You’ve got something to say and you want to share it with the world. Regardless of what your niche is, blogging allows you to share your voice.
However, it’s not as simple as typing away and publishing a post. To make the most impact and attract your target audience there’s some work that goes on behind the scenes.
Let’s look into 5 tips that every writer should know before they start a blog.
1. Choose Your Niche
Before you start coming up with content for your blog, you need to know what your focus will be. This is essential in reaching your target audience.
For example, are you interested in talking about fitness? Or perhaps you’d like to share your home design tips. Whatever your niche is, identify it, and use that as the basis for all of your blog’s content.
In doing so, you’ll give readers a clear indication of the content to expect and will reach those who are more likely to engage. It will also help guide you in creating your content marketing strategy (more on that later).
2. Choose a Name For Your Blog
Once you have your niche figured out, it’s time to come up with a name. Think carefully, once you select a name and started creating a brand for yourself, it will be harder to change later.
Don’t overthink the name or try to get too clever. Sometimes simple is best. Keep it easy to read and spell and check to ensure no one else is using that name.
3. Select a Blogging Platform
When it comes to blogging domains, WordPress is one of the most popular. There is also a lot of information out there on how to use it since it is such a popular choice. If you have questions about setting up your site, you’ll have ample resources at your disposal.
Other options include Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace.
4. Create a Blogging Schedule and Plan
Even if you think you have a lot to say about a topic, having a strategy will help you see how much content you have to work with. It will also help you come up with additional topic ideas, and perhaps a series of posts.
Tools like Trello make setting up an editorial calendar simple. You can lay out your plan by weeks, months, and more. Having a schedule will also help you keep your content consistent. This is key to keeping your audience interested and coming back for more.
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5. Enable Comments to Get Engagement
When you start posting on your blog keep your comments section on so readers can post their thoughts. You can also include a CTA at the end of your blog post asking for comments. This helps drive engagement.
When you start receiving comments, don’t forget to engage back. A simple acknowledgment goes a long way in showing that you’re a real person and that you care about your readers.
Start a Blog Today with These Tips
Now that you know the proper steps needed to start a blog, you’ll be on your way toward successful blogging in no time. Start with your niche in mind, find your name and platform, stay organized by maintaining (and sticking to!) a schedule, and engage with all comments.
Doing so will help you reach your target audience and will help prevent you from burning out.
Need some help getting your content off the ground? Get in touch today and let’s talk about your content needs.
