How To: Start A Blog
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Last month I went home to Texas to visit some of my very best girlfriends in the whole world. While I was visiting, three different girlfriends told me that they had thought about starting a blog at some point. One girl is a millennial marketing student getting ready to conquer the world, one girl is a busy wife and mommy running her own business, one girl is a top notch nurse balancing work and family. I don't know about you, but I would love to read about even just one day in the life of any of those fascinating ladies.
Aside from my besties, I know there are those of you who have seen my posts every month and thought, "I could so do that." Well, you're right! You can start your very own blog right now and I will even show you how. It is my personal belief that everyone has a story to tell and that you should absolutely tell it!
Step 1 - Choose A Blog Name
Perhaps the most nerve wrecking step is choosing your blog name. When I first started my blog it was mostly a family journal called "Hayse Family Happenings" and then as I started to work more with brands I became "Mama Marketer." You should put some thought into your blog name, but also be patient and see what the universe sends to you. It's almost like naming a child, when you hear the right name you will know.While choosing a name you should also choose an overall topic for your blog. Some of the most popular blog topics are: personal, lifestyle, travel, fashion, or being a mommy. Note: choosing a blog topic does not mean that everything you write has to be on that one subject, but it is a good idea to narrow down your content some. It will also be helpful to pinpoint the overall goal of your blog. Ask yourself, why am I blogging? What am I offering to readers?
Step 2 - Choose Domain & Social Media Handles
I cannot stress how important it is to have your blog (or business) name match your domain and your social media handles if at all possible. Before you fully commit to a blog name, search to see if it's available as a website address or on social media - and be ready to adjust it if need be. As far as which social media platforms to be on I would say to at least utilize a Facebook business page and Instagram business profile for your blog. Note: you can convert your existing Instagram profile to a business profile.As far as your website address, you have a couple options. One option is to go ahead and purchase your domain through a service like Go Daddy. This is a good idea if you want to make sure no one else takes your address. However, if the idea of spending money early on is not something you are comfortable with then you can utilize a free Wordpress subdomain.
Step 3 - Choose A Blog Theme
Your theme is the look and feel of your website. The possibilities are literally infinite when it comes to choosing a blog theme. Blog themes can cost anywhere from free to hundreds of dollars. I highly suggest you start your blog with a free Wordpress theme. If you end up making money off your blog then you can pay for a custom theme and change it out later, but it's a good idea to keep your costs low in the beginning.This is also a good time to choose your blog logo. While not required, it is a good idea to have a logo for use on your website and social media. If you have the budget for it, feel free to enlist the help of a professional graphic designer. If not, I suggest playing around in a free design program like Canva.
Step 4 - Choose A Blog Schedule
The single most important part of blogging is consistency. Whether you are going to post daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly - choose a schedule and by all means necessary stick to it. I have chosen to blog monthly, I have a recurring calendar event on the 15th of every month, and my family knows that is what I am doing that day. I keep a running list of possible blog topics on my notes app and when I sit down to write I go with whatever idea is the most formed in my head. When writing your blog posts always be sure to include at least: three hundred words, one image, and one link.
In closing, please know that while there are other blog platforms out there I believe Wordpress to be the best. The steps in this post are specifically optimized for setting up a Wordpress blog. When you are ready to start click here or contact me if you have questions.
I can't wait to read your stories!
XO - Olivia