So you want to write a blog?
That’s wonderful, nowadays it’s very easy to get a website up and running in a matter of a few hours. Which can also be a bad thing.
If you are serious about becoming a successful blogger, then you need to get started on the right path. A wrong move now, can become a serious issue later on.
We’ve laid out a Blogging roadmap for you.
Blog 101: Setting Yourself Up for Success
Becoming a professional blogger is not going to happen over night. However, someone who has drive and is focus will find it a lot easier to build a blogging career.
You don’t need to reinvent the blog.
The rumbling onion is full of useful well written information.
It will take you some time, but all you have to do is read and take action.
What To Blog About
Your blog niche is going to be the most important part of your new journey. You don’t just want to write about anything.
Just writing won’t make your blog successful.
Your writing needs to be great.
The easiest way to set yourself up for remarkable content… is to pick a topic that you are truly passionate about.
If you are not passionate about your topic… you will be fighting a difficult battle. You won’t give your blog a chance to be successful.
Once you have a good topic… you’ll next need to find a domain name.
Your domain name is extremely important, since most of the time it will be the first point of contact that your audience will have with you. So you should put thought into this before you even write a blog.
Your name needs to be memorable, easy to spell and it should give people an idea of what your website is about.
Most importantly, try to include one of your keywords in the domain name… so it you are blogging about guitars. Your domain name could be something like AmericanMadeBluesGuitars.com.
I want you to read this post, Your Options for Grabbing a Good Domain Name it goes into detail on how to grab a good domain name.
You’ll even learn a few insider tactics that will insure that your domain name isn’t a dud, we’ll tell you which types of domain names to avoid and how to find premium domain names.
Once you are settled on your new domain name, your next step is to register it and to grab yourself a hosting package.
WordPress Hosting: Do It Right, From The Start
The hosting game is extremely competitive… when you have heavy competition, you as the consumer win.
If you are new and really want to understand hosting make sure to hosting check out our hosting guide which will show you the difference between Shared Hosting, VPS hosting, and Dedicated hosting.
If you are Lazy we also have reviewed the top 3 hosting companies. You’ll find what we discovered, before you buy your domain and pay for hosting.
This guide will save you from future headaches, and show you that hosting for your new WordPress site is actually very affordable.
Once your hosting situation is set… your next move is to actually install WordPress.
Installing WordPress
Not too long ago, installing WordPress was somewhat of a pain.
You had to configure files, upload folders, generate passwords… and so on.
It took awhile.
But fast-forward till today, and installing WordPress is just a click away. Especially if you picked one of our top 3 recommended WordPress hosting companies.
If you need some hand holding… that’s okay. We all do at some point. I want you to take a look at this post: WordPress Installation : What to Expect.
You’ll learn a few different ways to install WordPress.
Once you’ve installed WordPress, you’ll see that have access to a dashboard. It can get a little overwhelming.
WordPress Beginners Guide
You’ve installed WordPress, and you are staring at it’s backend… or the dashboard.
The dashboard is the command center of your WordPress blog. You’ll be able to manage everything from here.
Right from the start, let’s get your blog set-up correctly. I want you to read this post: Installing WordPress and Setting Permalinks and set up your permalinks correctly.
This will help you out in your SEO efforts… because your post title will use keywords instead of the default numbering system that the default instillation of WordPress uses.
Then visit our handy guide: WordPress Guide For Beginners.
This guide will show you the ins and outs of your dashboard. You’ll learn specific WordPress terminology and most importantly… how to write your first a post.
Once you are familiar with how the WordPress backend works, you’ll want to make sure you are using WordPress Pages Like a Pro.
Now that you know how to create content for your site… let’s get to the fun part.
We are going to talk about WordPress Themes.
WordPress Themes
Your WordPress theme is very important… you’ll get to express your self-creativity. But more importantly, if your theme is poorly coded it will harm you.
The search engines have many factors that they take into account when they are ranking websites and some themes just flat out miss most of these factors.
Free Themes
Many people when they are just starting out decide that they want to use a free theme instead of a premium theme.
While free themes can be great lots are junk.
If you are planning on going with a free theme, we suggest you check out this two column theme called: A Dream to Host.
A Dream to Host has all the features you would expect in a high quality free theme including, custom background, custom header images, custom menus, and even Google analytics support.
Premium Themes
Now if you plan on taking your blog to the next level you may want to look at getting a premium theme such as Thesis, Genesis, or Headway. Each of these premium themes are much more robust than any free theme you will find but that comes with a price tag.
Each premium theme has a loyal following and their own pros/cons. Do make sure you do your research before you buy below you will find our reviews of each.
Thesis Theme ReviewGenesis Theme ReviewHeadway Theme Review
We also went into a ton of detail comparing Thesis Theme vs Genesis Theme a while back.
Premium Theme Quickstart Guides
Wrapping your head around what each theme can do can be confusing so make sure you check out our quick start guides.
Thesis Theme Quickstart GuideGenesis Theme Quickstart GuideHeadway Theme Quickstart Guide
If you still trying to figure out what theme is right for you check out this post we did on: Blog Design – Where to Get the Best WordPress Themes.
Now that you are up to speed on themes let’s talk about your logo.
Logos: Getting A Good One
Logos are important… the better they are, they more memorable your brand will be.
Just think about the golden arches, or the swoosh… I don’t even have to say the brand names. You instantly recognize them from their logos.
In How to Get a Good Logo we talk about the different options that you’ll have, from the free route to hiring a designer.
You’ll learn a simple way to find free artwork and options on customizing it. It’s a pretty cool way of designing your own WordPress Header.
Did you know that you can actually have a crowd of professional artist competing to create your logo?
In CrowdSPRING Offers a World of Artists at Great Prices, we review a creative method to having a group of artist submit their logo ideas for you.
Logos are fun, along with your sites design it showcases your brand personality.
Now let’s talk about reach… we’re talking about social media.
Social Media: Grab Your Name Before It’s Gone
Picking up your name across the Social Networks is something that you must do. Not only will it protect your reputation, shady marketers have been know to look for unused brand names.
Everyone can be a target, not just large multi-national brands.
But the other reason, is to expand your brands reach. If you have a presence where your target audience hangs out, then it’s only reasonable to think that they have a greater chance of finding you.
We show you the social media properties to register, and how to go about doing it on: Register Your Username on Social Media Sites.
Don’t forget to also take a look at KnowEm Review: How Much is Your Username Worth?
This service let’s you check to see if your user name is available across a multitude of social networks… a time saver in anyones book.
Once you’ve registered your social media accounts — make sure you empower your community to share your website with their friends
Content Is King
Your content, your writing is what is going to give you a fighting chance over the big boys.
If what you write is just blah… then don’t expect to actually make a living from blogging.
Copywriting 101 Series:
To bring you up to speed we created a 7 part Copywriting 101 Series.
Bad content… is bad for everyone. Make sure your content doesn’t stink.
Copywriting 101: Essential Tools of a CopywriterCopywriting 101: Writing With AuthorityCopywriting 101: Repetition is Not a Bad ThingCopywriting 101: Thinking StrategicallyCopywriting 101: Be PersuasiveCopywriting 101: 7 Deadly Traps Copywriters Fall Into
Beef Up Your Writing:
If you are still looking to take your writing to the next level make sure you check out these other popular copywriting articles.
You, A Three Letter Power WordBecause, a Power Word Because It Says So!Why – A Simple Power WordHow to Make Your Writing InterestingWrite Like You TalkTransparency in Copywriting
Timeless Core Content
The main goal of your writing should be that it will become more and more valuable as time goes on.
Most blogs are about the moment… they focus on fashion, breaking news, gossips and the such.
Unfortunately that type of writing becomes old news, pretty much as soon as it is published. We don’t want that to happen to us.
Don’t focus on that type of writing… focus on creating something with substance.
Take a look at Core Content Defined and Examined. We go into detail about what core content is, it’s importance and specific strategies to develop it.
Read What’s in It for Me: 7 Types of Timeless Core Content… and reread it.
This is important… this will make your site and writing remarkable.
Remember, your content is going to separate your from the rest of the pack.
While you are working on creating your core content… you should also think about your writing style.
Checkout this great guide on Typography: Typography Basics – Some Fundamentals for Body Copy.
You’ll also want to learn how to keep your readers attention… with so many distractions popping up online today you won’t want to passup on this important subject.
Grabbing Your Readers Attention.
It’s important to write what your readers want. Once you learn what your audience wants and expects from you… everything becomes much easier.
Make sure and read What Readers Want: A Guide to Converting Readers With Short Attention Spans.
Put the tactics to use… remember we are moving towards your goal of becoming a pro blogger. Learn how to do it right, from the start. How to write a blog is not hard as you may think.
