How to Start Blogging?

Intro on how to start blogging

In this day and age, online content is everywhere, and it seems that the possibilities for creators are endless. And one of the options that you have to start your journey in the online world will always be blogging.

There are many reasons for this, for example, blogs are as old as the internet and very flexible. Other reasons are that they let you get in touch with your audience better, or that they are very digestible.

If you want to start a blog, there are many things that you should know. In today’s article, we will talk about a few of them. From more technical aspects to content-related ones, some best practices, and more.

Let’s begin.

Find Your Niche

To start blogging, first, you got to decide what are you going to write about. For starters, most say that the topic should not be too broad nor too specific. The idea is to find the balance for your focus area (your niche).

To find it, first, make a list of your interests and think of anything you would like to read/write about (any wild ideas work).

Then check how much attention that topic has online by, for example, using Google Trends. Also, google the topic to see if there are ads below the search bar, which indicates it is profitable. Once you see that there is a solid and stable audience and that it is profitable you are halfway there.

The next step is to confirm that you have selected a good niche by looking at the competition. Remember, you have to select something that has space for newcomers like you, so getting more specific could help. You could use any keyword planner/ analyzer program/site to compare the traffic of your ideas and those from the competition.

Once you finish, you are almost there with research and trust me, the most cumbersome part is over.

Choose the Right Blogging Platform

There is not a single way to decide the platform that you’ll use, it will depend mostly on you. What we can tell you is what you should consider.

Ideally, you look for a platform that is accessible, flexible, works well as you expand, and can get you paid (if desired). And of course, the usual consideration of the price you’ll pay.

Several names immediately appear if you search for platforms. Most of the same names will repeat in most lists, and frankly, they are all alright.

We could not tell you which one is THE BEST, preferences vary. Maybe, you are a minimalist and like Blogger more than WordPress. Or perhaps you are keen on using Tumblr for its social media appeal. Or maybe what matters most to you is customization, profits, or visuals.

As you can see, there are many subjective factors in this equation, and that is totally fine.

Our advice is not to obsess too much about finding the holy grail of sites, as I said, most platforms in the top 10 aregood. Visit their sites, check blogs in them, use free trials, check features, and reach your conclusion.

Choose A Good Name and Register the Domain

When it comes to names, it gets more abstract and subjective. While there are things that you should think of like content, target audience, tone, domain format, etc.

There is plenty of room for preferences as well.

Some stick to one formula: the topic + what you provide. For example, “Portrait Expert” (analysis), “Fitness Academy” (teaching, info sharing). Others mix words or letters so that what is catchier gets chosen. Others chose random words, use other languages, use aliases, among others.

Something that you should know is that there are websites that create names for you. We are talking good random names, like cars’ models.

Bare all this in mind, spent some time choosing a name, do not obsess too much either, write that name in the domain, and the registration is done.

Write Good Quality Content That Will Be Read and Shared

As for the content, you have to always look for excellent quality and great engagement.

Writing content is different from choosing your niche in one main way. Think of this, you could have the best niche in your hands but if what is inside your site does not take advantage of it, you are in deep trouble.

Let’s first talk about quality content. It can sound a bit strict or abstract, so to see what counts as it, it is better to look at what doesn’t. You 100% don’t want to write generically, meaning as if a machine did it for you.

Second, you got to avoid inconsistencies in tone and all kinds of written mistakes.

Third, do not write without asking yourself: “What is the value-added in this piece”, meaning “what is my audience going to take from it?”.

The last point is crucial. Think of your site as a mutually beneficial relationship between your audience and you.

As for popular and engaging content, it is rather easy because it is connected with two things. The niche selection and the previous paragraph. Since there are many different tones, my only recommendation is to always add character to your pieces. Regardless of your topic, it could even be news, somehow make sure to let your audience know you wrote it.

If all these things are taking into account, your site will exceed in quality and popularity in little time.

Create Good Headlines

Headlines are said to have 50% of all the importance on your site. So, you got to take them seriously.

There is plenty to consider:

• People’s attention span is small, and competition is high
  
• Target audience
  
• Be very specific on what’s in it.
  
• Signal value/usefulness of the piece
  
• Some data suggest it is better to address the reader directly, write a number, use how-to x, or make questions.
  
• Many recommend using power words and a truly unique title (the only one on the web)
  
• Add a sense of urgency (or missing out)
  

Whatever you do, not be vague, misleading, or forget to mention the purpose of the piece in it.

One example could be:

“6 Useful Cooking Tricks Will Make Your Dishes Stand Out In No Time”

Care About SEO

SEO stands for search engine optimization. It means that the better-quality SEO you got, the better connection with people searching there is. There are many tactics and best practices to follow. Keywords, relevancy, and intent are all vital.

Some tips are to use long keywords and position them well, put them in the title, pay attention to the URL, etc.

Others talk of using Google Search Console to check clicks and use the meta description section. Some mention consistent posting, topic organizing models, and old content updating. Internal linking, image alt text, mobile-friendly sites, and others are also recommended.

As you can tell, the extent of SEO is huge and impossible to cover in a small section, but this illustrates its importance. Regardless of your topic, tone, or anything, you ought to take SEO seriously.

Promote Your Articles Through Content Distribution

Content distribution is all about spreading your articles around the web by taking many routes.

You could use those spaces that you owe to distribute and advertise them. Think of your sites, email newsletters, and all social media sites. Here aspects of SEO and proper indexing also matter.

There are those earned paths or distributions made by others without you paying them. For example, retweets, guest contributions, shoutouts, reviews, competitions, etc.

Lastly, there are those paid methods, often on a cost-per-click basis. In this category, some networks exist and try to put your content in front of the most profitable audience.

As one could imagine, there are many strategies or guidelines for content distribution. For example, some suggest that thinking of the distribution must happen before even writing. Most claim otherwise.

Every single aspect mentioned here could have an article on its own, which tells you one thing above all. Content distribution is, like the rest of the sections of this article, large and crucial.

We have arrived at the end of this article, as you saw, there are many things to consider. But do not worry, we have laid out a good blueprint with several reference points that will help you out.

If you miss some skills to become successful blogger, and would like to learn, take a look at 9 best online learning platforms

Thank you so much for reading, we wish you the best of lucks.

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