How to Start the Blog that You Absolutely Need By Melinda Harris

Blogs are a great way to both start a readership and to become part of a writing community while keeping you writing. If you want to start a blog, here are a few steps to help and inspire you along the way.

Figure Out the Topic
Decide what you want to focus on and what you can talk about extensively. You can create a blog about writing, or review books, or about your travels. Maybe a collection of a few relating topics.

Name Your Blog
This can be tricky, especially if you want to purchase a domain name for it. Choose something short, so that it is easy for your future readers to remember. Don’t create a long winded name that is difficult to recall, let alone type. If you do happen to create a long title, make sure the part that becomes the domain is easy to remember. And make it relevant to your topic and to you.

Figure Out Your Platform
There are many avenues to set up your blog. You can start with Tumblr, Wordpress, Wix, Blogger, or purchase your own domain and install Wordpress.
Tumblr is the social media version of blogging. It makes it easy to follow other blogs and share content from other blogs for your followers. It is also easy to create and post content.
Wordpress, Wix, and Blogger are just a few websites that you can create a domain on for free. Alexandra Lindenmuth has an awesome breakdown of these websites here.

Create a Schedule
An argument against blogging is that it takes time and energy away from other writing. Design a schedule in which you have plenty of time to write posts and create other content. This could be weekly or bi-weekly. A schedule would help keep you on track with your blog posts and help you organize what kind of content you want to post at what time.

Write!
Write your butt off! I know this is easier said than done, but as soon as you start writing, ideas will keep flowing. Create content that you are proud of and that brings a new perspective into the writing world.

Don’t Forget to Share Your Posts
Sharing your posts brings readers to your blog. Sites that are great to share your blog to are Pinterest and Facebook. This helps direct people to your blog and may help build a readership.

Bonus!
Start connecting with other bloggers! Start searching blogs with similar content and leaving comments. The blogging community is great and you can guest blog and host guest blogs to help build your readership.

Most of all, enjoy it!

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