Blogging 101: So You Want to Start a Blog?

BLOGGING IOI SO YOU WANT TO START A BLOG? IDEATE FIND YOUR NICHE DISCOVER YOUR VOICE 1. Follow Your Heart 1. Be Genuine 2. Try This Exercise What are you passionate about? What do you spend your free time doing? Talk out a post as you write it. Instead of worrying how it sounds as you write, go back and edit later. Everyone can spot a fake. 2. Stay Laser Focused 3. Be Lighthearted 4. Be Yourself Readers should know what to expect when they visit your blog. 3. Be Original Even if you're writing about something serious, it helps to infuse your writing with some levity. Don't be afraid to be informal, even breezy. It's very tempting to mimic your favorite writers, especially at first. If you find yourself falling into that trap, don't panic: Just backtrack slowly. This is your blog. Own it. Don't constantly repost someone else's work. CHOOSE YOUR TACTICS SELECT A BLOG & PICK A CMS DOMAIN NAME (CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) 1. Simplify 1. Sift through your options and choose what's best. 2. WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, Squarespace and Typepad are the most common ones. The blogging world is oversaturated, so a simple name and design stands out. WordPress is the most widely used CMS, with 59.4% of the marketshare, likely due to its huge ability to customize. 2. Match Your Blog and Domain Name 3. Choose based on functionality (what do you need your blog to do?) and the design templates you like. 3. Make it Your Own Being similar to someone else is unoriginal and messes with SEO 4. Some CMS's do hosting, domains and content management – so choose wisely! GROW YOUR PRESENCE PRACTICE CONSISTENCY USE VISUAL AIDS 1. Create a Schedule 1. Photos Whether it's every day, three times a week or alternate Tuesdays, find what works best for you. A great smartphone is all you need to start. A DSLR takes it to the next level. 2. Stick to It 2. Videos Readers will know your schedule, and will keep coming back. Try taking a how-to angle in your area of expertise, as these are the most searched and viewed. ENGAGE YOUR READERS 1. Make it Easy Don't make your readers sign up for or log into anything. If it's too difficult to comment, they won't. 3. Infographics 2. Respond to Comments & Emails For the design inclined, these are incredibly sharable 3. Be Kind The feedback you get is one of the most amazing parts of blogging, so take advantage of it! You will make the greatest connections and, most likely, some really good friends. Not all of your feedback will be positive, and it's tempting to whip off a snappy comeback. Don't do it - respond later with a clear head instead. CONNECT= CLAIM YOUR HANDLES, FACE TIME BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY NETWORK at events! AND AMPLIFY LINK to other bloggers. Make sure everyone can follow you everywhere, easily. COMMENT on your favorite sites. EMAIL your favorite writers and bloggers for a deeper connection. FOLLOW them on Twitter. Facebook Twitter ATTEND a blog conference. OFFER to guest post on your favorite site or blogs that publish similar content. Instagram Pinterest PERFECT your elevator pitch. DATA SOURCES: http://avalaunchmedia.com/infographics/social- media-statistics-of-the-day (intel) http://w3techs.com/technologies/overview /content_management/all Text by AB Chao, Design by Barnickel Design