Starting a blog as a writer is a great way to showcase your work, build a following, and connect with other writers or readers. After reading The Blog Starter's step-by-step guide on how to start a blog as a writer, I thought I would add my two-cents:
1. Choose Your Niche
- Decide what kind of content you want to share. Since you're a writer, your blog could focus on anything from your own writing journey, tips for other writers, book reviews, writing prompts, creative writing, or even personal essays.
- Narrowing down a niche helps attract a specific audience and makes it easier to stay focused.
2. Pick a Blogging Platform
- WordPress: Great for customization and scalability. You can choose between a free version (wordpress.com) or a self-hosted one (wordpress.org).
- Medium: Easy to use with a built-in audience, especially for writers. You can focus entirely on content and not worry about technical details.
- Blogger: A free platform by Google, easy to use but with fewer customization options.
- Wix/Squarespace: Great if you want a more visually-driven site, these are user-friendly drag-and-drop platforms.
Pro Tip: WordPress (self-hosted) is great for writers who want full control over their site’s design, functionality, and monetization options.
3. Get a Domain Name and Hosting (if applicable)
- If you go with WordPress.org or another self-hosted platform, you’ll need to purchase a domain name (e.g., www.yourname.com) and web hosting.
- Popular hosting providers include Bluehost, SiteGround, and HostGator. They often offer easy WordPress installation.
4. Design Your Blog
- Choose a clean, easy-to-navigate theme. Focus on simplicity; you want your writing to be the main focus.
- Consider how your blog looks on mobile devices, as many people read blogs on their phones.
5. Create Essential Pages
- About Page: Let readers know who you are, what your blog is about, and why they should care.
- Contact Page: Provide a way for people to reach out to you—whether for collaboration, feedback, or inquiries.
- Privacy Policy/Terms of Use: If you plan to monetize or collect data (even just emails), you’ll need these for legal reasons.
6. Start Writing and Publishing Content
- Aim to post consistently. A good starting point could be one post per week or biweekly.
- Be authentic and share your unique perspective. Since you're a writer, this is a great opportunity to experiment with different writing styles, formats, and topics.
7. Promote Your Blog
- Social Media: Share your posts on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
- Guest Blogging: Write guest posts on other blogs and link back to your own.
- Engage with the Writing Community: Comment on other writers' blogs, join writing forums, or participate in Twitter writing chats (#amwriting, #writerscommunity).
8. Monetize (optional)
- Once you’ve built up traffic, you can explore monetization options like affiliate marketing, selling e-books, offering writing services, or running ads on your blog.
9. Engage with Your Audience
- Respond to comments and messages. Building a community around your blog can be one of the most rewarding parts.
- You can also encourage readers to sign up for a newsletter for regular updates.
Do you have a specific type of writing you want to focus on for your blog? That might help narrow down how you approach your content and audience!