Have you ever though about starting your own blog? You have the vision of how you want to shape your content. The name has been picked and you are eager to start writing your first post, but you have no idea of how to bring your vision to life. There are many benefits to being an independent blogger.
Working as a blogger can be rewarding. You can work your own hours and around other commitments. There is no daily commute and you get to decide which projects you take on. It allows you to be creative and sociable. The blogging community is a thriving and welcoming one. If this all sounds good to you, then do read on for a few tips on getting going.
Get your kit
One of the best things about being a blogger is that your business costs are likely to be minimal. You can often work out of your home or take your laptop off to the local park or coffee shop. You do not need a lot of office supplies or have overhead costs. However, there are a few things that are going to be essential to your success.
You will need a desktop PC or laptop. Or both. Owning a laptop will give you a lot more flexibility as you will be able to work when you are travelling even if you just need a change of scenery. Working with other bloggers can also be a good way to stay motivated, so the ability to work remotely can be a big advantage. If you do opt for a laptop, you will then need a good laptop bag to keep it safe in when you are out and about.
You might choose to invest in a camera to help with your blog photography. Depending on how creative you are, you might then look at tripods and backdrops. If you wish to use video from time to time, a good video camera is something to consider.
A phone is going to be essential, as it is in most jobs. Your phone can double as a camera when you need a back up and you will want all of your social media apps loaded so that you can interact regularly. It is worth taking a look at places like SMARTY plans for this as they are transparent in their pricing and aim to keep costs low.
Decide on your niche
What do you plan to blog about? You can keep this quite generic and write around a wide range of topics or you can be very specific. You might opt to write a lifestyle blog, covering a myriad of topics, or perhaps you will write a blog that focuses on coffee, iPhones or Border Collies. The choice is yours, but if you plan to make a business from it, you do need to think about two things here.
Firstly, you will need to write with a genuine and original voice. In order to do this, you need to write about things that you know and are passionate about. The passion shines through.
Secondly, can you work out where your income will come from with your chosen topic? Is there a clear affiliate income stream that you can work with? Will it drive traffic so that advertisements or sponsored content can boost your income?
Set up your blog and social media channels
Now that you know what you will be writing about, you need to get yourself a blog. Once you have chosen an appropriate name, check that the domain is available. You should also ensure that the social media handles are also available before committing.
If everything is available, then choose a blog hosting company and register with them. They will be able to arrange your domain and get you all set up. Most bloggers use WordPress, but do your own research and select the platform that you are most comfortable writing on.
You will then need to set up those social media channels, to ensure that you get the name that you want there.
Create that killer content
You are now all ready to write. You need to create killer content and get several posts ready before you start promoting your blog.
Ensure that those first posts are a reflection of you and your blog, as they will give people an idea of all that you are about and help them to decide whether they will read and follow you. The content needs to be well-written and engaging.
*Collaborative post
