Let me share with you several things, ideas, and thoughts to keep in mind when you are starting a blog. It’s like a compilation of mistakes my colleagues and I have made, so I hope this text will help you avoid them. Even if you’ve already started your blog, these points might still serve as inspiration.
Blogging is Hard Work
Running a blog is hard work. It’s like a locker room after a tough game – the sweat should be evident from a mile away. The reader should feel the author’s dedication and effort in every aspect of its management. Those who create without commitment and seek shortcuts end up blending in with the crowd. So, be prepared for some serious hard work.
Blogging can be tempting, especially as a lifestyle, as it seems light, easy, and enjoyable. But in reality, it’s not that simple. You can run a blog casually, with minimal effort and sacrifice, but don’t expect significant results from such an approach.
The beginning can be tough because results won’t show up immediately. It might feel like you’re writing only for yourself, with no visitors to your blog. This lack of instant gratification can lead to demotivation, and you might go without publishing anything for months. However, that’s not the path to success.
To see results, you must prioritize your blogging efforts highly. Regular publication is critical – even if it’s just one post per week. Consistent intervals between your posts are vital for SEO; Google’s bots notice an active blog with fresh content and reward it with higher rankings.
Running a Blog is Like a Marathon, not a Sprint
Creating a recognizable blog takes time and dedication. You can’t achieve it in a month; it requires a long-term plan. Many blogs fail because their authors lack patience. If the desired results don’t materialize quickly enough, motivation can plummet.
We all wish to have everything instantly, right here and now. However, blogging teaches us to embrace a different mindset. If you don’t acknowledge that success takes time, frustration might overwhelm you, leading you to quit. Patience is the only way forward, and there are no shortcuts.
The desire to start a blog isn’t enough of a reason. You need a specific goal and a clear vision of why you’re creating this blog. What do you hope to achieve through your blogging efforts?
- Build a personal brand?
- Make money?
- Find a better job?
- Promote your business?
Once you define your goal, everything else becomes much easier to align. Your vision will guide the topics of your posts, the formula you use, as well as the style and layout of your blog.
Developing a Clear Concept
It is something that many beginner bloggers often overlook. They struggle to summarize their blog’s purpose in a single sentence, and readers sense this lack of clarity. Your blog’s idea should be evident and easily understandable for everyone, especially new visitors to your site. They should instantly grasp what your blog is all about and what they can expect from their first visit.
Here are some examples of clear concepts:
- I teach the basics of photography and inspire people to lead a beautiful, creative life.
- We explore topics related to life, culture, and relationships.
- Our goal is to simplify and declutter your life and home.
- I provide strategies for designing a successful life.
The most successful blogs are those that offer genuine value to their audience. When readers land on your site, they invest their time and expect something in return. They might become disappointed and never return if they don’t receive anything specific. The value can be interpreted broadly, including knowledge, inspiration, entertainment, or relaxation.
As the author, be fully aware of what you have to offer and create your content with that understanding in mind. Always prioritize the reader and their interests, as they are the heart of your blog’s success.
Promoting Yourself is a Must
Simply creating great content won’t cut it. Search engine optimization takes time, and it could be more than six months before you start seeing regular visitors to your blog. That’s why skillful promotion across various channels is crucial.
Many new bloggers fret about the lack of readers, yet they don’t put in much effort to attract them. During the initial phase of running a blog, you should devote as much time to promotion as you do to writing posts.
Explore all possible avenues to connect with people interested in your content. Merely sharing a link on your fan page won’t suffice. You need to identify your target audience and determine where you can find them. Then, actively reach out to them.
Determining the best marketing channel and strategy for your case can be tricky. It could involve engaging in discussions on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube. Alternatively, joining forums or building personal relationships with your readers also could work.
Ultimately, your promotion approach will depend on your content. The key is to actively engage with your first readers and grow your audience through genuine interaction.
Be Self-Reliant
Take charge of your blog
When it comes to technical aspects, there’s no doubt that starting a blog from scratch is the best idea. Invest in your private server for hosting, purchase your domain, and use WordPress as your blogging platform. This approach offers numerous advantages:
- It grants you the highest level of independence, allowing you to make all the decisions and have total control.
- It is highly adaptable and resistant to changes or future ideas that may arise.
- This solution is cost-effective. WordPress is free, and the expenses for a domain and server for WordPress can be as low as $30 per year!
- WordPress is the most popular Content Management System (CMS), offering access to thousands of plugins, extensions, and themes. Additionally, finding answers to questions or troubleshooting is easy, as many others have likely encountered similar issues before.
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Reduce your reliance on external sources
It’s crucial to maintain your independence from other entities. Relying solely on Facebook for your business can be a major issue. Many bloggers initially opt for social media, particularly Facebook, as their primary (and sometimes only) marketing platform. They invest heavily in building a fan page, often neglecting other channels. It can be a significant mistake.
It’s essential to recognize that your social media account will never be your property; it belongs to the social media platform owners. This fact has become evident, especially for Twitter users who don’t align with Elon Musk’s vision.
To diversify your marketing strategy consider starting a newsletter and building a subscriber list. Newsletters serve as excellent communication channels. They provide a fast, effective, and more personalized way to reach your audience than social media.
Additionally, don’t hesitate to promote yourself on other social media platforms. It’s worthwhile to test and explore different options. Platforms like LinkedIn, Pinterest, or TikTok might prove to be effective for your goals.
Keep it Simple From the Start
When you’re just beginning, avoid overcomplicating things with too many ideas. Start with the minimum version, test your assumptions, see how it goes, and then gradually add more elements based on the results. There’s no need to immediately dive into daily writing, recording videos, and podcasts, and offering numerous ebooks. Instead, focus on finding a good rhythm.
In the startup world, this approach is known as the Minimum Viable Product (MVP), including MVP meaning in software. It involves presenting the most basic version of your idea, allowing it to be showcased, tested and improved based on the feedback you gather.
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One common trap that bloggers often fall into when starting a blog is solely focusing on the aesthetic aspect of its appearance. While your blog needs to be visually appealing, graphics are not the sole determinant of success. Your blog should certainly be attractive and easy to navigate, but fonts, colors, and layout should align with the broader goal you want to achieve.
Consider the actions you want your audience to take when they land on your homepage or a blog post. Use graphic elements that support these goals rather than solely focusing on visual effects. For example, decide whether new posts should be at the top or if information about the author is more relevant to your objectives.
If your blog serves a specific purpose, such as marketing a project, product, or company, don’t forget to include a call to action. Encourage your readers to take the actions you expect from them.
Conclusion
Embarking on the journey of starting a blog demands dedication, patience, and a clear vision. Blogging is hard work, and it’s important to remember that success might not come immediately; it requires perseverance and continuous effort.
A well-defined concept is crucial for creating a blog that stands out and resonates with readers. It will attract and retain an audience that genuinely values your content. Be proactive in promoting yourself through various channels, ensuring that you establish meaningful connections with potential readers.
In the blogging world success is more like a marathon than a sprint. It’s about staying committed, constantly improving, and having a genuine passion for your chosen niche. When you approach your blog with determination and authenticity, it has the potential to flourish and make a meaningful impact on the lives of your readers.
Keep these points in mind, maintain consistency, and embrace the journey of building a successful and fulfilling blog.
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