When thinking about starting a blog, you are sure to have a whirlwind of questions.
Here are a few tips I give to newbie bloggers when they’re just getting started. Please note that I have included a bunch of links in this article in case newbies are looking for more in depth discussions on the topics below.
1. What is it going to cost you?
Ok, I stoled this question from a buddy of mine, James Chartrand. I really like that question because as an experienced blogger it’s my responsibility to educate newbies as to just how much time and sacrifice goes into blogging. Blogging takes huge chunks of time away from your family life, personal time, and just about everything else.
2. Get a self-hosted WordPress blog as opposed to a free one.
I’d say this is probably the one I hear the most – “I want to start a blog but I’m not really sure if I’ll like it, so I’ll start out with a free blog and then purchase my own down the road.” It’s even worse when they tell me they want to start a business and they want to know where they can get a free blog.
I have way too many issues with this logic. Just thinking about it makes my toe hairs itch.
I mean, who builds a business, empire, or something else you plan to invest such a large amount of time in on something that is free and limited?
There are many advantages to a self-hosted WordPress blog and with our company you can start one for around $10 and then $10 a month (hosting and domain name). That’s a small price to pay for such a big investment. Many people say they want to “test” it out first before they spend lots of money. It really doesn’t cost that much.
Ok – like I said, I have way too many issues with going the free blog route. If this is what you’re considering, read these other articles for more information on why free blogs are a bad idea:
3. Choose the right hosting company for your needs.
A while back I wrote an article, How To Choose The Best WordPress Blog Hosting Company. In the article, I mentioned how you should pick a web host which is in line with your needs.
Do you need:
- Phone support?
- Someone there who knows about blogging?
- Someone you can talk to when you have WordPress questions?
- Do they provide services that allows you to grow if your blog becomes successful?
Also, don’t believe people how say you need cPanel with Fantastico if you plan to use WordPress. Someone somewhere started that nonsense. While Fantastico is a nice feature because it has an auto installer of WordPress, it’s not necessary because it’s not the only option for easy installs of WordPress.
Our company doesn’t use Fantastico, but take a look at the programs we offer which installs are as easy as giving usernames and passwords.
4. Focus what you write about and are you passionate about it?
Blogging is an on ongoing process. You might think you have a lot to say but trust me, it fades quickly. Imagine writing 3 articles a week for 5 years. Do you really have that much to say? Realize that the ongoing process is all about you learning and converting that knowledge into something useful for others.
To stay the course, make sure you’re really interested in that topic. That’s the key to longevity in blogging, if you ask me.
5. Why do you want to start a blog?
What’s the purpose? Is it to make money? Gain fame? Learn something?
You first have to understand what you want to get out of blogging; only then can you devise a plan to get you there. Work your plan backwards if you have to.
Also, realize that the goal of your blog may change down the road. That’s ok, but always remember why you are blogging and strive to reach that goal you’ve given yourself.
6. Try installing WordPress on your own.
If you plan to be a WordPress blogger, I suggest you try installing it on your own when you’re first starting out. Doing this will give you a jump start and insights into how WordPress is organized.
Got any other tips?
Share below.
UPDATE: Not sure why, but for some strange reason I forgot to mention blog security. I always urge new (and seasoned) bloggers to think about securing your blog. The easiest time to do security upgrades is when you first install your blog.
Though I stress this point, most people skip this step until they get hacked. It’s kind of like the person who never cares much about installing a home alarm system until after they get robbed.
So point 7 is think security.
September 14th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
All I know is, your service is superlative! Why anyone would dream of going anywhere else is beyond me. The video tutorials are the greatest and getting a human being who speaks English on the phone is priceless in this day and age. Not to mention the fact that you completely recovered my blog after I accidentally deleted it. Doh! Thanks for everything!
Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..REMEMBERING
September 14th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
This post reminds me so much the time I started blogging. All the questions and doubts, from a personal blog to a niche blog.. it’s not an easy process but an enjoyable one. I must agree with the suggestions given above. If you ever plan to go serious with your blogging, always go for self-hosting. Wordpress can assure you with much relevance and convenience; multiple plugins to choose from and full control of your site.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
September 14th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Betsy
Thank you very much for the kind words. Hey I might toss that quote in somewhere if you don’t mind. True I might speak English, but I dream in 0’s and 1’s LOL.
Ching Ya
My problem when I first began blogging was that I already knew a lot about web development and web marketing. While that can be a good thing, it can also be a bad thing because you *think* you know everything. I really didn’t though. If anyone looks back into my archives what you’ll see is I started blogging about entrepreneurial and general web development topics and then gradually as I learned more about WordPress focused more on blogging and using WordPress (wow that was a long sentence).
Ah the good ol’ days.
September 15th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hi John – I love your updated theme. Ditto what Betsy says. Before I used your hosting company, I used one that offered Fantastico – unfortunately their service sucked. Now – I will only use your hosting company.
People really need to listen to what you say about writing what you’re passionate about. Too many people start writing about “how to make money blogging” and become one of the zillions of other crappy blogs writing about the same thing.
September 15th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Hi Cath. Good to see you!
At least if you’re going to be one in a zillion you better be passionate about it, right?
Thanks for your kind words about our company. We definitely try our best.
September 15th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
John, I can’t tell you how pleased I am with your support. I’m technically challenged and something as simple as upgrading to the latest WordPress version makes me wary. I’d much rather leave it in your capable hands. Thank you!
Davina´s last blog ..The Key To Vacation Thyme
September 15th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Anytime, Davina
The key to upgrades are backups. Upgrades have broken sites, plugins, themes, etc. A good backup is a necessity.
September 18th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Many bloggers (including me) start a blog without ever asking themselves, “why am I starting a blog? What are my goals?” It seems to have worked for me, but these days when people ask me about starting a blog, I always tell them they should answer that question first.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
I hear you Vered. It’s like learning to play the guitar (I’ve played since I was 11). You could learn how to play without any guitar lessons, but if you take lessons, you’ll probably learn quicker.
Likewise, if you develop a blogging plan from the start, you’ll probably achieve your goal quicker.
Not always the case, but the odds are more in your favor.
September 21st, 2009 at 12:51 am
Hi John,
That’s true about asking a new blogger why they want to start a blog. Granted, some do hear of how they can make six figures by blogging, but they forget to read the “fine print” that shows those six figure bloggers have been doing it for many years.
With that said, making money was one of my motives when I started blogging, and in some aspects I’m happy it was as now I’m a blogoholic and can’t see my life without the blog. Hmmmmm!
Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Write Responsibly Right From The Start
September 21st, 2009 at 8:04 am
LOL Barbara. It is fun and can be addicting, can’t it.
I suppose blogging can also be discouraging when you see others do so well for themselves and you cannot (not yet anyway).
For me, I know what I need to do next. I need to create a newsletter. I’ve been really slacking in that area.