choose a platform or host.
it probably goes without saying, but you have to pick a hosting/platform website when you decide to start a blog. the two i’ve heard most frequently used are Blogger and WordPress. i run mine through Blogger. it was the platform i was most familiar with when i decided to start my blog, so it just made sense to me to use it. i don’t have any real complaints about it — it’s very easy to navigate, fairly easy to customize, and i like that it’s connected with my gmail account. if you’re not sure which platform to choose, i recommend doing a simple google search for comparisons or reviews.
think about a blog design.
for me, one of the most exciting things about having a blog is considering my blog design. it’s changed quite a few times over the course of the last couple years, but i really enjoy changing it up and trying new things. when i first started, i worked with a graphic designer i found on Etsy to use one of her pre-made Blogger templates. if you’re not design-savvy, i recommend going that route! or finding a blogger/designer that offers affordable options, especially for starting out. of course, you can play with the design capabilities of the host website to see if you can customize it to your liking!
set up your social media.
social media is arguably one of the most important aspects of having a successful blog, just behind having quality content and an appealing space. you can either change your usernames to reflect your blog name or start new accounts. a great way to get your blog out there is to include your URL on all of your social media profiles, especially if you have existing followers and want to let them know about your new blog!
get the basics on your blog.
for me, i wanted to have my blog all set up and ready for an audience before i started telling people about it. i made sure to have an ‘about me’ page for new visitors, social media buttons for them to follow me elsewhere, a ‘contact’ page so they could get in touch with me, and a photo of myself on my sidebar so that they could put a face to the writing on my blog. these ‘basics’ can be different for everyone, but i do recommend checking out other blogs and websites to see what you can add for your followers to utilize.
write your first post.
once you feel like everything is ready to go, you’re all set to write your first post! there’s no rules for this, but it could be a good idea to do a little ‘introduction’ about who you are and what you plan to write about or what your background is. chances are, new visitors will read it and be intrigued to come back and continue reading if you’re engaging and/or plan to share topics that they’re interested in.
don’t put too much pressure on yourself. when i look back at my first few posts, i cringe a little bit. but that’s okay! enjoy the process and allow yourself to make mistakes and evolve.
have a specific question or want me to address a certain topic? leave a comment or shoot me an email!
iPad wallpaper | Aubrey Kinch
