Last June, I finally told my friends and family about my blog. It still feels weird when I talk to a new person about it, mainly because I was so private about it for so long.
Many of my friends (and friends of friends) ask me a blogging question whenever they can, which is kind of funny.
I never thought that someone would come to me for blogging advice. I even have friends asking me to sit down with them for a day and show them how to start a blog and go through everything with them.
One of my good friends even told me the other day that she had a super nerdy thing to tell me – she said my blog opened her eyes up to a whole new world.
Like with my story, I never thought about blogging before I actually started. I knew nothing about it and I didn't know anyone who blogged. Now that I'm blogging, I'm getting a lot of the people around me interested in it as well.
Since everyone is always asking me for blogging advice, I have decided to make a blog post about this. Starting a brand new blog can be a little scary and overwhelming, but hopefully with my tips below you can start a successful website.
EDIT July, 2016: I recommend checking out my online course for bloggers, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. I earn over $50,000 a month through affiliate marketing and I share my exact strategy and tips in this very informative online course. If you’re a blogger (even if you’re a new blogger!), then you NEED this course. If you don't have a blog yet but you are interested, then please check out my free blogging course first.
1. Start on WordPress.
I made a very detailed post about this last year. Whatever you do, try to skip Blogger and start right away on WordPress. With Blogger, yes, it is FREE to start your blog, but I don't think it's worth it.
Also, I created a guide on starting your WordPress blog on BlueHost. The steps are very easy, and you can do it all on your own.
It may be worth it to have a free blog if you're not even sure if you want to blog. This way you don't have to put any money into it until you are sure. BUT, in almost all other cases I think you should start immediately on WordPress. It doesn't cost much to start a blog from scratch.
I made the mistake of staying on Blogger for far too long… It's one of my biggest blogging regrets!
Related: How To Start A Blog
2. Find a niche.
This is not exactly a need, but finding a niche to blog about can be a great thing. There are so many topics out there that are waiting for you to blog about.
Some ideas include:
- Personal finance. Making Sense of Cents is primarily a personal finance website, but I also blog about my trips and life as well.
- Travel. Travel blogs are one of my favorite niches to read. I can never get enough.
- Lifestyle.
- Parenting.
- Food.
- Fashion.
If you have a favorite blog, share the link below. I always love finding new websites!
3. Have personality.
If you sound like a robot in all of your posts, I think it would be very hard for anyone to enjoy reading your blog. You should inject as much personality as you can into your posts.
My favorite blogs are ones where the authors have awesome personalities that I can relate to. They can turn a boring subject into something that I actually want to read. I also like to read about how REAL people approach a problem.
If I wanted to read a textbook then I would be doing that 🙂
4. Produce high-quality content.
If you are going to blog, always make sure to produce high quality content. If you are pumping out content that is boring and adds no value to the blogging world, then you are just wasting your time.
ProBlogger has a bunch of great articles that show you how to produce high-quality content. I recommend that you head over there and read How To Write Great Blog Content.
5. Get on social media.
If you want to be a blogger, I think it's absolutely necessary to have a Twitter and Facebook account. Even if you don't understand it, start an account and just go with it.
Whenever I tell a new blogger this tip, they almost ALWAYS tell me that they don't understand social media so they are not interested in starting an account. However, once you get started you will get hooked, and it is so helpful.
Social media is a great way to network with your readers and other bloggers in the community.
6. Don't get caught up with your stats.
When you are blogging, it is very easy to check your blog's statistics all the time. I can't blame you for doing that. You are probably curious as to whether or not someone is actually reading your blog, and numbers may help you determine if you are doing something right or wrong.
It is important to not get carried away with it though. If you find yourself checking your stats every 5 minutes, then you are probably checking it too much! Restrict yourself to only checking it every so often such as once a day or once a week.
7. Make sure all of your links work.
One thing that really bothers me with a blog is when there are links that don't lead anywhere. Always make sure that links in your sidebar go to the correct places.
An example would be if you have social media icons on your sidebar but they don't go anywhere. WHY IS THAT?! Am I the only person that this annoys?
8. Don't use CAPTCHA.
This is just annoying. Does anyone actually like CAPTCHA? There are so many great plugins that help with spam. They also don't require your readers to fill out an annoying quiz in order to leave a comment.
9. Don't copy others.
This should be a given. You should be providing fresh content each time you hit publish.
Even if it's a topic that has been covered before, you still should be putting your own spin on it and not copying someone else's entire post.
What blogging tips do you have for a new blogger? What blogging mistakes have you made? Share your story below!
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Michelle, thank you for this post. As a newb blogger, it’s really easy to get frustrated and feel like nobody will every actually read what I post. You are living proof that a newb can eventually make connections and share ideas with others about blogging. Maybe someday I’ll get to that point!
Thank you so much for sharing your insight! Love the tips as they are extremely helpful along my blogging journey- my site is a “travel tips and tricks” blog that I based on my experiences: http://www.thatwomanfromny.com
Stay awesome 🙂
I just wanted to say your blog has been a real inspiration. I finally got brave and started my own blog. I’m 43, but trying to link social media and learn all of the lingo makes me feel old! Thank you for such an easy to navigate step by step process for setting up a blog on WordPress. Once I feel more comfortable navigating everything, I’m sure I’ll enroll in the Affiliate Marketing course.
Thank you 🙂
I am starting a blog as we speak thanks to you. One question. Or maybe a couple. I see blog with pictures on them. Nice ones. Is it a necessity or does it depend on the niche? (it’s no photography or art lol) Also, if I do need pics, where is a good place to get some? I am going a gaming blog. So I’m not positive that picture are necessary to get my discussion points across.
Pixabay is great for images 🙂
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for the awesome advice that you’re always providing for new bloggers. I just launched my blog last week, so exciting! You’re so right that it is tempting to check stats all the time, and at this point for me, it’s just so exciting every time one new person looks at my blog. But I could definitely find a more productive use of that time. 🙂
Congrats on starting a blog 🙂
I love this post and your blog! Super motivating for someone struggling to keep blogging.
Michelle,
Thank you for sharing this! I launched my blog as my new years resolution. I have been so overwhelmed and frustrated with the numbers and page views. it’s so easy to get overwhelmed and feel like I should ALWAYS be working on something for my blog. This was extremely reassuring to me. Thanks again!
Lynlee
Michelle,
I appreciate all the time and effort you have put into posts like this. You have motivated me into starting a blog, and am in the process of writing some sample articles just to see if I can do it. I’m not sure if you will see this or not, but when you refer to social media should you have a Facebook account tied to your website (e.g., Making Sense of Cents) rather than just your personal account? I assume so . . . and that you mention MSOC on your personal wall to encourage your friends to read/subscribe. Thank you!
Yes, I recommend having a page specifically for your blog.
Thank you again! What a speedy reply!
Hi Michelle! I am. It quite done reading your how-to post…but I will:) I have a quick question. You said we have to be part of social media when we blog. I live in a small town and I don’t really want everyone to know my business! What do you feel I should do?
I actually write blogs for a car dealership but I have personal stories I would love to share. You see, I am a middle-aged mom that is struggling to figure out who I am “supposed” to be! All I ever wanted to be was a mom! I realize my mom duties aren’t necessarily over but they have definitely reduced!! Anyway, I have a few good stories to tell about boyfriends, college, getting my masters (and HATING my job after), weight gain, in addition to anxiety…and etc!!
Also, how often do you blog?? Weekly? Daily?
Thank you again for your post!! I am pretty excited to pursue my dream!!!
Hello!
Your social media accounts don’t have to do anything with where you live – it’s just social media accounts for your blog.
I blog 2-3 times a week 🙂
Hi Michelle,
Thank you for this and other postsI I am in the limbo stage, I think. I have created my blog. Check it out if you have time, http://www.beachhousehustle.com It’s all about design, decor & making real estate work for you. I want to help people learn how to make their homes gorgeous showcases of their personalities, but also to teach people how they can make money from their home.
I am a bit overwhelmed. I am now struggling to navigate all the plug ins, I have applied for a few affiliates, and signed up for AdSense. I think I successfully inserted an email sign up form. I’m just not exactly sure what to DO with all of that. I know I need some traffic to my blog and since it’s only a few days old I think the only people that have looked at it are my parents, ha!! I started all the social media accounts, but not quite sure what I am supposed to do there, either.
Is there a particular article you would recommend that outlines step by steps of the monetizing process the way you outlined creating the blog?
Thanks again!
Dana
Thanks for writing this article Michelle. I love your blog and your Making Sense Of Affiliate Marketing Course (My review of your course >> https://www.unconventionalprosperity.com/make-100k-month-affiliate-marketing/). Very helpful advice!
I’m agreed with point #3, #4 and #9. Be yourself and give everything to the reader then the visitor will appreciate your works. When a blog can show how to solve a problem, they surely will gain trust from the visitor.
Hi Michelle,
I’ve recently started to blog after following a lot of blogs. You inspire a lot of people and proves that thinking out of the box can get you there. It’s quite overwhelming when starting out but we’ll get there eventually.
Thank you for the inspiration. Keep up the good work.
Hey Michelle,
Love this! I have one question from your recommendations page…
You say using a free autoresponder is the #1 biggest mistake of new bloggers. I just wondered why?
I’m didn’t have any subscribers/ making any regular income (yet!) so I’m currently using MailChimp. I now have almost 100 subscribers.
Thanks in advance