key boxes:
Something You’re Passionate About
Pick a subject you love. Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time or what you always find yourself talking about. This could be hobbies like cooking, traveling, running, photography, or even a particular lifestyle, such as minimalism or eco-friendly living. When you choose a topic you’re passionate about, creating content becomes easier and more enjoyable because you’re genuinely invested in the subject matter.
Something You Have Expertise In
Your blog should offer value by sharing your skills and knowledge. Consider what areas you’re knowledgeable in or what people often seek your advice on. Are you an expert in financial planning, parenting, nutrition, or a unique hobby? Do you have a professional background that provides insights others may find useful? Blogging about something you know well helps establish you as an authority in your niche, making your content more credible and valuable.
Something People Want to Learn About
To be successful, your blog should solve a problem or meet a demand. Think about the common challenges people face and how your content can offer solutions. Popular topics often include health and fitness tips, personal finance advice, career guidance, lifestyle hacks, and more. If your blog provides answers to pressing questions or helps people improve their lives, you’ll find it easier to attract a dedicated audience.
Having a solid idea of what your blog will cover before you start is essential. It helps you focus your content and ensures that you don’t waste time writing about random topics that won’t attract your target audience.
2. Research Blogs in That Niche
Once you’ve identified your blog’s topic, it’s time to dive deep into researching other blogs in the same field. This step is crucial for understanding the landscape, especially if you’re new to blogging or haven’t read many blogs in your niche. Here’s what to focus on when researching:
- Blog Style and Content: Look at how established bloggers write their posts. Is their tone formal or conversational? Do they use a lot of visuals, or are the posts more text-heavy? How are their posts structured with headings, bullet points, or other formatting elements? Understanding the common styles can help you craft content that resonates with your audience while ensuring it’s different enough to stand out.
- Identify What You Like and Dislike: As you browse through blogs, note down the features you admire—such as layout, tone, content topics, or even the type of images used. Also, take note of things you don’t like or find confusing. This will help you shape your own blog’s style by emulating what works and avoiding common pitfalls.
- Spot Content Gaps: Look for topics that aren’t being thoroughly covered or areas where you can offer a unique perspective. For instance, if you plan to start a food blog, you might notice there’s a gap in budget-friendly gourmet recipes or plant-based meal prep for busy professionals. Filling these gaps gives your blog a better chance to stand out in a crowded niche.
- Inspiration for Blog Post Ideas: Jot down interesting post titles or concepts that resonate with you. This will not only help you brainstorm your initial content but also give you insights into what topics perform well in your niche.
Try to explore a variety of blogs in your niche, aiming for at least 6-10. The goal is to gather enough insights to help you determine if the niche is right for you and to better understand the competitive landscape.
Word of Caution: It’s easy to get discouraged if you find many successful blogs in your niche. Remember, every successful blog started somewhere, and your blog will have its unique touch. Use this research to motivate you and shape your own approach.
3. Think About How You Will Structure Your Blog
Before you start writing, plan the structure of your blog. This involves deciding how to categorize your content, making it easier for readers to find what they’re interested in, and helping search engines understand your content. A clear structure provides direction for your blog and prevents it from becoming a chaotic mix of topics.
For example, if your blog will focus on lifestyle, you might break it down into categories like Travel, Parenting, Home Decor, and Food. If you’re starting a fitness blog, you might categorize content into Workout Routines, Nutrition Tips, Gear Reviews, Motivational Stories, and Fitness Challenges.
Organizing your content into categories helps maintain a balance, so your blog doesn’t feel too focused on one area while neglecting others. A well-structured blog also boosts SEO, making it easier for search engines to understand and rank your content.
4. Brainstorm Blog Post Ideas
Coming up with a list of blog post ideas before you start can prevent writer’s block and ensure you have enough material to cover your chosen niche. Here’s how to effectively brainstorm:
- Write Down Your Categories: Start by listing your blog’s main categories. Then, under each category, brainstorm specific post ideas. Don’t worry about crafting perfect titles; the aim is to generate as many ideas as possible.
- Set a Goal: Try to come up with at least 10 ideas for each category. For a blog with 5 categories, this will give you at least 50 post ideas, providing enough content to fill your blog for several months or even a year.
- Draw Inspiration from Competitors: Look at popular posts in your niche for inspiration, but always add your unique spin to the topics. What’s your opinion on the subject, or can you approach it from a different angle?
Brainstorming ideas will help you see if there’s enough to write about in your chosen niche and whether you’ll enjoy it long-term.
5. Think About How Your Blog Will Make Money
If you plan on monetizing your blog, think about the potential ways you can earn income before you start. This will guide your content strategy and ensure you’re setting yourself up for financial success. Here are the primary ways to monetize a blog:
- Ads: Display advertisements can be a passive way to make money, but they require a high volume of traffic to generate significant income. They might also be distracting to readers, especially if you plan to sell your products or services.
- Affiliate Marketing: Earn commissions by recommending products to your audience. This works well for blogs that review products, share how-to guides, or focus on specific niches like tech gadgets, fashion, or travel gear.
- Sponsored Content: Work with brands for paid collaborations, such as writing a product review, creating a tutorial, or featuring a giveaway. Brands typically prefer to work with established bloggers who have a sizable audience, but if you offer a unique perspective, you can attract sponsors sooner.
- Sell Products: Create and sell digital products like eBooks, online courses, or physical items related to your niche. This method can be highly lucrative but requires quality content and marketing efforts.
- Offer Services: If you’re an expert in a particular field, consider offering consulting, coaching, or freelance services. Your blog can act as a portfolio to attract clients.
Understanding your potential revenue streams ahead of time will help you create a blog that aligns with your financial goals.
6. Decide if Your Blog Will Be Hosted or Self-Hosted
There are two main types of blogs: hosted and self-hosted. Understanding the difference is crucial for choosing the best option for your needs:
- Hosted Blogs: These are platforms like WordPress.com, Wix, or Squarespace, where the service manages the technical side for you. It’s a bit like renting an apartment where you can make some changes but don’t own the property. Hosted blogs are easier for beginners but have limitations, such as fewer customization options and potential restrictions on monetization.
- Self-Hosted Blogs: With self-hosting, you use a platform like WordPress.org and have full control over your blog. It’s like owning a house—you can customize it as much as you want, but you’re responsible for maintenance. While this option requires a bit more technical know-how, it’s generally considered the best long-term choice for serious bloggers who want to earn money.
Most professional bloggers recommend starting with a self-hosted blog if you’re serious about long-term success. You’ll have more freedom and control over your website.
7. Decide on Hosting
If you go the self-hosted route, you’ll need a hosting provider. Think of it like this: your blog’s domain name is like a car, and the hosting provider is the garage where you park it. The hosting provider stores your blog’s files and makes them accessible online.
Popular hosting companies include Bluehost, SiteGround, and BigScoots. Choose one that offers reliable service, good customer support, and minimal downtime. This will ensure your blog runs smoothly and is accessible to visitors.
You’ll also need to install WordPress.org, which acts as the engine powering your site. Don’t be intimidated by this step—it’s usually straightforward and takes about 30 minutes.
For new bloggers, SiteGround is highly recommended due to its excellent customer support, minimal downtime, and reliable
security features.
8. Decide on a Domain Name
Your domain name is your blog’s address on the web. It’s what people will type into their browser to find your blog, so choose wisely. Here are some tips for picking the perfect domain:
- Your Name: This works well for personal brands or if you offer services. However, it may not be the best option if your name is common or hard to spell.
- Descriptive Name: Choose a name that clearly describes what your blog is about, like easypeasyfoodie.com for a food blog. This type of name helps with SEO and makes your blog’s purpose immediately obvious.
- Combination of Personal and Descriptive: This approach blends your name with the blog’s purpose, such as SallysFitnessTips.com. It personalizes the blog while conveying what it’s about.
- Creative Names: These don’t directly describe the blog’s purpose but are memorable and relevant to the content, such as LavenderAndLovage.com for a lifestyle blog.
Aim for a .com domain, as it’s the most recognizable and trusted extension. Make sure your domain is easy to say, spell, and doesn’t unintentionally form inappropriate words.
9. Check Social Media Availability
Before finalizing your domain, check if your desired blog name is available across major social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Securing the same name for your social media accounts will help maintain brand consistency and make it easier for followers to find you.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re all set to start your blog!
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