Photo Credit: 50 Shades of Black Stock
Everyone has something to say, and what you have to say is important. However, there isn’t always the right opportunity to get it all out. Whether it’s because you’re too busy or you’re not good at speaking in front of a crowd, a blog can be the answer. It’s an ideal form of expression for a modern world and people tend to be more receptive when they can listen in their own way. There’s nothing quite like sitting down with a cup of tea in your hand and reading a blog that changes the way you think. If you’re not computer savvy but you like the idea of a blog, here’s all you need to know.
There are many reasons for starting a blog. The first is just simply to share your thoughts. You may have an epiphany one day that you feel you need to share with others – you may just help someone tackle a life struggle. The second is that it’s possible to make money from blog writing. There are many people who write blogs full time and make an amazing wage from it. It takes time to build up that kind of readership but it’s not impossible. Thirdly, if your blog is popular enough, it could lead to publishing contracts. Publishers like to work with bloggers because it costs them less marketing. If you’re already known to your readers, it’s likely they’ll buy your book too. Lastly, it’s a perfect way to expose your business. If you’re a business owner, a blog can do wonders for it.
Just like a business, a blog must cater to a niche. If you’re writing because you own a business, the content will already have been decided for you, but if you’re writing for any other reason, take time to think it through. The subject has to be plentiful – you don’t want to run out of things to say. It’s also important that you’re passionate about the subject. Your passion will shine through the writing and get your readers excited about what you have to say. Your aim is to become your readers’ favorite blog.
Before you start writing, you have to find somewhere to write. There are free websites where you can start your blog and use the tools to design it however you like. You’ll often find tutorials that teach you how to use the tools in order to add pictures, colors, and text. It’s usually the easiest way of starting your blog but it can also be limited. You may want to look into hosting companies like Wizz Hosting. If you’re hoping to make money from your blog, you might want to invest in using blog creators that offer you more options.
Of course, you’ll have the option of writing directly on your blog if you use a free website but sites like WordPress can be so handy when you’re blogging regularly. You’ll have more control over a WordPress blog and although you do have to pay some fees, it’s much more flexible than using a website that’s free. If you’re serious about blogging well into the future, WordPress is the one to consider.
When it comes to naming your blog, you want something catchy. It must be something that’s relevant to your content, but something that makes people want to click and view. You can register your domain on sites like GoDaddy, where you pay a yearly or monthly fee to keep the domain. This means that no-one else can replicate your domain name. When choosing your name, don’t include any numbers or characters that will be hard to remember. Try to make it as easy as possible so people don’t have to search for you too hard – they may give up. As you go through the domain process, remember to click Domain Privacy Protection before you pay. This ensures that all of your personal details are kept private.
Once you’ve signed up to your platform and host, you’ll need to keep a note of your passwords and sign-in details. You’ll probably receive welcome e-mails from them, so check your account. However, these e-mails won’t include your details so you must remember them for the future. You’ll also want to make a note of your domain name, even though it won’t be live yet.
You may be tempted to type in your domain name and see where it leads you. It won’t lead you to your blog until you link it. However, you should bear in mind that as soon as you link it, people will be able to see your blog. Having said that, you may want to write a few blogs and design your blog to make it more attractive before your domain goes live. Take your time and perfect all the little things before you show your thoughts to the world. When you’re ready, change your name servers so your domain name points to your blog.
Remember that creating your own blog for the first time is a big learning curve and you’ll learn how to do most things as you go along. From changing to fonts to adding pictures and changing themes, it can all seem a bit overwhelming at first. You may even visit your domain name for the first time and decide you don’t like anything you’ve done. Getting it just right takes a lot of time but getting into the swing of things is part of the fun.
When you’re ready to increase traffic to your website, take a look at this article. Most importantly, say what needs to be said and remember who your audience is. It’s easy to drift off the beaten track when it comes to writing about something you’re excited about. Keep your readers in your mind at all times and you may be surprised by how successful your blog becomes.
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