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!
One Comment