Are you seriously want to make your own personal blog or want to become a professional blogger?
To become a successful blogger not only requires good writing skills and good habits but also lots of dedication, perseverance, continuous learning, and maybe some talent that will make you different from other bloggers.
If you have no good blog writing skills then it will not be easy to maintain the blog but don’t loose your hope. It won’t be impossible if you have that much interest in blogging.
The objective of these articles will be to provide you with Key insights on how to improve your blogging abilities and style or how to begin your career as a successful blogger.
The term Blog or Blogging Comes from the Union of the terms: Website and Logs from Logging. Therefore website logs became to be known as WeBlog, which eventually became abbreviated to simply Blog.
Starting a blog
There are all sorts of blogs,
- To review book or film releases
- To publish one’s literary works
- To find academic articles and journals
- Cooking and recipe blogs
- A lifestyle blog and beauty blog
- Student Blogs of a particular topic
- Passion blogs and many more…
At first, there were not many places and people who wanted to start blogging. People who posted frequently quality articles became known as bloggers. And the blogs filled the internet within a few years, with all sorts of bloggers posting the writings, their articles, their research, journals, diaries, and all sorts of entries. Eventually, better coding, programming, the design went into the leading companies creating APIs, and embedded buttons to further public and market each other’s blogs, and more recently widgets.
Quickly WordPress and Blogger who stood at the top of all Blogging services started the use of standard web designs, which became known as templates, and offered a series of presets or pre-programmed web edging to include more media, images, movement, and enabling them to be as dynamic a common websites or web pages. These programmed templates and features helped to facilitate the achievement of professional looking blogs or websites (based on the blogs interface) by standardizing the procedures. Therefore since over a decade ago the quickest and easiest way to have your own website are to sign up for setting up a blog.
Free Platforms for Blogging as a Beginner
If you are a newbie in blogging then start this.
It all started with blog.com and blogger.com. Later came WordPress.com. WordPress has done a very good job of improving the templates and facilitating. They use different templates and smart tech for non-savvy bloggers to avoid the time-consuming process of HTML coding, SQL managing, and web design, and other difficult things those needed to create a traditional website/blog. We can also save a lot of money by doing so.
Nowadays, many different platforms offer the opportunity to start your blog. From blogger.com, WordPress, Godaddy, to name a few traditional ones. Geocities, MySpace to name some that were there and are gone. Wix, Weebly, Pinterest, and the more modern ones as Snap, Twitch, based on media blogging through streaming and channeling as Vlogs. Now Reels are all different options where you can easily start getting some of your own blogging posting experience and get those readers viewers going and commit.
I would like now to divide this Instruction manual into four different steps. The first one would be how to start your own WordPress Blog since it has become the standard of the industry. And the one with the best Results and most flexible options. For step number two I would like to look at the different paid options out there for the booking of the domain names and the renting of a hosting server. Third place a revision on how to do a blog post. General guidelines to follow to write the best content and finally, In the fourth section what are the best ways to rank your blog. Introducing Search Engine Optimizations and the use of internet campaigning, direct marketing, and web-based commentaries to make noise and sound around topics and especially purposed campaigning that you may want in your blog content. Usually, focused blogs are those that sell the most and attract the most visitors.
Let’s run deep now into action, in all of these.
The use of free Platforms
There are several free platforms where you can create a blog without any investment.
- WordPress
- Blogger – This is also known as Google Blog. Create a blog.
- Wix Blog
- Weebly
- Medium
- Ghost
- Tumblr
- Joomla
- Jimdo
- Minds
- Yola
- Webnode
WordPress is a popular one. As soon as you Login from your computer, laptop, cell phone, or smartphone to the website wordpress.com, you will get a bottom on the center of the screen. Which says start your site!.
Everything is as easy as a stroll down the park. Pretty much straight forward from thereon.
- The system Will ask you to provide an email and your username.
- Once you will complete the form, it will send a verification email to your registered email address.
- To verify your email go to your inbox and verify it.
- To review unwanted or unsolicited mail in case your blogger, or blog service provider email address is still unknown or unrecognized by your mailing environment.
- Once in the User WordPress Interface – You will find a left menu with one layer sub-menus. And some button on top and on the right corner different buttons – Each for a different purpose.
- You will be able to apply different templates for the layout design in the sub-menus setting or options.
- Under templates, You will be able to draft writings without publishing them, store them, edit them, keep editing record log, so much like a private journal. For a normal blog, you will be able to know the exact traffic too that comes to your blog.
To the right of the menus and under the top bar you will find the Word editor box or toolbox wit the editor’s interface, in it, you will be able to access a word editor. There you will have exactly the same features, menus, and bottoms to write and edit content as you usually do in any word editor as of word office, or lesser ones as in the Instagram or twitter word editors. In it there are some more features, with which you will be able to attach, embed Codes or coding, to insert images and or videos. To give text Old swords Of, Font sizes, Directions, styles, and many more.
Take a chance away before publishing even knowing that you can take blog entries down by deleting them in your WordPress entry administration, easily on the main manager or user interface by the single-clicking left on the entry or in the delete bottom downright, next to edit, and publish/unpublish.
It is not the same deleting as un-publishing. Just one will continue saving the texts as a draft down the line. So once decided, go ahead and Publish and Your Content will be accessible publicly. The interface of WordPress gives you a chance to tag and or Categorize your writings or articles in the way that you want whether by date, Alphabetical order, Size, and it will list all your writings. Giving you details on the possibility to edit them. Or delete them. This is the basic setup of any blog.
How to start a professional blog – A comprehensive guide
Have you thought of starting a professional blog to earn money? It is the smartest way to build your career using digital platforms. However, there are lots of bloggers in your chosen niche. Although you have good writing skills, your first task is to create a blogging website. Without a properly designed website, no one will like to access your platform and read your blogs.
You think that building a blogging website is a technically complicated process. However, you do not need to be tech-savvy to create a site with a minimalistic design. Comprehensive guidance will make the process stress-free.
How should you make your blog look professional? What theme fits best into your blog? How will you start earning from blogs? Find answers to your questions in this guide.
Find the right blog niche
Every blogger likes to write blogs on something unique. However, the most important thing for a blogger is to present the content in a distinct voice to reveal his personality.
However, what niche is best for your blog? To find the answer, you need to focus on two other questions.
- Are you passionate about the chosen niche?
When you do not love your blog topics, you cannot write good content continuously. You must have natural curiosity and interest in the topic. You should have the dedication to write blogs consistently. As a business owner, you may create blogs about your products and services. However, professional bloggers can write on any topic that attracts their interests.
- Can the niche draw the reader’s’ attention?
You have chosen your niche and now do a Google search. You will find how others are interested in the topic.
How to name your blog
You will find fun in naming the blogging website. It’s your brand name, and thus, it needs to be something, which is easy to recall. However, you do not need to brood over the topic too much. Take some time for the perfect naming of the blog. Write down a list of some relevant names and choose the best one.
The name can include more than one word. But, the chosen name needs to be available. Some bloggers like to use their own name as the domain name.
How do you know the availability of the domain name?
You need to rely on your web hosting service providers. For instance, Bluehost can provide you with a domain name checker. You have to type your domain name and click a button to find its availability. It is better to look for .com domains. Moreover, you must not use hyphens, homophones, and numbers. Short, concise, and easily understandable domain names are the best options. Make sure that you have not added any misspelled words.
Decide on the best blogging platform
You can find a range of options while looking for a blogging platform. While some of them have a steep learning curve, others are highly intuitive. However, by comparing those options, WordPress is the user-friendly one. WordPress.com lets you sign up with its free blogging site. However, free users will find limited monetization and customization options. They may not have good control over their blogs.
As a professional blogger, you can choose the premium version
WordPress gives you an option for choosing a self-hosted blog. With this option, you can add several videos, images, and other elements. You have to buy the domain names and web hosting services to manage your self-hosted blogs.
Start installing your WP blog
Have you already signed up with your WP hosting service providers, like Bluehost or anything else? Now, you can easily make your one-click installation. Log in to the Bluehost dashboard and click on the blue WP button on the Home page. It will start the WordPress installation process.
Your domain name will be activated within a few minutes. You can easily have your WP blogging site with the desired domain name.
Pick a theme for your blogging site
There is no need to be a certified designer to deal with WP blog themes. You can find several free themes for your WordPress blogging site. However, serious bloggers always like the paid themes to get lots of customization options.
Start browsing through the big collection of themes and install the right one with a single click. The best theme has a static home page and looks appealing. However, make sure that the theme is highly responsive and adjusts automatically to any device.
Configure and adjust your blogging site
As you have installed WP, it is the right time to set up the blog to make it functional for users. You can manage your settings from the dashboard.
The most important step for you is to create your website title. The title is the vital element, as it is easily noticeable to visitors. Moreover, you need to create a tagline, which is a concise sentence about your blog.
Some more settings are needed to make your website visible to Google users. From the Settings menu, you can choose the Readings option. You can find a field named- Discourage the engine from indexing your website. Make sure that you have kept it unchecked.
Another important option for the website is the permalink.
It is about the development of a separate URL for your webpages.
Manage your blogging site’s structure and aesthetics
You know that WordPress provides you with a pre-configured design. Still, you need customizations to deal with background design, color, logo, and other elements.
Based on your chosen theme, you will get several options. For instance, you can go to the Site Identity section to insert the logo and website icon. You may adjust your website’s colors, widgets, background, menus, and headers.
How to add logo
Click on the button- Select Logo. You will find a range of sample logos and graphics. Upload your logo and have a preview. Similarly, you have to add the favicon by clicking on the Select Image button.
How to adjust your blog color
Based on your chosen theme, you will find several options from the Customizer section. By changing the color, your blog will get a new look.
How to include header graphics
You can choose a header image to manage your website’s aesthetics. Make sure that you have picked the high quality image for the site header.
How to control the background
Some WP themes enable you to adjust the website background. You can prefer a solid color or any custom image for the background.
Plugins essential to your website
Although plugins are something technical, you can manage them with a few clicks. The choice of the right plugins ensures the security and functionality of your blog. The most commonly chosen plugins are-
- Hello Bar– You can install it when you need to send free newsletters to subscribers. It is better to place it at the top section of the website.
- Contact Form– You do not need to display email address, as you have installed this plugin.
- Yoast SEO– It is the most important plugin to make your blogging site SEO-friendly.
- Google Analytics– You can track your website visitors by installing Analytics.
Pages to be added to your blogging site-
Although it is a blogging site and you need to add content regularly, your site must have static pages. The most important static pages are-
About Page-
It is the most viewed page on your blogging site. Thus, you must not overlook it. Add a clear professional-looking bio and let readers understand your skill. You need to tell how your blogs will help them. Show your personality on this page.
Portfolio-
This page flaunts your blog writing skills. You can display your past works to get clients.
Contact Page-
How will your blog readers contact you? Let them fill up a form to send any queries. You may also mention your email address and contact number. Some professional bloggers like to install chatbots on their websites.
Resource-
Have you found some inspiring books that are relevant to your sites? You can display them on your website. Readers like to read those resource pages.
Hire me-
Freelance bloggers who are looking for clients must add this page. You have to promote your blog and sell your writing skills. That is why you have to add some persuasive words to get calls from your potential clients.
Start posting your blogs-
You have already managed the structural factors of your blogging website. Now, you need to apply your writing skills to publish some attention-grabbing blogs. Create a schedule for posting blogs and try to maintain it. It is better to stick to the conversational tone while writing blogs.
Some blogging guidelines-
Create shorter paragraphs and add subheadings- Your readers may not have time to read long paragraphs. That is why you have to make your blogs readable with small paragraphs.
- Add a few bullet points– Bullet points help you in highlighting your information. However, try to insert only a few words to every bullet point.
- Add images– Look for captivating royalty-free images and incorporate them into your content. Visual content is easy to interpret, and that’s why you have to add images to your blogs. You may also add infographics to your blog.
- Make the blog SEO-friendly– Write blogs enriched with keywords and analyze the readability level of your blog. Moreover, meta description, meta title, and heading tags are other SEO elements.
- Include a CTA– You can choose a CTA of any type. For instance, you can ask readers to share your blog, leave comments, and buy your products.
These are some ways to distinguish your blogs.
Promote your blogging website-
You have worked hard to publish high-quality blog content for your target audience. However, how will you make the blog reachable to them? That is why you have to start a promotional campaign for it.
- Step 1- Build a list of email recipients-
You may have installed Analytics and some other tools to track the email addresses of your website’s visitors. Now, you can start building a relationship with them by sending emails regularly. But, it is important to send emails at the right time. You can send emails while posting a new blog.
- Step 2- Join a forum and answer relevant questions-
You can try to solve others’ problems with communications. Your direct interactions will help you in engaging the audience. You may also insert your blog’s name in your answer. You will receive traffic from the forum.
- Step 3- Share your blogs on social platforms-
You can find your target audience from the social platform. Social networking will also help you to reach your blog to lots of target readers.
- Step 4- Include your blog link in your social media profiles-
It is one of the important steps to get a high volume of traffic from social platforms. When someone checks your profile, he will click on your link.
Mistakes in blogging-
- Incorporating several topics– It is one of the biggest mistakes of novice bloggers. They try to cover several niches and ultimately disengage the target audience. Moreover, they cannot establish their authority in a particular niche.
- The target audience is not understood– When you do not know about the preferences of the target audiences, you cannot write the best blogs for them.
- Inconsistency in posting blogs– Create a blog publication schedule and follow it strictly. You can post 2 to 3 blogs every week.
- No focus on quality– Some bloggers like to deal with the quantity and not the quality of the blog content. Write fresh blogs with high quality content.
- Writing not for the audience– While some bloggers are obsessed with their own interests, others focus on the search engine. However, they must write for the target readers by providing useful information.
It is a comprehensive guide on how to write a blog and promote it to the audience. You need dedication, patience, and real effort to write your blogs. Moreover, you must have genuine interests in writing the best blog content to earn revenues by monetizing it.