How to start a blog

Despite the popularity of social networking sites, serious Internet commentators still share their thoughts with the world via blogs. Twitter may be fun for a quick chat or to stay on top of daily trends but it’s hard to discuss a topic in-depth using 140 characters or less!

The Web 2.0 revolution brought with it a multitude of sharing and collaboration applications, opening up the world of blogging to anyone with a high-speed Internet connection. You no longer have to worry about things like domain hosts or server capacity. Now, if you can put together a few coherent paragraphs, then you can publish a blog!

Here’s how to get started:

Choose a topic

Before you start a blog, you should have a clear idea of what you’re going to write about. Whether it’s politics, fashion, food or just the occasional get-it-off-your-chest rant, make sure your blog has a consistent theme.

Also, ask yourself whether your chosen topic is going to provide enough material to sustain a blog. If your subject matter is very specific, then you may be better off with an occasional contribution to BlogHer, Tumblr or another communal site.

Select a hosting service

There is a wealth of choice when it comes to hosting your blog. Most of the main hosting sites offer similar tools and customization options. One thing to keep in mind: Make sure the option you choose has good exporting tools should you ever want to move your blog in the future.

Here are some of the more popular choices:

  • WordPress – One of the first open source blogging projects, WordPress is still the market-leader and is the home for tens of thousands of bloggers both big and small.
  • Blogger – Owned by Google, this end-to end blogging service boasts strong tools and the ability to add all Google’s traffic monitoring and site analysis options.
  • Xanga – Part blog, part social network, Xanga offers some extra community-oriented features.
  • LiveJournal – Like Xanga, LiveJournal features some extra social components.

Once you choose your service, you will be asked to register and set up an account. All the above sites are free to join, although some offer additional services if you upgrade to a paid account.

Customize your blog

Once you have set up your blog, take some time to customize the look and feel of your new site. Most providers offer a variety of templates. Choose something that fits your personality or topic of interest.

The blog platform with the most – and, arguably, most creative – templates is WordPress. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to showcasing themes for WordPress blogs, and many of them are free. If you see a blog with a design that you like, scroll down to the bottom and look for a link to the designer responsible.

Next, decide whether your blog is going to be public – and searchable – or private. If you want to go the private route, then most blog sites will give you the option of password-protecting your posts so only those who you approve can see what you’ve written.

Once you’re happy with the basic look of your blog, you can choose to trick it out with widgets, social media badges, and guest maps and guest books. Twitter widgets are a popular choice, as are widgets that enable readers to repost your content to their Facebook accounts.

Next steps

Once you are up and running, start blogging away! The trick is to blog consistently, so when people come back to your site there is something new for them to see.

Here are some more tips on content:

  • Get into a blogging routine. You should aim to update your blog at least two or three times a week. Pick out a time of day when it’s most convenient and you will be at your freshest. Make sure that updating your blog is a pleasure and not a chore or it will be reflected in your written text.
  • Pay special attention to what’s going on around you and start looking at things with a reporter’s eye. Everyday events can add color to a blog and allow your readers to relate. However, avoid turning your blog into a ‘Dear Diary’; the fact that you dropped off the kids at school in the morning and then picked them up again in the afternoon might not be so interesting to a mom doing exactly the same thing.
  • Link to other relevant blogs and web sites – and let those blogs know you have used them as a reference. Cross-linking between blogs is one of the quickest ways to get noticed.
  • Make sure you spell check your blog entry before you post. There is nothing more off-putting to a reader than spelling mistakes and bad grammar.
  • Try and use pictures and video whenever you can, but make sure the images are high quality and are relevant to your post.
  • If you are lucky enough to be paid to endorse a service or product, follow the FTC guidelines on disclosure. Always be truthful in what you write and do not intentionally mislead people.
  • Be yourself! Find your own style – don’t try and copy someone else. Your blog will succeed because it’s a reflection of you, not because you are re-writing what someone else has already written.

Spread the word!

People can’t visit your blog if they don’t know about it. Start by sending a link to friends and family and ask them to send it on to their friends. In the beginning, they will be your most loyal readers. Bookmark your blog on social sites like Delicious and StumbleUpon and start talking up your posts on Twitter.

Submit your posts to blog aggregators like BlogHer, Tumblr and LiveJournal, where they will be searchable and grouped with similar submissions.

Visit related sites and include links to your blog in the comments section of relevant articles. Don’t feel discouraged if no-one visits your blog in the first few weeks. The key is to keep producing quality content and people will find you.

Happy blogging!

Do you already have a blog? Share the link with The Online Mom readers!

 

Comments:

  1. Hi to all, the contents existing at this website are really awesome for people knowledge,
    well, keep up the good work fellows.

    Also visit my site – kamagra

  2. Wonderful items from you, man. I have take into accout your stuff previous to and you’re
    just too excellent. I really like what you’ve acquired right here,
    certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it.
    You make it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it
    sensible. I cant wait to read much more from you.
    That is really a great web site.

    My homepage – AwdV

  3. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
    I am quite sure I will learn many new stuff right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  5. It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that
    you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us
    up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  6. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.

    Your site provided us with valuable information to
    work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be
    grateful to you.

  7. Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
    I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info.

    Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.

  8. Appreciating the time and energy you put into your website and
    detailed information you provide. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that
    isn’t the same out of date rehashed information. Fantastic read!

    I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  9. I have read so many articles or reviews regarding the blogger
    lovers except this piece of writing is truly a pleasant post, keep it up.

  10. Hi! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you have got here on this post.
    I am coming back to your website for more soon.

  11. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post.
    Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!

  12. Heya! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any
    trouble with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no
    back up. Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

  13. I comment whenever I especially enjoy a post on a blog or if I have
    something to valuable to contribute to the discussion. Usually it’s caused by
    the fire displayed iin the article I browsed.

    And on this article How to start a blog – Thhe Online
    Mom. I was moved enough to leave a leave a responsea
    response 😛 I do hhave a couple of questions for you if you don’t mind.
    Could it be jhst me or do a few one of the top sex cams tese renarks look like they are written by brsin dead folks?

    😛 And, if you are writing at other online social sites, I
    would like to follow you. Could you make a list all of all your shared sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page
    or linkeddin profile?

  14. You are soo awesome! I do nott believe I’ve read anything like
    that before. So wonderful to disover somebody wth some genuine thoughts
    on this subject matter. Seriously.. many thahks for starting this up.

    This webb site is soomething that is needed on the internet, someone with
    a bitt of originality!

    my web site – your porn videos guide

  15. I’m really impresssed with your writing skills as well as with the layout
    on your weblog. Is this a pzid theme orr did you customize it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excelent quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays.

    My blog post; test live sex

  16. I am reallyy loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you
    ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues?
    A handful of my blog audiwnce have complained about my blog not working
    correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do yyou have any solutions to help
    fix this problem?

    my ite – top HD porn

  17. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here frequently. I’m quite certain I’ll
    learn lots of new stuff right here! Good
    luck for the next!

    Heree is my web site :: Jarred

  18. naturally like your weeb site however you hawve to check the spelling on quite a few of youjr posts.
    Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it
    very troublesome to inform the reality on thhe other hand I’ll surely
    come back again.

    My web site – about filles nues

  21. Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous
    to and you’re just too wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you are stating and the way in which you say
    it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to kerp it wise.
    I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a wonderful site.

    Review my web-site :: most popular nude models

  22. At this time it looks like Expression Engine is the best blogging platform
    available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what
    you are using on your blog?

    Here is my webpage – scam cam

  23. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as
    exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  26. Hiya! Quick question that’s totally off topic.

    Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?

    My website looks weird when browsing from my iphone 4.

    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able
    to resolve this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share.
    Many thanks!

  30. I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your
    website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit
    more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Superb work!

  31. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I
    get four e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you
    can remove people from that service? Cheers!

  32. I do accept as true with all the ideas you have presented for
    your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work.
    Still, the posts are too short for starters. Could you please prolong them a little from next
    time? Thanks for the post.

  34. Hey there! I just want to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have got here on this post.
    I will be returning to your blog for more soon.

  35. This paragraph will assist the internet people for creating
    new weblog or even a blog from start to end.

  36. Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend
    your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site?
    The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny
    bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear
    idea

  40. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out
    right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject
    matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you
    wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly
    a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

  42. Hello there! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog.

    Is it hard to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast.
    I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start.

    Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thank you

  44. I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites
    really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your
    website to come back in the future. Many thanks

  47. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who had been doing a little homework on this.
    And he actually bought me breakfast simply because I discovered it for him…
    lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending
    time to talk about this topic here on your blog.

  49. Hello there, I found your website by the use of Google while searching for a similar subject, your site came up, it appears to be
    like good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hi there, just was aware of your blog thru Google, and found that it’s really informative.
    I’m going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate should you proceed
    this in future. Lots of other people shall be
    benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  50. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
    In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

  52. When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and
    now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment.
    Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
    Bless you!

  55. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism
    or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or
    outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you know any ways
    to help stop content from being ripped off?

    I’d really appreciate it.

  60. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot
    about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message
    home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog.
    A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  62. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the
    layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did
    you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s
    rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays.

  64. Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem
    to be running off the screen in Opera. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to
    do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
    The design look great though! Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Kudos

  65. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to
    do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u
    got this from. cheers

  72. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto
    a friend who has been conducting a little homework on this.

    And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the fact
    that I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….

    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to
    talk about this subject here on your web page.

  74. An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a coworker who has been doing a
    little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I
    found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….

    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this subject
    here on your website.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

How To Shoot a Short-Form Video

How To Build an Audience for Your Videos

5 Ways to Improve Your Online Profile

Managing Your Online Reputation

10 things you shouldn’t do on a social network