New Year, New Bloggers

Tis the season to start a new blog..or so I'm told.  The new year is what most people consider to be a fresh start. Everyone is seeking to do something they have always dreamed of, become a better version of themselves, start that project they've always talked about doing, and others are looking to embark on a new adventure of blogging.  Let me preface this post by saying I am by no means a blogging expert. In fact, I'm still learning about new tips and tricks for becoming a better blogger than I was the day before.  However, over the course of the past few years there are some things I have learned that I wish I would have known when I began blogging in 2013.  In the past year I have had several friends ask me how to start a blog. Each time I answer their big question, I seem to have more advice and even more resources to provide them with. Today I'm here to provide my viewpoints for starting a new blog from scratch.

Do your research. 
Starting a blog is not as easy as it seems. It can be a big undertaking, which is why it is crucial to do your research. I spent six months leading up to the launch of my blog reading other blogs.  The more you read the more you realize the dos and do nots of blogging.  You also get a feel for some things you'd like to incorporate into your own personal page. 

Determine your audience and content. 
 These two things will play a large role into how your blog looks, what you will post about, and the direction you need to take to get to the launch of your page. Go back to step one and do more research by checking out blogs that are similar to what you want yours to be.  Look at trends to see what people enjoy reading about and what topics are overdone. 

Don't debut your blog to friends and family immediately.  
Wait a month to really share your blog. The more content you have the bigger success it will be once you share it with the public.  In  the early stages of blogging you are trying to figure everything out and might make mistakes and not post on a regular basis.  Until you are able to post with some regularity and feel comfortable, I would hold off on the big reveal of your new project. 

Be original and believe in yourself. 
Sure it is great to have blogs you love to read, but post your own original content and don't try to be someone else. It is also important to remember that these other blogs you are reading have been around for awhile, so don't compare yourself to them.  Trust me, it will make you go crazy.

Content over Style.

It is easy to get caught up in the look of your blog.  Start with a basic layout, then as you get more experience you can make it more complex and exciting.  The more simple it is the better off you will be.  Worry about content first, then the knitty gritty details of the design later on. 

Create a plan and stick to it. 
Create a plan of how often you want to blog then figure out how you are going to write often enough to meet your goals.  I recommend posting three times a week to start off, then once you are able to do this with ease bump it up to five days a week.  Posting on a regular schedule creates good blogging habits and makes your blog reliable to its readers.  Use a calendar to map out what you're going to blog about each week. Write these posts ahead of time and use the scheduler so that they are ready to go in advance. 

Here are some links that might help you launch your new blog:
The Blogging Guidebook
Tips for a successful blog launch
How to start a lifestyle blog
The Newbie Guide to starting a new blog 


 XOXO