Many people are interested in creating a blog on the topic of their choice, but to do it right, you need to know what you’re doing. The first steps listed below will get you ready to create a blog that others will actually want to read. If you plan to go above and beyond in turning it into a full time career, then the steps below are absolute musts.
You absolutely must know some basic HTML in order to run a blog. You may start with a template, but there will be some changes you will need to make, such as adding your own logo, links and ads. Knowing a bit about HTML will make these changes a lot easier, ensuring you don’t mess up the entire code. Remember to back up your current HTML by saving it to a notepad file before you make any changes, just in case.
Be sure to make your content varied, but stick to a single topic. You don’t only want to post potato side dish recipes if your site is dedicated to the potato. Instead, write about growing them in your garden, how to wash them, how to store them, how to turn them into a great breakfast, how to use them for arts and crafts, etc. The more varied your content, the more people you will attract to your site. Also, if you have a vast amount of knowledge on your website, people will view you as an expert and respect your opinions.
Be sure to have photos and videos in your blog posts to add to the level of interest. Text by itself can get boring, and the simple addition of a photo can make the post pop. It can also show what you’re talking about, especially important if the post is about something tangible, a how-to or a recipe. If there is an “end result” to your post, such as an outfit you put together or a desk you built, you need to show what that end result is in a photo. Even better, use a video to show the entire process.
Be sure to engage your readers through their comments on your posts. If someone takes the time to reply to you, you need to take the time to reply to them as well. The same goes for your social media accounts – if someone sends you an @ message, or a direct message, be sure to reply as soon as possible. There is nothing worse than reaching out to someone only to find they ignore what you say. If you want to grow your visitor numbers, pay attention to feedback.
If you want to let the world know about your passion, blogging is a great way to do it. Take the time to use the steps above to ensure your blog is truly top notch. As long as you put in the effort necessary to build your blog and your audience, nothing will stand between you and success.
