We know the terms blog and blogger. Have you ever wondered if you could create a blog people would read? Or maybe this question, How do I blog? What does it take to create a successful blog?
Over the past few years, blogging has become my life. I live for it. I believe the content I create helps leaders and writers find their voice and succeed in life. Helping others develop their writing and blogging skills is where my passion lies. But how do you blog? What is it, and how do you begin?
Here are seven tips to starting your own blog and making it a smashing success.
1. Just Do It:
Take the NIKE approach and start your blog. If you’re going to blog, it must become a priority, you must go all in. For years I dabbled in blogging. I now know, if I were to start over, I’d have done things differently.
This is why you hear, consistency is the key. I’ve often heard Michael Hyatt say, “Decide what you’re going to do and follow through.” Just make a decision, stick with it, and get the job done.
2. Find your Website and sign up.
There are so many options in the website arena, it’s hard to know where to begin. This is where I come in. I did a simple Google search for “blogging platforms” and found 45 million results on people telling you what the best platform out there is.
For me, I started with www.wordpress.com. It’s simple and it’s free. WordPress is considered the gold standard in blogging. You can’t go wrong.
Today, I use the self-hosted version of WordPress. If you really want to go gold on WordPress the best platform to use is self-hosted WordPress.org. It’s super easy and it’s super cheap to have your own site that’s customized to your liking.
I use Bluehost for my website hosting needs. Right now, members of my audience can get in for as little as $3.95/month. You can’t go wrong.
3. Know your Niche Market.
The question we must answer is this; Who is our target audience? If we don’t know our niche market, we will never take things to the next level. This is where we get laser focused on our mission in life.
We should know what, in some form, our target audience needs. I know my audience wants to start that blog or write that book. I know they want to stay motivated with tools and clear thinking so they can succeed in their craft of writing.If we know our audience, they will keep coming back. And I can attest that this is very true!
If we know our audience, they will keep coming back. And I can attest that this is very true!
4. Write and schedule your posts:
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything on our plate. We have a family, work, hobbies, and other passions. My suggestion is to batch create your content. When I’ve done this, it takes the stress level off and lightens the load.
5. Be Authentic:
I believe blogging is the perfect way for us to be authentic and real with our readers. We are taking people on a journey through our life experiences. But, if we don’t take the time to produce quality content and schedule it in our lives, we will never get the job done.
People desire the real you. They don’t want plastic or pretend. I mentioned on Instagram the other day, “we not only need to teach what we know, we ought to know what we teach.“
6. Be consistent:
As writer, it’s easy to procrastinate and say “I’ll get to my blog later.” Kind of like this post. I waited until the last moment to record and write this post.
However, blogging requires consistency, not necessarily frequency. But one thing that readers want is authenticity and consistency.
If you’re blogging for the first time, take the time and schedule one post per week. It’s better to have one post a week then have people wondering if something will ever show up. I am recording this episode at 10 pm on Tuesday so that you, today on Wednesday can listen and enjoy.
People count on us, and if we don’t show up, no one else will be there to pick up the slack.
7. Don’t be afraid, just write your first post:
It’s easy to allow fear to take hold and never write that first blog post. It’s okay. It’s natural to have doubts. But if you want to be a writer, you must write.
There are times I’m afraid that people won’t like me, my content, or my message. I also know it helps others in their journeys.
I recently received an email saying how grateful they were for my podcast and emails. It’s helped them find some form of clarity and reignite the passion for continuing writing their book.
Don’t let fear hold you back. Get crystal clear on your message and write that. Don’t shrink back, pick up courage and face your fear. Write like there’s no tomorrow.
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[reminder]What is it you write? What’s your message?[/reminder]
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Need an idea for your next blog post?
Are you tired of not knowing what to write next? Writing a weekly blog can get exhausting and you can easily run out of ideas.
That's why I wrote this ebook to help you break that writer's block and get writing again.
Download this swipe file with 10 awesome ideas to spark your next Blog Post!
Jason (J.B.) Sisam. Best-selling Amazon author of the Christian Early Reader book, 
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