Blog Writing
It seems like everyone and their brother
has started a blog in the last year or so. And, what with Google and social
media sites pushing content providers higher up in search results, blogging
isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get
started with your own successful blog. In fact, you might even feel overwhelmed
by the prospect of starting your own blog, with no real plan on where to begin
or how to make money from it. That’s where this step-by-step guide comes in!
Introduce yourself
You don’t need a business degree or any
previous writing experience. Simply write about what you love, and before long,
people will read it and subscribe. If you’re not sure where to start, check out
some other blogs in your niche. What do they talk about? How do they share
their ideas? Keep an eye on traffic—if there are certain topics that seem to
engage readers, focus on those ideas. From there, develop your own voice by learning
more about your industry and sharing new perspectives on trending topics.
Choose a blog topic
Choosing what you’re going to write about
can be one of the hardest steps in starting a new project. If you’re serious
about blogging, spend some time (and maybe even money) deciding on exactly what
your niche is going to be. Don’t just think it, say it out loud—this will
really help clarify things for you. If people ask what are you writing about? And
your answer isn’t immediately clear, that’s okay: consider narrowing down
topics until they do become clear. You can always expand later when things
become more clear and established.
Choose a niche that suits you for
blog
If you’re just getting started, it can be
hard to know what type of blog is right for you. Do you want your entire
readership to be local? Do you need keywords and SEO search engine optimization
on your site? Will you write only sporadically, or do you have time for an
ongoing commitment? To help figure out which direction is best for your
blogging career, start by asking yourself two questions: What do I want my
online presence (and daily life) to look like? And, how much time and energy am
I willing to put into blogging? Once you have that figured out—and in
writing—then decide on what type of blogging platform will best fit your needs.
Consider using affiliate programs
If you have some influence in your niche
and you’re looking for ways to make money, an affiliate program can be a great
way to monetize your site. For example, if you have lots of travel readers who
enjoy using Skyscanner for their searches, it might be worth adding them as an
affiliate. You’ll earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase
through your referral link and if they go on to book flights with one of
Skyscanner’s partners. It’s worth looking into!
Build an email list
Before you do anything else, you should
create an email list. If you have something of value to offer readers and
subscribers, they will likely want to hear from you again. Create a sign-up
form on your website or use one of our favorite tools: AWeber and MailChimp.
(Either is free for up to 2,000 subscribers.) The more people who subscribe,
the easier it will be for you to find new readers. They will also become your
most loyal fans because they chose not only to read your work but also tell
their friends about it.
Attract relevant followers
Having relevant followers is just as
important as earning money from your niche. It doesn’t matter how much you make
if you have no one to spend it on! As your following grows, so does your
ability to monetize and scale up your earning potential. The best way to
attract relevant followers is through providing high-quality content that fits
into specific interests and their lifestyles. Ideally, when someone reads one
of your articles, they should be able to connect with you personally – feeling
like they know you and trust you more so than any other blogger in that field.
The goal is for them to follow you because they are interested in who YOU are,
not necessarily what you write about.
Become a guest blogger
Are you looking for ways to earn money
online? One great way is through blogging, as many bloggers get paid big bucks
for writing on their blogs. Another benefit of being a blogger is that you don’t
have any limitations on what or how often you can write – which means you can
take your time and really hone your craft and start making more money right
away! However, it’s important to know what type of content will make people
want to keep coming back again and again – in order to do that, read our guide
on successful blogging.
Start blogging now!
If you’re just getting started, it’s
important to know that you don’t need special software or expensive equipment.
In fact, all you really need is a domain name and web hosting. A host can cost
as little as $3.50 per month and some WordPress themes are free or cost less
than $50 to purchase. It may seem daunting at first but over time, your site
will bring in enough money for those extra expenses (like coffee). Plus, there
are so many how-to guides out there that cover every step of blogging—from
registering your domain name and installing WordPress, to finding content
strategies that make money —that even beginners can do it! Ready? Let’s get
started!
