Are you thinking of starting a blog to promote your business or your profession, to share your thoughts or to talk about your passion? Being a blogger is free and doesn't take too long. Open an account on Blogger or WordPress, develop your concept and make yourself known.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: The Blog Topic
Step 1. Talk about what you love or use this tool to let people know what you do
In any case, you can also mix various themes. Here are some ideas:
- Games: Almost everyone loves video games these days.
- Politics: Express your unique point of view.
- Food: Post recipes and reviews of the restaurants you visit.
- Cinema: reviews of old and new films, publication of videos and curiosities that hardly anyone knows, etc.
- Cars: Post pictures of your favorite models and reports from car shows.
- Love: who doesn't need advice?
- Your business, so you can find new customers and keep in communication with them.
Step 2. Think about how you want to help others connect with your audience:
- Teach. If you are passionate about a discipline and have a lot of experience in a particular sector, you can offer your knowledge both to those who want to learn and to experts who intend to exchange opinions with you.
- Publish the latest news and trends regarding your topic. This way the blog will be constantly displayed.
- Make others laugh by telling your experiences in a fun and hilarious way.
- Inspire others if you have overcome an obstacle, illness or complicated life experience. The challenges you faced will give your readers hope.
- There are topics not to be considered: your office, your colleagues, your family members, etc. Spouting your secrets and private information and making fun of others are two highly risky activities. If you really want to include someone in your posts, first ask the person in question for permission. Or stay anonymous and change the names.
Step 3. Spy on the competition
Ask yourself what you could offer different than the others, identify your niche to give an original angle to your blog, easily distinguishable from the others.
Step 4. Choose your name by brainstorming or asking your friends and family
Step 5. Research the keywords generally associated with the topic you will be addressing
Go to the Google Adwords Keyword Tool site.
- Enter items relevant to the topic in the search field. You can search by word, phrase, web page or subject.
- The tool will generate words or phrases associated with your topic. Choose the words that have a greater number of monthly searches and insert them in your blog.
- Check these keywords from time to time before writing a post. If you include them in your publication naturally, then search engines will be more likely to make your blog appear in the top results.
Step 6. Decide on which site to open your blog
Two of the most popular are Blogger and WordPress.
- Blogger belongs to Google and is characterized by intuitive use. Your blog will be extremely easy to set up and maintain and you will be able to easily consult the traffic measurement tools at your disposal. You can buy a domain name for $ 10 a year, keep what the site gives you, or host the blog on a URL you already have.
- Tumblr.com is a very easy to use microblogging site. It has an intuitive interface and also helps you to place advertisements to scrape some cash. If you don't know how to get started, read this article.
- WordPress It will take you longer to get used to, but it features a wider range of sophisticated tools to enhance and promote your blog. You can buy a domain name for $ 18 per year or enter an existing one for $ 13 per year. But you can also use it for free.
- Webs.com has existed since 2001. Everything you find here can be customized using the "drop-n-drag" function. Best of all, you don't need any technical skills - everything you need to know about what you want to include in your blog is intuitively in front of you. Personal sites open for free without a trial period. Of course, if you want some advanced features, a paid upgrade is required.
Method 2 of 4: Get started on Blogger.com
Step 1. If you have a Google account, log in
If you don't have it, sign up.
Step 2. Click on “New Blog”
Step 3. Write your blog name and address of your choice
- Choose a template (you can also do it later).
- Click on "Create Blog".
Step 4. Select the “New Post” link
Step 5. Enter the title and text
When you are done, click on "Publish".
Method 3 of 4: Getting started on WordPress
Step 1. Go to
Click on the "Get Started" link.
Step 2. Fill out the form
In the last field, write the address you prefer.
- A quick search will be done to see if your name is available. If not, WordPress will show you a number of alternatives. You can choose one or try a different domain name until you find one that works.
- Scroll the page to the end and click on "Create Blog".
Step 3. Wait for the confirmation email
When it arrives, click on the link and log in to WordPress with your username and password.
Step 4. Choose a blog theme, which will determine what it looks like
You can see the various themes by clicking on “Search for a Theme”, so you will know what the trends are and what is in fashion.
Step 5. Click on the theme you prefer and fill in the "General Settings" fields
If you want, upload a photo by clicking on the “Choose a File” button, located in the gray “Blog Image / Icon” area.
Step 6. Decide whether to make the blog public or private by clicking on "Read", a link located under the "Settings" tab
Step 7. Click on “New Post” and enter the title and body of the text
You can also add photos, videos or links. When you are done, click on "Publish Post".
Method 4 of 4: Advertise the Blog
Step 1. Use social networks to attract people to your blog
You can promote your blog through your personal and professional social media accounts.
- Most blogging services will automatically post a link to your new post on Facebook or Twitter. When you publish a new post, however, you can use the sharing tools. WordPress allows you to do this from the "Dashboard" by clicking on "Sharing" under the "Settings" tab. Blogger, on the other hand, has the social network buttons at the bottom of the publication.
- Add buttons for readers to share posts on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and other accounts.
Step 2. Write something about yourself
On WordPress, add an "About Me" page; on Blogger, click on "Layout" and then edit the description of yourself.
Step 3. Add the blog to a list to attract traffic
Go here to find out more: https://support.google.com/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=41373. A well known list is Technorati.
Step 4. Interact with other bloggers by reading their posts and respond to reader comments
Step 5. Add your blog address to your email signature and business cards
Obviously, do this only if the theme of your publications has to do with the content of your e-mail or your professional activities.
Step 6. The content should be of quality
If your blog is full of grammatical errors or doesn't have attractive graphics, you won't get many hits. Also, take care of it constantly, so it will always be up to date.
Advice
- Many people read blogs from mobile devices. Make sure yours has a version optimized for smartphones and tablets.
- The domain name must be unique and difficult to confuse with others.
- Blogging will have to become part of your routine. Bring a diary with you to jot down your ideas.
- You can make money from your blog using Amazon Associates ID or Google AdSense. You earn revenue when readers click on your links.
- If your blog is informative, always check the truth of the facts, or people won't come back to visit you.
- Your blog is about your profession but you think you don't have what it takes to be a writer? Hire a content professional.
- Establish privacy rules: do not provide personal data (name and surname and home address) or talk about the people you hang out with, unless you make changes.
Warnings
- Receiving negative comments is normal, especially if you are dealing with sensitive topics.
- Read a book or site that helps you understand how to avoid infringing on intellectual property or defaming. By informing yourself you can avoid annoying legal headaches.
- What you post will be in the public domain. Remember that in some countries it is not allowed to disclose certain content. In short, be aware of what you do.
- Don't invade the privacy of others. If you want to talk about something personal, at least change the names. Finally, don't post private images without permission.
