5 Things to Consider Before Starting a Blog
There are so many reasons why one would want to start a blog. First of all, it’s a great way to attract a loyal audience. Aside from this, it can help you establish authority within your chosen niche, create new business opportunities, meet people, or just tell your story.
Still, having a reason for creating a blog and knowing how to do so are not the same thing. With this in mind and without further ado, here are five things you need to consider before starting a blog.
Finding the right topic
Before you even start planning out the technical aspect of your blog, you need to decide what topic you are going to write about. This will determine many things, like an adequate theme and the best voice for your audience.
Sure, for those starting a business blog, the topic needs to be the one related to your business niche – but you can always go a bit more specific and establish yourself as an authority in a particular field of the industry.
For those unable to make a decision, keep in mind that the fact other people are making money with a particular topic doesn’t mean you could easily do the same.
Also, the fact that you are passionate about a topic doesn’t mean your audience will follow in your footsteps.
Lastly, diversify (but not too much) seeing how you don’t want your blog to lose its focus.
Choosing the right platform
Once you decide on the best blog theme, it’s time to choose the most suitable platform for the job. You have quite a few choices ranging from Blogger, Tumblr, Squarespace and Wix – but none of these can stand its ground against WordPress.
This amazing Content Management System (CMS) is used to run about 28 percent of the entire internet and is a decisive winner when it comes to both user-and beginner-friendliness.
Even though it has a beginner-friendly learning curve, it is always a good idea to contact experienced WordPress web developers to help you polish and customize it according to your needs.
Writing quality content is all but easy
Regardless how good your digital marketing strategy is, at the end of the day it will all come down to your content. With this in mind, everyone online has an agenda, starting with your visitors.
Some of them are browsing in order to find something interesting to read, while others are looking for a specific piece of information, a detailed tutorial or a review of a product/event that belongs to your niche.
Needless to say, these audiences need to find what they are looking for. Focus on creating content that brings value to your audience or look for someone else to do this for you. A rule of thumb is to always solve a problem your audience may be experiencing, no matter how minor.
Visual content is huge
Did you know that over half of your site’s audience don’t bother to read past an article’s headline?
That being said, encourage them to at least click the article through a wide range of headline copywriting hacks. Once you have their attention, keep them engaged through the use of visual stimulus.
Start by looking for images that are closely related to the content at hand and add them next to the text. If this doesn’t work, you can always try to enhance your content with a pie chart or even an elaborate infographic.
Finally, with those who have a bit more “director” in them, making a video is also a highly effective way for your voice to be heard. Whatever works for you.
Suggested places to get started:
Pixabay.com
Canva – Infographic creator
YouTube (remember, you can always embed someone else’s video).
You might need some help
Running a blog is similar to running a business, so you may have a compulsive need to micro-manage everything. Once it starts growing, you will no longer be able to do so, which means that you could rely on someone else to help carry the load.
Either hire a virtual assistant to help you with an administrative part of the job, or simply look for someone to write (at least partially) on your behalf.
Collaborating with contributors can indeed become life-saving, but make sure to check their portfolio beforehand and closely monitor their work to make sure your blog’s content is still of adequate quality.
In conclusion
Unfortunately, no article would be elaborate enough to truly detail everything that goes into blogging (long-term).
Nevertheless, for those willing to test their skills, the above can give you a starting point by helping you realize what to expect as your blog matures.
Best of luck!
DEXTERROONA
08/15/2017 @ 10:56 AM
Great article, found you from VCB
Hannah Thomas
08/16/2017 @ 02:19 AM
Thank you, DEXTERROONA!
Patrick Burke-Jimenez
08/15/2017 @ 16:38 PM
Visual content is one of the biggest drivers of traffic. If someone likes what the see they will continue reading! Thanks for this brief set of guidelines, I’ll keep them close for my next few blog posts.
Hannah Thomas
08/16/2017 @ 02:23 AM
Thank you, Patrick! I’m happy you find my article useful.
Susan Velez
09/08/2017 @ 06:44 AM
Hi Hannah,
Choosing a topic and staying in your lane can be a challenge for new bloggers. I’ve personally found it easy to keep my blog’s mission statement written down so I can make sure that my blog stays on topic.
Growing a blog definitely takes time and your tips are great for helping anyone who is just starting.
Thanks for taking the time to share these tips with us have a great day 🙂
Susan
Prosper Noah
09/09/2017 @ 05:42 AM
Great Post Hannah!
One I really agree with is the “Choosing a Topic” aspect.
When you don’t choose a topic you would blog about, the definitely you will quit so early!
Another is sticking to that topic!
Great Post once more.
Elvis Michael
09/11/2017 @ 15:46 PM
Thanks for your input, Noah!
Elvis
Anna Sakila
09/11/2017 @ 06:36 AM
Thank you for your tips. Choosing right topics and quality contents are the most important things. It takes me a lot of time to find the topic for my blog and a good writer who can match my requirements.
Donna Merrill
09/22/2017 @ 12:05 PM
Hi Hannah,
As always an interesting read. I agree with your points & appreciate your efforts that you have selected this topic to write an article.
By the way, It’s always pleasure to read your posts and comment.
~ Donna
Elvis Michael
09/25/2017 @ 13:45 PM
Thanks for stopping by, Donna. Same to you! (speaking on Hannah’s behalf, and for myself).
Enjoy your day 🙂
Sara Joe
11/25/2017 @ 15:10 PM
This is a well detailed post.
Let me also add that, before one ventures into blogging. He/she as to choose a niche he is food in and can handle.
Raymond
12/20/2017 @ 21:07 PM
It was good read Hannah/Elvis. I deal for beginners, you guys should do a follow up articles going into bit more details. It would be really helpful! 🙂