Let's Start a Blog! Advice for New Bloggers

Someplace Strange celebrated it's 4th birthday a few weeks ago.  In honour of this momentous event, here is a collection of things I've learnt about Starting a Blog since I actually did the deed and pressed publish back in 2015.

Find a Name.  

That describes you or what you like.  Google it to make sure it isn't being used already.  Choose carefully.  Naming a blog is a bit like naming a child.  Difficult to undo once you're done.  It took three goes before I settled on Someplace Strange.

Choose a platform.  

There are loads of different blogging platforms.  Think about pros and cons of each one before registering.  Unless you're really determined, computer savvy or able to pay someone to help, you're going to be stuck with it.  The two most popular platforms are Blogger and WordPress:

• Blogger is simple to use.  No need to worry about hosting.  Basic in terms of features, but used used by bloggers of all sizes.  (You can, despite what you may have read elsewhere, go pro and monetise on Blogger).

• The sky is the limit feature-wise with self hosted WordPress, but does come with hidden costs  and full responsibility for everything. 

Purchase a Domain.  

Mine came from from I Want My Name and cost about a tenner.   Don't forget to renew it each year so all your work doesn't get lost!

Set Up Your Social Media

Once you've decided what social channels you want to be on.  (You don't have to be on them all).  It helps if your social media reflects your blog name.  Unlike mine as I used the ones the ones I had before I was a blogger.

Create Your Website.  

This is the fun bit. Play around with the settings until you've got your space looking how you want it too.  This might take a while.  Or buy and install a template. Mine came from Xomisse.  Once your site is finished, get a friend to have a look to get a user's perspective.  If finding things on your site is hard work, people won't hang around.  Write an about me page to introduce yourself to the world.

Post!  

Decide what you're going to blog about, then write something about it, include a picture and press publish.  Write about things you love rather than what you think will be popular.  Blogging when you love what you're writing and sharing about is hard.  It's even harder if you don't.  You're now a blogger.  Yay!

Maddy at The Speed Bump:  "Believe in your blog. Don't get caught up in "finding your voice" or "developing your style". You have a perfectly good voice right now, use it. Anything else wouldn't be authentic and it wouldn't be you. If you've started a blog, chances are you have a story to tell, a point to make or an opinion to get off your chest. Don't get wound up trying to cultivate a personality - it will mean so much more coming from the real you." 

Lisa at Mummy Gummie:  "Try not to get too worried about stats. I'm quite new to blogging and found that it's really easy to fall into the trap of becoming a bit stats obsessed. Remember why you are writing the blog and enjoy it!" 

Alex at Better Together Home: "My blogging advice: just keep swimming (well writing)"

Then you'll need to think about the next post, then the next one and then ... Think about how often you want to post - daily or a few times a week.  It might take a few goes before you find a schedule that works for you and your life.

Decide what things in your life you're willing to share and what you aren't.  If I wouldn't share it with a friend, want Rev T or other family members or my employer to read it, it doesn't appear here.

Promote

Get your blog posts out there on your social media so like-minded people find them.  I'm crap at this, so I'll just leave it here.

The Kit.  

You don't need fancy equipment or loads of money to blog.  Just ideas and a desire to share them.  I have a laptop and an iPhone.  I use things I have already, talk about places I would have visited anyway or just ramble on.

Be Realistic.  

Blogging isn't easy - writing good posts, taking decent pictures and promoting - takes time and effort. It's also frustrating.  What seems like a great idea can look terrible the next day.  Or you manage to delete your photos.  Or forget to take them in the first place.

No one earns money from their blog, starts working with brands or gets a million followers in their first week.  The big bloggers slogged for years to get where they are - and had some amazing luck. TBH, if you're just in it for the freebies and see blogging as a way to get rich quick, you may as well give up now.

Take a Break.

It's good to have a break from blogging, the Internet and go and do something else for a bit instead.  I post less during the school holidays and, by the time they're over, have loads of ideas.  Ideas seem to pop into my head when I'm offline and getting on with living.

Beth at Life As A Mum:  "Have a good few days break from blogging from time to time. Sometimes it can all get too much and a bit stressful. Having a break has helped me refresh my mind and blog better! "

To conclude ... 

Whenever I offer blogging advice, there is always a disclaimer.  Blogging advice and lessons - of which there are loads - are just guidelines.  What works for one person may not work for another. Create what works for you, keep experimenting and learning.  If something doesn't feel right or ring true, then move on.

Naomi at Trips With a Tot: "Blogging is very rewarding! All the time it takes is so worth it. It is a great feeling to create, to help others, and to make friends.  It makes my absolute day when someone sends me a message telling me they love my blog or spot me out and about. I’m so glad my blog is useful!"

What do you wish you knew when  you first started blogging?  Let me know in the comments.

Laura @ Five Little Doves #Sharingthebloglove