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5 Steps to Start A Blog
Is blogging still worth it today? Absolutely! While the landscape has changed since I started YEARS ago, there is still plenty of opportunity for someone who can create meaningful and helpful content.
I’ve been blogging now for over ten years now (c.r.a.z.y.), and while I still feel like I’m learning every single day, there are a few tricks over the years that really have helped it go more smoothly.
If you’ve been looking for a creative way to build an online business (and are a decent writer), blogging may just be for you.
Here’s how to start a blog in 5 steps:
1. Choose your topic and get your blog set up.
You’ll need to decide what you want to post about and then buy a domain, choose hosting, set up WordPress, set up your theme and create the fountaion for your site.
If there’s something out there that you love and you think other folks would just love to read about too, you might just be able to write a blog about it.
Determine one main focus for your blog, and stick to it. If you’re a little more willy nilly (like me!) and need some variety in your life, you may want to consider a name that can work with you no matter what you choose to write about.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself as you get started:
- Is this something I can write about for an extended period of time, and never get tired of talking about?
- Is this something other people care about?
- How can what I’m sharing help someone else? Will it be something people want to read every day?
- Is this something I’m passionate about?
- Is this something other people will be passionate about too?
2. Know that blogging has changed – a LOT – in the past few years
With the rise of new social media sites, AI, email marketing and search engines, it can take a lot of work to get your content out in the world. Know that Google values helpful content and building a good email list from day one can help immensely in the future.
Creating content is only part of the blog world today – you need a plan to get that content in front of readers through social media, search engines, and email marketing.
3. You can make money – but try to set up multiple sources
Once you get everything established, there are several ways you can monetize your blog. Affiliate marketing (sharing your links for items you love), ads, sponsored content and digital products are great areas to start.
4. Know there are costs up front
Getting everything set up (and set up well) typically isn’t free. Keep this in mind when building your brand and platform.
5. Use AI as a tool – not a replacement
It’s very easy now to just pop information in and get information out – but readers want original thoughtful content. Keep this in mind when writing your content and sharing on your social media.
When I first started I literally just emailed it out to a few folks I knew (I was TERRIFIED), but that’s the only way to grow is to SHARE!
Honestly though there’s no other job I could ever love as much as this one (I get to be home with my kids, work on my own schedule, and decide exactly how much I want to work each day), and goodness, I love it so much that I have a hard time walking away at the end of the day. It’s so fun to wake up each morning, set down to my desk and figure out what to share with you each day!
While it has been a lot (seriously, a lot) of work, I love (almost?) ever minute of it and am just amazed that your really can make a full time income blogging. It blows me away every day! It’s not easy, but so worth it, and might just be a great way for you to earn an extra income too.
Looked at Blue Host and its now cheaper…. but my question is can you just pay the first month to see if you will like it? It seemed like it wanted all of the money up front.
Thanks…
Hi Laurie! I am currently working on my site as we speak. I’m excited, but nervous! I’m a working mother of 6, student, and all else that goes with it. I was wondering if you use any special lighting or gadgets when you are video blogging? I purchased your Home checklist, by the way, and it is working well for me.
Hi Shan! I’ll be honest – I use a plain old Dollar Tree selfie stick – stuck in a vase full of corn (because it makes it not move around but easily holds the camera where I need it!)
Also make sure to windows in front of you (so if you have a window nearby – look out the window and stick the camera between you and the window). Instant face lift and wrinkle remover 🙂 That’s it – keep it simple so you’re not overwhelmed with too much stuff, and just go for it! Good luck!
I’m interested in starting a blog but I’m curious, do you get paid income just for traffic even if people don’t buy or print coupons? I don’t understand the “getting paid” aspect of it.
Hi Christie! You get paid via ad revenue from ads on the site (just for traffic) as well as affiliate revenue from things like coupon prints, or when people use your links to purchase a specific item (i.e. via amazon). It definitely takes awhile to grow traffic, but has been so worth it for our family!
I think the most valuable information would be to know how you built up so much traffic 🙂
Hi Vivien! Read more here – it DEFINITELY took some time but has been so worth it! 🙂 https://passionatepennypincher.com/how-i-make-a-full-time-income-as-a-stay-at-home-mom-7-secrets-to-success/
Thank you xx
hi i have been following u for a while now, love you so much! I started my blog after months and months of thought and a friends suggestion, i have some followers and i post every night if possible, i am really trying to reach a lot of people. im a mom of 6 and i would love to make money doing it as well! do u recommend me just using the beginners wordpress and just blog then add to it like plugins and such to make some money? how do i get me out there more?
Had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I read 1.3-2 million pageviews per month. I just started my first blog earlier this year and celebrated by going out to dinner when I hit my first thousand per month. When hitting a million, I may go out to dinner more often. Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Hi Laurie !!! Great information !!! I would love to see what other tips you have on this. Seriously considering blogging. Thank you for all the information you have already posted. I’ll continue following…your blog is wonderful!!! Blessings !!!
Hello☺ Could you help me out love to do what you are doing. My email is amyandjames98@gmail. Give me some points on how to blog. Thank you. Amy
How do I link Facebook and Pinterest to my blog?
Hi Cindy! Just create a FB page and Pinterest page, and add links to those on your blog’s site. If you’re new to blogging, I’d start here for tons of great info! https://amylynnandrews.com/
Hi Laurie, I found your website via facebook and love your advice. I too am interested in starting a blog but get bogged down with the details. Perhaps bluehost would be the easiest way to begin. When you talk about wordpress are you suggesting .org or .com? I think what I have to do is take it one step at a time. Also, what do you use for camera and did you take a class on photography? I love the fact that you are giving your money to a missionary family! Amazing! God will definitely bless you for this!
Hi Robin! I use wordpress.com if that helps. 🙂 I did eventually move up to a DSLR camera (although it took me several years to get there!), and didn’t take a class but slowly am figuring it out (although a class would be amazing!!) Hope that helps- good luck as you get started! 🙂
I am glad that when I started my blog, I went with Blue Host and WordPress. If I ever have an issue, Google can usually help me, because there are so many bloggers on WordPress, so it has a huge following.
How do you find advertisers who will pay you?
Hi Juneau! I’ve been at this for several years, so when I started I literally just googled everything. Now because I have a good sized readership, advertisers frequently contact me, and I have several affiliate programs that I work with to earn an income. Read more of my story here – https://passionatepennypincher.com/2015/11/how-i-make-a-full-time-income-as-a-stay-at-home-mom-7-secrets-to-success/
I really believe that by focusing on traffic (getting readers to my site) in those beginning years more than anything else, the money really did follow. (I’m still amazed by that every day!) Hope that helps!
Interested on how you actually make money blogging?
Hi Amanda! Read this post to learn a little more – https://passionatepennypincher.com/2013/09/why-i-do-what-i-do/
My primary revenue sources are ads on the site (which make money because I have decent traffic), as well as Amazon (so if people buy a product from Amazon using one of my links, I make a small commission.) I also make a small amount of income from people printing coupons, as well as buying things through other store affiliate links (stores like Kohl’s, eBay, etc.) Each little amount adds up, and while it takes a LOT of work, it’s worth it! (Definitely is worth focusing on traffic primarily, because with decent traffic your potential to earn income grows – hope that helps!)