So, you want to know how to start a blog? Whether you’re passionate about gaming, fashion, music, sports, or just want a space to share your thoughts, blogging is an amazing way to express yourself.
You can also use a blog to build an audience, and maybe even make some money on the side.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
First… Why start a blog?
First things first.
Before you start a blog, think about why you even want to blog.
Here are a few reasons people blog:
- To share their passions: Whether you love K-pop, coding, or cooking, a blog lets you share what excites you.
- Develop skills: Writing, research, tech skills, and design are all things you’ll get better at through blogging.
- Build an audience: You can find like-minded people from around the world who enjoy your content.
- Make money: If your blog takes off, you can make money through ads, sponsorships, or even selling products.
Next: How to start a blog
You will need to pick a topic. Your “niche.”
Pick something you’re passionate about and will enjoy writing about regularly.
Here are some ideas:
- Hobbies: Talk about your favourite hobby – like art, soccer, or even makeup tutorials.
- Lifestyle: Share stories about your daily life, challenges you face, or advice for others your age.
- Tech and video games: A personal favourite topic of mine. If this is your beat, why not review gadgets or write guides for your favourite video games?
- Music and pop culture: Share your thoughts on the latest albums, TV shows, or celebrities.
Don’t worry if you’re not an expert (yet). If you feel out of your depth, read and research the topic a bit more. You will eventually find your groove.
And in the meantime, people will love your authentic point of view, especially if they can relate to you.
Choosing a name and free blogging platform
Your blog name should be catchy, easy to remember, and relate to your topic.
Think of it as your very own brand. What do you want to convey? Something quirky or fun perhaps? Or maybe a bit more serious?
Once you have a name, you need a platform to start a blog on.
Here are some popular options:
Blogger
Blogger is Google’s free platform and it’s perfect for beginners. In fact, this is where I started my first blog! (Along with LiVEJOURNAL, which is not what it used to be.)
Blogger provides everything you need to get started, and you get to choose from 12 themes and multiple colour variations for your blog’s design.
You can freely modify the layout and add widgets to the sidebar or other areas.
Sign up with your email, or just log in with your Google account. Easy peasy!
WordPress
I might have started with Blogger, but about 90% of my blogs eventually migrated to WordPress.com.
(Not to be confused with WordPress.Org – it’s the same company, but the second one is for hosting and creating your own website. Like this one, TechNationNews! Super cool but a bit more complex)
WordPress.com is free and easy for beginners. You can create a blog for free but with limited features.
Tumblr
If you want to mix up shorter text posts with images, then Tumblr might just be the place for you. Part social media platform, part blogging platform, it offers the best of both worlds.
Plus! it’s super easy to build a following and find like-minded people on there.
Tip: If you want a custom domain (like yourblogname.com), you can pay for it, but it’s not necessary when starting.
Medium
Then there’s Medium – another great option to start a blog.
Sleek, stylish and a bit more serious. Most posts on Medium are available to read and publish for free, but there is also a $5/month option (about R60 at the time of publishing) if you want to support the authors.
Medium is similar to WordPress and allows you to create a Publication, as well as add links and featured images to make it all look pretty
Technically a social media platform, but don’t judge a book by its cover! LinkedIn has transformed into a budding micro-blogging platform.
It’s actually one of the best options for beginners. Despite being used primarily for establishing professional connections, it also provides free-to-use publishing tools.
And the plus side: If you want a serious blogging space for your career, building a presence on LinkedIn could even help you get a job.
PS. If you met me at one of the Career Day events, reach out to me on LinkedIn (or via the contact details from the councillor who arranged the event) and I’ll you set up your account. For mahala.
Designing your blog
Once you’ve decided on a platform, it’s time to think about the design. (But don’t overthink it too much, just go with what feels right.
How to make your blog easy to read:
- Pick a clean layout: Use a layout that highlights your writing without too many distractions. Most platforms have free themes and templates to choose from.
- Choose a colour scheme: Stick to 2 or 3 colours for consistency. Simple colour schemes look more professional. For example, TechNation has a bold colour palette – Black, orange and pink (with a dash of purple)
- Add images and videos: Use images to break up your text and make your posts more engaging. You can take your own photos or use free stock image websites like Unsplash or Pexels.
Writing your first blog post
Now, the fun part – writing!
Here are a few tips to write your first blog post:
- Start with an intro: Tell people who you are, what your blog is about, and why they should follow it.
- If you feel daring, create an About Page too (if your blog of choice supports it. Most do)
- Be yourself: Write like you’re talking to a friend. Don’t worry too much about sounding formal.
- Break it up:
- Use headings (like the ‘Write your first post’ heading up above),
- Bullet points (like this very list), and
- Short paragraphs to make your post easy to read.
- Call to action (CTA): At the end of your post, ask your readers to comment, follow your blog, or share your post on social media.
Example:
If you’re blogging about music, you could start with a post like: “The 5 Songs I Can’t Stop Listening To Right Now” or “My Favorite Albums of 2023 So Far.”
Promoting your blog
You’ve written an amazing post. Now, let’s get people to read it!
Here’s how to promote your blog:
- Share on social media: Post about your blog on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or wherever your friends hang out online.
- Pro tip: If you post on Linkedin or a Facebook page, don’t put the link in the post, since those platforms don’t like links that take users away from their sit. Instead, end your social media post with “Find the link to the article in the comment”, and then leave the link in the comment section.
- Join communities: Find online communities related to your blog topic and share your posts there (just don’t spam them!). These could include Reddit threads, Facebook Groups, Discord, etc.
- Engage with your readers: This is important!
- Reply to comments,
- Ask for feedback, and
- Thank people for reading.
Consistency is key when you start a blog
One of the most important parts of blogging is consistency.
Decide how often you’ll post – maybe once a week or twice a month – or every day. Whichever frequency you choose, stick to it.
Consistent posts keep your audience engaged and help your blog grow faster.
It also tells Google that you’re a trusted blogger, and in time, Google may start sending more people to your blog. This is called organic traffic.
Improving your blog over time
As you grow as a blogger, keep learning and improving:
- Write better: Your writing will get better the more you blog.
- Read more: Other blogs, books, or articles. This will help improve your style.
- Experiment with content: Try new post ideas – interviews, reviews, or even how-to guides (like this one!)
- Analytics: Most blogging platforms offer free tools that show how many people are visiting your blog and what they’re reading. Use this info to understand what your readers like and create more of that content.
Making money (eventually!)
Blogging can be a way to make money, but it takes time.
Here’s how you can earn once your blog is popular:
- Ads: Once you get enough readers, you can sign up for ad services like Google AdSense, which pays you for showing ads on your blog.
- Sponsorships: Companies might pay you to write about their products if your blog gets a big enough following.
- Sell your stuff: You can create and sell things like eBooks, designs, or products related to your blog. Even art!
Stay safe online
MOST IMPORTANTLY, and I cannot stress this enough:
When you start a blog… STAY SAFE.
The internet can be amazing.
But it can just as easily turn into a nightmare.
- Don’t share personal info: Be careful not to share:
- Your address,
- Phone number, or
- Other private information.
- Negative comments: The internet is also, unfortunately, full of assholes. At some point, someone WILL disagee with you, and they might not be nice about it.
- If someone oversteps a boundary, block and report them.
- Don’t engage, you will go down a dark path and might turn into a bully yourself.
- I, on the other hand, have no qualms putting bullies in their place…. If you’ve met me at a Career Day, you’ll know where to find me on social media. Tag me. I’ll back you up.
- Most importantly, don’t let anyone’s negativity stop you from sharing your voice. When people are negative or mean, it’s a them-problem, and it’s between them and their therapist. How they behave is not your responsibility or your problem.
Ready to start a blog?
Blogging is an exciting way to connect with people and share what matters to you.
And the best part?
You don’t have to be perfect to start. JUST START A BLOG.
Pick a topic, write from the heart, and have fun!
Now, go ahead and start your blog.
You never know, it might just turn into something big!
Good luck!
