I started blogging about 5 years ago, but I started to really get into it about 3 months ago. It has been a journey so far and I am excited to be a part of this AMAZING blogger community. A friend of mine is looking into starting a blog for her brother and she asked me to write her a list of steps to start a blog.
Blogging has become the best hobby I have and I love to put my thoughts to “paper” while sharing my life experiences with others.
I figured there are many other inspiring bloggers out there that would really benefit from a “10 Steps to Blogging” list, so I decided to share my list with you all!
This is The Nueva Latina’s 10 Steps to Starting Your Blog!
1) Find a Free Blog Host
There are many hosts out there that are very popular. I started with Blogger and then transferred over to WordPress.com after seeing how much more clean the website templates were on there. Also, the WordPress website design process is super easy to understand.
2) Set Up Your Website
This is my WordPress.com website that I had setup prior to my move to self-hosting with Bluehost. With the free site, I was able to have links to all my social media and I was able to add my Instagram pictures to the side bar as well as my Spotify playlist.
3) Buy a Domain and Come Up With a Blog Name
WordPress.com sells domains for as low as $18.00 per year. It all depends on which domain extension you choose, if you want to add email, and if you want to add Privacy Protection for your domain (which keeps your personal info hidden when the domain is searched for on a public database). Try to come up with a Blog Name and Domain that really tells your audience what your blog is about. Try and make it catchy and also make sure that it will be something people remember. (Try searching for similar blogs by “Googling” key words that are similar to your own blog content, to get ideas from other blogs/blog names.)
4) Connect Your New Domain to Your Site
WordPress.com will help you with connecting your domain to your free WordPress.com site.
5) Social Media
Start a Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Page, etc. with the same name as your blog. Consistency is a MUST. Try to keep all your usernames the same for all social media sites. USE HASHTAGS! Start off by testing out different hashtags in the search feature of each social media site to see how many posts/people actually use the hashtag you are searching. Use popular, but not-as-popular hashtags. You want the hashtag to help you get noticed, but also not get lost in the clutter of other posts with the same hashtag.
6) NETWORKING
It’s a paaaaaain sometimes to network, but luckily most bloggers network in the comfort of their own home/office using the internet. Try to Google “_______blog” or “______ blogger” or “_____bloggers”. Fill in the blanks with your planned blog purpose, subject, and name. Also search for locations, as in “Austin Bloggers”. You will start seeing there are similar bloggers out there. Follow them on social media, comment on their posts, share their social media posts. This is how you network in the blogger world! You will start to see that similar bloggers start to “like” the same posts and comment on the same posts. Find out which “networks” these bloggers are a part of. You will be surprised as to how many blogger networks there is out there! I am a part of The Blog Love Project and Blog Passion Project which both have the purpose to “share the love” and get bloggers to connect while also interact on each other’s blogs and social media pages.
7) Write Your First Blog Post
Your first post should be an introduction to who you are, what you do, where you come from, etc. Also write about what you hope to bring to the world with your blog and what your blog is going to be about. (Be sure to amplify this post using social media and your blogging networks.)
8) SEOs
Search Engine Optimizers make the internet world go round. Google how to change your post URL on WordPress.com to show the full title of your post in the URL to optimize it in search engines. Also, look into different SEOs and really do research on how you can get more exposure through search engine searches.
9) Set a Schedule and Goals
You don’t have to write every day! The thing about blogging is that you really have to FEEL a post you are writing for it to come out good! Set a goal to write at least once a day, once a week, or once a month. Whatever schedule and goal YOU set is the best for YOU. If you aren’t happy with how often you are posting, then you can change it. The great thing is that is really is up you.
10) HAVE FUN!
It takes TIME to get your blog started and to start getting a following, but I promise that in the end it is worth it. Just always remember to have fun while doing it. If it starts becoming a chore, then take a break and clear your head. The whole point of blogging should be to have fun and be happy to have your own voice out on the “world wide web”.
For you experienced bloggers, what would you add to the list?
The Bloggin’ Mamacita tells us, “I just want to add that you can buy a domain from Google for only $12 a year. Just another option when purchasing your domain name.” There are many options out there on purchasing your domain! Just find the one that is right for you. =)
Karla at Traveller Soul tells us, “The only thing I could suggest is to not get discouraged or want to give up. At the beginning you think you’re writing to yourself but if you have 1 or 1000 readers, write the very best and as in the “Field of Dreams” movie, build it and they will come. The right people will come and find you and support you. I know it first hand. Little by little, with consistency, effort, perseverance and enthusiasm, things will work out! Whatever happens, keep going and also don’t be afraid to network! That’s what being social is all about.” I agree with this on so many levels! There are times that I feel like just giving up or completely starting my blog over, but I have to keep going and just write about what makes you passionate!
Newbies, did all of you go through the same process? Is there something I missed?
Aspiring Bloggers, are there any questions you have? If you want to contact me directly you can email me here. =)
Happy Blogging!
Stay in love,
Anali – The Nueva Latina
