3 Tips for Starting a Blog

How to start a blog? Seems like there’d be a plethora of info out there on the web for this right? That’s what I thought… until I start

ed looking. In fact there is a wealth of information, but you have to dig through so much useless stuff its discouraging. I found that most posts/articles out there go something like this….

Step 1: Choose a blogging platform.
Step 2: Choose a hosting service
Step 3: Install blogging platform
Steps 4-672: Blah blah blah
Step 673: Now you’re done installing your blog software
Step 674: Now start blogging…. Good luck!

Gee Thanks…

But what if I wanted tips on how to write, what to write, how to get organized…. you know, the important stuff? That’s the information that’s buried.

I did find some stuff though and I’m including links to help you cut the learning curve. Also, I’d like to give you the top three tips I learned.

Before I do that, I’ve got to make a disclaimer. In the world of blogging, there’s at least three major types of blogs. The Journal, The Group Blog, and The Topical Blog. The journal is just that…. a chronologically listed accounting of you or your family’s day to day life. Here, the uniting theme is not a topic, but YOU. The second is a group of people that write on a particular topic. The last is similar to the second, but it’s just one person writing on a topic. My tips I’m sharing here have to do with the last two types and don’t really apply to the journal blog. Ok, with that out of the way….

Tip One: Find Your Niche

I referred to this in an earlier post. The idea here is to define a set of boundaries that will give structure and meaning to your writing. Sure, there’s no

need to always stay inside the boundaries, but if most of your writing is confined to a topic or a set of related topics, you’ll see some great benefits. One benefit is that it’s easier to pick something to write about. It gives you a starting point. Another benefit is it’s easier to recognize material you can use in your blog. As you are reading in other places, things that fit your Niche will jump out at you. Finally, it helps give your readers a sense of continuity. It’s easier for them to know they’ll get what they’re looking for if they can trust you to stay within a general arena.

How do I find my Niche? What are you passionate about? What are you an expert at? Pick something you will truly love to write about each time…. Not something you have to spend three hours researching every time you want to write.

Tip Two: Work Ahead

Whenever I heard my teachers in school suggest this, they were always met with a universal sense of contempt. But, it really is a good idea: especially when blogging. I’ve spent a lot of time training our missionaries here at Word of Life in the last year in areas of technology. When encouraging people to start a blog, I always get several who say, “I just don’t have the time to do that.” I personally think you don’t have time not to, but aside from that, everyone really can make the time. If you’ll put a 2 hour block of time each month on your calendar to sit down and crank out 4 blog posts, you can set those posts to future publish and eek out 1 a week. You’ll have a regular stream of info posting to your blog and you’ll be on your way to establishing a great blogging reputation. Now really, who doesn’t have 2 hours a month?

Tip Three: Think Small

This seems contrary to conventional wisdom. But it’s true. The greatest temptation is to write a novel and try and explain everything you can all at once. Resist the temptation. Keep your posts 500-750 words and think in singular chunks. What one thought can I get across in this post? This keeps you focused, avoids boredom for your reader and gives them something they can take away and use.

These tips have helped me a ton. I’ve got lots more to learn, but hopefully this is a solid foundation to start on.

Tip One: Find Your Niche

Tip Two: Work Ahead

Tip Three: Think Small

Links