For a long time, I have been receiving questions about starting a blog and making money with a blog. Since I have been blogging for more than 10 years, I will share my knowledge and experiences with you under the blogging category. You can read all the articles on the subject from the place marked in the images.
I also moved the articles I wrote about the blog to this category. Since my blog page is closed to comments, you can ask your questions on my Facebook page under every article on the subject. If you tag me in my published posts and ask me, it will not go unnoticed.
How I Started My Blog Adventure
For about 10 years, as a mother of 3, I decided to work completely at home. Read my article: How To Plan Blogging Full Time? I worked as a ghostwriter and translator before that and I applied to some freelance agencies such as Fivver and Upwork. At the same time, I opened my blogs and started to write my articles too. I had no idea if I should find the possibility to win with my blogs, but yes, I can tell you that this is possible. Now I quit to work as a ghost writer and translator and my only work is my blogs and social media. According to the time that you take for your work you can win a lot or less. It depends on you.
From now on, I will share all this knowledge with my readers. So let's get started.
First Step: Starting a Blog
Starting a blog can be a rewarding endeavor, allowing you to share your passions, expertise, or experiences with a global audience. A blog is not only your main work, but it can be the media kit for another work that you do. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you start a successful blog:
1. Identify Your Niche
Choosing a Niche:
Passion and Expertise: Pick a topic you're passionate about and knowledgeable in. This will make content creation enjoyable and sustainable.
Audience Demand: Research if there's an audience interested in your chosen niche. Use tools like Google Trends, keyword planners, and forums to gauge interest.
Examples of Popular Niches:
Fashion
Beauty
Personal Finance
Health and Wellness
Travel
Food and Recipes
Technology and Gadgets
2. Select a Blogging Platform
Popular Blogging Platforms:
WordPress.org: A self-hosted solution offering complete control and customization.
Blogger: A free platform by Google, suitable for beginners.
Wix: User-friendly with drag-and-drop features.
Medium: Great for writers focused on content rather than design.
Weebly: A platform where you can build a professional site.
3. Choose a Domain Name and Hosting
Domain Name:
Relevance: Make sure your domain reflects your blog’s topic.
Memorability: Keep it short, simple, and easy to remember.
SEO-Friendly: Incorporate keywords if possible.
Hosting Services:
Bluehost: Recommended for WordPress users.
SiteGround: Known for excellent customer support.
HostGator: Affordable with a range of plans.
Do you actually need hosting? In general, articles on this subject say you must work with a hosting provider. Even experts recommend this. However, hosting can be quite costly. Considering that blog owners cannot earn huge amounts of money, it would be wise to keep expenses as low as possible.
If I should talk about my own experience, I have never worked with hosting. I use the Blogger platform, I just bought my domain name and can pay for it from my blog earnings. And hey, I've been around for 10 years. So, whether or not to work with hosting is a decision that the individual makes. But if you ask me if it is necessary, I have never found it.
Another risk of working with hosting is that when you cannot make a payment or when the hosting has a technical problem and you suddenly want to open your blog page, you may not be able to do so. A very close friend of mine recently experienced this. The blog page she worked on for years disappeared because the hosting was closed and she could not reach the admins. This was a big shock for her because it takes a lot of time and effort for a blog page to reach a certain level.
4. Set Up Your Blog
Installing WordPress:
Most hosting services offer one-click WordPress installation.
Follow the prompts to set up your site.
For platforms like Blogger, you don't need much to set up a blog. It's very easy to start.
Customizing Your Blog:
Themes: Choose a theme that aligns with your blog’s aesthetic and functionality needs. Sites like ThemeForest offer a plethora of choices.
Plugins: Essential plugins include Yoast SEO for search engine optimization, Akismet for spam protection, and Jetpack for security and performance. (I don't use any of these. I only manually check spam at certain intervals and delete or correct broken links.)
5. Create Quality Content
Content Planning:
Editorial Calendar: Plan your content schedule to ensure consistency. Try to determine how many articles you can write in a week or a month and take care to maintain this regularity. This will help you establish a specific work routine.
Types of Posts: Mix up your content with how-tos, listicles, opinion pieces, and interviews. Try to regularly feed the main categories you have determined for your blog page with new posts.
Writing Tips:
Engaging Titles: Craft compelling headlines to attract readers.
Value-Driven Content: Ensure your posts provide value, whether it's through information, entertainment, or inspiration.
SEO Practices: Use keywords naturally, optimize images with alt text, and include internal and external links.
Read: From Office To Home Empracing The Remote Work Revolution
6. Promote Your Blog
Social Media:
Share your posts on platforms where your target audience hangs out (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest).
Engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages.
Email Marketing:
Build an email list from day one.
Use tools like MailChimp or ConvertKit to send newsletters and updates.
I am not using e-mail marketing but it can be helpful.
Networking:
Connect with other bloggers in your niche. I win a lot of blogger friends worldwide and we can help each other with link sharing or other useful things. Collaboration makes strong.
Participate in online forums and groups related to your topic.
7. Monetize Your Blog
Monetization Strategies:
Affiliate Marketing: Promote products and earn commissions on sales.
Advertising: Use Google AdSense or partner with brands directly. (For Google AdSense, you have to write regularly for about 6 months and try to keep your blog in a certain level to be accepted)
Sponsored Posts: Collaborate with companies to create content.
Digital Products: Sell e-books, courses, or printables.
8. Analyze and Improve
Tracking Performance:
Use Google Analytics to monitor traffic, user behavior, and content performance.
Adjust your strategy based on the data.
Continuous Improvement:
Stay updated with blogging trends and SEO changes.
Regularly update old posts to keep them relevant and accurate.
Conclusion
Starting a blog requires careful planning, dedication, and a willingness to learn. By choosing the right niche, setting up a robust platform, creating quality content, and actively promoting your blog, you can build a successful online presence. Remember, consistency is key, and with time and effort, your blog can grow into a valuable asset.