How to Write a Blog Post: A Step-by-Step Guide [+ Free Blog Post Templates]

Review a step-by-step guide plus useful templates to learn how to write an effective blog post for your target audience and customers.

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6 FREE BLOG POST TEMPLATES

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Computer showing marketers how to write a blog post step by step to start a successful blog website

Updated: 01/31/24

Published: 01/31/24

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Anyone can connect with their audience through blogging and enjoy the myriad benefits that blogging provides: organic traffic from search engines, promotional content for social media, and recognition from a new audience you haven’t tapped into yet.

If you’ve heard about blogging but are a beginner and don’t know where to start, the time for excuses is over. Not only can you create an SEO-friendly blog , but I’ll cover how to write and manage your business's blog as well as provide helpful templates to simplify your blogging efforts.

What is a blog post?

How to start a blog, writing your first blog post, what makes a good blog post, blog post examples, how to write a blog post.

Let's get started with an important question.

Blogging may mean different things depending on your niche — so let’s begin with this definition.

A blog post is any article, news piece, or guide that's published in the blog section of a website. A blog post typically covers a specific topic or query, is educational in nature, ranges from 600 to 2,000+ words, and contains other media types such as images, videos, infographics, and interactive charts.

Blog posts allow you and your business to publish insights, thoughts, and stories on your website about any topic. They can help you boost brand awareness, credibility, conversions, and revenue. Most importantly, they can help you drive traffic to your website.

But in order to begin making posts for a blog — you have to learn how to start one, first. Let’s dive in.

  • Understand your audience.
  • Check out your competition.
  • Determine what topics you'll cover.
  • Identify your unique angle.
  • Name your blog.
  • Create your blog domain.
  • Choose a CMS and set up your blog.
  • Customize the look of your blog.
  • Write your first blog post.

1. Understand your audience.

Before you start writing your blog post, make sure you have a clear understanding of your target audience. To do so, take the following steps.

Ask yourself exploratory questions.

To discover your audience, ask questions like: Who are they? Are they like me, or do I know someone like them? What do they want to know about? What will resonate with them?

Jot down your notes in a notepad or a document. This is the time to brainstorm audience attributes from scratch, no matter how out of left field they may feel. You should also think about your audience's age, background, goals, and challenges at this stage.

how to learn to write blogs

6 Free Blog Post Templates

  • "How-to" Post
  • "What is" Post
  • Listicle Post

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Carry out market research.

Doing market research sounds like a big task, but in truth, it can be as simple as accessing a social media platform and browsing user and blog profiles that match with your potential audience.

Use market research tools to begin uncovering more specific information about your audience — or to confirm a hunch or a piece of information you already knew. For instance, if you wanted to create a blog about work-from-home hacks, you can make the reasonable assumption that your audience will be mostly Gen Zers and Millennials. But it’s important to confirm this information through research.

Create formal buyer personas.

Once you’ve brainstormed and carried out market research, it’s time to create formal buyer personas . It’s important because what you know about your buyer personas and their interests will inform the brainstorming process for blog posts.

"Buyer personas aren’t just for direct marketing. They can be a handy way to keep a human in mind while you’re writing. If you’ve got other marketing or sales teams handy, coordinate your personas," says Curtis del Principe, user acquisition manager at HubSpot. "Chances are that your existing customers are exactly the kind of people you want to attract with your writing in the first place. Your sales and service teams can also have great insight into these people’s needs and pain points."

For instance, if your readers are Millennials looking to start a business, you probably don't need to provide them with information about getting started on social media — most of them already have that down.

You might, however, want to give them information about how to adjust their social media approach (for example — from what may be a casual, personal approach to a more business-savvy, networking-focused approach). That kind of tweak is what helps you publish content about the topics your audience really wants and needs.

Don't have buyer personas in place for your business? Here are a few resources to help you get started:

  • Create Buyer Personas for Your Business [Free Template]
  • Guide: How to Create Detailed Buyer Personas for Your Business
  • [Free Tool] Make My Persona: Buyer Persona Generator

2. Check out your competition.

What better way to draw inspiration than to look at your well-established competition?

It’s worth taking a look at popular, highly reviewed blogs because their strategy and execution is what got them to grow in credibility. The purpose of doing this isn’t to copy these elements, but to gain better insight into what readers appreciate in a quality blog.

When you find a competitor’s blog, take the following steps:

Determine whether they’re actually a direct competitor.

A blog’s audience, niche, and specific slant determine whether they're actually your competitor. But the most important of these is their audience. If they serve a completely different public than you, then they’re likely not a competitor. That is why it’s important to define your buyer personas before taking other steps in the blog creation process.

Look at the blog’s branding, color palette, and theme.

Once you determine that they’re your competitor, it’s time to take note of their techniques so that you can capture a similar readership. Colors and themes play a huge role in whether you seem like part of a niche — for instance, a blog about eco-friendly products should likely use earthy tones instead of bright, unnatural colors such as neon yellow or pink.

Analyze the tone and writing style of the competition.

Take note of your competition’s copywriting. Is it something you feel like you can successfully emulate? Does it ring true to the type of blog you’d like to create? What do readers most respond to? For most, creating a tech blog might be an excellent idea, but if journalistic, review-based writing doesn’t work for you, then that might not be a good fit. Be aware of what you can feasibly execute or hire freelance writers.

3. Determine what topics you’ll cover.

Before you write anything, pick a topic you’d like to write about. The topic can be pretty general to start as you find your desired niche in blogging .

Here are some ways to choose topics to cover.

Find out which topics your competitors often cover.

One easy way to choose topics for your blog is to simply learn what other blogs are writing about. After you determine your competitors, go through their archive and category pages, and try to find out which topics they most often publish content about. From there, you can create a tentative list to explore further. You might find, for instance, that a competitor only covers surface-level information about a subject. In your blog, you can dive more deeply and offer more value to readers.

Choose topics you understand well.

No matter what type of blog you start, you want to ensure you know the topic well enough to write authoritatively about it. Rather than choosing a topic you’ll need to research as you write, think about those that come most naturally to you. What has your professional experience been like so far? What are your hobbies? What did you study in college? These can all give rise to potential topics you can cover in depth.

Ensure the topics are relevant to your readership.

You may find that you hold deep expertise in various topics, but how relevant are they to the audience you understood back in step one?

Del Principe suggests checking in with sales and service teams as well. "What kinds of things do they wish customers already knew? What kinds of questions do they get asked a thousand times? What kind of objections come up from potential customers, and how do they address them?"

If you’re not serving their needs, then you’d be shouting into a void — or, worse, attracting the wrong readership. For that reason, after identifying the topics you can feasibly write about, ask yourself whether those are subjects your audience would like to explore.

Do preliminary keyword research.

Keyword research is the process of searching for topics using a keyword research tool , then determining whether there is demand by looking at each topic’s (or keyword’s) search volume. If you found the perfect topics that are the perfect cross between your expertise and your reader’s needs, you’ve struck gold — but the gold will have no value unless people are searching for those terms. Only then can you capture the audience that is waiting out there.

4. Identify your unique angle.

What perspective do you bring that makes you stand out from the crowd? This is key to determining the trajectory of your blog’s future, and there are many avenues to choose in the process.

Here’s how you can find your unique selling proposition in crowded blogging niches:

Write a professional and personal bio.

Knowing your own history and experience is essential to determine your unique slant. To get started, write a professional bio that explains, at length, who you are and which experiences most inform your blogging efforts. While I could write a lengthy exposition about my childhood, that history isn’t essential unless I’m launching a blog about raising children.

What unique experience makes you a trusted expert or thought leader on the topic? You can use your answers to that question to find your angle. Use this information to populate your “About me” page on your blog and share more about yourself.

Determine the special problem you will solve for readers.

Your readers won’t trust you or return to you unless you actively help them solve a problem. As you try to find your angle, think about ways you can help your audience surmount challenges typically associated with the topics you’ve chosen for your blog. For instance, if you’re creating a blog about sustainability, then you might help readers learn how they can compost organic materials in their home.

Choose an editorial approach.

Will you share your opinions on trending debates? Teach your readers how to do something? Compare or share original research? The editorial approach you choose will in part be informed by the topics you cover on your blog and the problems you’re helping your readers solve. If your blog is about marketing trends and your goal is to keep marketers up-to-date on the latest changes, then your editorial approach should be journalistic in nature. This is only one example of how to choose a technique.

5. Name your blog.

This is your opportunity to get creative and make a name that gives readers an idea of what to expect from your blog. Some tips on how to choose your blog name include:

Keep your blog name easy to say and spell.

No need to get complicated at all with your name, though it might be tempting, since there are so many blogs out there. While choosing a unique name is essential, it’s also important to choose one that is easy to memorize for readers. It should also be simple to remember as an URL (which will come into play in the next step).

Link your blog name to your brand message.

The more related your blog’s name is to the topics you cover, the better. For instance, DIY MFA is all about writers doing their own Master of Fine Arts in writing at home. The brand’s message is all about delving deep into one’s writing practice without needing a formal degree. Try to do something similar for your own blog name: Alluding to your blog’s message, value proposition, and covered topics in one sweep.

Consider what your target audience is looking for.

Your blog name should tie directly into what your readers want to achieve, learn, or solve. DIY MFA is about writers who don’t have the money for graduate school, but who still want to develop their writing skills. The HubSpot Marketing blog is — you guessed it — about marketing trends and tips.

It’s okay if your blog name feels “too straightforward.” Straightforward names accurately communicate what you’re about and effectively attract the right audience.

If you still need more assistance, try using a blog name generator . One last tip: Make sure the name you come up with isn’t already taken, as it could lessen your visibility and confuse readers looking for your content.

6. Create your blog domain.

A domain is a part of the web address nomenclature someone would use to find your website or a page of your website online.

Your blog‘s domain will look like this: www.yourblog.com. The name between the two periods is up to you, as long as this domain name doesn’t yet exist on the internet.

Want to create a subdomain for your blog? If you already own a cooking business at www.yourcompany.com, you might create a blog that looks like this: blog.yourcompany.com. In other words, your blog's subdomain will live in its own section of yourcompany.com.

Some CMS platforms offer subdomains as a free service, where your blog lives on the CMS, rather than your business's website. For example, it might look like this: yourblog.contentmanagementsystem.com. However, to create a subdomain that belongs to your company website, register the subdomain with a website host .

Most website hosting services charge very little to host an original domain — in fact, website costs can be as inexpensive as $3 per month when you commit to a 36-month term.

Pro Tip: You can connect your custom domain to free hosting with HubSpot’s free CMS or in premium editions of CMS Hub. This includes access to built-in security features and a content delivery network.

Here are five other popular web hosting services to choose from:

7. Choose a CMS and set up your blog.

A CMS (content management system) is a software application that allows users to build and maintain a website without having to code it from scratch. CMS platforms can manage domains (where you create your website) and subdomains (where you create a webpage that connects to an existing website).

HubSpot customers host web content via CMS Hub . Another popular option is a self-hosted WordPress website on a hosting site such as WP Engine . Whether you create a domain or a subdomain to start your blog , you'll need to choose a web hosting service after you pick a CMS.

Pro Tip: You can get started for free with HubSpot’s free blog maker . Our free CMS offers everything you need to get started– including hosting, a visual editor, and hundreds of free and paid themes to choose from.

Screenshot 2024-01-22 at 3.10.53 PM

Start using HubSpot's Free Blog Making tool to publish blog posts.  

8. customize the look of your blog..

Once you have your domain name set up, customize the appearance of your blog to reflect the theme of the content you plan on creating and your brand.

For example, if you're writing about sustainability and the environment, green might be a color to keep in mind while designing your blog.

we are wildness blog appearance

Image Source

If you already manage a website and are writing the first post for that existing website, ensure the article is consistent with the website in appearance and subject matter. Two ways to do this are including your:

  • Logo : This can be your business‘s name and logo — it will remind blog readers of who’s publishing the content. (How heavily you want to brand your blog, however, is up to you.)
  • “About” Page : You might already have an “About” blurb describing yourself or your business. Your blog‘s "About" section is an extension of this higher-level statement. Think of it as your blog’s mission statement, which serves to support your company's goals.

9. Write your first blog post.

Once you have your blog set up, the only thing missing is the content. While the design and layout are fun and functionally necessary, it's the content that will draw your readers in and keep them coming back. So how do you actually go about writing one of these engaging and informational pieces?

You’ve got the technical and practical tidbits down — now it’s time to write your very first blog post. And nope, this isn’t the space to introduce yourself and your new blog (i.e. “Welcome to my blog! This is the topic I’ll be covering. Here are my social media handles. Will you please follow?”).

Start with “low-hanging fruit,” writing about a highly specific topic that serves a small segment of your target audience.

That seems unintuitive, right? If more people are searching for a term or a topic, that should mean more readers for you.

But that’s not true. If you choose a general and highly searched topic that’s been covered by major competitors or more established brands, it’s unlikely that your post will rank on the first page of search engine results pages (SERPs). Give your newly born blog a chance by choosing a topic that few bloggers have written about.

Let’s walk through this process.

1. Choose a topic you’re passionate and knowledgeable about.

Before you write anything, pick a topic for your blog post. The topic can be pretty general to start. For example, if you're a company that sells a CRM for small-to-enterprise businesses , your post might be about the importance of using a single software to keep your marketing, sales, and service teams aligned.

Pro tip : You may not want to jump into a “how-to” article for your first blog post.

Your credibility hasn’t been established yet. Before teaching others how to do something, you’ll first want to show that you’re a leader in your field and an authoritative source.

For instance, if you‘re a plumber writing your first post, you won’t yet write a post titled “How to Replace the Piping System in your Bathroom.” First, you’d write about modern faucet setups, or tell a particular success story you had rescuing a faucet before it flooded a customer's house.

Here are four other types of blog posts you could start with:

  • List (“Listicle”) : 5 ways to fix a leaky faucet
  • Curated Collection : 10 faucet and sink brands to consider today
  • SlideShare Presentation : 5 types of faucets to replace your old one (with pictures)
  • News Piece : New study shows X% of people don't replace their faucet frequently enough

If you're having trouble coming up with topic ideas, a good topic brainstorming session should help. In the post I’ve linked, my colleague walks you through a helpful process for turning one idea into many. Similar to the “leaky faucet” examples above, you would “iterate off old topics to come up with unique and compelling new topics.”

This can be done by:

  • Changing the topic scope
  • Adjusting your time frame
  • Choosing a new audience
  • Taking a positive/negative approach
  • Introducing a new format

And if you’re still stuck, let’s take a look at some first blog post idea examples.

First Blog Post Ideas

The difference between [niche topic] and [niche topic], explained by a [niche expert].

  • The Difference Between SEM and SEO, Explained by a Marketing Expert
  • The Difference Between Sedans and Coupes, Explained by a Car Mechanic
  • The Difference Between Baking and Broiling, Explained by a Professional Baker

The 10 Best and Worst [Niche Tools] for [Niche Activity]

  • The 10 Best and Worst Writing Software for Fiction Writing
  • The 10 Best and Worst CRMs for Nurturing Prospects
  • The 10 Best and Worst Family Cars for Cross-Country Roadtrips

8 [Niche Activity] Common Mistakes (+ Ways to Fix Them)

  • 8 Non-Fiction Writing Common Mistakes (+ Ways to Fix Them)
  • 8 Salmon Broiling Common Mistakes (+ Ways to Fix Them)
  • 8 Car Maintenance Common Mistakes (+ Ways to Fix Them)

9 Proven Tips for [Niche Activity]

  • 9 Proven Tips for Checking Plumbing Problems under Your Kitchen Sink
  • 9 Proven Tips for Writing a Non-Fiction Bestseller
  • 9 Proven Tips for Doing DIY Car Maintenance

Why We/I Switched from [Niche Tool] to [Niche Tool] (Comparison)

  • Why We Switched from Pipedrive to HubSpot (Comparison)
  • Why I Switched from Microsoft Word to Scrivener (Comparison)
  • Why We Switched from iMacs to Surface Studio (Comparison)

[Niche Tool] vs [Niche Tool]: Which [Tool] is Best for You?

  • Zendesk vs Freshcaller: Which Call Software is Best for You?
  • Air Fryer vs Convection Oven: Which One is Best for You?
  • Mazda Miata vs Toyota Supra: Which Sports Car is Best for You?

The Ultimate Roundup of [Niche Activity] Tips and Tricks

  • The Ultimate Roundup of Novel Writing Tips and Tricks
  • The Ultimate Roundup of Macaroon Baking Tips and Tricks
  • The Ultimate Roundup of Solo Traveling Tips and Tricks

Want some real examples of blog posts? See what your first blog post can look like based on the topic you choose and the audience you're targeting.

2. Target a low-volume keyword to optimize around.

Finding a keyword with low searches in Google (I recommend sticking to about 10 to 150 monthly searches). These topics offer less competition and should therefore allow your new blog post to rank more easily.

To choose a topic, you can either do a traditional brainstorming session or carry out keyword research. I suggest the latter because you can actually see how many people are looking for that topic.

Now, don’t be intimidated by the term “ keyword research .” It’s not just for marketers, but for new bloggers, too. And it’s really easy to do.

To jumpstart your keyword research, first begin by identifying the general topic of your blog.

Say you’re a plumber. Your general, high-level topic might be “plumbing” (67K monthly searches).

Next, put this term into a keyword research tool such as:

  • Ubersuggest
  • Wordtracker

When you run this term through the tool, a list of related keywords will appear. Scan the list and choose one with a lower search volume. For this example, we’ll use “under sink plumbing” (1.4K monthly searches).

Run that keyword in the keyword research tool again. Look at the related keywords. Find one with a lower search volume. Do that again.

For this example, we’ll settle on “plumbing problems under kitchen sink” (10 monthly searches). That’s the topic for our first post.

TLDR ; Choose a low-volume, low-competition keyword that will ensure your first post ranks.

For more help on keyword research, here are more resources you can use:

  • How to Do Keyword Research for SEO: A Beginner's Guide
  • How to Perform Keyword Research and Rank
  • Top Tools For Finding Long-Tail Keywords

3. Google the term to understand your audience’s search intent.

You’ve got your topic — now, you need to check that the user’s search intent would be fulfilled by a blog post.

What does that mean?

If someone is looking for “plumbing problems under a kitchen sink,” they might be looking for a tutorial, a diagram, an article, or a product that can fix the issue. If they’re looking for the first three, you’re good — that can be covered in a blog post. A product, however, is different, and your blog post won’t rank.

How do you double-check search intent?

Google the term and look at the results. If other articles and blog posts rank for that term, you’re good to go. If you only find product pages or listicles from major publications, then find a new topic to cover in your first post.

Consider the term “under sink plumbing bathroom” (30 monthly searches). It seemed like a perfect fit because it had low monthly searches.

Upon Googling the term, I found product carousels, product pages from Home Depot and Lowes, and guides written by major publications. (You’ll also want to avoid topics that have been covered by major publications, at least for now.)

TLDR ; Before writing your first blog post about a low-volume topic, double-check the user intent by Googling the keyword. Also, don’t forget to take a look at who’s written about that topic so far. If you see a major brand, consider writing about another topic.

4. Find questions and terms related to that topic.

You’ve got a highly unique topic that’s been covered by just a few people so far. It’s time to flesh it out by covering related or adjacent topics.

Use the following tools:

  • Answer the Public : When you place your keyword into this tool, it will give you a list of questions related to that term.
  • Google : Google is your best friend. Search for the term and look under “People also ask” and “People also search for.” Be sure to touch upon those topics in the post.

You can also use these keyword research tools we mentioned above in step one.

5. Come up with a working title.

You might come up with a few different working titles — in other words, iterations of approaching that topic to help you focus your writing.

For example, you may decide to narrow your topic to “Tools for Fixing Leaky Faucets” or “Common Causes of Leaky Faucets.” A working title is specific and will guide your post so you can start writing.

Let's take a real post as an example: " How to Choose a Solid Topic for Your Next Blog Post ."

Appropriate, right? The topic, in this case, was probably “blogging.” Then the working title may have been something like, “The Process for Selecting a Blog Post Topic.” And the final title ended up being “How to Choose a Solid Topic for Your Next Blog Post.”

See that evolution from topic, to working title, to final title? Even though the working title may not end up being the final title (more on that in a moment), it still provides enough information so you can focus your blog post on something more specific than a generic, overwhelming topic.

6. Create an outline.

Sometimes, blog posts can have an overwhelming amount of information — for the reader and the writer. The trick is to organize the info in a way so readers aren‘t intimidated by length or amount of content. This organization can take multiple forms — sections, lists, tips — whatever’s most appropriate. But it must be organized!

Featured Resource: 6 Free Blog Post Templates

blog post template

Download These Templates for Free

Let's take a look at the post, " How to Use Snapchat: A Detailed Look Into HubSpot’s Snapchat Strategy. " There‘s a lot of content in the piece, so it’s broken up into a few sections using descriptive headers. The major sections are separated into subsections that go into more detail, making the content easier to read.

To complete this step, all you really need to do is outline your post. This way, before you start writing, you'll know which points you want to cover and the best order to do so. And to make things even easier, you can download and use our free blog post templates , which are pre-organized for six of the most common blogs. Just fill in the blanks!

7. Write an intro (and make it captivating).

We've written more specifically about writing captivating introductions in the post " How to Write an Introduction ," but let's review, shall we?

First, grab the reader‘s attention. If you lose the reader in the first few paragraphs — or even sentences — of the introduction, they’ll stop reading (even before they've given your post a fair shake). You can do this in a number of ways: tell a story or a joke, be empathetic, or grip the reader with an interesting fact or statistic.

Then, describe the purpose of your post and explain how it will address a problem the reader may be experiencing. This will give the reader a reason to continue reading and show them how the post will help them improve their work or lives.

Here‘s an example of an intro I think does a good job of attracting a reader’s attention right away:

“Blink. Blink. Blink. It's the dreaded cursor-on-a-blank-screen experience that all writers — amateur or professional, aspiring or experienced — know and dread. And of all times for it to occur, it seems to plague us the most when trying to write an introduction.”

8. Build out each section of your outline.

The next step — but not the last — is actually writing the content. We can't forget about that, of course.

Now that you have your outline or template, you're ready to fill in the blanks. Use your outline as a guide and expand on all points as needed. Write about what you already know, and if necessary, conduct additional research to gather more information, examples, and data to back up your points, while providing proper attribution when incorporating external sources. When you do, always try to find accurate and compelling data to use in your post.

If you‘re having trouble stringing sentences together, you’re not alone. Finding your “flow” can be challenging for a lot of folks. Luckily, there are a ton of tools you can lean on to help you improve your writing. Here are a few to get you started:

  • HubSpot's AI Blog Writer : Tools like HubSpot's AI Blog Writer can be a valuable asset for beginners and seasoned bloggers alike. It simplifies the process of creating SEO-friendly and engaging blog content, which is crucial for connecting with your audience and enjoying the benefits of blogging.
  • Power Thesaurus : Stuck on a word? Power Thesaurus is a crowdsourced tool that provides users with a number of alternative word choices from a community of writers.
  • ZenPen : If you're having trouble staying focused, check out this distraction-free writing tool. ZenPen creates a minimalist “writing zone” designed to help you get words down without having to fuss with formatting right away.
  • Cliché Finder : Feeling like your writing might be coming off a little cheesy? Identify instances where you can be more specific using this handy cliché tool.

You can also refer to our complete list of tools for improving your writing skills . And if you're looking for more direction, the following resources are chock-full of valuable writing advice:

  • Copywriting 101: 6 Traits of Excellent Copy Readers Will Remember
  • How to Write Compelling Copy: 7 Tips for Writing Content That Converts
  • How to Write With Clarity: 9 Tips for Simplifying Your Message
  • The Kurt Vonnegut Guide to Great Copywriting: 8 Rules That Apply to Anyone
  • Your Blog Posts Are Boring: 9 Tips for Making Your Writing More Interesting

9. Publish and promote your first post any way you can.

As a new blogger, you likely don’t have a social media following yet. Thankfully, you don’t need a huge following before you can create a promotion strategy.

A promotion strategy is your master plan for how you create, post, and engage with your social media content. It helps you take advantage of social and digital technologies to share your business, or in this case, your content. Having a solid promotional strategy offers your audience from different marketing channels more ways to find your blog posts.

Here are more blog post promotion resources:

  • 12 Tried-and-True Ways to Promote Your Blog Posts
  • 10 Sites You Can Use for Free Blog Promotion
  • 9 Link Building Email Outreach Templates That Actually Work
  • Inbound Link Building 101: 34 Ways to Build Backlinks for SEO
  • 11 Creative (But 100% White Hat!) Ways to Earn Backlinks

Before you write a blog, make sure you know the answers to questions like, “Why would someone keep reading this entire blog post?” and “What makes our audience come back for more?”

To start, a good blog post is interesting and educational. Blogs should answer questions and help readers resolve a challenge they're experiencing — and you have to do so in an interesting way.

It‘s not enough just to answer someone’s questions — you also have to provide actionable steps while being engaging. For instance, your introduction should hook the reader and make them want to continue reading your post. Then, use examples to keep your readers interested in what you have to say.

Remember, a good blog post is interesting to read and provides educational content to audience members.

Want to learn how to apply blogging and other forms of content marketing to your business?

Check out HubSpot Academy's free content marketing course .

Now, let's dive into some formatting guidelines to use before you publish your blog posts.

Blog Format Guidelines

  • Include H2s to arrange ideas.
  • Center your Images.
  • Add alt text.
  • Keep your sentences clear and concise.
  • Use media with purpose.

1. Include H2s to arrange ideas.

When you begin typing your blog content, it’s important that you divide paragraphs into sections that make it easier for the reader to find what they need.

If you’re just starting out, then focus on the overarching H2s you want to talk about, and you’ll be able to branch off into subheaders and more naturally as you continue.

2. Center your images.

This is a simple practice that can help your content look more professional with little effort. Centering your images keeps the reader’s attention drawn to the subject — not searching for elsewhere.

Centering also looks better when translating from PC to mobile devices. As formatting transitions to small screens or windows, a centered image will remain the focal point.

3. Add alt text.

So those images you centered earlier, make sure you have descriptive alt text for them, too.

Image alt text allows search engines, like Google, to crawl and rank your blog post better than pages lacking the element. It also leads readers to your blog post if the keywords included are what they searched for in the first place.

Besides SERP features, image alt text is beneficial to readers by providing more accessibility. Image alt text allows people to better visualize images when they can’t see them, and with assistive technology, can be auditorily read aloud for people to enjoy.

4. Keep your sentences short and concise.

When you begin working on the body of your blog post, make sure readers can clearly understand what you’re trying to accomplish.

You shouldn’t feel pressure to elongate your post with unnecessary details, and chances are that if you keep it concise, readers will derive more value from your work.

5. Use media with a purpose.

Break up the monotony of your blog post with some multimedia content where seen fit.

Your reader will enjoy visiting a blog page with images, videos, polls, audio or slideshows as opposed to a page of black and white text.

It also makes it more interactive and improves your on-page search engine optimization (SEO).

Now, do you want some real examples of blog posts? See what your first blog post can look like based on the topic you choose and the audience you're targeting.

  • List-Based Post
  • Thought Leadership Post
  • Curated Collection Post
  • SlideShare Presentation
  • Newsjacking Post
  • Infographic Post
  • How-to Post

1. List-Based Blog Post

List-based post example: 17 blogging mistakes to avoid in 2021, according to hubspot bloggers.

list based blog post example

List-based posts are sometimes called “listicles,” a mix of the words “list” and “article.” These are articles that deliver information in the form of a list. A listicle uses sub-headers to break down the blog post into individual pieces, helping readers skim and digest your content more easily.

As you can see in the example from our blog, listicles can offer various tips and methods for solving a problem.

2. Thought Leadership Post

Example: how hubspot's customers are shaping the next normal.

thought leadership blog post example

Thought leadership posts allow you to share your expertise on a particular subject matter and share firsthand knowledge with your readers.

These pieces — which can be written in the first person, like the post shown above — help you build trust with your audience so people take your blog seriously as you continue to write for it.

3. Curated Collection Post

Example: 8 examples of evolution in action.

An example blog blog post featuring a curated collection

Curated collections are a special type of listicle blog post. Rather than sharing tips or methods for doing something, this type of blog post shares a list of real examples that all have something in common in order to prove a larger point.

In the example post above, Listverse shares eight real examples of evolution in action among eight different animals — starting with the peppered moth.

4. Slide Presentation

Example: the hubspot culture code.

Example slides presentation, HubSpot Culture Code

HubSpot Slides is a presentation tool that helps publishers package a lot of information into easily shareable slides. Think of it like a PowerPoint, but for the web. With this in mind, SlideShare blog posts help you promote your SlideShare so that it can generate a steady stream of visitors.

Unlike blogs, slide decks don't often rank well on search engines, so they need a platform for getting their message out there to the people who are looking for it. By embedding and summarizing your SlideShare on a blog post, you can share a great deal of information and give it a chance to rank on Google at the same time.

Need some slideshow ideas? In the example above, we turned our company's “Culture Code” into a slides presentation that anyone can look through and take lessons from, and then promoted it in a blog post.

5. Newsjacking Post

Example: ivy goes mobile with new app for designers.

An example of a newsjacking blog post

“Newsjacking” is a nickname for “hijacking” your blog to break important news related to your industry. Therefore, the newsjack post is a type of article whose sole purpose is to garner consumers' attention and, while offering them timeless professional advice, prove your blog is a trusted resource for learning about the big things that happen in your industry.

The newsjack example above was published by Houzz, a home decor merchant and interior design resource, about a new mobile app that was launched just for interior designers. Houzz didn‘t launch the app, but the news of its launching is no less important to Houzz’s audience.

6. Infographic Post

Example: the key benefits of studying online [infographic].

An example from an infographic blog post

For example, when you're looking to share a lot of statistical information (without boring or confusing your readers), building this data into a well-designed, even engaging infographic can keep your readers engaged with your content. It also helps readers remember the information long after they leave your website.

7. How-to Post

Example: how to write a blog post: a step-by-step guide.

For this example, you need not look any further than the blog post you‘re reading right now! How-to guides like this one help solve a problem for your readers. They’re like a cookbook for your industry, walking your audience through a project step by step to improve their literacy on the subject.

The more posts like this you create, the more equipped your readers will be to work with you and invest in the services you offer.

8. Guest Post

Example: your bookmarkable guide to social media image sizes in 2021 [infographic].

Example of a guest blog post

Additionally, these posts give your blog variety in topic and viewpoint. If your customer has a problem you can't solve, a guest post is a great solution.

If you begin accepting guest posts, set up editorial guidelines to ensure they're up to the same standards as your posts.

So we’ve gone through the different types of blog posts you can make, but how do you consistently make quality blog posts that your viewers will enjoy?

How to Write a Blog Post Graphic

  • Draw from your buyer personas and what you know about your audience.
  • Pull from your content strategy and/or brainstormed topics.
  • Identify what's missing from the existing discourse.
  • Choose what type of blog post you're writing.
  • Generate a few different titles and choose the best one.
  • Create your outline and designate keyword-rich H2s and H3s.
  • Write your blog post!
  • Proofread your post.
  • Add images and other media elements to support your ideas.
  • Upload your post into your CMS.
  • Determine a conversion path (what you want your audience to do next).
  • Add calls to action to guide your audience to take action.
  • Link to other relevant blog posts within your content.
  • Optimize for on-page SEO.
  • Publish and promote the blog post.
  • Track the performance of the blog post over time.

1. Draw from your buyer personas and what you know about your audience.

Before you start writing your blog post, make sure you have a clear understanding of your target audience.

Ask questions like: What do they want to know about? What will resonate with them?

This is where the process of creating buyer personas comes in handy. Consider what you know about your buyer personas and their interests while you're coming up with a topic for your blog post.

For instance, if your readers are millennials looking to start a business, you probably don't need to provide them with information about getting started in social media — most of them already have that down.

If you haven’t developed buyer personas yet, I’ve found that it’s easiest to get started by gathering the information you already have about your audience and looking for trends. Sending out feedback surveys and interviewing followers can also be helpful.

Does your blog attract a specific age group? Does your audience live in a certain region? How do readers typically discover your content? Finding answers to these questions can help you get a better idea of who your buyer persona is.

2. Pull from your content strategy and/or brainstormed topics.

If you already have a pre-existing portfolio to look back on, it would benefit you to pull from those brainstormed post ideas or previous content strategy.

One thing that’s been helpful for me is specifically looking at content performance data when brainstorming ideas. In doing this, I’ve discovered which topics tend to resonate with my audience (and which ones don’t) and created content around them.

By focusing on your core blog topics, or clusters , you can establish yourself as a thought leader, gain the trust of your audience, rank better on search engines, and attract new readers.

3. Identify what’s missing from the existing discourse.

Fill in the gaps of the existing discourse in the topic of your choosing.

You want to meet a need that hasn’t already been met in your topic cluster. Otherwise, you run the risk of writing content for topics that are already over-saturated.

It’s hard to beat saturated search queries when you’re trying to rank against high authority publications — but not impossible if your content is answering the queries the competition hasn’t.

To discover what’s missing within a topic, I conduct a competitive analysis to see what my competitors offer in their content and how I can make my blog post better. Here are some things to look out for:

  • Unanswered user queries
  • Content depth
  • Content freshness
  • Media richness
  • User experience

If your competitors are lacking in any of these areas, you can use that to your advantage and focus on them when writing your blog post.

Another way to differentiate your blog is by offering original data, quotes, or perspectives. Some of my best performing posts have come from getting a unique quote from an industry expert.

4. Choose what type of blog post you’re writing.

There are several types of blog posts you can create, and they each have different formats to follow.

Six of the most common formats include:

  • The List-Based Post
  • The “What Is” Post
  • The Pillar Page Post (“Ultimate Guide”)
  • The Newsjacking Post
  • The Infographic Post
  • The “How-To” Post

Save time and download six blog post templates for free.

5. Generate a few different titles and choose the best one.

Your blog title should tell readers what to expect, yet it should leave them wanting to know more — confusing, right?

This is why when you’re coming up with a blog post title that you should brainstorm multiple ones instead of just one. I find it helpful to share these titles with a couple coworkers to get their feedback and see which one is most engaging to them.

I’ve also enlisted the help of ChatGPT to generate sample blog post titles by inputting a prompt like, “Write a list of blog titles about [topic].” Even if it doesn’t give you exactly what you want, it can still get ideas flowing.

6. Create your outline and designate keyword-rich H2s and H3s.

When outlining, you need to center your main ideas with keyword-rich H2s and H3s. These are going to be your headers and subheaders that readers typically search for, and the information that Google crawls when indexing and ranking content.

I use keyword research tools, like Ahrefs and Semrush , to find the best words for my blog post. To find the right keywords, I focus on the following elements:

  • Relevance to topic and search intent
  • How authoritative my blog is on the topic
  • The amount of search traffic my blog could gain

Remember, your outline should serve as a guide to make writing your blog post easier, so make sure you include all the important points you want to discuss and organize them in a logical flow.

7. Write your blog post!

I already told you how to build out your outline earlier in the post, so we'll quickly go over the main points once more.

You‘ve already outlined your main headings and subheadings, so now’s the time to add the body.

Write about what you already know, and if necessary, conduct additional research to gather more information, examples, and data to back up your points, while providing proper attribution when incorporating external sources. When you do, always try to find accurate and compelling data to use in your post.

This is also your opportunity to show personality in your writing. Blog posts don‘t have to be strictly informational, they can be filled with interesting anecdotes and even humor if it serves a purpose in expressing your ideas. It also factors into creating and maintaining your blog’s brand voice .

Don‘t be discouraged if you’re having trouble stringing sentences together, you're not alone. Finding your “flow” can be challenging, but there are many tools to ease the process. Software such as HubSpot's Free AI Blog Writer can help you generate copy for your blog post. You can even use it to outline and generate title ideas.

8. Proofread your post.

The editing process is an important part of blogging — don't overlook it. I tend to self-edit while I write, but it’s essential to get a second pair of eyes on your post before publishing.

Consider enlisting the help of The Ultimate Editing Checklist and ask a grammar-conscious co-worker to copy edit and proofread your post. I also really enjoy free grammar checkers, like Grammarly , to help proofread while I’m writing.

If you're looking to brush up on your self-editing skills, turn to these helpful posts for some tips and tricks to get you started:

  • How to Become a (Better) Editor: 13 Editorial Tips
  • How to Become a More Efficient Editor: 12 Ways to Speed Up the Editorial Process
  • 10 Simple Edits That'll Instantly Improve Any Piece of Writing

9. Add images and other media elements to support your ideas.

When you're finished checking for grammar, shift your focus to adding other elements to the blog post than text. There’s much more to making a good blog post than copy, here’s some following elements to add in support of your ideas:

Featured Image

Choose a visually appealing and relevant image for your post. As social networks treat content with images more prominently, visuals are more responsible than ever for the success of your blog content.

An example of a featured image on a blog post

For help selecting an image for your post, read " How to Select the Perfect Image for Your Next Blog Post " and pay close attention to the section about copyright law.

Visual Appearance

No one likes an unattractive blog post. And it‘s not just pictures that make a post visually appealing — it’s the formatting and organization of the post, too.

In a well-formatted and visually-appealing blog post, you'll notice that header and sub-headers are used to break up large blocks of text — and those headers are styled consistently.

Here's an example of what that looks like:

Visual appearance example in a blog post

Screenshots should always have a similar, defined border so they don‘t appear as if they’re floating in space — that style should stay consistent from post to post.

Maintaining this consistency makes your content look more professional and easier on the eyes.

Topics and Tags

Tags are specific, public-facing keywords that describe a post. They also allow readers to browse for more content in the same category on your blog. Refrain from adding a laundry list of tags to each post. Instead, put some thought into a blog tagging strategy.

Think of tags as “topics” or “categories,” and choose 10-20 tags that represent all the main topics you want to cover on your blog. Then stick to those.

10. Upload your post into your CMS.

You filled out your blog post with all the optimized content you can, now is the time to publish it in your content management system.

I also use this step as an opportunity to double check my post for any errors that were potentially missed during the proofreading process. It’s especially important to preview your post before publishing to make sure there aren’t any formatting issues.

You can opt to post your content immediately, save it as a draft, or schedule when you want it to be posted live in case you adhere to a posting schedule.

11. Determine a conversion path (what you want your audience to do next).

A conversion path is a process by which an anonymous website visitor becomes a known lead. It sounds simple enough, but creating an effective conversion path requires a clear understanding of your target audience and their needs.

Having a conversion path is important because when you share your content on the web, you should have an idea of what your audience should do next, or in other words, provide them with a path forward.

The HubSpot Flywheel model is a great example of this as it shows how our organization gains and maintains leads.

HubSpot Flywheel Model

12. Add calls to action to guide your audience to take action.

Call to action (CTA) are a part of a webpage, advertisement, or piece of content that encourages the audience to do something. You can add them to your blog post to guide your reader with “next steps” or a conversion path.

Different types of call to actions include asking readers to:

  • Subscribe to your newsletter to see when you publish more content.
  • Join an online community in your blog domain.
  • Learn more about a topic with downloadable content.
  • Try something for free or discount to convert readers to customers.

To get a better idea of how to make a CTA that readers want to click, we have a whole list of effective call to action examples for you to check out.

13. Link to other relevant blog posts within your content.

When you’re completing your blog post, you should link relevant content throughout it. An effective way to do this is to link within the same content cluster.

One thing I do to make finding relevant links easier is going to my search browser and typing “site:website.com: keyword.” By doing this, you can find all the posts you have published on that topic.

Keeping relevant content throughout your post can provide your readers with more helpful information, and potentially boost search engine rankings with corresponding longtail keywords .

But we’ll talk more about how to improve your ranking in the next step.

14. Optimize for on-page SEO.

After you finish writing, go back and optimize the on-page elements of your post.

Don‘t obsess over how many keywords to include. If there are opportunities to incorporate keywords you’re targeting, and it won‘t impact reader experience, do it. If you can make your URL shorter and more keyword-friendly, go for it. But don’t cram keywords or shoot for some arbitrary keyword density — Google's smarter than that!

Here's a little blog SEO reminder about what you should review and optimize:

Write your meta description.

Meta descriptions are the descriptions below the post‘s page title on Google’s search results pages. They provide searchers with a short summary of the post before clicking into it. They are ideally between 150-160 characters and start with a verb, such as “Learn,” “Read,” or “Discover.”

While meta descriptions no longer factor into Google‘s keyword ranking algorithm, they give searchers a snapshot of what they’ll get from reading the post and help improve your clickthrough rate from search.

Optimize your page title and headers.

Most blogging software uses your post title as your page title, which is the most important on-page SEO element at your disposal. But if you've followed our formula so far, you should already have a working title that will naturally include keywords or phrases your target audience is interested in.

Don‘t over-complicate your title by trying to fit in keywords where they don’t naturally belong. With that said, if there are clear opportunities to add keywords you‘re targeting to your post title and headers, feel free to take them. Also, try to keep your headlines short — ideally, under 65 characters — so they don’t get truncated in the search engine results.

"The first component of a good title is that it needs to be scannable. People aren’t reading every word of your thoughtfully crafted headline. If you’re following a search-focused strategy, make sure to include the keyword at the beginning," Del Principe says.

Consider anchor text best practices as you interlink to other pages.

Anchor text is the word or words that link to another page — either on your website or on another website. Carefully select which keywords you want to link to other pages on your site because search engines take that into consideration when ranking your page for certain keywords.

It‘s also important to consider which pages you link to. Consider linking pages that you want to rank for a specific keyword. You could end up getting it to rank on Google’s first page of results instead of its second page — and that isn’t small potatoes!

Write alt text for all of your images.

Alt text conveys the “why” of an image as it relates to the content of your blog post to Google. By adding alt text correlating to the topic clusters and keywords of the post, Google can better direct users’ searches to you.

Check that all images are compressed for page speed.

When Google crawls different websites, a page’s load speed holds weight in page ranking. Make sure the images you include throughout the page aren’t unnecessarily large to shorten the duration it takes to load.

Use apps like Squoosh to minimize the size of your images without losing the quality.

Ensure that your blog post is mobile friendly.

More than 60% of organic visits are carried out on a mobile device. As such, having a website with a responsive design is critical. In addition to making sure your website‘s visitors (including your blog’s visitors) have the best experience possible, optimizing for mobile will score your website some SEO points.

15. Publish and promote the blog post.

Share your post across all the marketing channels in your repertoire. The further the reach, the more of a possibility that readers will find it.

Channels to expand your blog post promotion strategy include:

  • Social Media Marketing : Sharing your content on the most popular social media networks like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
  • Email Marketing : Sharing the newest post with your email subscribers to find.
  • Boosted Posts or Paid Ads : Allocating budget toward advertisement on search engines inorganically.
  • Word of Mouth Marketing : Actively influencing people to read your content organically.

16. Track the performance of the blog post over time.

Your post is published for the world to see, make sure you’re keeping an eye on its performance over time so you can see if your blog post strategy is working well enough for your goals.

Here are some blog KPIs I like to keep track of:

  • Total traffic per post
  • Average CTR
  • Average SERP position
  • Traffic source breakdown
  • Number of search queries per post
  • Average comments per post
  • Social shares per post
  • New blog leads
  • Conversion rate

There’s a plethora of website traffic analysis tools that you can take advantage of to better understand your audience’s behavior on your blog posts.

Quick Blog Writing Tips

If you’re feeling stuck as a new writer, don’t give up. It gets easier with practice. Whether you’re struggling with writer's block or wanting some ways to add depth to your content, here are some quick tips I compiled to help take your blog writing to the next level:

If you don’t know where to start, start by telling a story.

When you’re facing writer’s block, start with what you know. Not only will sharing personal anecdotes help you get ideas flowing, but it can also keep your readers engaged with what you’re saying.

Stories can simplify complex concepts and make your content more relatable. Plus, they add a human touch and help set the tone for the rest of your blog post.

Include interesting quotes or facts for emphasis on the subject.

When you back up your ideas with unique, expert quotes or share facts from reliable sources, it shows that your blog post is well-researched and trustworthy.

If you don’t know where to start with finding quotes, think about the people you know and their expertise. For example, I’m lucky enough to have incredibly knowledgeable coworkers here at HubSpot that I can reach out to if I need a quote.

I’ve also reached out to connections on LinkedIn to see if they can provide a quote or know someone who can. HARO can also be a great resource if you need a quote in a pinch.

Make your content skimmable; break it into digestible chunks.

There’s nothing that turns readers off more than opening an article and seeing a large wall of text. Think about it: most internet users have a short attention span and tend to skim through content rather than reading every word.

That’s why I recommend breaking up your blog post into smaller chunks to make it more digestible. You can do this by utilizing subheadings (H2s, H3s, H4s, etc.), bullet points, and short paragraphs.

Not only does breaking up your content make your blog post more visually appealing, it also helps readers quickly find the information they’re looking for without getting lost in a sea of text.

Paint a full picture with images, graphics or video.

Aside from aesthetic appeal, visuals can help convey complex ideas in an easier way and help readers remember the information you share.

I recommend reading through your blog post and putting yourself in your reader’s shoes. Is there anything you wrote about that would be better explained with the support of an image or graphic?

For instance, whenever I write about the pros and cons of something, I like to create a graphic that shows those pros and cons in a side-by-side comparison.

I also look at search engines results when determining what images to add to my post. Does the SERP for the keyword you’re targeting have an image pack? See if you can add in images and optimize them with alt text to increase the chances of appearing in those results.

Each sentence should convey a single idea.

Keep it simple, stupid. There’s no reason to write overly complex sentences that confuse your readers. Instead, opt to convey your message in a simple and accessible manner. At the end of the day, readers just want to find the answers they’re looking for, and writing in a straightforward manner can effectively meet this need.

I like to use the Hemingway App to make sure that my writing doesn’t get too dense.

Use active voice.

Although your writing should captivate the reader, you should avoid overwhelming them with fluff. Using active voice can help keep your writing clear, concise, and energetic while still getting your point across.

For example, instead of saying something like “the product was loved by customers,” write “customers loved the product.”

Ready to blog?

Blogging can help you build brand awareness, become a thought-leader and expert in your industry, attract qualified leads, and boost conversions. Follow the steps and tips we covered above to begin publishing and enhancing your blog today.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in October 2013 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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  • Blog Tutorial

The Blog Starter

How to Start A Blog in 2024 Create a Blog in 20 Minutes

Updated January 2nd, 2024

Are you looking for an easy guide on how to start a blog ?

The step-by-step guide on this page will show you how to create a blog in 20 minutes with just the most basic computer skills.

After completing this guide you will have a beautiful blog that is ready to share with the world.

This guide is made especially for beginners. I will walk you through each and every step, using plenty of pictures and videos to make it all perfectly clear.

If you get stuck or have questions at any point, simply send me a message and I will do my best to help you out.

How to start a blog for beginners

My name is Scott Chow, and I am going to show you how to start blogging today. I have been building blogs and websites since 2002. In that time I have launched several of my own blogs, and helped hundreds of others do the same.

I know that starting a blog can seem overwhelming and intimidating. This free guide is all about blogging for beginners , and will teach you how to become a blogger with just the most basic computer skills. So whether you’re 8 or 88, you can create your own blog in 20 minutes.

I am not ashamed to admit that when I was first learning how to build a blog I made a ton of mistakes. You can benefit from more than a decade of my experience so that you don’t repeat these same mistakes when you make your own blog. I created this free guide so that a complete beginner can learn how to blog quickly and easily.

So, just how do you start a blog?

Learn how to create a blog in about 20 minutes following these steps:

How to Start a Blog in 6 Steps

  • Pick a blog name. Choose a descriptive name for your blog.
  • Get your blog online. Register your blog and get hosting.
  • Customize your blog. Choose a free blog design template and tweak it.
  • Write & publish your first post. Share your thoughts with the world. The fun part!
  • Promote your blog. Get more people to read your blog with the proper marketing.
  • Make money blogging. Choose from several options to monetize your blog.

Should you start a blog?

One of the misconceptions about starting a blog is that you need to be a great writer to be successful. Nothing could be further from the truth. People read blog sites to get a personal perspective on things, so most bloggers write in a very informal and conversational style.

And because of the format, many successful bloggers will write about a variety of topics on the same blog.

In addition, you don’t need to be an expert on any of the topics you write about to have a successful blog. For example, visitors to a cooking blog don’t want to read a textbook from a food scientist, they want to hear the experiences of someone who has actually cooked some real meals, mistakes and all.

To be successful as a blogger there is really just one requirement: a passion for your topic.

At its heart, blogging is about sharing your knowledge with the world. Writing about things that you are passionate about makes the process of starting a successful blog so much easier. As long as you are writing about things that you are genuinely interested in, your passion will shine through and keep your visitors interested.

So why would you go to the trouble of blogging? There are a few reasons:

  • Share your story. A blog allows you to have a voice and be heard. You can share your story with the entire world if you so choose. One of the most common ways blogs are used are as a diary where the blogger writes about their daily experiences so that friends, family, and others can all be a part of their lives.
  • Make money from home. Blogging can be quite lucrative if done correctly. The top bloggers in the world obviously earn quite a bit, but even a part-time blogger can expect to make a nice profit if things are done correctly. The best part about it is that blogging is a form of passive income, since you can spend just a few hours a week writing a piece of content and then continue to profit from it long after the the writing is finished. I go into much more detail on how to blog for money later in this guide.
  • Recognition for yourself or your business. No, you probably won’t have paparazzi following you around because of your latest post. But a successful blog makes your idea into a reality, and can gain you a ton of recognition in your respective field. Many bloggers are known as experts just because of their blogs, and some have even gotten book and movie deals based on their blogs.
  • Find a community. Blogging at its heart is interactive. You write a post and people comment on it. This is a good way to connect with people who are interested in the same things as you are. Blogging allows you to teach these people based on your experience, and it gives you the opportunity to learn from your readers as well.

Ready to begin? Click here to go to Step #1 of the guide

What is a blog anyway?

In short, a blog is a type of website that focuses mainly on written content , also known as blog posts. In popular culture we most often hear about news blogs or celebrity blog sites, but as you’ll see in this guide, you can start a successful blog on just about any topic imaginable.

Bloggers often write from a personal perspective that allows them to connect directly with their readers. In addition, most blogs also have a “comments” section where visitors can correspond with the blogger. Interacting with your visitors in the comments section helps to further the connection between the blogger and the reader.

This direct connection to the reader is one of the main benefits of starting a blog. This connection allows you to interact and share ideas with other like-minded people. It also allows you to build trust with your readers. Having the trust and loyalty of your readers also opens up the door to making money from your blog, which is something I discuss later in this guide.

The good news is that the internet is exploding with growth right now. More people than ever are online. This explosion in growth means more potential readers for your blog. In short, if you are thinking about starting a blog then there is no better time than right now.

Let’s start your blog!

Step 1: Pick a blog name

If you are not sure what to name your blog, or what topic to blog about, skip to the next section .

If you’ve already got an idea for the name of your blog, you can check to make sure that no one else has already registered it:

See if your blog name is available:

Note: You cannot use any spaces or punctuation other than dashes in a domain name.

If you find that the name you wanted is already taken there are a few things you can do:

  • Try a different domain extension. If the .com version is already registered you may still be able to get the .net or .org version of the name.
  • Add small words. Words like “a”, “my”, “best”, or “the”. For example, this site is called TheBlogStarter.com instead of BlogStarter.com.
  • Add dashes between words. For example, scott-chow.com

How to Choose a Blog Topic & Name

If you don’t have an idea for a name already, the first step is choosing your blog topic.

If you’re not sure what to blog about, there are a few ways to find a good blog topic :

  • Life experiences. Everyone has lessons they have learned through life experience. Sharing this knowledge can be incredibly helpful to others in similar situations. For example, I recently helped a woman start her blog about being a fireman’s wife. She has a lot of experience and knowledge to share with others about this topic, and it has helped her connect with others in similar situations. Think about the things you have experienced in life. This could be related to your family (example: a blog about being a stay at home mom), work (a blog about experiences dealing with clients), or other life experiences (a blog about dealing with a troubling time such as a disease or divorce, or about a happy time such as preparing for a wedding or a birth of a child).
  • A personal blog. A personal blog is a blog all about you. This will include a variety of topics, from things you do on a daily basis, to random thoughts and musings. This is a great way to share your thoughts with the world without having to stick to just one topic.
  • Hobbies & passions. Hobbies or other interests you are passionate about are a great place to start. Cooking, travel, fashion, sports, and cars are all classic examples. But even blogs about more obscure hobbies can be successful, since the your audience is literally anyone in the world with the internet.

Once you have a topic it’s time to choose your blog name, also known as your domain name.

A good blog name should be descriptive so that potential visitors can instantly tell what your blog is about just from the name.

If you are blogging about one specific topic then you will definitely want to include that in some way when you pick a domain name. Try not to get hung-up on just one word though. For example, a cooking blog doesn’t necessarily have to have the word “cooking” in it. The words “food”, “recipes”, and “meals” would also let people know that your blog is about cooking.

If you are planning to create a personal blog where you discuss a variety of topics then I recommend using your name, or some variation of it, since your blog is all about you. For example, I own the blog scottchow.com. You can also add your middle name or middle initial if you find your name is already taken. Or you could use a variation like “Scott Chow Blog” or “Blogging with Scott”.

Can’t decide on a good name for your blog? Contact me and I will help you personally (for free)!

Once you have some name ideas you will need to choose a domain extension . A .com domain extension is the most preferred, but .net or .org work as well. It is also important to note that for the purposes of a blog domain you cannot have any spaces between words. So “Blogging with Scott” becomes bloggingwithscott.com

Step 2: Get your blog online

Now that you’ve got a name picked out it’s time to get your blog online. This might sound hard or technical, but the steps below will walk you right through and make the process easy .

Simple steps to help you create a blog easily

A blog host is a company that stores all of the files for your blog and delivers them to the user when they type in your blog name. You must have a blog host in order to have a blog .

You also need to have the software to build your blog. In this guide I will be showing you how to build a blog using the WordPress blogging software, because it is the most popular, customizable, and easiest to use.

The web host I recommend, and the one I show you how to use in this guide, is BlueHost . I personally use BlueHost and I recommend them for all new bloggers because:

  • They will register your custom domain name for free , making sure no one else can take it.
  • They have a 30 day money back guarantee if you are unsatisfied for any reason.
  • They offer a free, automatic installation of the WordPress blogging software (which I show you how to use in this guide).
  • They offer reliable web hosting that has been recommended by WordPress since 2005 and they currently host over 2 million blogs and websites.
  • They have helpful 24/7 customer service via phone or web chat.

Use any BlueHost link on this site to get the special discount price of $2.75 per month.

Disclosure: BlueHost compensates The Blog Starter when you purchase through this link , so my services are free of charge to you! In fact, if you have any trouble at all setting up a blog with this tutorial, just contact me and I will do it for you (free!) .

1. Click here to get the special $2.75 per month rate on BlueHost and then click “get started now”.

Web hosting special discount

2. Select your plan. I recommend that beginning bloggers get the basic plan. Click “Select” to choose your plan.

pick a hosting plan from Bluehost

3. Type in your domain name in the left box and then click “next” to start the registration process.

  • If you already own a domain name and want to use it for your blog, type your existing domain in the right box and then click “next”. Only use the right box if you have previously paid to register a domain!

choose a domain name

4. Fill out your billing details on the registration page.

Create an account

5. You will also need to choose your hosting package and options.

  • Every BlueHost account plan has everything you need to get your blog up and running, including a free custom domain name, easy WordPress installation, web hosting, and custom email addresses (e.g. [email protected]).
  • I uncheck the boxes next to the package extras except for “Domain Privacy & Protection” .  While not strictly necessary, domain privacy keeps your personal information (name, address, phone, email) hidden from the public database of registered domain owners.

Choosing your settings and package

6. You will then need to create your BlueHost account and password.

set up an account and password

Once you do that you will be taken to an installation helper.  Since you are following this tutorial you can just click “Skip this step” on the next few pages to be taken directly to the dashboard.

How to use the WordPress installation wizard

7. Install the WordPress blogging platform.

Now the system will install WordPress automatically. Once the install is complete click the “Log into WordPress” button on the top right to be logged-in to the administrator area of your blog.

WordPress blog installation complete at Bluehost

Having trouble installing your blog? Get help here .

Step 3: Customize your blog

The video above should answer a lot of questions you might have about how to set up a blog and get it customized. Here is a step-by-step break-down of some of things I show in the video.

If you are not already logged-in from the previous step, go to Bluehost.com and click “Login” on the top right to bring up the login screen.  You can then login using your domain name and the password you set in the previous step.  If you have misplaced your password you can reset it by clicking the “Forgot Password” link.

Login to your account and get started building your blog

Once you log-in you will be taken to your BlueHost Portal.  From the portal you can click the blue “WordPress” button to be logged-in automatically to your WordPress blog.

Changing your blog design

Once you login you will be in the WordPress dashboard. This is where you can make any changes you want to your blog.

Everyone has a different idea of how they want their blog to look. One of the great things about WordPress is that you can change your entire layout and design with just a few clicks.

In WordPress, blog layouts are known as “Themes”. What is a blog theme? Themes control the entire design of your WordPress blog. To change your theme you are going to click on the “Appearance” tab on the left menu.

How to choose a theme

You will see several free WordPress themes are already installed on your blog: Twenty Seventeen, Twenty Sixteen, etc. These are well-designed, clean-looking themes that can work for just about any type of blog. In fact, many of the world’s top bloggers use one of these themes.

Unless you have a very specific design in mind for your blog, I suggest you use one of these themes to start with . For our example, let’s use the “Twenty Sixteen” WordPress theme. In order to activate the theme on your blog, hover over the theme and click the “Activate” button. That’s it! You have changed the entire design of your blog with just one click!

How to activate the theme

If you don’t like any of the themes that are already installed you can easily choose from thousands of other free WordPress themes. To install a new WordPress theme, click on the “Appearance” tab on the left menu and then click “Add New Theme”.

How to install a new theme

Once the theme is installed click “Activate” to activate the theme on your blog. To see your new theme in action, go to your blog and take a look!

Changing your theme is the simplest way to customize your WordPress blog, but there are lots of other customizations you can do. Check out my full post on customizing your WordPress blog for an in-depth step-by-step guide . You can also watch the video above to see me completely customize a WordPress blog from scratch.

Step 4: How to write a new blog post & publish it

Now that your blog is up and running it’s time to actually do some blogging!  Let’s create your first piece of content.

Write your first blog post

You are now on the post editor screen. Enter the title of your post in the top box and then begin writing your post in the lower box.

If you would like to add a picture to your post, click on the “Add Image” icon and click “Upload” to upload a picture from your computer. You can make adjustments to the picture size on the next screen. When you are ready click “Insert into post” to add the picture.

Insert image in blog post

Once you have finished your post just click the “Publish” button on the top right side of the screen to publish the new post.

Content That Should be on Your Blog

There are two main types of content your blog should provide: static and dynamic content.

Static Content: Your blog should contain a few necessary pages explicitly designed to provide the visitor with the tools they need. The content on these pages is static, meaning – the content doesn’t change, or at least not very often. These are mainly top-level pages that can be accessed via a menu on your blog.

These static content pages should be in place well before you launch your blog to the world.

Important static pages to include:

  • About Me (Us) – This page should include a biographical summary of the author(s) as well as a mission statement. Think about the answers to these questions: How did your passion for the subject matter develop? What do you want to convey to the world? What is your ultimate goal?
  • Contact Me (Us) – A contact page provides the visitor a place to reach the author which, in turn, provides the visitor with the reassurance that you are a real and reachable author. You can add your physical address, phone number, and custom email address. Or you can utilize a simple contact form to keep your personal identifying information private. You should put links to all of your social media profiles here as well.

Aside from your blog, which is generally introduced on the home/main page, these two all-important pages should be visible on your top (header) menu and easy to access.  You can take a look at the top of this page to see how I have these pages included in the header menu.  See this detailed guide to customizing your blog menus if you need help.

Other static pages that are equally as important but less commonly thought of are:

  • Disclaimer Page : If you intend to monetize your blog, you must describe the ways you intend to generate income. This is an absolute must-have page that should not be overlooked, as per FTC guidelines. For example, if you are discussing and endorsing a product, and stand to profit by linking to the product, this relationship must be disclosed.
  • Privacy Policy : If you collect data from your visitors in any way, you are required to add a privacy policy page that tells visitors exactly how you are collecting data, how you are using it, and if you are sharing that data. If you implement Google Adsense or a Google Analytics account on your blog, a Privacy Policy must be used. This page is required by the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) and the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), and is included by default on your WordPress blog.
  • Terms of Service : If your blog is also running a store or selling services, it is a good idea to have a Terms of Service page to lessen your potential liability.

These required static pages are typically linked to in the footer menu of a blog. They should, at the very least, be visible and accessible from the home page.  Again, look at the bottom of this page to see how this looks in practice.

There are other static pages you can choose to include depending on what suits your blog and business. Common static page examples are an advertising page to solicit paid advertisements, a donations page, a resource page to direct visitors to your favorite links within your field, and a page for submitting ideas and content.

Dynamic Content: Your dynamic content is your blog and the most important content you have to offer. This is where you, as the creator, will infuse the blog with your brand of informative content that supplies your audience with knowledgeable tips, facts, opinions, and stories. This is how you engage your visitors and keep them coming back for more.

Your blog content should be regularly submitted at specific intervals. Waiting months to create content will never build a following. Posting content weekly and driving traffic to these posts will help build your brand.

How to write great blog content

Each post should be lengthy, informative, and engaging. It’s not always easy to come up with new blog post ideas on a regular basis and you are free to mix up the tone and even the subject matter to keep things lively and interesting. It’s your space, after all. But there are a few elements that each and every piece of content should endeavor to include.

Define the Content: Create an alluring post title that stimulates curiosity and encourages clicks. Use the first paragraph of your post to clearly define the topic of your article and provide a possible hook to keep the reader reading.

The Longer the Better – But Break It Up : The more information and detail you include, the better. But visitors will begin to skim if the content contains lengthy paragraphs a mile long, and will pop out faster than they came in. Visitors enjoy tidbits. Keep your paragraphs short with spaces in between, use lists and standout quotes, use images, and always include headings and sub-headings so that visitors can find what they’re looking for.

Engage The Reader: At the end of each post, a common tactic used to engage visitors is posing a meaningful question to your audience and asking them to reply in the comments. This simple measure can increase engagement tenfold.

Original Content: Your content should always be original. Never plagiarize – you will eventually be called out on it and could even face consequences. Your content should come from your heart, your brain, your knowledge base, and your experience. You can get topic ideas from others in your field, but make sure the content comes from you.

Original Photos: While it is easy to include stock images from free image sites, it is even better to include your own photos and graphic work. Another idea is to take free images and manipulate them with a free photo editor.

Edit Your Work: Your blog content should be sufficiently edited. Nothing says unprofessional like several typographical and grammatical errors. If you need a few refresher courses in grammar, consider using a writing application.

Publishing Your Blog

Even after you have written a post your blog may still be showing a placeholder page.

When you are ready to make your blog public for the first time, just click “Home” at the top left of the menu in your WordPress dashboard, and then click “Launch with confidence”. Click the blue “Launch your site” button to remove the placeholder page and launch your blog.

launch your blog

Congratulations! You now know how to start your own blog and publish content!

Step 5: Promote your blog

Creating a well-designed blog and writing great content is just the start. In order to get visitors to your blog you will need spend some time promoting it, especially when you first start.

The strategies below will help get your blog in front of more readers. You don’t need to use every strategy – try out a few and see what works well for you.

Alert Your Inner Circle

The very first people who should become aware of your blog are your inner circle. This includes family, friends, and colleagues within your field. Encourage them to become followers, ask them to mention your new blog, and – most importantly – thank them.

Use Social Media

social media promotion

While you don’t want to overdo it, you still want to create accounts with the “biggies” like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.  You should post a link to your newest content on your accounts, but you can also post relevant news and links to other sources that your readers may find interesting.  Don’t forget to use hashtags and engage with your followers!

One of my favorite ways to get visitors to my blog is to post links on my social accounts, like Facebook and Twitter. This is great, because not only do your friends see the link, but if your friends share the link with their friends it automatically multiplies your visitors. If you have created high-quality content on your blog then social media is a way for your blog to go viral.

Comment on Other Blogs

Find other blogs in your community and engage with them. Using the comment section, introduce yourself and leave engaging and constructive comments. Many will allow you to leave a link to your blog. After creating relationships with prominent bloggers in your community, you will find yourself within their ranks quickly.

Engage with Your Visitors

When your readers leave comments on your posts, always engage with them. Reply to their comments and questions, give them “likes” and affirmations. When it is obvious that the author cares about his/her community and readership, visitors are naturally encouraged to return.

Collaborate with other bloggers

Become enmeshed in your blogging community by collaborating with respected members of your field. Collaborating includes guest posting, promoting each other’s blogs and products, and regularly interacting through comments and social media.

Post Regularly

Post content regularly. Create an editorial calendar and stick to it. A good blogger posts at least once per week to start. If you have long lapses between posts, your followers will drop off and your growth will be severely hampered. It’s not easy to post on a schedule, but it’s something you absolutely must stick to.

Create an Email List

promote your blog using an email list

In addition to getting new visitors to your blog, you will also want to make sure your current visitors are coming back. This is where email marketing plays a big role. By collecting the email addresses of your visitors (with their permission of course), you can then notify them when you post new content on your blog. This keeps people coming back to your blog, which not only gives you more readers over time, it also allows you to build a closer relationship with your visitors.

Email marketing is too big a topic to cover well here, so I created a separate guide to email marketing for those who are interested (hint: every blogger who wants more readers needs to read this guide).

Optimize your blog for search engines

You want your blog to appear in search results as soon as possible.

Google: Sign up for a Google Webmaster account and open the Search Console . To add your blog, click “Add Property” and follow the steps to add your blog.

Bing: Sign up for a Bing Webmaster account and add your blog.

Submitting your blog is the first step in process known as search engine optimization (SEO).

Keep in mind that with a brand new blog your traffic will be minimal to start with. However, this will change over time as long as you continue to add informative and relevant content on a regular basis.

To optimize this process, each page of your blog should include these fundamental elements:

add headings and subheadings

  • Permalinks: Each blog post “slug” is the end portion of the URL. You want to make sure each post has a defined slug and doesn’t end with an article number. You can easily change this in your WordPress dashboard by going to “Settings” -> “Permalinks”. Select the “Post Name” option and click “Save Changes”

There are many more factors relating to consider, such as installing something like the Yoast WordPress plugin , but these are the big ones that will help improve your search rankings sooner rather than later.

For more tips on promoting your blog make sure to check out my in-depth guide to blog promotion .

Step 6: Make money from your blog

Once you have put in the effort of creating great blog content and promoting your blog, making money from your blog is actually the easy part.

Blogs have the potential to be extremely lucrative, but don’t assume that you’re going to start making money in the first week, or even in the first month. It could take six months to a year to start seeing a steady stream of income. Blogging takes work and dedication, but once you develop a large enough audience, there are several methods you can employ to monetize your blog.

Sell advertising space

Once you have a popular blog, advertisers will be hounding you for the opportunity to advertise. The best way to take advantage of this situation is to use Google Adsense. Google finds the advertisers for you and all you have to do is place the Google Adsense code on your blog to start running ads. Google Adsense takes all of the hard work out of the process and just cuts you a check.

I go into the full details of how to set up Google Adsense for your WordPress blog here .

Sell affiliate products

An affiliate program is a commission-based way to advertise. When one of your readers clicks on a link on your blog, they get sent to an advertiser’s site and you earn a commission if they purchase. Affiliate links are a nice way to earn income through the use of product reviews. However, you must remember to disclose that you are an affiliate for the product.

Sell Products and Services

Selling your own products and services directly on your blog is a great way to increase your income. As your blog grows and you begin to see a wide audience, your products and services will begin to sell themselves.

Use the sidebar of your blog to increase the visibility of what you sell using visual images and a link to your storefront page.

Sell digital downloads

Ebooks, video tutorials, and e-courses are the most commonly consumed digital materials sold by bloggers. With little to no overhead and no shipping costs, you can keep the price low and inviting.

If you are extremely knowledgeable in your field, an ebook can practically write itself. Give it a try, you might surprise yourself!

Sell memberships

Another way to monetize is by creating membership options on your blog. This allows you to offer members more exclusive content only available with a paid membership. For example, you could offer unlimited downloads of digital goods, free consultations, a private network or forum where community members can mix and mingle, and private content available to members only.

There are many ways a blog can capitalize on popularity and traffic. Choosing the way you monetize from your blog depends on your goals and the purpose of your blog. Those who are selling services, physical goods, and digital goods, for example, may not want to participate in affiliate programs where traffic could be lost to another site.

For more information see my full guide to making money blogging here

Need more help?

I hope this guide has answered any questions you had on how to start your blog, but if any of the steps were unclear to you, you can find a more detailed version of each step by using the menu at the top right of this page (or at the bottom of this page if you’re on a smartphone).

More specific tutorials can be found on my blog page . Here are some of the most popular tutorials from my blog:

  • How to add custom logos or images
  • How to see how many people are visiting your blog
  • How to move from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
  • How to make a website with WordPress
  • How to automatically share your new content on Facebook and Twitter
  • How to choose the best website builder
  • How to link to other sites from your blog
  • How to change text size and color
  • How to make your blog private

Contact me if you have any issues at all and I will personally respond to your email. The step-by-step guide on this site should give you everything you need to get started, but if you run into some issues, or just want some personalized advice, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Blogging is my passion, and I would love to talk with you about it!

Blogging FAQ

Still have some unanswered questions about blogging?  Below are the most common questions I get about starting a new blog.  If you can’t find an answer to your question here, feel free to send me an email via my contact page , or leave a comment below.

Click on a question to read the answer:

What makes a successful blog?

What do you need to start a blog.

Time, passion, and a clear goal.

Blogging is nearly a full-time operation. A successful blogger commits to posting lengthy and detailed content at least weekly. Promoting the blog must also be done regularly across social accounts and through peer interactions.

Equally important is the passion behind your blog. To come up with great content on a regular basis your blog should revolve around a topic that you are obsessed with. You don’t have to be the leading authority on the subject matter. You only need to possess passion, excitement, dedication, and deeply rooted opinions.

What should my blog be about?

Answer these questions: What are you passionate about? What do you think about daily? What topic do you annoy all of your friends, family, and co-workers with on a regular basis? What do you find yourself dreaming about? What do you find yourself constantly researching? What do you read about?

If there is a common denominator in your answers to these questions – THAT is what your blog should be about.

How do I find a profitable niche for my blog?

If you know the general topic for your blog, a simple way of making your niche more profitable is by narrowing the niche to eliminate competition.

How do I name my blog?

This can ultimately be a fun exercise.

As an example, let’s say your blog will be about custom pet gift baskets. In this instance, let’s list all the main words this blog will be about.

name your blog

Now let’s list some variant synonyms of these words. Use a thesaurus if need be!

how to learn to write blogs

Now list nouns and adjectives that apply to you as the creator.

how to learn to write blogs

Now start putting words together, introduce new words, and keep playing around until you come up with a name you like!

how to learn to write blogs

What do you do if your domain name is taken?

If the domain name you want is taken and the full web address is your trademarked business name, you can assert your trademark rights and privileges and eventually get this domain handed over to you. It is a lengthy process that will involve lawyers and hefty fees, but as long as the name is trademarked by you, you would likely win the domain name.

If your name isn’t trademarked, don’t attempt to buy the .info or .biz variation of the domain. Instead, try a slight variation of the domain name such as adding a dash between words, or inserting the word “the” or other nominal words.

Where is the best place to create a blog?

How much does it cost to start a blog.

You can make a blog for absolutely nothing. It doesn’t cost one red cent.

But let’s be realistic. If you want your blog to be taken seriously, you can’t just get a subdomain from one of the free blogging sites like Blogspot. You’ll want to pick a custom domain name and register it instead. Domain names cost around $15 per year, on average. So now you’re a whopping $15 in the hole.

But the best way to start your blog is through one of the many web hosting companies. The best web hosting choice is a WordPress hosting account through Bluehost which is $2.75 per month and includes free domain name registration, so your total cost for 1 year is just $33.

Do bloggers make money?

Bloggers have the ability to make a full-time income from blogging alone. Some bloggers make hundreds of thousands of dollars. While it isn’t easy to become a highly paid blogger, it is quite possible. As with any business, it takes a lot of hard work and plenty of time.

Many bloggers give up on their project after just a few months. They become discouraged when the money doesn’t come in right away, and it almost never does without an instant and immediate following that comes from being a high profile persona. Therefore, time and patience are needed to reach “influencer” status. Those who make money online are the ones who stick with it.

There are several ways a blogger can earn money:

  • Advertisements : As your blog gains traction and brings in a healthy amount of daily visitors, advertisers may pay good money for a well-placed ad on your blog.
  • Contextual Ads: With Google Adsense a small piece of code can be placed on your blog that dynamically shows ads related to your content. When one of your readers clicks on an ad the advertiser pays Google, and Google sends you a percentage.
  • Affiliate Programs: Affiliate ads are a very popular way to monetize a blog. These ads lead visitors to a product or service on another website. If a sale resulting from a click on your blog is made, you get a commission, and some commissions can be very high. Affiliate programs can be found on individual stores, or on large-scale platforms such as Amazon.
  • Sponsored Posts: Advertisers can pay a smaller fee to sponsor individual posts rather than advertising on the entire blog. This is a great method for making money on fledgling blogs.

How do bloggers get paid?

Bloggers are most commonly paid by advertisers. How the blogger is paid varies depending on what type of ads are used.

  • CPC: CPC or “Cost Per Click” ads generate revenue simply through clicks. CPC ads are generally highly targeted and rotational. Ads appear on specific blog posts and are related to the content of that post. The number of clicks you generate, which trends upward as your traffic increases, will ultimately determine the amount you are paid.
  • Flat Fee: If a blog’s traffic is high, advertisers may pay a monthly flat fee for ad space on the blog’s website. That ad space could appear all over the website, within a section, or just a few pages. The money comes directly from the advertiser.
  • Commission : Ads from an affiliate network use affiliate links. These links track visitors that come from your blog to the advertiser’s site. If a purchase is made by a visitor who originated from your blog, you receive a commission.

Should I start my blog on WordPress?

If you’re new to blogging and you don’t have much experience with HTML or coding, then yes – self-hosting a WordPress blog is the best choice for you! When it comes time to choose a blogging platform, the pros turn to WordPress.  And even though WordPress is used by millions of smaller blogs, it also powers many of the biggest sites on the internet.  In fact, WordPress is the most popular CMS (Content Management System) in the world with over 75 million blogs and websites currently using it. And there are many reasons why:

  • Easy to Use : WordPress is remarkably easy to use. Theme customizers help to easily design your blog, change colors, and add images. Once your design is complete, all you need to do is write your content. The internal blog editor records your posts and displays them for you.
  • Blog Anywhere : As long as you have Internet access, you can edit your WordPress blog and write new posts. WordPress provides you with an administrative backend where you may log in and work on your blog from anywhere in the world using a PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone.
  • You Don’t Need To Know How to Code : WordPress gives you easy tools to set up a blog that looks stunning without knowing a single line of HTML code or hiring a web developer. This makes WordPress a great option for those who don’t want to deal with technical issues.
  • Built-in SEO : Google favors blogs built with WordPress. The out-of-the-box SEO (Search Engine Optimization) which comes packed with WordPress delivers impressive results over time in search engines. This translates to more readers for your blog.
  • Free Themes : The WordPress CMS is connected to a repository where thousands of free themes (blog layouts) are available to browse and upload. Directly from the backend of your blog you can browse a multitude of themes with varying styles and functionality. These free WordPress themes can be installed with one click, and then easily customized by a total beginner.

Is WordPress free?

Yes! A self-hosted WordPress blog is a open-source, which is completely free. And there are two different WordPress options, both free, but COMPLETELY different, which you should be aware of.  Choosing between them is one of the most crucial decisions you will make.

WordPress.org : This option is completely, 100% free.  WordPress.org is the blog platform I show you how to use in the tutorial on this page.  While it is completely free to download, it doesn’t run on its own. You will need a web host (see the step-by-step guide ) and you’ll also need to buy a new domain name. Because you need your own web hosting plan, this option is known as a self-hosted WordPress blog. So while WordPress is technically free, there are fees involved with getting your new self-hosted WordPress blog up and running (less than $3 per month).

How often should I blog?

If your goal is to eventually make money from your blog, you’ll want to start blogging as often as possible – at least once per week. Blogging can be casual if your goal is solely for personal pleasure. But if you’re seeking a large audience and wish to become a leader in your field, blogging weekly is a must.

While frequency is important, it should not come at the expense of quality.  Not every piece of content needs be 2,000 words, but all of your posts should be informative and of value to your audience. This is no easy feat. However, if you’re able to stick with blogging on a regular schedule, it will become easier! As with anything else, the more you do it – the more skilled at it you become.

Why do blogs fail?

Almost any blog has the potential to become a success, yet most blogs fail. And there are many reasons why. Here are the most common reasons why a blog fails:

  • Giving Up Too Fast – The most common reason why a blog fails is simply that the content creator gives up before his or her blog even has a chance to become recognized. Before you begin a blog, you should realize that most blogs take months and even years to gain traction. It’s quite an investment. If you fail to gain visitors or make money within a month don’t stop!  Continue to focus on creating quality content and getting your name out there via social media and networking.
  • Intermittent Blogging – When there are long “silent periods” between posts it is difficult to build a solid following. People looking for information on your topic usually want a steady stream of new information to keep them interested. When a blog fails to deliver fresh and updated content people get bored and look elsewhere.
  • Poor Content – Some bloggers think they can beat the system with auto-generated content or with duplicate content that is reworded. Readers know fluff when they read it. They know when an article has absolutely no value or when it is simply clickbait. A blog with poor content will never be successful.
  • Too Many Ads – Blogs with dozens of ads obscuring most of the content will deter visitors from returning. People don’t come to your blog to be visually harassed by ill-placed, blinking advertisements. They come for information. While ads a good option to monetize, don’t overdo it.

This was super helpful in getting my blog set up. I was able to get the basics done in a less than an hour, and then took my time over the weekend to tweak the design based on your instructions.

I am pleased with how professional it looks, and now I am starting to work on my content plan. Thank you for making this guide!

Very helpful! I’ve been wanting to create a billingual blog (french and english) but didn’t know where to start. Thanks for the detailed information 🙂

Thank you Scott for writing an excellent blog…I’ve been researching to see if blogging is something I want to get into…I am at a beginner level. I am looking for some guidance on where to start and your blog appeared. Very informative post. Thanks once again.

Hi Scott. Thanks for the valuable information. I’m concerned about the usage of images/licenses. Can we use creative commons images in our blogs if we are unable to take the photos ourselves? There’s a filter on Google when image searching for “Commercial” and then “Creative Commons” images and wondering which is the safest bet of images to use on a blog. Don’t want to get in trouble!

Yes, I would suggest only using images with a Creative Commons license to avoid any copyright issues. You can easily search for images at search.creativecommons.org

Your tutorials have been really helpful so far in getting my blog up and running. WordPress is tricky without someone to walk you through it. Thanks so much!

Hi Scott. I’ve been thinking about setting up a blog for a while now but didn’t really understand how to go about it. Your guide is really informative and has given me the confidence to give it a go. Thanks a lot 😊

Hi Scott, Thanks for the great info on starting a blog. I am about to set up a blog that will be mostly political commentary. I also have numerous papers and presentations I have written over the years that I would like to post and make accessible to visitors, apart from my periodic blogging. Do you have advice as to how I can upload them on separate pages?

If you have them in PDF format, then I would suggest embedding them into your posts. Here is how to do that: https://www.theblogstarter.com/how-to-embed-pdf-files-in-wordpress-posts/

I just found you on the right time. This is all I needed to start a blog. The very best informative tutorial I have found. Thank you Scott.

Thank you for such helpful content. I’m just starting my blog and your insight is greatly appreciated.

Number one for me in a new blog host is if it has autosave. I currently have a wordpress.com blog which has autosave. But I don’t like the ownership of wordpress.com, so I want to start a new home. Do you know of any blog hosts other than wordpress.com that offer autosave? Thanks, Susan

The process I show in the tutorial on this page will help you start a blog that is self-hosted with BlueHost. It has an autosave feature enabled by default.

I have finally started a food blog and I’m excited to learn more from here.

Thanks so much for this info. I am really wanting to start a blog, but I’m concerned about the legal stuff. How do I make sure I am doing everything legal?

You will want to make sure you include a Privacy Policy page on your blog. WordPress provides a Privacy Policy generator by default, so it is very easy to add when starting your blog. Beyond that, just make sure you are being transparent with your visitors if you are collecting any information about them.

You may have specific legal issues depending on the topic you are writing about, but for most people just adding a privacy policy page is enough.

This is wonderful! thank you so much for your helpful advice! I am going to try to do my first blog!

Hey Scott. I always wanted to start a blog but never had a clear idea how to do it. After reading this content, I feel so confident that I would want to start writing now. Thanks a lot.

Glad you found it helpful. Feel free to contact me if you have any trouble.

So far Bluehost is good. My friends told me to use them as well. I used another web host before, but now I see that Bluehost is much better than the web hosting I had before.

I just barely created my blog and I would like to make it organize by categories. How do I add that to my blog page? Ex: Place (one category), Family (one category), Home (one category) etc.?

Thank you so much for your insightful post.

When you are in the post editor screen of the WordPress dashboard you will see an option on the right-hand side to choose a category for the post you are writing. You can also create a new category for your post in that same place.

Let me know if you have any trouble finding it.

I had a suggestion (from my vascular surgeon, believe it or not) to start a blog. I imagine a bio theme (70 years). How would I protect the privacy of those I mention?

The simplest way would be to change their names and remove any other personally identifiable information. You may also want to consider the tips here: https://www.theblogstarter.com/how-to-blog-anonymously/

Thank you… I’ve been having a yearning to write. I am not a writer but when I do especially on my social platforms, people frequently comment that they wished I did it more. I’ve recently decided that I want to start blogging and have been doing tons of research. This is by far the best “how to” I’ve come across. Excited to follow theses steps and give it a try. I appreciate your willingness to be available to those of us ready to give it a GO!

Awesome Shauna! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

This is an excellent and very comprehensive tutorial, Scott. One of the best step-by-step how-to’s I’ve seen on the topic. I’ll be recommending it on my newsletter.

Thanks Rick!

Thank you very much Am starting my blog and what I read was helpful thank you

I would like to first of all say thank you for all the wonderful and great information you sent to all of us and this is very useful to me and I will and have been looking at this for a long time now but because of your information I really feel like I’m ready. Unfortunately I have a few very simple questions that you possibly can answer in a second but I need to ask them because of my lack of knowledge. I live in Japan and my blog is meant for Japanese and Europeans and Americans and for everyone really and I will probably be doing some translation at the same time so my question is this. is there a different way to registering a blog in Japan or blogging the rest of the world will my domain name be registered to me even in Japan or other parts of the world. If you have any answers for me please let me know. Yours truly, Yves Gagnon

Domain registration applies worldwide. For example, the domain name for this site (theblogstarter.com) is registered to me and can’t be used by anyone else. No matter where you are in the world, when you go to theblogstarter.com this is the site that comes up. I hope that answers your question.

Thank you so much for your blog. I found your explanations particularly clear, concise, and helpful.

I am setting up a blog right now and chose the plan with the lowest up-front cost.

Should I be concerned that the expiration for my basic web hosting is 12 months? Is there any way to alleviate the issue?

Hi Douglas,

You will have the option to renew before it expires. You can also extend your package for a longer duration at any time from your BlueHost account.

Hi Can you have multiple people belong to one blog And post at any time or is it restricted to a single blogger only, thank you

You can create multiple users for your blog. Just log-in to the WordPress dashboard of your account and then go “Users” on the left sidebar menu. From here you can add new users. You can also give each user different permissions if you so choose. For example, you could be the only administrator of the blog, while still giving other users the permission to write new content.

Hi Scott, can you use the wordpress from your laptop, tablet and phone to write on-the-go?

Yes, you can easily blog from any internet-connected device. For your phone, I would suggest using the WordPress.org app: https://wordpress.org/mobile/

Do I need a privacy policy on my blog if I am just a personal blogger? If so How do I go about doing that?

Hi Shannon,

It’s not strictly necessary if you are not collecting any data about your visitors, but it’s so simple to do that I recommend it for all new blogs. From the WordPress dashboard, go to “Tools” on the left sidebar menu and then click on “Prviacy”. This will take you to the privacy page generator and help you add it to your blog.

Very easy indeed. Thanks Scott. As a web designer, I often get asked how to start a blog. I’m definitely bookmarking this for sharing. 🙂

I would like to thank you for the information on your site. You have included a wealth if helpful information. This is my first search for how to start a blog, I have learned a lot from your presentation. I have learned a lot, I’m not sure that a blog is my interest or i need something different. I am 75 years young, and have never met, or talked with anyone who have experienced a lifetime such as I. I would like to get my story out there for entertainment, and comments from others who may be able to relate. Thank You for your very informative information. I assure you that I will come back to your site if I decide a blog would fit my purpose. Thank you very much for the great education you have served me.

Hi William,

A blog sounds the perfect medium for what you want to do. You can easily write your story and have others comment on it.

Let me know if you have any trouble getting started. I would be happy to assist.

Thank you for this very informative blog. When setting up the comments section of my blog, is it necessary to ask for a piece of personal info such as the email of the address of the person making the comment? If I let people comment anonymously, this may encourage more people to comment.

You can set it up either way. You are correct that you will get more comments if you don’t ask for an email address, but you will also get more spam comments as well.

Fantastic, and very help. Thank you for such a great help and guidance. You made something impossible possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thanks for sharing

Can I start a blog with my phone?

Yes, the steps for how to start a blog are the same for phone, tablet, or computer.

Very informative post. I am grad student thinking strongly about starting a blog and wanted to know if you could speak to a respectful posting frequency and how many posts are enough before launching?

Can you point me to some form of blog management information? I am trying to determine if this is something I can commit to.

Thank you in advance

When first starting out I suggest posting once or twice a week. After you have built up a solid readership then you can decrease the posting frequency. Some really popular blogs only post every couple of months.

When you first start a blog I recommend launching it as soon as you finish your first post. This gets you started on growing your readership from day one.

Great synopsis Scott!

Great synopsis of a really BIG subject Scott! Good info for those looking to start blogging.

What an excellent blog… I’ve been researching to see if starting a blog is something I want to get into.. I’m retired and do crafts for friends and family. But ,don’t want to be limited to just blogging about that area. I’m also an author (inspiration-Christian) and wanted to know if you can have sections when establishing a blog?

Yes, the easiest way to do this is to categorize each post. Your post will then automatically go to the correct category page on your blog.

Hi Scott, This is some great help! But I have a question…. If I start a blog is it considered a “side gig”? Or do i have to register a “Business”? How would I report my income?

You can do it either way. Most people just start with it as a side hustle, and then as it grows you can consider setting up a business. It would be best to talk to a tax accountant once you get to that point though.

Hey Scott. I really appreciate the info, however, both you and BlueHost advertise the cost as “monthly.” When I went to sign up, it gave me a total cost which was the total cost for the contract. Before I give my payment information, I’d like to clarify if I’m paying monthly for the service, or if I have to pay a lump sum. Thanks.

Yes, you will pay up front for the full length of your plan. So if you do a 12 month plan then you pay for 12 months up front. You can cancel at anytime and get a pro-rated refund for the unused months on your plan.

Thank you for all of this information. I’m motivated to start blogging. I am confident that things will go smoothly with all the info that you provided.

Thank you Scott. I am so grateful for this enlightening information you have given to me here. I now know how to set up my own blog. But I have a question. Which method of payment does bluehost support when you are paying for the hosting service? And can you choose to pay monthly, or must it be paid yearly? Thanks once again. Please i am expecting your reply.

A one year package is the shortest option. BlueHost accepts credit cards or PayPal. Feel free to contact me if you have any trouble getting started!

Hi, Scott! Wow! I think this just might be what I was looking for. I don’t do social media. No tweeting, no Facebook, none of that…. But, I know many people that do. I think they can help get my blog out into the public. A couple of questions – will the basic set up allow for comments? can I prevent users from leaving comments and delete horrid comments? I am excited and want to be sure I can control some things before I get rolling…. Thanks!!!

Yes, comments are turned-on by default. You have full control over the comments on your blog. For example, you can have comments automatically approved, or you can choose to manually approve only those that you want. Of course, you can also turn-off comments completely if you prefer.

To change your comments setting simply go to your blog dashboard and go to “Settings -> Discussion”

Hi Scott, Thank you. This is very informative. Can you please help me with narrowing down a name and topics please?

Sure, just send me a message through my contact page with more details on the topics you are interested in.

Very informative and easy to follow! I read to the end and then watched video.

Scott thanks, the tutorial was most helpful. It took me a while but I got there in the end. Good stuff. I used the format you show as it seemed good for me.

Hi! Thank you so much for this! Your guide is so thorough that I am working on getting my blog up and running! Quick question: How do you create an email with your domain name? I Googled it, but I don’t see the same options in my side panel. On the WordPress article I read, it says to go to Store > Dashboard > Manage emails, but I don’t see that. Thank you for your help!

Hi Valerie,

Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a custom email address for your blog .

Hi. Thanks for the tutorial.

Can you do this whole process for a blog with your smartphone?

Yes, you can do the whole process with your smartphone.

Hi Scott. Thank you so much for this info. I am very eager to make my own blog but really haven’t a clue where to start or what to blog about. Do you have any recommendations on how to figure out my niche? TIA!

The best niche for you is something you have an active interest in. Think of the things you enjoy spending your time doing and/or learning about. Travel, fashion, fitness, and food are all popular topics. Once you figure out what sounds most interesting to you, your job as a blogger is to provide your unique perspective and experience with that topic. For more detailed info check out this post on finding your niche .

Your tutorial was so helpful and you are so easy to follow and you have a very good speaking voice.

Thank you so much for taking the time to have this website, you tube and making yourself available for questions.

Hi Scott Thank you very much for taking the time to do this. I want to do a blog about fitness and health diet recipes but am not an expert or anything it’s just something i do on daily basis and I feel like I want to start blogging about it even though I know there are tons of fitness blogs out there but I know this is me being me and the routines i go through and I want to know what you think about it. Thanks

Hi Christiana,

A blog sounds perfect for your situation. People enjoy learning about things from someone who is actually doing it, not some armchair expert.

Yes, there are a lot of fitness blogs already, but that is only because there are also a ton of people who want to read great fitness and health content!

Best of luck, and let me know if you need any help along the way.

Newbie question: so what’s the difference between a blog and a website?? Some blogs seem to be “embedded” in a website. Should one create a website first? Then how do you connect the two? Thanks ahead.

A blog is a type of website. You are correct, you can have a traditional website and then have a separate section of the site for a blog. If you are looking for a more traditional website you can follow my guide to starting a website here . If you follow the tutorial on this page you will have a blog. No need to create a separate website first.

Fantastic, and very help. Thank you for such a great help and guidance. You made something impossible possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you so much for your blog. I have had so much fun setting mine up and it might never have happened without your blog. I particularly found the video very clear, concise and helpful.

Hey. I want a blog but have so many things it’s like to cover…I need help with a name… Could you help me?

Sure, just send me a message through my contact page with some more details on what your blog will be about.

Hi. I’m thinking I may have signed up for the wrong type of blog. I’ve just created a wordpress.com personal blog site (ancestry). I’m just starting the site but am getting notifications that to use ANY plug-ins I need to upgrade to a business account (yikes not inexpensive!). Should I have signed up for WordPress.org??

Yes, WordPress.org is what you want. Just follow the steps in the tutorial on this page to create a WordPress.org blog using BlueHost.

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Step 1: Get Started >>

how to learn to write blogs

How to start a blog: a complete guide for beginners

This is everything you'll need to start your own blog

Person editing a WordPress site

Creating blogging sites can be a lot of fun, and it can also be an excellent way to express yourself and increase your online presence, connect with your desired audience, and at the same time, be an additional source of revenue.

In this guide, I will walk you through starting a blog from scratch. I'll cover everything from finding a niche, choosing a domain name, setting up your blog's design, and monetizing your blog.

By the end of this article, you'll have everything you need to launch your successful blog.

What is a blog?

A blog is a website or portion of a website where an individual or organization writes about topics that interest them. A blog can be focused on one particular topic, such as politics, or it can be a collection of the writer's thoughts and experiences on many different subjects. 

Blogs are usually updated frequently, and some even offer readers the ability to subscribe to updates via RSS feed or email. Many blogs also allow readers to leave comments on posts, which can create a community feel. 

Why should you start a blog?

There are many reasons to start a blog, but here are some of the most important ones:

Blogging can help you find your voice 

If you’ve ever felt like you have something to say but don’t know how to say it, starting a blog can be a great way to get your thoughts out there. You can use your blog to share your opinions on current events, write about your hobbies and interests, or even just document your day-to-day life.

This is probably the most important reason to start a blog : even if you don’t gain much recognition or money, you can at least share your ideas and (hopefully) inspire others.

Blogging can help you connect with others 

Whether you’re looking to make new friends who share your interests or want to build a community around your blog, blogging can be a great way to connect with people from all over the world.

Blogging can help you improve your writing 

The more you write, the better you’ll get at it. And since a blog gives you a platform to practice your writing regularly, it can be a great way to improve your skills.

Even if you write regularly as part of your day job, the skills you learn from blog writing are valuable. Blog readers tend to prefer text that’s punchy and broken up into smaller paragraphs, ideally with images and infographics. You’ll also learn to optimize your text for SEO (see below). 

These skills are easily transferable to the workplace, where business jargon and long-winded e-mails are all too common. 

Blogging can help you make money 

While it takes time and effort to build up a successful blog, there are plenty of ways to monetize your site once you’ve built up a following. You could sell advertising space on your blog, promote affiliate products, or even create and sell your products.

If you can drive enough traffic to your blog, then you may even gain ‘influencer’ status and be paid by companies to review the products or services.

If you’re considering doing this for your own business though, having a blog on your company’s main website can really boost it’s SEO ratings (see below).

Blogging can help you boost your career 

If you’re looking to advance in your career or change careers altogether, starting a blog can help you get your foot in the door. By sharing your expert knowledge and insights on your blog, you can position yourself as an authority in your field and make yourself more attractive to potential employers.

Blogging myths 

Before you begin, let’s debunk a couple of common blogging myths.

Starting a blog doesn’t require you to be an absolute expert or a skilled technical writer. After all, if readers want a dry shopping list of facts they can just read manuals or technical descriptions on websites. This is the difference between telling people about your favorite chocolate chip cookie and just telling them to read the ingredients on the back of a box. 

People read blogs precisely because they want a personal perspective on things. If you have an authentic voice people will trust your opinion of a nearby restaurant, or the latest video game or any other number of topics, even if you don’t write like Shakespeare. 

While we’re on the subject of topics, you also don’t necessarily have to be an absolute expert in your blog topic. It can helpful finding a niche (see below) as it will help your blog stand out. 

Still, some bloggers do post on a variety of different topics, or have a topic area that’s so large they inevitably talk about different subjects. For instance, one of the all-time most popular blogs Life Hack broadly focuses on ways to improve your productivity but the contains multiple sub-categories like diet, exercise, focus, parenting and so on.  

Step-by-step guide to starting a blog

There are two main reasons why people start a blog; to share their thoughts and passion and to make passive income. Whichever it is, there are steps you need to follow in order to have a successful blog site.  

1. Choose a niche 

The first thing to starting a blog is brainstorming for a niche. Here, you need to choose a niche you have a passion for. 

This first step is very important because choosing the wrong niche may mar your blogging journey. So you must choose a niche familiar to you. When choosing a niche, It is recommended to do a little research before making a final decision.

  • What kind of bloggers do you follow?
  • What subjects are you an expert in? If a person comes to you for help, what is it usually for?
  • What kind of blog content is lacking in the industry you’re passionate about? How can you fill in the gap?

If you can’t answer all these questions yet, don’t be discouraged. Get started anyway.

As we’ve discussed, some bloggers don’t have a specific niche but talk about all kinds of subjects. Sometimes there are plenty of blogs on a certain topic but as a blogger you can make yours stand out through how engaged you are.

If you set up a Wordpress blog and find your niche is too narrow or want to write about something else, you can rename it later. If you’ve bought a domain name, you can’t change this but you can buy another with a new name (see below).

If you’ve chosen your topic but are still stuck on a name, Wix has a great blog name generator . 

2. Choosing a blogging platform 

The next step is choosing a platform to build your blog with. For this, we recommend using WordPress.org . It’s a content management system ( CMS ) with robust blogging tools and a vast collection of plugins that can help you customize the site.

Using a CMS requires a web hosting service to get the blog up and running. Here’s a list of top web hosts to launch a self-hosted WordPress blog with:

  • Hostinger - This hosting company offers a 99.9% uptime guarantee and a beginner-friendly control panel, starting from $2.99/month. Our Hostinger review  shows the pros and cons of their hosting plans, service, server performance, and customer support. One of the main perks of Hostinger is they have Wordpress-specific plans.
  • Bluehost -  A web hosting provider with great site performance and a one-click button to install WordPress. The prices start from $3.99/month. Bluehost actually caters to around two third of all online blogs. Read our Bluehost review  for more information.
  • HostGator - A web host offering unmetered bandwidth with all of its shared hosting plans, which start from $2.75/month along with a 45-day money-back guarantee. Check out our full HostGator review  to read up on its other benefits .

Alternatively, you can use blogging sites like Blogger. This type of platform already comes equipped with blog hosting, so you won’t have to make a separate purchase.

WordPress also comes in a hosted version in the form of WordPress.com . It allows you to blog for free, although the selection of tools is not nearly as extensive.

If you’re certain that you want to use this blog for a business or know you’ll need extra features, you should consider getting a paid plan and domain name immediately. 

Otherwise consider hosting with a free service like Blogger or Wordpress : you won’t necessarily generate as much income but you can get a feel for what blogging is like. You can also switch to a paid plan and custom domain at any time. 

3. Get a domain name 

Once you have chosen and set up your blogging platform, the next step is to get a domain name for your blog. 

A domain name is like the address of your blog on the internet. It makes it easier for people to find your site. It is important to use a domain name that is relatable to your niche as this makes your blog more SEO-friendly. Once you have chosen a domain name, you can buy it from domain registrars such as GoDaddy , Hostinger , HostGator , or Namecheap .

Unlike your Blog name, once registered a domain name can’t be changed, so consider what you want to call it carefully. Ideally it should match your blog name.

When you visit most hosting sites you can type in your chosen name and they can automatically if it’s available.

If your chosen domain name isn’t available, your host may offer you the chance to buy it if it’s for sale, or register using a different TLD (Top Level Domain). For instance www.sarahjanesrecipes.com may be taken but www.sarahjanes.recipes might still be available.

When you register your domain by default your name, address and e-mail are listed in a public WHOIS database. Some hosting providers offer you the option to use their details instead, so your personal information remains private : for instance BlueHost’s “Choice Plus” plan starts at just $5.49 per month with free domain privacy.

4. Pick a blog theme

When designing your blog, start by choosing a theme. It should be responsive and have all the features needed to function correctly. At the same time, the theme should help readers navigate between the articles easily.

If you use a hosted blogging platform, the themes usually come provided on their website.

For WordPress users, free blog themes are available in the official directory . 

Third-party marketplaces like ThemeForest and TemplateMonster also offer premium WordPress themes . They usually come with perks like regular updates and customer support.

If you’re still not sure which to choose, first apply some common sense. A green, leafy theme is much more suitable for a blog promoting herbal medicines than one providing investment advice. 

Remember you can return here and change your blog’s theme at any time. It’s best to get this right before your blog goes “live” though, so as not to confuse readers.

5. Customize your blog

It’s time to customize your chosen theme. Here’s what you can do when modifying a blog:

Create the website pages 

Depending on your preferences, the homepage can double as the blog page, though many bloggers separate the two. Other than that, you need a Contact page, About page, and separate pages for the blog post categories. 

You can do this either by clicking “Posts” in the left-hand column and creating a new “static” post or choosing from the ready-made pages in your blog template.

Readers may well go to your “About Me” page before they start reading your blog. Make sure to include your reasons for starting and writing this blog. Tell them what drives you. 

For “Contact” it’s best to put a contact form instead of an e-mail address. This stops your address from being harvested by web crawlers and subjected to spam. The exception to this is you’re running a business, as you may want to put your contact telephone number and physical address here. 

Set up a navigation bar 

This should be visible on top of the header and accessible across all pages. Only include links most relevant to readers’ interests to avoid cluttering the menu.

If there’s no navigation bar already built-in to your Wordpress template, you can add by going to Appearance > Menus from the main dashboard. Depending on your chosen theme, you’ll then be asked to name the menu and can choose where to place it : we recommend the “very top” bar to make your blog easy to navigate.

Upload a logo 

A good logo can set you apart from similar blogs and increase brand recognition. Many logo generators can come up with a high-quality design using some premade icons and AI  assistance.

Customize the colors and fonts 

Ensure these represent your brand’s visual identity. Most importantly they should go with your chosen theme. 

Unless you have a very good reason to do otherwise though, stick to using white text on a black background. This is by far the easiest kind to read. 

Add a sidebar 

The sidebar space next to the main content area intended for displaying a short bio, social media handles, or call-to-action buttons, or even subject categories within your blog. 

As with your navigation bar, your chosen Wordpress blog design may come with a sidebar pre-loaded. If not go to Appearance > Customizer. You should see “SideBar” as an available “Widget”. 

Enable/Disable Comments

By default anyone can comment on your blog posts. This leaves your blog open to abuse and spam. Fortunately these can be switched off very easily. Just open the Wordpress Dashboard and go to Settings > Discussion and uncheck “Allow People to Post Comments on New Articles.”

If you do this, remember you can always include a “call to action” with each post to encourage people to send an e-mail or make a video if they want to engage with your posts. 

6. Add any necessary extensions or plugins

In CMSs and blogging platforms, extensions are add-ons users can install to enable custom additional functionality on a website. In WordPress, they’re called plugins.

A blog usually requires the following types of extensions or WordPress plugins :

  • SEO - A popular example is Yoast SEO , which can guide WordPress users on optimizing blog content for search engines.
  • Contact form - Enable readers to communicate with you via a fillable web-based form. WPForms is a well-known plugin in this category.
  • Spam protection - Blogs are a prime target for spam comments, which can hurt your reputation and web user experience. Prevent this from happening with Akismet .
  • Malware protection - Blogs can be targeted by malware, especially if strangers can add links. Use an anti-malware plugin like Bulletproof Security to protect against this 
  • Speed optimization - The longer your website loads, the less likely visitors are to stay and explore its content. WP Rocket can solve this problem by enabling website cache.
  • Analytics - one of the most popular plugins to view your blog stats Google in a single place is Monster Insights . 
  • Also take a look at our best WordPress themes for blogs guide

7. Create a content strategy

One way to ensure your blog posts remain relevant and interesting to readers is with a solid content strategy. Here’s a guide to creating one:

  • Set realistic and measurable goals - Pick a specific and achievable objective you expect to accomplish. An example of this is to accumulate a thousand readers by the end of the month.
  • Define your ideal readers - Knowing your target audience can determine the type of blog posts to publish and the kind of writing style to adopt.
  • Conduct keyword research - Find out your target audience’s interests using tools like Answer the Public or Google Trends . From there, select the terms that have the most potential to become blog posts.
  • Set up a blog editorial calendar - Create a schedule to write and publish the blog posts. Some bloggers prefer to make many drafts in advance and post them one at a time throughout the month.

8. Learn about SEO

SEO is short for search engine optimization, which is a collection of practices that aims to make a web page rank better on search engines. That way, the website can gain more exposure and organic traffic.

If you’re a beginner, there are tons of SEO resources to learn from. For example, Google’s SEO starter guide and Ahrefs' SEO basics guide  are great places to start.

Installing some SEO tools can also make it easier to strategize your content for search engines. If you prefer using free software, Ahrefs has a free version and is an excellent choice. It can help with both keyword research and competitor analysis.

When it comes to drafting SEO-optimized content, there are strategies First, you need to do keyword research. This is to ascertain the core metrics of the keyword you intend to rank for in search engines. Second, you need to draft a format for writing your content. Here, it is very crucial to remember the role of SEO-optimized blog posts. You need to know how to use keywords to make your content search engine friendly.

After writing your content, it is time to employ SEO practices to help it rank on the first page of Google . You need to optimize the title of your content for search engines. Also, you need to make sure your keywords are included in your content's meta tags and descriptions. The next important aspect of SEO you need to pay attention to is link building: both internal and external linking. For internal inbound links, ensure all pages/articles on your blog are interlinked to each other.

You also need to sign up for analytics tools. You can sign up for the Google search console on search.google.com/search-console/ or bing .com/webmasters/ to connect your blog.

  • Check out the best onpage SEO tools

9. Install analytics tools

An analytics tool can track your site’s performance, measure the effectiveness of the content strategy, and locate any web-related issues.

Google Analytics is the go-to choice for bloggers. It’s free and can show a wide range of performance metrics, such as the traffic sources and number of blog posts or pages a person visits in a single session.

You only need a Google account to get started. Then copy and paste the Tracking ID to the site’s code to begin collecting data.

  • We've also rounded up the best cloud analytics

10. Set up your email list

An email list is a collection of user-submitted email addresses. In blogging, they're intended for marketing purposes, such as updating readers about new blog posts.

Creating one requires email marketing software . It will enable an opt-in form on your website, where visitors can fill in their name and email address. Additionally, it can automate the email delivery and personalize the message for each subscriber. 

Email lists play a vital role in internet marketing. They can helps you to retain your blog visitors. There are many email marketing services in the market such as MailChimp, MailerLite, etc. You can choose any according to your budget.

11. Publish and promote your blog

With the blog set up, it’s time to write your first blog posts and publish them.

Refer to the topics you’ve selected from the content strategy to decide what article to write about. Focus on making evergreen content , covering informative topics that will always remain relevant to your target audience.

Remember to promote the blog every time you publish a new post. Besides leveraging your email list, establish an online presence in social media networks often used by your readers. Also, take part in community-oriented sites like Quora and Reddit to expand your reach.

12. Collaborate with other blogs

Guest posting on other blogs in your niche offers the chance to broaden exposure and establish credibility. Plus, it’s an excellent way of link building for your blog – which is essential for ranking well on search engines.

To land your first guest posting opportunity, make sure to send an enticing email pitch. Address the recipient by name and make the message personal. Prove that you’ve researched the blog in-depth and mention some articles you like. 

Lastly, attach a draft of the post you want to write about so that the blogger can visualize what the article looks like. Ensure that it follows their submission guidelines and writing style. 

Guest posting is important. It helps you to gain backlinks thereby boosting your blog's SEO and authority. To pitch for a guest post, you need to reach out to authority blogs on your niche. 

There are two types of guest posting; free and paid. Most big blogs now charge for a guest post. To search for a guest posting opportunity, go to google and type Guest post + Keyword.

  • Here's our list of the best online collaboration software

How to install WordPress 

When you log in to your cPanel , click on hosting and scroll down to Manage. Now, on the Manage menu, scroll down and click on the website section. Next, on the new window that will appear, click on Auto installer and then select WordPress. Once you click on the WordPress icon, you will be prompted to enter the domain name where you want the WordPress to be installed; here you should enter your domain name and details and click install.

Choose an SEO-friendly and responsive blog theme - After installing WordPress, it's time to choose a theme. To choose a theme, log into your WordPress dashboard, click on Appearance, and click on themes. Here, you will find tons of themes, so you must choose a lightweight theme that is SEO-friendly. To know if a theme is SEO-friendly, you can check reviews about the theme before installing it.

Customizing your blog - Now, it's time to customize your blog. You can start by changing the logo of the theme you have chosen to your logo. You can change the fonts, background images, layouts, etc. It all boils down to your taste and how you want your blog design to be.

Adding extensions for SEO, contact forms, spam protection, and speed optimization. At this stage, you need to install some plugins that will enhance your blog's SEO features. I recommend Yoast or Rank Math plugins for on-page SEO content optimization. Both plugins give you metrics on how to optimise your blog's written content for SEO purposes. For spam protection and speed optimization on your blog, installing LiteSpeed and WordFence plugins is recommended.

When it comes to drafting SEO-optimized content, there are strategies to that. First, you need to do keyword research. This is to ascertain the core metrics of the keyword you intend to rank for in search engines. Second, you need to draft a format for writing your content. Here, it is very crucial to remember the role of SEO-optimized blog posts. You need to know how to use keywords to make your content search engine friendly.

After writing your content, it is time to employ SEO practices to help it rank on the first page of Google. You need to optimize the title of your content for search engines. Also, you need to make sure your keywords are included in your content's meta tags and descriptions. The next important aspect of SEO you need to pay attention to is link building: both internal and external linking. For internal inbound links, ensure all pages/articles on your blog are interlinked to each other.

You also need to sign up for analytics tools. You can sign up for the Google search console on search.google.com/search-console/ or bing.com/webmasters/ to connect your blog.

Next, set up an email list using email marketing software. Email list plays a vital role in internet marketing. It helps you to retain your blog visitors. There are many email marketing software in the market such as MailChimp, MailerLite, etc. You can choose any according to your budget.

After publishing your first blog, it's time to promote. There are two ways you can promote your blog on social media; free and paid. You can join social media forums, groups, or communities that share the same niche as you. For paid promotions, you can run social media ads on any of the popular social sites such as Facebook or Twitter.

When it comes to building a successful blog, the role of guest posting is important. It helps you to gain backlinks thereby boosting your blog's SEO and authority. To pitch for a guest post, you need to reach out to authority blogs on your niche. 

How to monetize your blog

Now that you’re more familiar with blogging, let’s discuss the many ways to make money while doing so. Here are several profitable blog monetization methods: 

  • Ad displays - This tactic requires signing up on an advertising network like Google AdSense , which will partner you with brands that want to advertise their business on your website. 
  • Affiliate marketing - With this method, you will join affiliate programs to find products to promote on your blog posts. You will earn a commission every time a reader clicks on the affiliate link you’ve provided. 
  • Sponsored content - This is a common monetization technique for popular bloggers. Brands will pay them to have their products or services featured on their blog posts, usually in reviews or recommendations. 
  • Online courses - If you like teaching, try to monetize your blog with video courses on topics that your readers might have questions about. Besides generating income, it’s also an excellent way to establish your expertise in the field.
  • eBooks - Many bloggers use this method to repurpose and combine their existing content into one in-depth file. Besides selling the eBook on the blog, you can also self-publish with Amazon KDP to gain more exposure. 
  • Coaching services - This tactic is similar to that of offering online courses – it usually involves personalized mentoring sessions and virtual workshops. 
  • Membership plans - If you manage to build strong audience engagement, consider launching a private community where readers can access exclusive content and connect with you more personally. Patreon is the go-to platform for this.

What makes a good blog

There are a few key features that make a good blog. First, a good blog should have interesting, original and useful content. The content should be well-written and well-researched. Additionally, the blog should be updated regularly with new content to keep readers coming back.

Another important aspect of a good blog is interactivity. A good blog will encourage comments and dialogue between the author and readers. This interaction makes the reading experience more enjoyable and helps to create a community around the blog.

Finally, a good blog should be visually appealing. Readers should enjoy looking at the site and finding it easy to navigate. If a blog is difficult to read or navigate, readers will likely move on to another site.

If you’re handy with a camera, you should have no trouble including good quality images to engage readers and break up your text. If not, consider using some high-res stock photos (see below).

If your blog includes videos of you, make sure to buy a decent webcam , as well as  a ring light. 

Tips, tricks and tools to help your blog succeed

To have a successful blog, you need to put in the effort. You need to be consistent with your postings and engage with your audience. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your blog is attractive to both search engines and readers.

One of the most important things to remember when blogging is to keep your content fresh. This means publishing new articles regularly. If you only post sporadically, readers will quickly lose interest in your site. Likewise, if all of your posts are about the same topic, you’ll start to bore your readers. Mix it up by writing on a variety of topics and including different types of content such as videos or infographics.

Another key to success is promoting your blog through social media and other channels. This will help you reach a wider audience and drive traffic back to your site. Make sure to share each new post on social media and include engaging visuals and catchy headlines. There are plugins (see below) that you can use to automatically crosspost blog pieces to your social media channels. You can also use plugins to make it easier for readers to share your posts to social media themselves. 

You can also use paid advertising to promote your blog posts or guest posting on other sites to get exposure for your site. Some hosting providers such as GoDaddy let you do this automatically via Google’s AdSense. 

If you do this though, you’ll have no control over which specific products or services are advertised. Alternatively you can place your own old-school banner ads (with affiliate link) on your blog by contacting companies directly.  

Tools to help you start a blog

Besides the already mentioned extensions and software for SEO, analytics, and email list building, consider installing these tools as well:

  • Content calendar - Use it to keep track of deadlines for writing, editing, and publishing. It can also help with scheduling your social media posts. CoSchedule is an excellent tool for this. 
  • Password manager - WordPress is known for being prone to hacking attempts, so extra precautions are necessary. Tools like NordPass make it easy to create and manage strong passwords for all the websites and apps that you use.  
  • Alternatively use a web browser with a built-in password manager like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome .
  • Graphic design platform - It can help create engaging visuals for the blog content and social media feed. Check out Canva for a free and beginner-friendly option. 
  • Stock photos - Another great way to add more visual appeal to your content with minimal effort. Visit Unsplash if you’re looking for a free option. 
  • Time management app - Use this to keep yourself focused when writing blog posts. We recommend using Toggl, which can track work hours and analyze them to help improve your productivity. 
  • Grammar checker - Flawless sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation can make the blog more credible and easier to understand for readers. Install Grammarly to keep them in check.
  • Webmaster tool - This software is usually provided for free from search engines to help site owners monitor their ranking performance. An example is Google Search Console , which can track the click-through rate generated from search engine results pages. 
  • Crossposting tool - Plugins like JetPack allow you to crosspost your blog pieces directly to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn .
  • Sharing tool - Plugins like Social Snap make it much simpler to add social media sharing buttons to your blog, so people can post it on their own feeds.
  • Loading tool - WP Super Cache improves the website's loading speed by generating small static HTML pages of your blog posts, which are cached on your webserver. This is much more efficient than heavier Wordpress PHP scripts 

Starting a blog

Now that you know how to start a blog, all that’s left to do is take the first step. Let’s recap:

  • Brainstorm for a blog niche that suits your interests and has potential for traffic. 
  • Choose a blogging platform. We recommend using the best WordPress hosting and web hosting plans by Hostinger, Bluehost, or HostGator.
  • Pick a catchy and descriptive domain name .
  • Pick a responsive blog theme that helps readers navigate through the blog posts.
  • Customize your blog. Set up the website pages, navigation bar, logo, colors and fonts, and sidebar.
  • Add extensions for SEO, contact forms, spam protection, and speed optimization. 
  • Create a content strategy to serve as a guide for writing your blog posts. 
  • Research the best SEO practices and install SEO tools .
  • Install an analytics tool to keep track of your blog’s performance and locate any issues.
  • Set up an email list for marketing purposes by using email marketing software.
  • Publish your first few blog posts and promote the blog on social media and community-oriented websites.
  • Guest post on blogs in your niche to build backlinks and broaden your exposure. 

The bottom line 

There are several things to consider before starting a blog. You need to decide what you want to write about, what your goals are, if you plan on monetizing your site. It’s fine to write a blog just for fun but make sure you’re clear about why you’re doing this from the start. 

If gaining new readers is important to you, make sure that you have the time and resources necessary to commit to regularly updating your blog.

If you’re willing to put in the work, starting a blog can be a great way to share your voice with the world and connect with like-minded people. You may also be able to market your products/services or those of someone else and earn a living.

With a little effort, you can build a successful blog that will help you achieve your personal or professional goals. 

  • We've also featured the best blogging platforms

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Ruby has been a freelance technology writer for over four years and has a passion for information technology and the Internet in its entirety. She has a wide range of specialities including web hosting, streaming (Firestick, Kodi, and APKs), VPN, information technology, and affiliate marketing. Ruby is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of the Philippines, and regularly codes in her free time.

  • Abigail Opiah B2B Editor - Web hosting & Website builders

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Find Keyword Ideas in Seconds

Boost SEO results with powerful keyword research

How to Write a Blog Post: The Definitive Guide

Today I’m going to show you how to write a blog post that gets:

Hundreds of comments.

Thousands of social shares.

And first page Google rankings.

Let’s dive right in.

How to Write a Blog Post: The Definitive Guide

1. Find a (Proven) Topic

Blog post templates

2. Blog Post Templates

Create an awesome headline

3. Create an Awesome Headline

Craft a compelling intro

4. Craft a Compelling Intro

Write your post

5. Write Your Post

Add a conclusion

6. Add a Conclusion

Optimize for SEO

7. Optimize for SEO

Promote your content

8. Promote Your Content

Content transformation

9. Content Transformation

Chapter 1: find a (proven) topic.

Find a proven topic

Your blog post topic is HUGE.

Question is:

How do you find proven topics?

Use one of these 5 simple step-by-step strategies .

Udemy Courses

Udemy is a keyword research GOLDMINE.

Here’s why:

Udemy doesn’t just show you content that people are interested in.

Instead, you see content that people are paying for.

You can search for courses by category…

Udemy categories

…or by keyword.

Udemy search

Either way, you’ll find content that people are PAYING to access.

For example, let’s say you run a blog about graphic design.

Head over to the design category in Udemy…

Udemy design section

…and scroll down to their best-selling courses:

Udemy bestsellers

And within 5 seconds you have a list of proven topics:

  • 3D Modeling
  • Designing and coding WordPress themes
  • After Effects tutorial
  • How to use Adobe Illustrator

Amazon Table of Contents

First, search in Amazon for a keyword that describes your blog.

Amazon "SEO" search

Then, look for a book with lots of ratings.

(This shows you that people actually bought the book.)

Amazon book rating

Finally, click “Look Inside” to see the table of contents.

Amazon "Look inside"

And just like with Udemy, you get a list of topics presented to you on a silver platter:

Amazon – Table of contents

This leads us to…

Semrush “Top Pages”

Now it’s time to steal your competitor’s best topics.

First, grab a competitor and pop it into Semrush .

Semrush – Input website

Then, hit “Traffic Analytics > Top Pages”.

And you’ll see the exact content that’s worked best for that blog (in terms of direct, referral, social, search, and paid traffic):

Semrush – Top pages – Backlinko

BuzzSumo’s “Evergreen Score”

You already know that BuzzSumo is a GREAT tool for finding content ideas.

(In fact, BuzzSumo is one of my favorite content marketing tools .)

And they recently added a VERY cool feature that makes this tool even more useful:

“Evergreen Score”.

Here’s how it works:

First, type a keyword into BuzzSumo just like you normally would.

BuzzSumo – Search

By default, BuzzSumo shows you content that has lots of social shares.

BuzzSumo – Total engagement

But here’s the problem:

You can’t tell whether that content went viral for a day and quickly flamed out…

…or if it’s still racking up shares and links years later.

That’s where the Evergreen Score comes into play.

It shows you content that people share and link to MONTHS after it first went live:

BuzzSumo – Evergreen score

That way, you can publish content that brings you traffic for YEARS.

Conference Agendas

This is quickly becoming my FAVORITE ways to find killer topics.

First, head to a conference website in your niche.

Brighton SEO – Home

Go to the agenda page:

Brighton SEO – Menu

And you’ll see topics that people are (again) paying to learn more about:

Brighton SEO – Agenda

Pro Tip: Pop the conference agenda page into the Google Keyword Planner .

Put URL into GKP

Choose “This page only”:

Choose "This page only" in GKP

And you’ll get a list of targeted keyword ideas… straight from Google.

Google Keyword Planner (GKP) Results

Chapter 2: Blog Post Templates

Blog post templates

Now that you have a topic, it’s time to get started on your post.

And I have great news:

You don’t need to start from scratch, suffer from writer’s block, or stare at a blank white screen.

Instead, use one of the awesome blog post templates that I’m about to share with you.

#1: Expanded List Post

A regular list post… but better.

List posts are a blogging mainstay. And for good reason: they’re a collection of bite-sized tips that people can use to get a specific result. The issue is: traditional list posts usually leave out key details.

(Like how to put each tip into practice.)

Regular list posts

But the Expanded List Post is completely different.

With the Expanded List Post, you give LOTS of detail about each item on your list.

Expanded list post

Why It Works

Normal lists posts make people do a ton of extra work.

For example, let’s say the first tip from a list post is: “Eat Eggs at Breakfast”

Well, that leaves out A LOT of important info, like:

  • What time should I eat?
  • How do I cook the eggs (hard boiled vs. scrambled)
  • What about organic and free-range eggs?
  • Can I eat anything with the eggs?

Well, the Expanded List Post answers all of those questions and more.

That way, your reader doesn’t have to fill in the blanks.

Real Life Example

A while back I published: “ 19 NEW SEO Techniques ”.

Backlinko – SEO techniques

And this Expanded List Post is one of the most successful pieces of content that I’ve ever published.

To date, my post has 14k social shares and 1,150 comments:

SEO techniques – Shares and comments

And backlinks from over 1K domains:

Ahrefs – SEO techniques – Referring domains

Unlike most list posts, I gave people detailed steps for each and every tip:

Seed keywords – Steps

#2: The Branded Strategy Case Study

Your Branded Strategy Post solves a problem that your target audience struggles with.

And when you give this solution a “branded” name? You’re instantly seen as an industry expert.

There’s only one catch:

You need to prove that it works.

Enter: The Branded Strategy Case Study.

The branded strategy case study

Your branded name gives people something tangible to link to.

It also helps establish you as an authority in your niche.

(If you created your own strategy, you MUST be an expert.)

A few years ago I was having a hard time building my email list .

And after trying a bunch of different strategies, I finally found something that worked.

Offering people VERY targeted lead magnets.

Targeted lead magnets

So I decided to write a blog post about my experience.

Backlinko – Increase conversions

And I made sure to give my new strategy a name:

The Content Upgrade .

This simple little case study has racked up 4.82K backlinks from 851 domains.

Ahrefs – Increase conversions

And most of these links are a direct result of my unique, branded name:

"Content upgrade" branded name

#3: Tools of the Trade

A “Tools Of The Trade Post” is a list of tools that you recommend.

To be clear:

These tools DON’T have to be software.

A “tool” can be a morning routine, a foam roller or a B12 supplement.

As long as the tool helps your reader solve a problem, you’re good.

Tools of the trade

Strategies are hard.

Approaches are tricky.

But tools are EASY.

(In fact, the #1 question I get is: “Brian, what SEO tools do you recommend?”.)

Finding the right tool can be REALLY hard.

That’s where your “Tools of the Trade” post comes in.

It’s a hand-picked list of the best tools… all in one place.

A few years ago I published a blog post called: How to Learn SEO In Record Time .

Backlinko – Learn SEO fast

It was a list of “tools” (resources) to help people learn SEO.

Backlinko – Learn SEO fast – Chapters

It didn’t go viral or anything. But it got over 2K shares:

Learn SEO fast – Social shares

#4: The Ultimate Guide

A complete resource that covers EVERYTHING.

The Ultimate Guide

Your guide gives someone everything they need to know about a topic… in one place.

So there’s no need for people to read 18 different posts.

Once they find your guide, they have everything they need to know.

It’s also great for getting backlinks.

That’s because bloggers will link to your guide when they write about your topic:

SEO Tribunal link

The first guide I ever published at Backlinko was: “ Link Building for SEO: The Definitive Guide ”.

Backlinko – Link building

(Since then I’ve updated the guide at least 50 times.)

Because my guide is SUPER thorough, other SEO and content marketing blogs were happy to link to it:

SEJ – Backlink to Backlinko

And share it on social media:

Sharing the post on Twitter

#5: The Complete List

A Complete List is like an ultimate guide in list form.

So instead of a guide, you take every…

…And put it in one place.

The complete list

First off, Complete Lists have a legit “WOW” factor.

(A list of 200+ anything is impressive.)

Second, you’re curating scattered information on a single page.

In 2015 I published “ SEO Tools: The Complete List ”.

Backlinko – SEO tools post

It’s a MASSIVE list of over 175 SEO tools.

(Yup, I personally tried each and every one of them.)

But I didn’t just list a bunch of tools and call it a day.

I made sure to highlight my favorite tools:

Brian's favorite tools

And the post has been a traffic MAGNET for me.

In fact, 10,909 people visit that post every single month:

SEO Tools – Monthly visitors

Chapter 3: Create an Awesome Headline

Create an awesome headline

When it comes to writing a blog post, your headline can make or break your entire post .

So it’s important to nail this step.

And in this chapter, I’m going to show you how to write amazing blog post headlines.

Start Your Headline With These Phrases

BuzzSumo analyzed 100 million headlines .

BuzzSumo headline analysis study

So, what did they find?

That headlines that start with these 20 phrases tend to get the most shares:

Top phrases starting headlines (measured by average Facebook engagement)

For example, this post from my blog uses one of these tested phrases:

Backlinko – Actionable SEO tips

12-18 Words

Let’s look at another interesting finding from that BuzzSumo study.

They discovered that the sweet spot for headline length is between 12-18 words.

BuzzSumo chart

(At least when it comes to social shares.)

Add Brackets (And Parentheses)

This is one of my favorite headline hacks.

A study by OutBrain found that adding brackets to headlines can improve CTR up to 38%.

Brackets increase click through rate by 38%

And my real-world experience backs this up.

5 of my top 10 most popular posts have brackets or parentheses in the title:

Backlinko – Top content – Brackets

In B2B? Use These Proven Headline Phrases

If you’re in B2B (like me), you know that clickbait titles don’t work that well.

Fortunately, the BuzzSumo study I mentioned earlier also analyzed a subset of B2B post titles.

And they discovered that these 20 phrases work GREAT in B2B:

Top B2B headline phrases (measured by average LinkedIn shares)

Optimize for EMV

Every copywriter knows that emotional headlines get LOTS of clicks.

And now there’s data to back this up.

CoSchedule published a blog post headline study.

OkDork headlines

Specifically, they analyzed a million headlines for “EMV”.

(EMV=”Emotional Marketing Value”)

And they found a clear correlation between high EMV and social shares.

Average EMV score for headlines based on shares

You can measure your EMV score using this tool from the Advanced Marketing Institute:

Advanced Marketing Institute – Headline analyzer

Just pop your headline into the tool…

Headline Analyzer – Enter headline

…and you’ll get your EMV score.

Headline Analyzer – Results

I try to get my EMV score to at least 25%.

I even have a few headlines with an EMV score of 70%+.

Chapter 4: Craft a Compelling Intro

Craft a compelling intro

Topic? Check.

Headline? Check.

Now it’s time to grab your reader’s attention.

How? Your blog post introduction.

4-7 Sentences

Let’s face it:

No one likes long blog post introductions, like this:

Post with a long intro

That’s why I limit my intros to 4-7 lines… MAX.

For example, my intro from this post is only 6 lines:

YouTube channel growth intro

In my experience, 4-7 sentences are more than enough to hook people…

…and get them excited for the content they’re about to read.

PPP Formula

The PPP Formula is KILLING it for me right now.

(The “PPP” stands for: Preview, Proof, Preview.)

Here’s a visual of the formula:

The PPP formula

Now I’m going to break down each part of the PPP formula…

…and show you real-life examples of the formula in action.

First, you have the Preview.

This couldn’t be any more simple.

Just let your reader know EXACTLY what to expect.

That way, when someone lands on your post, they know they’re in the right place.

Here’s an example:

PPP formula – First preview

Next, it’s time for the Proof.

Here’s where you show people that you can deliver.

Specifically, you want to prove that you know your stuff.

You can show proof with:

  • Personal results
  • Years of experience
  • Number of clients
  • Credentials or certifications

PPP formula – Proof

Last up, we have the Preview… again.

The first preview was a high-level overview of your post.

The 2nd preview is a little bit different.

This preview is where you get specific about something from your post.

For example, in this intro, I preview the fact that the steps are actionable.

PPP formula – Second preview

I like to end my intros with a transition sentence.

In my experience, this transition helps push people to read the next section.

"Let's dive right in" transition

Chapter 5: Write Your Post

Write your post

Now it’s time to show you how to write SUPER engaging content.

Specifically, I’m going to share 6 strategies that can make your blog posts 10x better.

Starting with…

Short Paragraphs

Want people to read your content? AVOID giant walls of text.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

Wall of text

Instead, stick to paragraphs that are 1-2 sentences long.

Short paragraphs

Why is this important?

Short paragraphs are easier to read .

(Especially on mobile devices.)

Section Subheaders

I LOVE subheaders.

That’s because subheaders break your content up into easy-to-read chunks.

For example, my post “ The Complete SEO Checklist ” has A LOT of content.

Backlinko – SEO checklist

(In fact, that post is 4,328 words.)

So I broke up the content into lots of little chunks. And added a list of bullet point links that take you to each section:

Table of contents

In fact, this single post has 9 subheaders.

Active Voice

If I could give people ONE writing tip for writing blog posts it would be:

Use the active voice!

The passive voice is just… lame.

On the flip side, the active voice is crisp and clear.

Use the active voice

15-17px Font

You might have noticed that Medium.com posts are REALLY easy to read.

Medium readability

How do they do it?

They use 21px font.

If you’re using anything less than 15px, you’re losing lots of readers.

That’s why we use 18px font here at Backlinko.

Backlinko font size

Write Like You Talk

This is the holy grail of great writing.

But it’s not easy.

(Especially if you took English classes in high school.)

With that, here’s a tip:

Read your post out loud.

If it sounds weird, scrap that sentence.

This time, explain the same thing out loud.

You’ll probably find that the same sentence sounds A LOT better.

Lots of Visuals

Screenshots.

Infographics.

Don’t be afraid to use a ton of visuals in every post.

For example, this post from my blog has 95 visuals:

SEO Audit post screenshots

Chapter 6: Add a Conclusion

Add a conclusion

Let’s cap things off with your conclusion.

And let me be clear about something:

Your conclusion is VERY important.

(Especially if you want lots of people to comment on your post.)

Fortunately, I’ve developed a simple, 3-step formula for writing AWESOME conclusions.

It’s called “The TAC Formula”.

Here’s an overview of The TAC Formula:

The TAC formula

And now I’ll cover the detailed steps…

Start your conclusion off with the Transition.

Your transition is just like it sounds:

It transitions people from your blog content to the conclusion section.

"Now I'd like to hear from you" at the end of the post

Next, it’s time for the Ask.

Here’s where you ask your reader a VERY specific question.

In other words: don’t ask: “Let me know what you think”.

Instead, throw your reader a softball question that’s easy to answer.

For example:

Ask an easy question

Finally, end with a call to action.

You can ask your readers to comment…

Ask your readers to leave a comment

…or to share your content on social media.

Chapter 7: Optimize for SEO

Optimize for SEO

Next, optimize your post for SEO.

And the best way to do that?

Use the 5 on-page SEO strategies I’m about to show you.

There’s no doubt about it:

When it comes to SEO, short URLs work best .

Short URLs tend to outrank long URLs

There are two reasons that short URLs outperform long URLs.

First off, your URL helps Google understand your page’s topic.

In fact, Google officially recommends short, descriptive URLs.

URL best practices

Second, people use URLs to help them decide what to click on in the search results.

And if your URL is insanely long, people are less likely to click on it :

Short URL CTR

Speaking of…

Meta Description

Nope, search engines don’t use your meta description for SEO. That said: your meta description is a GREAT way to get more people to click on your result.

Specifically, you want your meta description to:

  • Include your target keyword (Google bolds keywords in the search results)
  • Use verbs, like “learn”, “find” and “buy”
  • Describe your content’s USP
  • Fit within the ~155 character limit

For example, you can see that my meta description from this post is designed to maximize clicks:

Post meta description

Keyword In Title Tag

This couldn’t be any simpler.

Just include your exact keyword in your title tag.

For example, my target keyword for my post “ 27 Ways to Increase Traffic to Your Website ” is: “increase traffic”.

So I included that keyword in my title tag:

Keyword in title tag

And WordPress page title:

Keyword in WordPress title

Keyword In Intro

Make sure to use your keyword once in your blog post intro:

Copywriting guide – Keyword in intro

Internal Links

Internal linking might be the most underrated SEO strategy on the planet.

That said, internal linking isn’t complicated.

Whenever you publish a new post, add 2-5 links to older posts:

Link to high-priority pages often

You can also go back to older posts and link to your NEW post.

For example, when I published “ The Definitive Guide to Keyword Research ”, I linked out to related content…

Keyword Research Guide: Linking out to related content

…and added a handful of internal links to the new guide:

Keyword Research checklist

Bonus Chapter: Promote Your Content

Promote your content

When it comes to blogging, promoting your post is even MORE important than the content itself.

In other words:

You can’t just share your post on Twitter and call it a day.

That’s why I recommend promoting your content with these 4 tested strategies.

Facebook Retargeting

Yup, Facebook’s organic reach is at an all-time low .

Facebook's organic reach is at an all-time low

You can still get in front of your fans… with boosted posts.

(And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.)

In fact, I paid 56 cents per click on this boosted post:

Facebook boosted post

The secret?

Retargeting.

Here’s the exact process:

First, add Facebook’s ad pixel to your site.

Next, share your blog post on Facebook.

Share your post on Facebook

This will get you a handful of likes and comments… which pushes more people to engage with your post later on.

Now that you have some social proof, boost your post. And ONLY target people that visited your site in the last 30-60 days.

Facebook audience: ONLY target people that visited your site in the last 30-60 days

That’s all there is to it.

Email Newsletter

This is the ultimate content promotion superhack.

For example, I recently updated this post on my blog:

Backlinko – Email marketing guide

And to get the word out, I tweeted the post…

Email marketing guide – Update tweet

…and sent a newsletter to my email subscribers.

Which do you think got more clicks?

The newsletter.

In fact, the newsletter got 12.7x more clicks than my Tweet.

Number of clicks to blog post

With that, here are 3 things I do to get lots of clicks on every newsletter:

First, I keep the design super-duper simple.

Backlinko simple email design

No fancy graphics.

Just plain text and links to the post.

Second, I only link to ONE post per newsletter.

Link in email

Otherwise, your subscribers get “analysis paralysis”. And they don’t click on anything.

Finally, I only email my best stuff.

That way, when someone gets an email from me they say:

“Nice! Brian’s sending me something cool”.

Which has helped keep my open rates above 35%… even though I have over 200k email subscribers:

Email open rate

LinkedIn Organic

If you’re in B2B, you NEED to hop on LinkedIn .

Unlike Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn organic reach right now is GREAT.

For example, here’s one of my older LinkedIn posts:

Recent LinkedIn post

And that single post got 56,872 views.

LinkedIn post with 56,872 views

Not every LinkedIn post does this well.

For example, this post was kind of a dud:

LinkedIn dud post

But 13k views is still WAY more than I’m getting on most other social networks.

Email Outreach

Outreach is still the best way to get your content in front of influential people.

But you can’t just spam people and expect it to work.

For example, I get generic emails like this all the time:

Generic outreach email

And I instantly delete them.

But when someone takes the time to send me a personalized message, I’ll at least check out their post.

Personalized outreach email

And if the post is a good fit for the Backlinko community, I’ll share it:

Brian email showing his Tweet of the post

Bonus Chapter: Content Transformation

Content transformation

Email newsletters.

YouTube video scripts.

Social media posts.

I used to write them all from scratch.

But over the last year or so, I’ve been trying a new content marketing technique:

Content Transformation.

Let me show you how it works with a real-life example…

Earlier this year I wanted to make a YouTube video about backlinks.

Back in the day, I’d open up a blank Google Doc and start on my outline.

But this time, I used Content Transformation.

And the process was MUCH faster.

Specifically, I wrote my video script based on this old guide from my blog:

Backlinks Guide

For example, I took this strategy from the guide…

Link Roundups article

…and reworked it for the video:

Link Roundups reworked for a YouTube video

Even though this video was mostly repurposed from existing content, it got 20k views in its first 30 days:

Backlinks – Video views

And it now has 278,532 total views:

Link building video – Views

Now It’s Your Turn

Now it’s your turn (How to Write a Blog Post: The Definitive Guide)

I hope this guide showed you how to write a blog post.

Now I’d like to turn it over to you:

What’s the #1 tip from this post that you want to try first?

Are you going to start using brackets in your headlines? Or maybe you’re going to promote your content on LinkedIn.

Or maybe you have a question about something you read.

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below right now.

I don’t know how you do it Brian but you’ve pulled it off again. Cracking post and brilliant idea regards Udemy and many other things I had not thought of. Great post as always Brian

Thanks Val. Glad you learned some new stuff.

We are just starting with our blog. This guide it’s really good checklist. Thank for great tips!

Hi Jedrek, happy to help. Good luck with the new blog!

Wow fantastic info Thanks Brian

You’re welcome, Reece.

Awesome post ! Awesome graphics ! Thanks for sharing those ideas, so informative and will be helpful for bloggers to write attractive blog posts like this one 👍

Your posts are so informative and easy to read, plus those graphics are gorgeous!

Thanks Justas. I agree: our designer did an awesome job with the graphics here.

“Write Like You Talk”. A great tip here. I’ll definitely try this particular tip in my next blog post to see how it goes. Thanks, Brian for this insightful article. You are a genius.

No worries. Happy to help 👍

One technique I use is the “voice typing” function on Google docs. This means I’m literally typing the way l speak because I’m speaking into the microphone. Not only can you punch out content quicker, but it comes across a lot more as if you are actually talking. This has improved my active voice scores on Yoast SEO, transition sentences, Flesch reading score etc etc. And it has increased my traffic also. Best part is that it’s free!

Nice. Good stuff, Dezza

Can not wait to read this thoroughly & digest all the valuable information. Thank you for putting it together like this.

Sounds good, Darshana.

Yet again a great insight into blog creation! Nice one!

Thanks Matt

Thanks for the post! I just shared it with our team of writers and am asking them to choose what aspects we can improve on.

One question. We mainly do content marketing and social selling for high-end B2B products. Many of our clients don’t want list posts. Do you think there’s a way to reposition listicles so that they’re more compelling to B2B clients?

Thanks, Alex

You’re welcome. I’d consider a guide format, like this one. In many ways, it’s a list post in a different package. Each chapter/section is a list of 4-5 tips.

Hey, Brian. I have been your fan since ages, and have followed your advice on how to optimize the content of my site. In fact, I left a few comments on your YouTube videos time by time.

After applying your tips as religiously as I could, it worked! Super stoked!

Thanks a lot, Brian. You’re the best and a gift.

Hi Mercyll, that’s great to hear. Keep rocking!

Some of those tips are really solid! Thank you 🙂

You’re welcome, Francois.

That Udemy strategy is pure genius – I never would have thought about that before.

Love the idea about using Udemy Courses for topics.

Using an active voice is tricky for a lot of people. I find it helps to draft a post and go back to it a few hours later – looking at it with fresh eyes. Then it’s easier to spot where you’re slipping into a passive voice.

Thank you yet again for your wonderful content!

Thanks Alison. One shortcut that’s helped me with the active voice: the shorter sentence is usually the active voice (in terms of character count).

For example: If you plan on writing a blog post vs. If you plan to write a blog post.

Thanks for the tip Brian

Hey Brian, I have a question. Why you are not using AMP at your Blog?

Hi Marek, I talk about that here: https://backlinko.com/mobile-seo-guide

“Should You Implement AMP?”

Amazing stuff Brian, as pretty much always. I like you angle of finding topics people are willing to pay for to learn. That must mean they’d be interested to read about it for free in an awesome blog post:) I’m gonna share on Twitter, because your formula works:)

Thanks Nikola

I don’t know where you get all these ideas and strange thing is that no one shares such tips on an internet.

I loved your blog posts as it makes super easy for any one who is struggling to write a post in detail.

Great work!!!

Thanks Wasim

Awesome Article As Usual Brian,

Quick Question About Chapter 1 and 2.

Does the Proven topic that is found In Chapter 1 would it work with any of the Blog post template or it all depends on the topic?

Agree that one should write in short Sentences and paragraphs because a lot of persons only skim blog content these days online before reading.

And I found that the subheaders are a great attention grabber when included in blog post especially when it is written with a strong benefit.

Very Action pack and fluff-free guide Brian keep up the Awesome work!

Hi Floyd, thank you. Ideally, you’d pick the template that’s the best fit for the topic. It’s more art and science for sure. But it does depend a lot on the topic. For example, a topic like “SEO tips” is perfect for The Expanded List Post.

That’s True…

Thanks For the tip…

Was just wondering if there are some template that’s strictly for certain types of topic..

but I think I Get the Idea..

As usual that’s indeed a great article! You started off with an interesting chapter to find the proven topics. In fact, I was unaware of the Udemy and Conference agendas. That was new for me. Every time I read your article, i learn at least one new tip.

Anyway keep up the awesome work.

Waiting for the Next article..:)

Nice! I actually have a post I’m really excited about coming up next. Stay tuned for that.

There are 9+ incredible blog posts in this one post. As far as which one to implement first? I’ll start at the top and make my way down.

Thanks so much!

Hi Ted, thank you! Yes, this is a massive guide. It took a while to put together for sure.

Hi Brian, Thank You sooo much for this most detailed and comprehensive post out there on blogging as a free giveaway ! I will for sure share this! WELL DONE!

Hi Michele, you’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed the new guide.

WOW is an incredible blog post … and every infographic with data that is pure gold. Thanks Brian.

You’re welcome, Bernardo.

You are awesome!

Dude! I wanna be like you when I grow up. You make my post looks pathetic. lol. Such GREAT information and valuable. I can’t believe this is free stuff. I hope that I can be as successful at building my audience as you have been. Kudos, and thanks so much.

LOL! Thanks Juvonia.

Hi brian, Your posts are so informative and easy to read, plus those graphics are gorgeous. Your article have been very useful and helpful for me.. ☺️

You’re welcome, Harjit.

Great post Brian. I can say for certain I am one of the first clicks whenever I receive your newsletter!

Looking forward to putting these into practice.

Thanks Paul. I’m happy to have you as part of the Backlinko community.

Sorry for the previous type-o. I meant to say, you make my posts LOOK pathetic. Do you teach an online course?

All good 🙂 Yes I do https://backlinko.com/seo-training

Awesome post Brian! I think I do most of these to some extent, but you’ve made me realize I need to do all of them better. The topic ideas were extra epic.

Thanks Nick. I made the topic ideas section a point of emphasis because I feel like the same ideas get tossed around all the time. It was time to shake things up, LOL.

Thanks for alot for the sharing the man, Now i have 5 month of content ready thanks to you 😀

I’ll share what exactly do i feel when I get an Email from you :- ‘Email Notification :- Brian Dean’ “What! New Content from Backlinko. Finally, I’ll be able to learn & implement something new!” Opens the Email -> “where is the link? let me click it without even reading the email.” Webpage Opens :- I’ll just skim through the topic…oh wait, this is new… more new ideas… how come i never thought about it. Yayy! Now i know what needs to be done… That was Easy !

(Although in reality, you made it look easy with your in-depth explanation)

Leaves a Comment expecting that I would receive an Email Notification when you’d reply to it….but that doesn’t happen 🙁

I really think you should integrate a way to send some sort of notification when you reply to someone’s comment.

HA! That’s awesome. And thanks for that suggestion. I know WordPress can have it so you get notifications when people reply to comments.

You are just an awesome blogger, how a man can write these types of content? Really grateful and thanks for sharing.

You’re welcome. 👍👍👍

You see Brian I love your tips and tutorials. I love the way you break the process down to tiny actionable bits with nice relatable examples.

Happy to help. To me, it’s all about examples.

This is a very important topic you have written.

How to write a blog post is a well searched keyword.

I’m 100% sure all the currently ranking articles will loose their rankings.

Because Brian Dean’s this article will be #1 in Google.

Mark my word.

Thanks Rintu. I definitely hope so for this post!

I am new to your website. I have subscribed your newsletter and today I landed here from your email. I always want to know how to write a blog post. This illustrative guide will definitely improve my blog stats.

Thanks and regards

Thank you 👍👍👍

Great article Brian! Love your writing and work! It definitely takes a while to go through and digest your guides, but you definitely nail it with your design and readability! Thank you!

You’re welcome, Mike. Yup, this guide is pretty thorough. But I’m happy with how it turned out.

I do not have a word to say, I am a person who is in a completely different career. But I now am learning DM for gaining knowledge. And I must say there is no better place to learn then Brian Dean. The knowledge and concepts you provide are phenomenal. you are an Inspiration. : )

Thanks Rajat. I was in the same boat back in the day. I used to be a registered dietitian and now I’m a blogger/SEO pro. Crazy times!

Same here. A biotechnologist building a DM career

This is great into. Do you have it in a pdf format?

Thanks Joe. Should have a PDF version in the next few weeks.

I can’t wait to get the PDF version of this post as we use to have from other posts 😉

Thanks, Brian;

I can’t just appreciate what you gave me enough, you bomb my brain with knowledge

(brain and Brian) Hmm, no difference at all <3

Hi Walid, PDF version is in the works. It takes a while.

I really love this article, Can you write thought leadership articles ? I want to learn more about it.

Thanks Varsha. I’m not a big thought leadership guy. I rather be an action leader 😂😂😂

I’ve been blogging for a decade and still I’m learning some great tips after all these years. Thanks Brian your newsletter is the only one I subscribe to.

I’m going to try the brackets in the headline by the way.

Hi Deb, thank you. I hope that tip helps!

Great comprehensive guide, I am starting a blog and this is so helpful, thank you Brian

Hi Sandra, you’re welcome. Keep me posted on how your new blog goes.

How do you set up such great design for your article? Is it custom html each time or some super complex template?

Hi Marco, it started as HTML but has sort of morphed into a template that’s designed to work on Backlinko.

I need to manage time to read your detailed article…

My question, is this article perfect for news type post that last live 1 or 2 weeks maximum ??

Hi Vivek, some of the strategies apply to news content. But they’re mostly for evergreen posts.

Great Post Brian. Your copywriting skill is really amazing.

I think the SEO optimization is apt. I recently started work on a blog and noticed that whenever I included specific keywords in my Meta description (even if I do not use the exact keyword in the title) I ranked above my competitors (who have a much higher DA) than my blog. I don’t really understand how or why.

Initially I have read that Google pays more attention to the SEO title and the Meta description is more of a CTA for the users. Perhaps the effect I am seeing is indirect (In that a higher CTR will definitely lead to an upwards movement in the SERPs).

I’ll appreciate it if you can shed more light on this for me.

I’d guess that it’s CTR-related. Google has said several times that they don’t really pay attention to meta descriptions for SEO… but users definitely do. So that’s my guess.

Again a good SEO guide with live examples, you made SEO really simple and actionable for everyone.

Great tips for finding topics. I especially like the conference subject suggestion. Thank you for sharing!

You’re welcome, Mystique

Hi Brian! your are a Monster of SEO!!!!! Congratulation for your precious post… Luca from Italy

Thanks Luca

HI Dean, you have solved 90% of the problem most people are facing when it comes to writing a blog post. I have learnt a lot from you, thanks for sharing.

Hi Anthony, you’re welcome. That’s true: it’s probably not possible to cover everything there is about writing a blog post on a single page. There’s a lot to it. But 90% is pretty darn good!

Hi, Brain, thanks for your great post, this teach me a lot I’m Keen, a freelancer SEOer from China. You are very popular in China marketing groups, people talk about you, learn from you and even nickname you :). Maybe you can translate your post to Chinese, let more SEO newbie know about you.

Hi Keen, thank you for your kind words. I appreciate that.

Hey Brian, Thanks again for another great post.

Would you believe this? I was searching Google ‘How to write a blog post’ and going through some of the results. After a while I Googled ‘How to write a blog post’ + backlinko, I know your posts are real meat.

I did not find any.

Surprising part: I was looking into my emails and noticed the subject ‘Blog Content’ and it was from you (Brian Dean).

How amazing!! You just published what I was searching. Thanks a bunch.

I’m looking to write blog posts on Artificial Intelligence. Any special tips apart from what was already published in the post?

LOL! That’s crazy. What are the odds, right?

I’d say that the strategies here apply to pretty much every topic. I pulled a lot of the techniques from me working with lots of blogs in several different industries.

Amazing. This article should be sold as an E-book. It’s loaded with valuable info! Thank you for the time you invested and shared. Awesomeness packed into one post.:)

Thanks Catherine. I appreciate that.

I was having a short break from studying Google Search exam. I clicked through your email….and thank you!

This is a complete outline on how to craft a blog post, how to optimize and promote it. Excellent stuff.

Thank you, Alessandro. I tried to make this guide as complete as possible. Glad to see that I’m on track.

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Enchanting Marketing

Writing advice for small business

Enchanting Blog Writing

Learn how to captivate, educate, and inspire your readers, ~~ a self-paced, online course ~~, average rating:.

Blog writing course - hero image

Most of us are unhappy with our writing.

We’ve learned how to write at school. If we’re lucky we learned how to spell and avoid grammar mistakes.

But we weren’t taught how to engage our readers, how to keep their attention, how to persuade and inspire.

You can learn how to write well.

You can learn how to write a blog to engage prospects, boost your authority, and ultimately win more business.

And you know what?

Learning to write better is surprisingly straightforward …

sharing your ideas

Next, learn how to think as a writer—learn how to shape, simplify, and flesh out your ideas, so you can communicate with more clarity and power.

Finally, become more persuasive—learn how to keep readers spellbound, write more vividly, and inspire action with your words. This requires a basic understanding of reader psychology and an ability to create a hypnotic flow.

When you understand who your readers are and how to engage them, your writing voice becomes stronger and more personal. Readers will start to trust and respect you, and they’ll act on your advice. That’s how you’ll become more influential.

This is no ordinary writing course

This is a practical course that helps you implement the lessons so you’ll become a better, more confident writer. You’ll learn how to write enchanting blog posts, step by step:

  • Learn blogging techniques Short video tutorials (+ transcripts) show you the techniques that engage, educate, and inspire readers.
  • Practice your skills Annotated examples and guided activities teach you how to spot (and fix!) weaknesses in your writing.
  • Improve your blog Flexi-templates help shape your ideas and structure your blog posts.

video tutorials explain blog writing techniques one by one, and illustrated transcripts are available

Henneke’s teaching is simple, yet detailed, and I love the huge number of examples in this course. I had not realized how powerful examples are. The examples help teach what Henneke calls X-ray reading so I can now see how others write their blog posts, and I’m starting to create my own blogging voice. ~Dylan Ball
I write about historic food, and I’ve just given the Henneke treatment to a blog post. I included the first few lines in an email to my subscribers, and it had the best click through rate I’ve ever had. ~ Paul Couchman
Even though I’m a published writer, I found the course super helpful and my blog posts contain more meat and substance than ever before. ~ Stacy S. Cohen

Course overview

the course includes 8 modules

Each module includes video tutorials (with illustrated transcripts) and guided activities to practice your learning.

You’ll also get answers on frequently asked questions such as: What if your ideas don’t feel original? What is the ideal blog post length?

Module 1: Build your blog on a solid foundation

Write for your reader

  • Learn how to become more empathetic and make your writing feel more personal
  • Determine the purpose of your blog so you can select the right blog post ideas to build your authority

Module 2: Generate and select great blog post ideas

  • Explore the 4 categories of good ideas, discover more ideas, and make each blog post resonate strongly with your audience
  • Learn how tiny ideas translate into valuable blog posts that help build your authority
  • Kindle your enthusiasm for your blog by selecting the right ideas for you, your business, and your readers

Module 3: Flesh out and simplify your ideas

how to structure your thoughts

  • Learn how to think like a writer so you can communicate with more clarity and power
  • Discover the 3 methods for shaping your ideas and mapping out your blog posts so you can write faster
  • Explore the two approaches to the writing process that help you find a clear focus for each blog post (and avoid unwieldy, muddled, and sloppy writing)

Module 4: The anatomy of an enchanting blog post

  • Adopt each of the 4 roles of enchanting bloggers so you can galvanize readers and make them enthusiastic about your advice
  • Apply the 3-part enchanting structure that keeps readers captivated
  • Use the flexi-templates for structuring blog posts—the templates are flexible, so they stimulate rather than limit your creativity, and they help you get your thoughts on paper faster

Module 5: Engage readers with your opening

learn how to write an engaging opening

  • Apply a simple formula for captivating your readers with your opening and make them eager to read on
  • Discover how to set the tone in your opening so your relationship with readers starts on a good note
  • Learn how to write a first line faster (and stop chasing readers away with an average opening line)

Module 6: Educate readers with gusto

  • Apply the 4 types of glue that keep readers engaged, even if blog posts become long
  • Follow a simple structure for communicating a single tip more vividly—you can apply this structure to social media updates, too
  • Use quotes to boost your credibility (and without interrupting the reading experience—which happens more often than you might think)

Educate with gusto

  • Write irresistible subheads so blog visitors stop scanning and start reading your blog
  • Fine-tune your writing process so you can write more vividly, more quickly

Module 7: Inspire readers with your final words

  • Inspire readers with your final paragraph—the most neglected part of blog posts
  • Write a memorable last sentence so readers feel fortified and inspired by your writing

Module 8: Become a productive blogger

how to learn to write blogs

  • Follow a simple 3-part checklist to make your blog posts more enchanting
  • Plan how to keep up a regular blogging schedule
  • Develop X-ray vision so you can fine-tune your writing skills

Sound like a lot?

Yep, it’s a lot. But you’ll work step by step so you won’t feel overwhelmed. The video tutorials are to the point and short (5 minutes each); the activities reinforce what you’ve learned with real life examples; and the cheat sheets provide helpful reminders.

The Enchanting Blog Writing course boosts your confidence as a writer and marketer because it demonstrates how to write better blog posts, and you cultivate your X-ray vision so you can spot and fix weaknesses in your writing.

Who the Enchanting Blog Writing course is for …

This course is for anyone who’d like to engage, educate, and inspire their blog readers.

the blog writing course

This course is designed for busy people

how to learn to write blogs

Online learning outline is included and you can tick off the videos you’ve watched and the activities you’ve completed, so it’s easy to keep track and hold yourself accountable.

Each video lesson is under 10 minutes. I could learn in tiny increments and go at my own pace, whether it’s one module a day or one lesson a day. Every step felt doable and I could apply what I learned and see how it made my writing better. I was able to add one or two new elements to my writing every week without feeling overwhelmed. ~ Yash

About your tutor

how to learn to write blogs

She has authored the 5-star rated book Blog to Win Business, and she’s written guest posts for popular sites such as Copyblogger, Shopify, and Kissmetrics.

In 2012, Henneke wrote her first viral hit How to Write Seductive Web Copy Like Apple which continues to generate business inquiries (10 years later!).

Henneke quit her corporate marketing job in 2012 and founded Enchanting Marketing to help small business owners and freelancers find their voice and share their ideas with gusto.

The Enchanting Marketing blog has become a thriving community and Henneke was recognized as a Top 50 Content Marketer based on research by Express Writers and BuzzSumo (2018).

Henneke knows how to engage and inspire readers, and she’s an excellent teacher. ~Brian Clark, founder of Copyblogger
I learned so much from Henneke’s approach as a teacher, her constant valuable support, and consistent, constructive point of view. I learned to treat my writing with compassion, give myself permission to be a learner, and evaluate my writing to refine it one step at a time. ~ Susanna Tham

What you’ll get

The Enchanting Blog Writing course includes:

Blog Activities are part of the course

  • 25 illustrated videos and transcripts that teach you how to write blog posts step by step—plus 8 cheat sheets for quick reference
  • 32 activities that test your newly acquired knowledge and help enhance your X-ray vision, so you can spot how to improve a blog post
  • Examples Book with Blog Inspiration —a PDF swipe file with blog post examples, openings, final paragraphs, and blog post sections to inspire you and help structure your writing

FREE bonus I

5 recorded workshops.

That’s 66 blog post mini critiques in total; I show how to improve blog posts so you can take the leap from good to great writing.

I hadn’t realized how valuable it was to see critiques on other people’s writing. After each workshop, I’m so much wiser, and I feel that I can keep writing for days on end. ~ Susanna Tham
One of the most useful parts for me was the fast-paced workshops. Participants can submit a blog post for personal feedback, and if you can’t listen live, you can watch the recording. Henneke manages to cram about 15 posts into the one-hour session, and there are plenty of gems to unearth from each example. ~ Claire Niven

FREE bonus II

Companion email series.

Receive reminders on essential blogging tricks, get re-inspired to dip back into the course, and feel supported throughout the course.

This course was so educational, encouraging, and very motivational. Henneke’s charming visual drawings helped me to remember key points. The step-by-step modules were clearly organized, so I didn’t feel overwhelmed. She even sent encouraging companion emails, which helped me feel as though she was right there, spurring me on. ~ Laura Ewart
I had been trying to master writing blog posts for nearly three years. I had taken many of the most popular online blogging courses. But they didn’t get me to the point of knowing how to do it. I was frustrated and at the point of giving up. Then, I received an email from Henneke promoting her blogging course and I signed up for it. It was what the doctor ordered. The course was plain and concise, easy to follow and understand. I finally got it. I am now confident writing blog posts. ~ Robert Malone
Though I have been blogging since 2013, this course gave me the confidence to trust my voice and celebrate my writing journey so far. ~ Tope

The Enchanting Blog Writing course

Learn how to captive, educate, and inspire your readers.

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What students say about this course

Lora lefhae.

Henneke is amazing. She packs SO much into her courses. At first glance you may think it's simple but, really, you could easily spend a month on this course. Or a year in my case. There is a lot to digest especially if you spend time with the exercises and apply the principles to your current work. Writing seems to be one of those aspects in life that is NEVER finished. Henneke makes the learning fun and sweet. I highly recommend you give it a try, you just can't go wrong with any of her courses, classes, books or tips.

David Ferrers

I feel sad to be writing this short review because it feels like the conclusion to a happy and enjoyable learning journey. Henneke's courses (I have now completed 3 of them) are filled with wit and wisdom for the new writer and for old hacks like me. They are an encyclopedia of writing knowledge delivered in Henneke's uniquely enchanting way. I will miss my daily dose of new knowledge and reminders. But I will continue to subscribe to her excellent blog to get constant inspiration and encouragement to spur me on my writing journey. Thank you Henneke for sharing your knowledge in such an easily digestible and inspiring way.

Dorne Whale

I've been really struggling with writing for my blog readers for years. This course has finally helped me to understand where I've been going wrong... and I haven't even finished the course yet. Great stuff!

I'll be honest with you. I'm a huge fan of Henneke and Henrietta. I've been following her blog for over a year. Then, I decided to buy this course. I wanted to help my readers feel supported in an engaging, friendly way, the way I feel when I read Henneke's blog posts. I knew, if I wanted to do this I had to understand the mechanics behind writing a blog post. I wasn't disappointed. The materials are set up so it's easy-to-navigate, read/download/print. And, it's simple to hop back and forth from module to module whenever I need to. The best part? The short videos. I enjoyed listening to Henneke, her tone is relaxed, the messages are bite-sized, and the Henrietta drawings are so sweet. A perfect companion to my afternoon coffee. What I didn't expect was the bonus workshop. This was a WOW experience for me! Not only did I see Henneke live (woohoo!) but she gave me feedback on my blog post. Amazing. I found all the modules useful. From empathizing with my readers with an engaging opening paragraph to inspiring them to use my tips in the closing paragraph. And, if you struggle to write irresistible subheads, like me, this is definitely something to come back to time and again. Now, I feel confident about sharpening my writing skills and I enjoy it, too! Best decision, ever. Thank you, Henneke and Henrietta.

I know why you're here. You're skimming the reviews and you're on the fence about signing up. 'Should I commit my time and money into this?' 'What makes this course different from all the other ones out there?' Look no further. This is it. After rebounding from some health issues a few years ago, I wanted to gather the experiences that got me through physically and mentally, on paper. The problem is, working in engineering, I constantly write technical reports and emails, but nothing from the heart. They say engineers are good problem solvers - instinctively looking for effective, efficient, and systematic ways to solve problems. Well, Henneke's blog writing course does just that. Henneke systematically shows you exactly what makes a blog post turn heads. But it doesn't feel formulaic. It leaves plenty of room for your creativity to flow. Her content is comprehensive, but concise, which makes it easy to absorb. It's so easy that even I devoured most of the concepts just on my commute to work. Right away, the lessons gave me the tools and techniques that transformed the way I approach engaging writing and building attention grabbing stories. So guess what I did? Based on her techniques, I cold emailed one of my favourite blog personalities about workout advice. In under 24 hours, I got an intimate response. Wow. Hit rate, 100 percent. Even after I finished, I loved the free bonuses like the interactive workshop recordings and the regular blog articles on writing tips. This isn't like those 'tick the boxes and submit' kinda courses. I feel like there's a supportive community right there with me, guiding me along as I grow. But listen. What you're committing to is more than just a blog writing course. For me, the course is a journey towards clarity of thought and self awareness. It’s like being on the shoulder of a giant, guiding you along a beautiful new land - your perspective draws wider and deeper. So why wait? Strap on your seat-belt and set a new course on your writing adventure. Now as for you, Henneke, I've based this review on what you taught me. I used the 'glue' and mapped out the 'Sunny Destination'. Most importantly, you taught me to always hold my ideal reader in mind. That ideal reader was me, a couple of months ago when I was so woefully unconfident in my expressive writing that the idea of writing even one blog article in my busy schedule just sounded far-fetched. But something inside me yearned to be heard. Then through your course, my inner voice went from ‘meow’ to ‘roar’. I have been transformed. You have made it possible. Magnificent work. Thank you. - Sunny, Hong Kong

Wow... all I can say is BUY. THIS. COURSE. I'm a copywriter who has bought maaaany courses, and I'm not just talking about writing ones . This was one of THE BEST courses I've EVER bought. No doubt about it. The countless examples and activities make this blog writing course killer. Henneke breaks down everything you need to know to write incredible blog posts and takes your hand and guides you along each step of the way. You never feel overwhelmed, the drawings and simple concepts make everything SO MUCH easier to understand. And the activities NAIL down your learning. Do the activities don't skip them! That's how you'll learn. Fair warning: If you don't do the activities, don't expect to get better. You gotta put in the work! Honestly, going through this course is like being transported into a magical, whimsical, and good-natured parallel universe where learning how to write epic blog posts is the easiest, most fun, and natural thing to do. I don't think I'll need to buy another blog writing course ever again. Henneke is the MASTER. Do what she says and you won't need to become frustrated with writing blogs ever again 😉

Edina Fredell

I purchased Henneke’s course because I wanted to learn blog post structure and writing technique. Henneke gently guides her students through a blog writing journey filled with examples and engaging activities that kept me excited to learn. This course was what I hoped it would be – simple, encouraging, and rewarding. As a never-before blogger, I found every module useful. The modules on blog structure and templates were the most useful. I now read blogs through an informed lens. I love having Xray reading skills! But even more so, I love having the skills to write an effective blog. Thank you, Henneke.

Laura Ewart

For the past several years, I’ve have had a strong desire to start a blog—to make a difference in people’s lives. I honestly did not know where to start, so I spent many months reading various articles, and taking loads of notes. The advice I was reading only made me feel overwhelmed, and incapable… until I stumbled on an inspiring, and informative post from Henneke. This led me to her Enchanting Blog Writing Course. I have no prior blogging skills, so I was hoping to learn anything I could to help me inspire, encourage, and motivate people. Just like Henneke does. This course was so educational, encouraging, and very motivational. Henneke's charming visual drawings helped me to remember key points. The step-by-step modules were clearly organized, so I didn’t feel overwhelmed. She even sent encouraging companion emails, which helped me feel as though she was right there, spurring me on. The Enchanting Blog Writing Course was packed full of valuable, practical nuggets of wisdom. Before this course, I would stop and start so many articles. Now I am able to apply this knowledge and write clear, inspiring blog posts. I have the skills I need to encourage and inspire others. Just like Henneke has encouraged and inspired me through this course. I have just finished writing my very first blog post. Yay!

Claire Niven

With a supportive, non-judgemental voice throughout, this course is a masterclass in blog writing. If you’re lacking focus or ideas, then I highly recommend following Henneke’s course. You’ll get a wealth of practical content, resources and inspiration. The course reminded me to focus on my ideal reader and write with them in mind. The course is self-paced so there is no pressure to finish in a certain time. I felt encouraged throughout and found Henneke’s calm delivery and clever insights extremely valuable. One of the most useful parts for me was the fast-paced workshops. Participants can submit a blog post for personal feedback, and if you can’t listen live, you can watch the recording. Henneke manages to cram about 15 posts into the one-hour session, and there are plenty of gems to unearth from each example. The course is a joy to follow with lovely illustrations throughout. It’s well-structured, informative and worth every penny.

Carl Thompson

I purchased the course to launch my blogging career. My hope was to learn the basics, as well as the intricacies, of blog writing. With respect to whether the course "delivered on my expectations," to be fair, perhaps I should blame myself for being preoccupied and unprepared to handle the course when I signed up. I did not experience any surprises. All the modules were useful, in particular Module 1, which encourages having a solid "blog foundation" as well as the right "blog purpose." The course definitely teaches that blog writing requires a specific kind of "writing skills" -- one that is different from standard writing, so to speak. For sure it helped me to be more cognizant of the kind of writing that is required to be a successful blogger. That's what I was hoping to learn -- and I did.

Before taking the course, I would just pull up a blank google doc and hope to get some writing out of it. I had no ideal reader, no blog purpose, nothing. I would write some headlines and a few paragraphs here and there, but never really got myself to write a complete post. I struggled to connect the dots. I wasn't able to convey my thoughts clearly to the reader. I would try hard to fit ideas together but they never seemed to flow. That has changed since taking this course. Now each idea, each thought, each piece of advice seems like a pearl. I can string the pearls together and create a smooth-flowing blog post with ease, all while spending less time on each post. The course is very well laid out, going from choosing your ideal reader to generating an endless stream of topics, starting with an engaging opening, writing the body, ending the post with a bang, and a checklist to make sure we get everything right. Each video lesson is under 10 minutes. I could learn in tiny increments and go at my own pace, whether it's one module a day or one lesson a day. Every step felt doable and I could apply what I learned and see how it made my writing better. I was able to add one or two new elements to my writing every week without feeling overwhelmed. A lot of courses are just information dumps. They tell us "what" to do, but never show us "how" to do it. This course is different. The methods and techniques Henneke taught were followed with examples of how they are applied and exercises we could do to practice and implement our learning. When I look at the examples, I can see the method being used and study it. I learned not just how to create an enchanting blog post, but also to break down the best blog posts and see what makes them good. Before the course, there were times when I didn't write anything because I had no ideas. I would pull my hair in frustration thinking, "What do I even write about?!" And now? I rarely run out of ideas. In fact, I have a backlog of ideas, waiting to put pen to paper. Henneke goes deep into idea generation and explains how we can generate an endless stream of ideas and flesh out an outline for the entire post from our ideas. The "4 categories of blog post ideas" from Module 2 will keep you busy for weeks. Modules 5, 6, and 7 brought structure to my writing and made it more engaging. My writing doesn't feel bland and scattered all over the place. It has a better flow and the ideas connect much better. My writing is now well structured and just...better overall 🙂 The 3-part checklist from the "Become a Productive Blogger" module is a life-saver. I no longer agonize over "is this good enough or should I add something more?" I feel more confident in my writing. This was one of the benefits I hadn't expected when enrolling in the course. I used to think I'm just not knowledgeable enough to be writing about a certain topic. I would say to myself, "I'm not an expert. Who am I to be giving advice to others?" "Why would people read my blog post? There are so many big blogs out there. How will I ever catch up with them? How will my writing become as good as theirs?" "What if I get it wrong? What if I make a mistake? What if my writing isn't good enough?" It felt like I'm at a fancy dinner party and I didn’t want anyone to notice that I have no idea how to eat with a knife and fork. And everyone is just focused on watching me and judging me for the mistakes I'd make. The course, the companion emails, and the blog (I highly recommend reading Henneke's blog posts) have helped me to get over the fear, judgment and comparison, and made me feel more confident about my writing (and myself). I got rid of the "ready, aim, aim, aim" syndrome and moved to "fire", i.e., finish the post and move on to the next without overthinking about the piece I've written. Taking this course has taught me that writing is a process. Nobody is born a writer. Good writers are created. And if you want to become a better writer, I would definitely recommend this course. Henneke will teach you the step-by-step method to writing truly enchanting blog posts.

Henneke...you are a great instructor. Very thorough and sincere. Your method of teaching shows how much you care for your students. You care. Thank you for a most wonderful course. I have to be honest I haven't finished it...my father was ill then passed away...I've been somewhat distracted. Thank you for being you. -Martha

Jennifer Chapman

Until I took Henneke’s course I didn’t know how to analyze my writing. I felt it was pretty good, but I wanted to take it up a couple of notches, didn’t know how, and I wasn’t sure it was hitting the mark. In the Enchanting Blog Writing course, Henneke takes you through all the steps for creating blog posts that will definitely hit the mark. The videos are very helpful, and there are lots of exercises and examples. The live workshops really kept me focussed … if you wanted Henneke to critique your work, you had to make the deadline! I also signed up for her companion emails. These sensitive, encouraging messages inspired me to keep going and to do better. I write for the charitable sector, and now when I sign off on an article it feels completely different. I am confident that I have written something helpful for my reader in a way that will engage them from start to the finish. The process of writing is easier, and I’m really enjoying it.

I found many aspects of the course helpful but the most significant was the concept of focusing on one main idea and then taking the reader from problem to sunny destination. I love how Henneke breaks down complex ideas, and how she reveals the structure behind good writing - this is what I was missing 🙂 Though I have been blogging since 2013, this course gave me the confidence to trust my voice and celebrate my writing journey so far.

Terry Covey

I'm always seeking to grow in my writing skills. I have followed Henneke for a few years and knew she'd offer great content. This course exceeded my expectations. For the price, it is extremely valuable and offers so much more than others in its price range. The concept of considering my reader's "sunny destination" and helping them achieve that goal is very useful. The templates, checklists, and questions to consider will stay with me indefinitely. My goal now is to create my own checklist for the tips I need to remember the most and have them all in one place. Thank you, Henneke, for offering us your experience and wisdom!

I joined this course because I was looking for a method to structure a blog post. Many courses cover basic concepts but I found that they didn’t really leave me with a clear method to implement. This course is different. It starts by teaching you how to generate ideas. Not just any ideas but those with an emphasis on helping your ideal reader. Then it provides a 3-part structure so your blog post does not meander around confusing your reader. The 3-part structure provides a clear roadmap to follow but it’s not rigid so you can adapt it to your own style. Think of it as some much needed guard rails that help you engage your reader so they keep reading until the end and implement your advice. There is a ton of useful information in this course but it’s not thrown at you. Insights are shared and then activities with examples show you how to implement the insights. The activities are very good and one builds upon the next. The course has so much good information, I am starting it again because I believe that a course needs to be studied a number of times before the concepts become second nature. I already feel more confident about my blogging skills. In addition to implementing the structure that this blog course provides, I’m learning and practicing how to be more conversational in my writing. This course exceeded my expectations. It’s great for beginners but seasoned bloggers could learn and improve from taking this course, too.

In these days of over-hyped marketing such a calm voice as Henneke's is rare, reassuring you that learning how to blog is viable. The course contains a lot of useful material for any writer (even if what you want to write does not quite fit the concepts presented). Just to name a few examples of what I learned: The concept of "glues" (or what keeps your readers engaged), "sunny destinations" (or why a reader reads your blog) and the importance of using good examples. Congratulations, Henneke. This course is great, and I can't think of a single thing to change. It's worth every penny.

Glenda Crawford

The Enchanting Blog Writing course is well designed, easy and quick to move through the different chapters, and so full of amazing blog writing tips. This course has really helped me give structure to my blogs, made my writing and editing easier, and has given me so many ideas for how to write introductions and conclusions as well. I would highly recommend this course to anyone writing blogs.

Robert Malone

This course offered me my eureka moment. I had been trying to master writing blog posts for nearly three years. I had taken many of the most popular online blogging courses. But they didn’t get me to the point of knowing how to do it. I was frustrated and at the point of giving up. Then, I received a email from Henneke promoting her blogging course and I signed up for it. It was what the doctor ordered. The course was plain and concise, easy to follow and understand. I finally got it. I am now confident writing blog posts.

Stacy Sare Cohen

After reading Henneke’s blogs for a year and buying her book on blogging, I was so impressed, I signed up for her blogging course. It’s a steal for all the information it contains, especially the detailed examples, videos, and transcripts. I also loved how she helps students deconstruct other blog posts to see what they’re missing or what makes them strong. Even though I’m a published writer, I found the course super helpful and my blog posts contain more meat and substance than ever before. Thank you, Henneke for your expertise! -- Stacy S. Cohen

Having already taken two of Henneke's previous courses, joining the Enchanting Blog Writing Course was a no-brainer for me. Henneke's courses have helped me form a consistent writing habit, understand the building blocks of approachable, effective writing, and make it appealing to my reader. She has a unique teaching style and breaks down complex topics into graspable non-scary steps that make it easy for students to know what's essential in writing that others would want to read. The compact lessons taught me what I needed at the right pace. The companion emails gave me the right amount of push and energy to keep momentum in my writing, and the workshops are invaluable opportunities for "stealth learning:" When others ask questions that I didn't know I needed to ask. In the workshops, Henneke dissects blog posts, unfolds what's most important, and suggests several approaches to take your writing to the next stage. I hadn't realized how valuable it was to see critiques on other people's writing. After each workshop, I'm so much wiser, and I feel that I can keep writing for days on end. And, it's not only about the content itself; I learned so much from Henneke's approach as a teacher, her constant valuable support, and consistent, constructive point of view. I learned to treat my writing with compassion, give myself permission to be a learner, and evaluate my writing to refine it one step at a time. The Enchanting Blog Writing Course is perfect for anyone who wants to learn what makes excellent writing for the web; I highly recommend it.

This course does a fantastic job of simplifying how a blog post should look: making the reader care about the topic, guiding them on how to solve a problem, and providing valuable, free content. The course is easy to follow. I love that it taught me how to write faster by following formulas that remove a lot of guess work when writing a post. I make sure to review my notes on this course before writing for my clients. Thanks Henneke!

Paul Couchman

I write about historic food, and I've just given the Henneke treatment to a blog post. I included the first few lines in an email to my subscribers, and it had the best click through rate I've ever had. And many more people read my post than usual. I was SO uncertain about spending SO much money on an online course, but, do you know what? It's been worth every penny. Thank you so much for this course.

Dr. Patricia Porter

I purchased this course because I wanted to make by blog posts more relevant to my readers. The course is packed with actionable information - more than I expected! My biggest takeaway? Tiny ideas. Rather than write in general terms take one small idea and make it useful to the reader. I have discovered a long list of small ideas that I had previously thought of as too small for a post so now have about 40 topics that I can use. Basically the course helped me focus my business and realize that I have all the information that I need to write about. Life seems much simpler and more manageable.

Dylan Ball, Vocal Coach

I’ve done a couple of writing courses in the past and I have loads of ideas. But I get overwhelmed and I’m not good at structuring my writing. So I still felt stuck. After reading Henneke’s blog for a few months, I purchased the Enchanting Blog Writing course because I like the way her blog posts read and because I hoped the course would give me some direction and motivation to sort out my blog. Henneke’s teaching is simple, yet detailed, and I love the huge number of examples in this course. I had not realized how powerful examples are. The examples help teach what Henneke calls X-ray reading so I can now see how others write their blog posts, and I’m starting to create my own blogging voice. Many courses promise to give step-by-step guidance but still leave you wondering what to do next. Henneke’s course is different. At the end of the course, I knew what to do. I’ve just created my first post of over 3,000 words, and it didn’t feel like a daunting task. I know what to write in the opening. I know what to write in the closing paragraph, and I know what to put in the sections in between. Thank you, Henneke. I’m super-grateful for this course. It’s amazing. Dyl 🙂

Tim Gelhausen

I finally feel inspired to launch my blog. I've already written 4 blog posts since starting this course. There were many questions in my mind about how to write articles that get read and shared. Henneke's simple 3-part-structure gave me clarity so I can start to write – and generate traffic for my business. If you want to write blog posts faster, you will love this course.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course suitable for beginners? Yes, the course is suitable for anyone who writes (or wants to start) a blog. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced blogger, you’ll learn how to engage, educate, and inspire readers so you can grow your audience and build your authority.

Will this course work for my niche? If you’re writing to share your ideas and to educate your readers, then it’s almost certainly a Yes. However, the course is not suitable if you want to share news or gossip. If in doubt, email me: [email protected] .

My blog is not in English. Will this course work for other languages? This course is based on the psychological principles that make people eager to read your blog. These principles work across languages and cultures. However, you may find you need a little more time to go through the course and to apply what you learn in your language.

I want to write a non-fiction book. Will this course help? You can write book chapters in the same way as blog posts. So, the course will help share your ideas in a non-fiction book and engage your readers, too.

Will I learn how to write for search engines? This course does not include specific guidance on keyword research. However, the teaching is compatible with writing for search engines as you learn how to write for a clearly defined audience about specific topics. When you answer readers’ questions in your blog posts, help them achieve their goals, and solve their problems, then you have a chance to get your posts ranked in Google.

How long will the course take? The course is self-paced so you can go as fast or as slow as you like, and you can dip back in at any time to reinforce your learning or to find fresh inspiration. At a steady pace, you’ll probably take between 8 to 16 weeks to watch the videos (or read the transcripts), complete the activities, and apply the lessons to your blog.

How long will I have access to the course material? You get life-time access—you’ll keep access to all course material for as long as the course is available.

Are video transcripts available? Yes, illustrated transcripts are available for all video tutorials, so you can choose to watch a video or read its transcript (or do both).

Can I pay with PayPal? Yes. You can pay with any major credit card, debit card, or PayPal. All payments are in US dollars. All orders are processed by Teachable, Inc.

Can I get a refund? Yes, you can try the course completely risk-free. If you decide the course is not for you, then you get your money back within 30 days.

how to learn to write blogs

Books and courses

Follow proven templates for specific writing tasks, practice your skills, and get professional feedback so you become a confident business writer. Take on any writing project with gusto. Learn more about books and courses

how to learn to write blogs

About Henneke

I never saw myself as a writer, but in my early forties, I learned how to write and discovered the joy of writing. Now, I’d like to empower you to find your voice, share your ideas and inspire your audience. Learn how I can help you

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How to Start a Blog

Nick Schäferhoff

Nick Schäferhoff

Editor in Chief

Almost 80% of internet users read and interact with blogs. Starting a blog means reaching millions of people with your content.

In 2022, it’s easier than ever to start a blog — even if you’re a complete beginner and don’t understand coding or web design.

However, blogging is a competitive industry. If you want to succeed, you need expert tips and the right tools.

In this step-by-step guide we’ll walk you through every part of the process while helping you avoid the common mistakes new bloggers tend to make. By the end, you’ll have your very own personal or professional blog up and running in less than 30-minutes.

How to Start a Blog in 5 Easy Steps

  • Step 1 : Choose your blog topic and name
  • Step 2 : Find the right blogging platform
  • Step 3 : Set up web hosting
  • Step 4 : Configure your blog
  • Step 5 : Design and customize it

Time to set up a blog : 30–40 minutes Time to customize a blog : 1–2 hours Guide difficulty : Beginners

Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Blog: Video Tutorial

If you’re more of a visual learner, check out our step-by-step video tutorial on how to create a WordPress blog. Otherwise, read on.

how to learn to write blogs

STEP 1 – Choose Your Blog Topic and Name

The very first thing you need to do is choose a topic and a name for your blog.

Most successful blogs focus on one thing, whether it’s food, travel, fitness, fashion, or simply about your business.

Follow these three easy steps to choose a blog topic and find your niche.

1. Pick a Topic

We recommend choosing a blog topic that you feel passionate about or interested in. It’s even better when you’re an expert at something, as this helps you to grow your blog through writing quality content to help others.

Ask yourself the questions below and try listing at least 10 topic ideas.

  • What do I want to learn more about?
  • Do I have a hobby or passion that I can share?
  • What do I enjoy writing about?
  • Am I an expert in something?
  • Am I passionate about something?

Here’s an example: If you’re interested in fitness and you like to train, it’s wise to share your knowledge in a blog that’s related to fitness or cover topics on training and nutrition. Through the blog, you’ll be able to get new clients.

2. Determine Your Niche

Since there are over 600 million blogs on the web, it’s important your niche is as specific as possible. This will help you stand out from the crowd.

Your niche could be a very specific target audience (e.g., high school students in New York City), a specific type of content you’ll share (e.g., step-by-step guides), a subcategory of your topic (e.g., hiking), or a combination of these (e.g., guides for New York City students who like hiking).

3. Confirm Market Demand

Once you have a few topic ideas, it’s important to understand whether you’ll be able to monetize your content. Will enough people be interested in what you want to share?

Think of a few keywords related to your topic. You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner and Google Trends to see how popular they are. Alternatively, you can look for online forums in your niche or run surveys to understand the size of your potential audience.

4. Choose a Name

Now that you have some topic ideas, you can start brainstorming names for your blog. To make your blog name stand out, keep in mind the following:

  • Think about your goals : Understanding why you’re creating this blog will help you choose the right name. For example, do you want to share formal, detailed guides, or more informal and short blog posts? Make sure your blog name is not misleading about the type of content you plan on sharing.
  • Think about your audience : Think about the people you want to read your blog. What name will appeal to them?
  • Think about your industry : What are the names of the most successful blogs in your niche? Use these for inspiration, but make sure you come up with something original.

If you’re stuck with ideas or don’t know where to start, just use our blog name generator to get ideas — you can then personalize your name even further by using our tips.

STEP 2 – Find the Right Blogging Platform

Now, let’s get into the more technical details. What’s the best place to start a blog?

Free Blog vs. Self-Hosted Blog

If you’re just getting started and you have limited resources, you might want to consider a free blogging platform. But it’s important that you understand the difference between a free blog and a self-hosted blog.

What Is a Free Blog?

A free blog is a blog that you can create for free using a blogging platform like Blogger.com, WordPress.com, or Tumblr.com.

What Is a Self-Hosted Blog?

A self-hosted blog lives on your own server. Most people pay third-party companies to rent out storage space to you (we’ll cover this in step three).

What Are The Main Differences?

There are many cons and downsides of a free blogging service (limited monetization, customization, and traffic) but most importantly, you’ll have little control over your blog. And if you want to upgrade, you’ll need to pay more than you would if you hosted the blog yourself.

If you host the blog yourself, you’ll have no limitations related to your blog content (such as images and videos). Your blog will look more professional and can be improved as needed. Plus, you actually own your blog. Here are the main differences:

free blog vs self hosted blog

If you’re just blogging for fun or you’re not planning to do it for long, then a free blog might make sense. However, if you’re serious about blogging, the self-hosted option is the way to go .

Which Blogging Platform Should I Choose?

There are many different blogging platforms that you can choose from. Some are more flexible and easy to use, while some are more limited and come with a higher learning curve. Here’s what you need to consider:

  • Costs : Can you afford to pay for the costs of this blogging platform?
  • Beginner-friendliness : Is this blogging platform easy to set up and manage? Does it offer support and troubleshooting?
  • Features : Does the platform allow you to customize your blog with themes, plugins, and extensions?
  • Maintenance : How much manual work does the platform require?
  • Monetization options : Will this platform allow you to monetize your blog easily?

Most recent statistics show that WordPress, which is a free (open-source) blog platform, is the most commonly used blogging platform in 2022. We’ve also compiled a list of the top 10 blogging platforms in 2022 .

blogging platforms usage

WordPress is followed by Blogger, Tumblr, Ghost, and Medium.

how to choose a blogging platform

We’ve tried dozens of different blogging platforms, but none of them match WordPress. Here’s why self-hosted WordPress is likely your best option:

  • It’s free to use (open-source)
  • It’s very flexible with hundreds of free (and premium) blog themes
  • It has a large developer community updated and improved regularly
  • You will have full control over your blog

STEP 3 – Set Up Your Blog Through Web Hosting (and Register Domain Name)

To get started with a self-hosted WordPress blog, you’ll need to buy a domain name and choose WordPress web hosting.

We’ve tested all major web hosting platforms by looking at price, reliability, performance, features, and security and Bluehost is the best choice for new websites .

From Bluehost, you will get:

  • Your custom domain name (free for the first year) with an SSL certificate (for security).
  • Website hosting (from $2.75/month)
  • Simple, one-click install for WordPress
  • Free email accounts (e.g., [email protected])

If you get stuck registering a domain name and signing up for Bluehost, follow this quick step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Go to www.Bluehost.com

(Note: if you already have a domain name and hosting, you can skip this part)

Since we have been testing and using Bluehost for a long time, we’ve negotiated a discount for all our readers—$2.75/month.

bluehost landing page

Step 2: Choose a Blog Hosting Plan

Click on the “Get Started Now” button at Bluehost. You’ll then see different hosting plans.

bluehost blog hosting plan

For a new blog, the “Basic” plan is a great option.

Don’t get us wrong — the “Plus” and “Choice Plus” plans are great. But you don’t need them at this point. Plus, you can easily switch plans should your blog grow enough to require the extra processing power.

You can save your hard-earned cash and opt for the cheapest package for now.

Step 3: Pick a Domain Name

Here’s what you’ll see when you select your hosting plan with Bluehost:

bluehost pick a domain name

If you already have a domain name, just enter it where it says “Use a domain you own” and click “Next.”

Although you can opt for exotic domain endings like .shop, .online, .nyc, and others, we recommend you avoid the weird extensions and stick with either .com, .net, or .org . They’re the most intuitive and will make your whole blog address easier to memorize. Plus, they just look more professional and serious.

Just input the domain name that you want to register where it says “Create a new domain” and click “Next.”

Step 4: Fill in Your Details

This next step is very straightforward, as it only requires you to provide your personal information for Bluehost to be able to finalize setting up your account.

bluehost fill in your details

The fields are pretty self-explanatory. Enter your first name, last name, country, street address, city, ZIP code, phone number, and email address (your receipt will be sent to that email address).

Step 5: Check Your “Package Information” and Finish Registration

Double-check that your “Package information” is correct. As we mentioned earlier, the one we recommend is called “Basic.”

  • Domain Privacy Protection : This is only $0.99 per month, and for that price, you can hide your personal information from anyone trying to do a WHOIS lookup on your domain name. If you don’t enable that, all your personal data will be available to the public (name, address, etc.).
  • All the other extras : Site Backup Pro, Search Engine Jumpstart, SiteLock Security, and Comodo Private SSL are not necessary.

Step 6: Create Your Password

Finally, the very last step!

When you complete your purchase, Bluehost will send you a confirmation email, and you’ll also be able to set the main password for your account.

How to Install WordPress on Bluehost

Once you’ve signed up with Bluehost, you’ll need to install your WordPress blog.

Most web hosting companies offer one-click install for a WordPress blogging platform, so it should be very easy.

Here’s how to install WordPress on Bluehost:

  • Log in to your Bluehost profile
  • On the homepage, click on the blue button “WordPress”
  • WordPress installation starts

As a heads up, your domain name activation might take 10 to 15 minutes , so don’t freak out about the temporary weird-looking domain name.

Bluehost will let you choose your admin login and password for WordPress when it’s done installing.

If you experience any difficulties with this installation process, read our guide on installing WordPress on Bluehost .

If you’re using a web hosting service that doesn’t offer an automatic or a quick install for WordPress, read this manual installation guide .

STEP 4 – Configure Your WordPress Blog

Once you have your admin account for WordPress all set up, you can proceed to your new dashboard.

Just go to the admin page (e.g., yourblogname.com/wp-admin) and input the access details for your admin account. Once you log in, you’ll see this:

WordPress dashboard

Even though WordPress is already 100% operational, there are still some settings that you should go through in order to customize your WordPress blog .

Before you begin, remember to hit the “Save Changes” blue button every time you change the settings.

1. General Settings

Start by going to the left sidebar and clicking on Settings → General.

WordPress general settings

This is where you can set:

  • “Site Title” — This is the title you chose for your blog and/or your business blog. Make sure you have the right one since this is the first thing users see, and it will help you appear in search results.
  • “Tagline” — This is a short description (typically a sentence) of what your blog is about. For example: “Recipes that even a beginner cook can handle.”

Keep in mind that you can come back and change these at any time.

In the General Settings section, you can also check if your URL (e.g., yourblogname) is correct, set your timezone, and choose your preferred language.

Another important thing to note is that Bluehost has a Coming Soon feature in the last section of General Settings. Once you’re ready to go live with your blog, make sure to turn this feature off .

2. Reading and Visibility in Google

In the reading settings, you can choose what visitors will see when they land on your homepage. You can either choose a static page for your homepage and blog, or you can choose to show the latest articles you publish.

On the same page, you need to make sure that search engines like Google can find (or, in technical terms, index) your new blog.

To do that, go to Settings → Reading (again, from the main sidebar) and make sure that the field labeled “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” remains unchecked . Like so:

WordPress search engine visibility

If you don’t do that, your blog will not show up on Google results.

3. Discussion

In the discussion section, you can customize the settings related to the comment section of your blog. For now, you can just choose if you want to allow readers to leave comments and if comments should be manually approved by you.

The comment section can be a great tool to allow readers to interact with you and also for you to gain valuable feedback. But if you choose to enable it, make sure you have some time dedicated to answering comments.

In the media section, you can choose cropping settings for your visual assets. You can leave these to default sizes, or you can choose to set specific width and height if you prefer.

Just know that when you upload an image to WordPress , it will automatically create medium- and large-size files. Medium images will typically be used if you have grid mode as the page view or for featured images in a post. Large will be used as featured images in some WordPress themes (for example, the ones designed to show photos).

5. Permalinks

The “permalinks” settings define how WordPress will go about creating individual URLs — web page addresses — for each of your blog posts or sub-pages.

While it can sound complicated, setting permalinks is very simple.

Just go to Settings → Permalinks. Once there, set your permalinks to the “ Post name ” variant, like so:

WordPress permalinks

This is the most optimal setting of the ones available and also the one preferred by Google and other search engines.

STEP 5 – Design and Customize Your Blog

Once you’re done with your blog’s settings, you can now customize based on your needs and goals.

The great thing about WordPress is that even if you’re not a skilled designer, you can still get a top-notch look for your blog.

How? Thanks to thousands of WordPress themes that are available on the web — any of them are free, and you can customize them easily (without any coding knowledge).

Go back to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Appearance → Themes. Once there, click on “Add New”:

WordPress add a new theme

Then, switch the tab to “Popular”:

Here, you’ll see the most popular free WordPress themes in the market. And the best part is that you can install any of them with just one click.

Go ahead and spend a while browsing this list to find something that suits your business and the main purpose behind your new blog.

Once you do see a theme you like, you can install it with just one click : Install → Activate.

How to Customize Your Theme (Logo, Colors, and Structure)

Even though the WordPress theme that you chose comes with a pre-configured design, you can change parts of it to your liking if you have a good design idea .

This is all done if you go to Appearance → Customize. What you’ll see is the WordPress Customizer:

WordPress Customizer

Depending on your current theme, you’ll get a different set of options in the sidebar menu, but the most common ones will include:

  • Site Identity : Here, you can set your blog title again, and add a logo image and site icon (AKA favicon ).
  • Colors : Here, you can adjust the basic colors you want to use in your blog.
  • Header : Set your header graphic or image.
  • Background : Set your background graphic, image, or color.
  • Menus : More on this later.
  • Widgets : More on this later as well.

1. Add Logo And Favicon

You probably know what a logo is — a graphic mark or symbol used to identify your blog.

But what is a favicon ? It’s the small icon representing your blog that will appear in your users’ main top bar of the web browser, next to the blog title. This is what the favicon looks like on our site:

favicon example

If you don’t have a logo yet, you can use these free tools or follow our guide to creating one yourself .

If you don’t have a favicon yet, you can use these favicon generators .

To add your logo, just click on the “Select logo” button. On the next screen, WordPress will let you know what sort of graphics are acceptable for logos.

After uploading your logo, you should see it inside the live preview window.

To add your favicon, click on the button labeled “Select image” under the “Site Icon” section. Once you add your favicon, it won’t be displayed anywhere in the preview but you’ll be able to see it on the top bar of your browser.

2. Change Blog Colors

Depending on the theme you’re using, you’ll see a different set of options in this section of Customizer.

If you already have a logo, you should probably use the same colors for your blog.

Keep in mind that color plays an important role in web design and affects the way visitors will perceive your blog.

If you don’t know where to start or you need some help, start by looking at examples for inspiration and follow our beginner step-by-step guide to choosing your color scheme .

3. Add Custom Header Graphic

A website header is the top section of the web page — the whole space above the fold of the homepage .

In this section, you’ll be able to add a graphic/image, and for some themes, even a video, to your header. The specific options you have will change depending on the theme you choose.

To set your header image, just click on “Add new image”:

WordPress add new image

You can pick whatever image you wish for your site header, but make sure it’s high quality. WordPress will let you know about the minimal requirements for your header image right on the upload screen.

4. Change Background

For some themes, you’ll have the option to set the main background for your whole website.

Usually, you’ll be able to set a custom image or a solid color to be in the background. Either way, you can get quite interesting effects if you experiment with this long enough.

5. Create New Pages and Blog Posts

With all of the above already done, you’re ready to start creating content for your new blog.

In the beginning, make sure your blog includes at least the following pages:

  • Blog : WordPress will create this section for you automatically. By default, all your latest blog posts are going to be listed right on the homepage.
  • About : Tell your visitors what the blog is about and who’s behind it.
  • Contact : You can add your contact information or a contact form here.

You can also add a Services / Products page to list your products and/or services and tell people why they should buy them.

How to Create New Pages

Now that you have an idea of what sorts of pages you might need, let’s talk about how to actually go about creating them in WordPress . Luckily, the process is the same no matter what sort of page that is.

Before adding pages, you can also set your blog to a maintenance mode , which will prevent others from seeing your unfinished website.

Now, go to your WordPress dashboard and then to Pages → Add New. What you’ll see is the main page editing screen of WordPress:

WordPress sample page

As you would imagine, once you click the “Publish” button, your page becomes visible to the public.

How to Add Blog Posts

Creating blog posts works the same as creating new pages . The only difference is that your posts are going to be displayed automatically on your blog homepage, while your pages need to be added to a menu if you want users to find them (we’ll show you how to do that in the next section).

Since the blog functionality is one of the core elements of WordPress, you’ll find a whole separate section devoted to creating and publishing blog posts.

From the main WordPress dashboard sidebar, click on “Posts.”

WordPress how to add a posts

6. Add a Navigation Menu

Your menu is extremely important for your blog — it allows your readers to easily find the information and content they’re looking for.

Typically, your blog should have one main menu that’s placed in the main navigation bar.

To create a new menu, go to Appearance → Menus. Once there, look through the list of the available pages you’ve created so far and click the checkboxes next to the ones that you want to have in your new menu . Then, click on “Add to Menu.” You’ll see your pages listed in the section on the right. At this stage, you can also drag and drop those pages to realign them.

WordPress how to create a menu

7. Change Your Blog Sidebar and Footer

Depending on the theme that you’re using, you might have anywhere from zero to a handful of sidebars available and maybe a customizable footer as well.

To tune up what’s displayed in all those areas, we’re going to use WordPress widgets.

In simple terms, widgets are small blocks of content that can be displayed in various places throughout a WordPress blog.

To see what this is all about, just go to Appearance → Widgets.

What you see here are all the different widgets that WordPress gives you. Just to name a few :

  • Archives – a list of all your past blog posts
  • Image – an image of your choice
  • Categories – a list of all your blog categories
  • Recent Posts – a list of your most recent articles
  • Search – a search bar
  • Text – a piece of custom text

You can place all those widgets in one of the predefined widget areas — usually within the sidebar or the footer.

For example, we can drag-and-drop the “Recent Posts” widget to our “Footer 1” widget area.

You can do the same with any of the other available widgets. Just grab them from the section on the left and drag-and-drop them onto any of the widget areas that your theme gives you.

How to Start Blogging: 6 Things Every Blogger Should Know

Now you know all the technical details you need to start a blog.

In this section, we share our best tips and things you should keep in mind once you begin blogging.

1. Choose The Right Topics

The first thing you should focus on is the topics you’ll talk about. If you followed our suggestion from Step 1, you probably already know your topic and niche.

When choosing the topics, make sure you keep your niche and audience in mind .

We’ll explain how to find content ideas in the next section.

2. Build a Backlink Profile

Backlinks, also known as inbound or incoming links, are links to your blog coming from another website. They represent one of the main elements that will help you rank in search engine results.

There are many backlink-building techniques you can use, such as resource page link building, broken link building, and more.

For example, after you publish a new article, you can reach out to other blogs in your niche (make sure they’re not your competitors), and ask them to include a link to your page. You can also try writing guest posts for other blogs and ask to add a link to your piece.

But to gain backlinks, high-quality content is a requirement. This brings us to the next point.

3. Focus On Quality

Although there are many strategies you can use to improve your blog and drive traffic to it, keep in mind that, when it comes to a blog, quality always beats quantity .

There are two reasons why quality is important for blogging. First, users are interested in high-quality, useful information. Second, it’s a huge factor that influences ranking in search engines like Google, which reward quality content.

To create high-quality content, follow these best practices :

  • Use short paragraphs for better readability
  • Use headers and subheaders to organize content
  • Use bulleted and numbered lists to make important information stand out
  • Bold and italicize key information
  • Add visual assets like images to break up text

4. Use Internal Linking

Internal links go from one of your blog posts to another page on your blog .

Internal links are important for three reasons. First, they pass authority from one page to another, helping you rank on search engines. Second, they guide users to high-value, relevant content on your website. Third, they prompt users to take action as calls to action..

When you’re writing a new blog post, try to find a place where it makes sense to link to another article you published.

5. Use Social Media to Gain Traffic

When you first start writing blog posts, you’ll notice that they won’t get much traffic right away.

This is normal. Search engines are competitive and it can be difficult to outrank established blogs.

A good way to start getting traffic to your blog is to use social media. With social media, you can network with other bloggers and people in your industry or niche .

When you’re writing your blog posts, try mentioning other bloggers and influencers in your niche. Then, when the article is live, you can share it on social media and tag them. If your content is high-quality, interesting, and relevant to them, you’ll see traffic and engagement go up (from their follower base), and these influencers might even share it on their profile.

Another social media strategy you can try is to find online forums and discussion sites (e.g., Reddit and Facebook groups) and share your content there.

By using social media to network with people in your industry, you’ll be able to build relationships with people that have the same interests and that will likely be interested in the topics you write about.

6. Plan Your Content

One of the main reasons why new blogs fail is irregular posting.

In the beginning, the secret to efficient content posting is to have a plan .

First, ask yourself this question: “ How many high-quality blog posts can I fit into my schedule? ”.

When you first start, we recommend publishing a minimum of one blog post per month, although many bloggers suggest publishing at least three posts per week. The answer here really depends on your schedule but remember to prioritize quality. A few awesome blog posts a month are better than several low-quality blog posts a week.

download blog post planner

How to Brainstorm Content That Will Drive Traffic

Now that you have everything you need to set up and launch a blog, you’re ready to start blogging.

But what will you actually write about?

In this section, we provide brainstorming advice and tips to find new content ideas.

1. Get Inspired

The first thing you can do to find content ideas is head over to other popular blogs in your niche and look at their top articles.

That can be a good source of inspiration, but avoid just copying content. Just use this to find ideas and understand what the main topics are in your industry.

If you find inspiration, consider using the same topic but making it into a different content format to make it different from what already exists. For example, you might find that your competitor posted a YouTube video that went viral. In that case, you could take the same or a tangentially related topic and create a long-form article or a listicle blog post.

2. Just Google It

There are a few ways you can use Google to find content ideas.

First, you can try typing your niche or broad topic in Google Image Search and see if you find any ideas. At the top, you’ll see some tags with related topics.

brainstorm with Google images

Next, you can do a simple Google search of a broad topic and look at the related searches.

brainstorm with Google search

Finally, on the same results page, take a look at the “People also ask” box. Here you’ll find the most asked questions related to this topic.

brainstorm with Google answer box

3. Use Keyword Research Tools

The most popular keyword research tools are Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush. But since most of these are paid, consider using free tools when first starting.

The best free keyword research tools are:

  • Google Keyword Planner
  • Google Trends
  • Google Search Console
  • Ahrefs Keyword Generator
  • Keyword Sheeter (Chrome extension)
  • Answer the Public, Keyword Surfer
  • Keyworddit, Questiondb
  • Reddit Keyword Research Tool
  • Bulk Keyword Generator

There are many ways you can use these tools to uncover keywords to create blog posts. However, we recommend starting off by targeting relevant keywords with low keyword difficulty. This will give you a better shot at ranking in search results.

Here’s how to do that: Insert your keyword into Ahrefs Keyword Generator and filter by keyword difficulty (KD) score. These, typically shown in green, are the keywords you’ll be able to rank for because they’re less competitive.

brainstorm with keyword ideas

To get your keywords to rank better, and to create an intuitive blog structure for both users and search engines, you can create content clusters.

Content clusters are content pieces on your blog that are linked to a common subject — called “ pillar content .”

Your pillar content can be a broad keyword with high search volume (e.g., “marketing”) or a product page you want to point users to. The topic clusters, on the other hand, should be more long-tail keywords with less search volume, but that you can rank for (e.g., “content marketing strategies for beginners”).

You will then use internal links to properly connect the pillar pages with the individual topic clusters.

4. Blog and Social Media Comments

One of the easiest ways to find content ideas is to see what your readers think and talk about, and what questions they have about your content. Once you’ve published a few blog posts, scroll through the comments and see what your audience has to say.

5. Ask Your Audience

Listening to your audience is the perfect brainstorming method because you’re getting ideas from the people who will read your content.

Reading comments can help with that, but an even more direct way to hear from your audience is by asking them. You can do this through social media or email.

6. Podcast Episodes

Podcasts are some of the most successful types of content, so they’re a good opportunity to repurpose a successful podcast into a new and fresh format — a blog post.

Just find a popular podcast in your niche and scroll through the episode titles and descriptions. You’ll start getting ideas for blog posts you can write about. Again, make sure you don’t just copy these and try to find very specific topics that none has written about before.

7. Pinterest

Pinterest is a great resource for uncovering unique content ideas. Just type a keyword in the search box and you’ll get a list of suggestions, along with existing content that is related to the keyword.

brainstorm with Pinterest

You can also use Pinterest to find ideas for visual content that you can add to your blog posts. For example, if you search for “content marketing ideas,” you’ll find many different visual assets other websites have created, like “reasons to do content marketing,” “social media content calendar,” “content marketing checklist,” etc.

8. Buzzsumo

Finally, you can use Buzzsumo to find keywords, stories, common questions, and more around your topic.

Buzzsumo is a paid tool, but it offers a free version that you can use to find content ideas.

Enter your broad topic keyword in the search box, and you’ll get a list of the most popular pieces of content related to it. What makes it different from other tools is that you can easily find content that has the most engagement on social media platforms.

brainstorm with Buzzsumo

You can also find common questions in online forums, write an article about it, and then go to the forum and link to your article.

If you choose to get the paid version, you can also monitor trends and comments, and find influencers in your niche, along with other features for content research and discovery.

Try playing our two content brainstorming games with some friends, colleagues, or even by yourself to come up with the best article titles for your blog.

button download brainstorming games

How to Start a Blog: Frequently Asked Questions

Now let’s take a look at the most frequently asked questions.

How much does it cost to start a blog?

Luckily, not much! To self-host your WordPress blog, all you need is:

  • Domain name : Your custom web address (e.g., www.yourblogname.com) will be around $10/year, but we’ll show you how to get one for free later in this guide.
  • Web hosting : Simple and reliable web hosting is usually around $4/month . In total, it’s around $60/year, but it’s an important investment to your blog success.

If you change your mind and think that blogging is not for you, you can always cancel the hosting service. Many providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Domain names can’t be refunded, but they will simply expire and become available once you stop paying for them.

Can I create a blog without WordPress?

Yes. There are many different blogging platforms that you can choose from, like Wix, Joomla, and Blogger.com.

How can I create a blog and be anonymous?

To blog anonymously, avoid using your real name, photo, and email address. We suggest you create an anonymous email account, along with a blogger identity .

In WordPress, go to Users → Your Profile, and enter your blogger name in the “nickname” field. Then click on the drop-down menu Display name publicly as and choose your nickname. Remember to click on the “Update Profile” button.

Apart from this, there are more advanced precautions you should take to be completely anonymous.

When setting up your web hosting with Bluehost, you have the option to add domain privacy and protection (starting at $1.25/month) . This will protect you from spam and other unsolicited emails, phone calls, and mail, as well as identity theft, fraudulent domain transfers, users (including competitors) being able to look up your domains, malware, and SEO blacklists.

To add this, log in to your Bluehost account. In the left navigation menu, click on “Marketplace” → “Add-ons” → “Domain Privacy + Protection.”

If you want to go a step further, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) , which will encrypt all your data and send it to a random server that could be in any part of the world.

Can I design a blog with no coding skills?

Yes. If you choose WordPress as your blogging platform, you’ll be able to design a professional and fully customized website.

Is blogging still profitable in 2022?

In 2022, blogging is a profitable online profession with people making thousands and millions of dollars.

Can I create a blog all by myself?

Yes. By following our step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to create a blog all by yourself, without any coding or web design knowledge.

Can I customize a WordPress blog with code?

Yes. Although you don’t need to, you can easily add code snippets to your WordPress blog by using the Code Snippets plugin. Go to your WordPress admin bar and click on “Add New.” This will bring you to a new page where you can add a title and copy and paste your code snippet.

Should I start with a free blog?

If you want to test the waters before committing to pay regular fees, you can start blogging for free on WordPress.com. If you change your mind, you’ll be able to transfer your content to WordPress.org at any time.

Create Content, Launch Your Blog, and Keep Improving

Congratulations. You can now launch your new blog!

Wasn’t so difficult, was it?

Remember that it’s important to be consistent with blogging. Results will come if you post new, high-quality articles regularly.

As a final tip, make sure you look at your blog’s analytics to track results, see which types of content work and which don’t, and make improvements accordingly.

WEBSITE ESSENTIALS

How to easily start a blog and make money

  • Rebecca Strehlow
  • 27 min read

how to start a blog

If you’re wondering how to create a blog , you’ve come to the right place. As a blogger myself, I can tell you it’s a rewarding way to hone your writing skills, explore new ideas and build an online presence that revolves around your passions and expertise. You’ll get the chance to inspire, educate, and entertain your readers—and as your blog grows, you can even start making money and turn it into a full-time job or use it to start a business .

In other words, blogging is the first step toward finally pursuing your dream job or favorite hobby, so you really can’t go wrong. While starting a blog might seem daunting, I’m going to walk you through every step to make it as smooth and successful as possible. The process is actually quite easy, and you’ll have your blog up and running, as well as your first blog post written, before you know it.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the guidance and tools you’ll need to start a blog and get writing blog posts. You’ll learn how to make your website , write your first blog post and draw in loyal readers. Sounds exciting? Let’s dive in.

How to start a blog

Choose a blogging platform. Use a platform that offers customizable templates.

Pick a hosting platform. Consider a platform with good bandwidth, uptime and customer support.

Find the right niche. Narrow down your theme and have a specific audience in mind.

Select a blog name and domain. Choose a descriptive name that piques readers’ interests.

Set up and design your blog. Include imagery and effects that reflect your theme.

Brainstorm blog topics. Write down all your ideas before narrowing down topic selections.

Write your first blog post. Engage your audience with a killer title and use headers to make the content skimmable.

Create an editorial calendar. Create a calendar to help you publish consistently and hold yourself accountable.

Promote your blog. Use marketing strategies to expand your reach.

Make money blogging. Take advantage of opportunities to monetize your blog.

In this complete how to blog A to Z tutorial, we’ll cover everything from choosing your blogging platform to making money from your written work. With a little bit of guidance, you can get your blog online in 30 minutes or less.

This is going to be the most comprehensive advice you’ll find on building a successful blog from scratch. If you want to start a blog fast, though, feel free to use the numbered steps above as a quick cheat sheet. You can go directly to the step you need the most help with, or grab a cup of coffee and read it all the way through.

What is a blog?

While a blog can encompass an entire website or simply be its own section of a website, this is a place to share content about a topic you’re passionate about. A blog will typically include both written and visual elements published in an easy-to-read, article format so visitors can swiftly browse and find what they’re looking for. And with over 31.7 million blogs in the US alone, you can literally find blogs about every subject out there, from home renovation to baking to local business marketing strategies . Once you’ve established a community of readers, the possibilities are truly endless.

There's no definitive "perfect" time to start a blog. If you feel that you have the time and resources to start, manage and promote a blog and are enthusiastic about sharing your ideas with the world, it might be the right time to take the plunge and start your blogging journey. The sooner you start, the sooner you can learn and grow as a blogger.

Ready to start your blog now? Sign up with Wix today.

01. Choose a blogging platform

The first step in starting a blog is to select a blogging platform or Content Management System (CMS) for publishing your content. A quick Google search will show you that there are several different sites available that suit bloggers from all industries. I recommend Wix because it’s a good all-around blogging platform that satisfies most needs.

Wix’s blogging platform is fairly straightforward to get the hang of, and it offers a variety of attractive design options and templates to work with. In addition, it comes with features to analyze your blog’s performance and monetize your content, which will come in handy as you setup your blog and build your readership.

choose a blogging platform

How much does it cost to start a blog?

When researching how to create a blog, one of the biggest questions people have is how much does it cost to start a blog . On many platforms, starting a blog is completely free .

You can decide at any point whether you’d like to upgrade to a variety of different plans, depending on your budget and needs.

02. Pick a hosting platform

Once you select your preferred blogging platform, you’ll need to choose a hosting platform. A blog, like other types of websites , requires a host. This essentially stores websites on a server under a unique address so that visitors can easily reach them.

pick a hosting platform

faqOn some blogging platforms, hosting is already included, so you won’t need to find a separate web host when setting up your blog. In that case, you can skip this step and move to Step 3 .

With other website builders, such as WordPress, you will need to find and pay for a separate web hosting platform. Some popular options include:

If you’re not sure which web hosting platform to choose, take into account these factors:

Uptime: The amount of time that the server hosting your website is up and running. A strong uptime rate (99.95% or above) is a good indication that the host’s servers perform well.

Bandwidth: The amount of data your website can transfer to visitors over a certain period of time. This factor is based on the size of your website pages as well as the amount of traffic you expect. This quick bandwidth calculator can help you determine your site’s bandwidth.

Customer support: Customer service you can contact in the event something goes wrong. Ideally, your hosting provider should offer an online help center, offer callbacks and respond to questions and concerns on social media.

Once you’ve chosen your blogging platform and hosting provider, you can start coming up with your blog idea.

Don’t worry about picking and registering your domain name just yet. We’ll walk through that process together in Step 4 .

03. Find the right profitable blog niche

Let’s move away from the technical and dive into the more theoretical. Take a step back and think about the main element that will form the foundation of your blog, from its URL and domain name to its content and design: your blog’s niche. What, exactly, do you want your blog to be about?

There is virtually no limit when it comes to your choice of subjects. The most crucial thing is that you select a specific topic area that will be the central focus of your entire blog and its content strategy.

Possible blog types range from fashion blogs to real estate blogs to book blogs or food blogs . Because there are lots of other blogs focusing on the same subjects, you’ll need a way to stand out while still writing about what you love.

Here are three simple steps for choosing the perfect blog niche —one that not only is in line with your passions, but one that you can also monetize and grow:

Narrow down your interests

Research your audience, check if it’s profitable.

find the right blog niche

When you start a blog, think long term. To motivate yourself to blog regularly, you’ll need to write about something you’re genuinely interested in. If you choose a topic solely on the basis of its being popular or profitable, your efforts will peter out pretty quickly, along with your entire blog content strategy.

If you aren’t sure right off the bat what you should be blogging about, that’s okay. Begin with a simple brainstorming session about subjects you like. What do you get excited talking about? What are you eager to learn more about?

Now, write down the first five to 10 interests that come to mind. For the sake of this example, let’s say:

Next, think about your more specific interests within these subject areas and add them to your list. Your additions might look something like this:

Backpacking in Southeast Asia

Vegan recipes

Raising twins

Indie rock music

Hiking in the Rockies

Don’t worry about these niches being perfect just yet. You’ll research them more thoroughly in the next steps. (However, if you're looking for inspiration, check out how these popular art blogs are using their platforms to connect with audiences who share a similar passion.)

The next step of starting and creating a blog is to learn which topics people are interested in reading about. If your blog gains traction, you can eventually start making money from it and become a full-time blogger.

You can determine the demand for any given niche with a bit of market research. Begin by taking a look at Google Trends , which shows you how many people are searching for a particular topic. The more searches a topic gets, the more public demand it has.

For instance, let’s type “vegan recipes” into Google Trends. In the image below, you’ll see that there’s a relatively stable level of interest in this topic, so it’s a good candidate for a blog niche.

research your blog audience

“Paleo recipes,” on the other hand, has a much lower degree of interest. This doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea—some bloggers prefer to write for a more specific crowd if they have a unique specialty—but it does mean there are fewer people interested in that particular subject area.

If Google Trends reveals that interest in a subject area is either very low or declining, then that topic is unlikely to gain traction.

Whether you run a personal blog or a professional one, it’s a good idea to check whether your niche is profitable. Even if you’re starting out as a hobby blogger or want to create a fan website , you’ll want to think about future monetization options in the event that your blogging efforts evolve into a career.

There are multiple ways to earn money as a blogger, but one of the most common methods is affiliate marketing. As an affiliate, you’ll work together with a specific company, providing a link to their products within your blog, and earning a commission for any sale made through your site.

Considering whether you could blog as an affiliate is a good way to figure out if your niche is profitable. Think about the kinds of “best of” or “how to” posts you might write. For instance, “Best kitchen appliances for easy cooking” or “How to make carrot cake in 10 minutes.” In both instances, you could include an affiliate link to your favorite food processor or electric mixer and make money for each purchase made through your blog.

You don’t need to plan out your money-making strategy just yet, but thinking generally about profitable opportunities can help you choose a niche. For now, focus on starting your blog—we’ll talk more about making money blogging in Step 10 .

04. Select a blog name and domain

As you think about how to make a blog, the question of what to name it is probably lurking somewhere in the back of your mind.

There are three main routes you can go with your blog's name. These include:

Your first and last name

The name of your business (if you have one)

A creative new name

When choosing your blog’s name, you should also think about the personality you want it to reflect. Should it be formal and professional? Sweet and romantic? Edgy and offbeat? If you’re stuck on names for your blog , this blog name generator is a helpful source of inspiration.

select a blog name

Once you decide, you should also go ahead and choose your domain name for your blog. Also referred to as a URL, a domain is a site’s address on the web (this website’s domain name, for example, is www.wix.com). Typically, your domain name will be the same as, or at least influenced by, the name of your blog.

If you really want your blog to stand out, consider a .blog domain extension . It's a clear and unique way to help your blog and content pop.

05. Set up and design your blog

Choose a blog template, decide which pages to include, get indexed on search engines, create a blog logo.

At this point, you’ve chosen a blogging and hosting platform, domain name and blog niche. You’re now equipped with all the basics for setting up your blog. Here's how to optimize your blog design :

The first part of setup for a blog is selecting a template. Like your blog’s name, its look and feel will be an important part of its personality.

The most efficient way to get your blog up and running is to choose a pre-designed blog template . Afterwards, you can customize it based on your preferences.

Be sure to pick one that conveys your blog’s subject area. There are website templates for bloggers of any genre, whether you’re a food blogger, photography blogger or business blogger. As you browse, think about the mood you want your website to communicate, for example. whether it’s classic, modern, rugged or minimalist.

You should also take that into account as you further personalize the template with your preferred colors. Color psychology plays a huge role in forming your audience’s impression of your blog. As you choose a color palette, keep in mind the feelings and attitudes that different colors evoke. Blue, for instance, tends to evoke dependability and trust, while yellow evokes energy and joy.

If you’re unsure of which templates to choose, these blog examples serve as a helpful source of design inspiration.

Once you’ve chosen a template, think about which pages to include. Most blogs include more than just a section to display their posts. They might also include an online store, as in the image below, or a contact page.

blog pages

Here's an overview of the different options when designing your blog:

01. Contact page: This is a place to put your email address so that fans and potential business partners can reach out to you. You can also include a contact form so that people can send a message directly through your site.

how to start a blog

02. About page: This tells visitors who you are, what you do, and why you do it, providing some context behind your blog and humanizing your content.

how to start a blog

03. Online store: You’ll also want to add a separate online store page if you’re thinking of selling items related to your blog. You can call this page “Products” or “Shop.”

how to start a blog

If you want to beef up your blog with even more pages, a Tutorials page, Now Trending page or Author’s Pick page are all popular options.

Furthermore, some blogs opt to place their posts directly on the homepage, while others keep their homepages and blog pages separate. If you do this, make sure to include a navigation menu so that visitors can easily access your blog as well as any other pages.

There’s no right or wrong way to set up a blog, so play around with different options to see what best suits your style and personality. Keep in mind that you can always add or remove pages over time as your blog evolves.

Another part of starting a blog is making sure it’s visible on Google and other search engines. This is crucial if you want your content to pop up in search results, so you’ll want to take care of this step right away.

First, make sure your site is indexed on Google. Essentially, this means giving Google a heads up that your blog exists. You can do this by submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console .

Pro tip: Google Search Console is not only important for indexing your site, but it’s also a valuable platform that you’ll be using throughout your blogging journey. It tells you important data about your blog’s site visitors and clicks, which you can use to improve your content.

google search console

To find out whether your site is already included in Google’s search index, do a quick site search (a site search uses your homepage URL and takes the form of site:yourblogname.com ). If your blog pops up in the search results, then your site is already indexed.

Finally, polish off your site with an attractive blog logo . This is another way to add personality to your site, and it’s an essential step if you want to create a blog that evolves into a recognizable brand.

One option is to design your own or outsource the task, but you can also use an online logo maker . These tools give you plenty of room to customize your logo with your preferred colors, fonts and icons, and tend to be quicker and more affordable than hiring a professional designer.

Once you create your logo, place it in the upper left-hand corner of your website, and link it to your homepage. This will help brand your content while improving the navigation experience for readers.

create a blog logo

06. Brainstorm blog topics

On the technical side, your blog is now setup and ready to go. It’s time to start thinking about which topics you’ll get started with.

Begin by thinking about your experiences, successes, failures or discoveries related to your niche. What insights can you share? What ideas are you looking to explore in-depth?

As you think of topics, try to get into your readers’ heads. Here are some questions to guide you through the brainstorming process:

What characteristics does my target audience possess?

What subjects does my target audience get excited about?

What challenges does my target audience face?

You can also come up with ideas using the topic cluster model . Essentially, this is a tightly organized system that strings together related posts using a series of internal links. While this process is usually considered part of SEO, you can also think of it as a mind map for coming up with ideas.

By this model, think about a broad topic—say, recipes—and then divide that up into smaller subtopics, like dinner recipes or brunch recipes. Then, divide those up into even more specific topics, like 20-minute dinner recipes, mimosa recipes, and cake decoration ideas. Any of these topics could be its own blog post.

brainstorm blog topics

If you’re still stuck, this list of blog ideas can help jumpstart the brainstorming process. They include:

A 30 before 30 list (also 40 before 40, or 50 before 50)

Your sources of inspiration

Beginners’ guides

Time-saving hacks

A challenge you’ve faced

Use these ideas to guide you, but feel free to add your own creative twist based on your niche.

07. Write your first blog post

Start with keyword research, come up with a blog post title, outline your main points, write engaging content, insert images, optimize for seo, edit and publish.

Now that you’ve come up with ideas, you’re ready to dive into the writing. Let’s go over how to write a blog post from start to finish:

Finding the right keywords is crucial for getting people to read your posts. By targeting certain phrases with your article, you increase the chances of your blog appearing on search results pages for those queries.

Let’s say, for instance, that you want to share a carrot cake recipe in your blog. You’ll want to target keywords such as:

Carrot cake

Carrot cake recipe

Best carrot cake recipe

How to make carrot cake

Depending on your topic, some keywords may be more obvious than others. You can refine your keywords using free keyword research tools such as Google Keyword Planner or you can use more robust paid options like SEMrush or Ahrefs .

start with keyword research

Next, you’ll need to strategically target your selected keywords throughout your article. This means two things: First, you’ll need to sprinkle those phrases throughout your post (but try to do so as organically as possible—no one likes unnatural keyword stuffing). Second, you should structure your article based on the format you see in the top 10 search results for those keywords (you can also reference these results when deciding how long should a blog post be ).

Let’s say, for example, that you want to write an article about your favorite carrot cake recipe. Start by checking your competitors—the top 10 search results on Google for the keyword “carrot cake recipe.”

When you type that phrase into the search engine, you’ll notice that the top results are written as numbered steps, rather than as a story. You can therefore assume that most readers prefer the list format for these types of posts. In order to provide valuable content to your readers—and to rank high on Google as a result—you’ll want your own post to assume a similar format.

Likewise, you’ll want to touch on all the main points covered by your competitors. This doesn’t mean you can’t be be creative. It’s just to say that in addition to sharing your own original insights, you should cover all the bases.

To continue with our example, let’s assume that when you look up “carrot cake recipe,” the top search results include a section about how to make cream cheese frosting. This is an indicator that many readers find this content helpful. In addition, it shows that Google has a preference for articles including that detail. You’d be wise, then, to touch on this idea in your own article.

Keyword research gives you an idea of the best format for your blog post, as well as which sections to include. This naturally segues into the outline stage of the writing process.

First, choose which type of blog post you’d like to write. Will it be a how-to guide? A product recommendation? An op-ed? Whichever blog post template you choose, you’ll want to have a clear idea in mind before structuring the outline.

Then, use headers and subheaders to break up your content into organized, bite-sized chunks. Beneath each heading, make bulleted notes of the main points you’ll include in each section. This will be the skeleton of your first blog post.

Feel free to use this downloadable blog post template to help with your outline. All you need to do is fill in the blanks:

download your free blog template

The next part of starting a blog article is coming up with a strong title. You can come up with your blog titles at any stage of the planning process, but the best ideas often arise as you build your outline.

A blog title is a small but mighty piece of content. Often, it makes the difference between whether or not people click on your article.

To make your blog titles catchy and compelling, put yourself in your readers’ shoes. Think about what might interest and excite them, and try the following strategies:

Be clear and direct

Promise value

Appeal to your readers’ emotions

Pique their curiosity

Use humor, alliteration or wordplay

Here are a few fill-in-the-blank blog title ideas to help you:

blog title ideas wehn starting a blog

Here’s more information on how to write a headline that stands out. If you’re curious about diving more into what makes a headline a success, Buzzsumo’s shared headlines study is also an insightful resource.

Now, it’s time to start typing away. Keep in mind that you’ll need an introduction, body text broken up by headers and sub-headers, and a conclusion (optional).

In the introduction, grab your audience’s attention with a captivating anecdote, a compelling quote or statistic, or an interesting fact. Then, share a brief summary of what the article is about, making sure to grab the interest of your readers.

Next, write the body text, using your outline as a guide. This is where you share your knowledge and expertise as a blogger. Be sure to avoid fluff; writing for the sake of writing is one of the biggest blogging mistakes . Instead, make sure each sentence is meaningful, and dive straight into sharing your original insights and actionable tips. You should also use a tone of voice that resonates with your audience, whether it’s funny and casual or serious and formal.

Finally, wrap up the post with a concluding section. While not every blog includes this final bit, it’s a nice way to tie your ideas together and share your closing thoughts.

Keep in mind that writing a blog post can take several hours, and it’s a process that shouldn’t be rushed. Set aside at least half a day to write your first draft.

There are quicker ways to research, plan and create blog content, if you choose to decide with AI content generation tools. There are several to choose from - including Open AI's Chat GPT, Google's BARD and others such as Jasper.ai. Just be sure to heavily edit any AI generated content, be on top of fact checking it's output and don't forget to bring your own voice and style to the content.

Write a blog post with AI

As AI content generators become more popular and as their output improves, considering whether to use AI to write blog posts is a valid question a lot of bloggers are asking themselves. AI content generation can speed up the blog writing process and help you create more, faster. However, in our experience, AI generated content still requires a large degree of human editing, fact checking and injecting of experience into it. So while it might help you create drafts faster, it's not going to be something you can publish fresh from an AI content generator.

However you can use AI for other parts of the blog writing process. You can use it to:

Create blog titles

Write meta titles and descriptions

Structure your blog articles

Help you proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes

As you start your blog, remember that your choice of images can strengthen readers’ overall impression of your article. Whether you add photos, screenshots or illustrations to your articles, they should be functional as well as beautiful. Make sure they convey your main points and highlight important examples in the post.

If you don’t have your own images, begin by browsing free stock photos on the web. Pexels and Unsplash are both popular sites for gathering visual material. While you might eventually want to use photos you take yourself, stock photos are a quick way to get your blog started.

Once you create your content, there are a couple things you’ll need to take care of before hitting Publish. These steps primarily revolve around strategy, from improving your blog SEO to generating conversions through your article. Here’s a quick post-writing checklist to guide you:

Double check your keywords: Quickly search your content (CTRL+F) to review your use of keywords. Did you include all the keywords you intended to? If not, check to see whether there are any other opportunities to incorporate the keywords throughout your article. (Keep in mind that keyword stuffing is considered a bad practice, and search engines can penalize you for it. Incorporate them naturally into the text, rather than forcing them in.)

Add internal links: One trick up every bloggers’ sleeve is to link between their blog posts (also known as the practice of internal linking). This helps improve your posts’ SEO, and it also encourages your readers to browse your other articles. Rather than linking randomly, you should link between primarily related blog posts; this is better for SEO, and it also makes the links more valuable to your readers. If you’re just starting a blog and don’t have much content yet, don’t forget to go back into your posts and add in the links later.

Incorporate CTAs: The next trick in the book is to include calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout the article. These little snippets of content often take the form of phrases such as Buy Now, Subscribe, or Read More. By placing call-to-action buttons in your article, you can direct readers to buy your products, subscribe to your newsletter, or click for further reading.

Use alt text: Because Google can’t read photos, bloggers often add a short description to each image (ideally using keywords) to help the search engine understand what is being displayed. This description, called alt text, helps your images show up in Google image searches.

Write your post’s metadata: Metadata is the term for the text used to display a web page in Google search results. This includes the meta title (also known as the title tag) and meta description. Sometimes, the meta title is the same as the title of your blog post, while other times, you’ll want to choose a slightly different title for displaying your post. There’s no right or wrong here, so long as your title is engaging and includes your most important keyword. The meta description, which is the short snippet of text beneath the meta title, should also include your main keywords and should preview the article’s main points.

blog metadata

Choose your URL: Every webpage has a dedicated URL, and your blog posts are no different. A strong URL helps your articles rank high on search engine results pages, and typically contains a keyword. Blog post URLs often take the form of www.yourdomainname.com/blog-post-keyword or www.yourdomainname.com/blog/blog-post-keyword .

You now have everything you need for your first blog post. Give it a couple reads, and share it with family members or friends to review. It’s always helpful to have a second, third, or fourth pair of eyes.

When you think your article is ready to go, upload it to your blog. Your blogging platform will also have a place for you to type in the metadata and URL. Once that’s done, hit Publish and let the celebrations begin.

08. Create an editorial calendar

Whew! You’ve just written your first blog post. Take a break, and when you’re ready, plan out the rest of the month’s posting schedule.

Creating an editorial calendar is an important part of starting a blog. It’s an effective way to ensure you publish content consistently, letting you hold yourself accountable as a writer and ensuring you don’t deviate from your blogging goals. Your readers want new content, and you need to deliver. Plus, search engines take into account how frequently you publish when determining your site’s overall ranking.

You probably already have a handful of topics from your brainstorming session in Step 6. If not, use the same process to come up with new ideas. Once you have at least 10 or so ideas, start building a content calendar.

Your calendar doesn’t need to cost a thing, and it certainly doesn’t require the use of unfamiliar tools or platforms. Open up Excel or Google Sheets, and start building a schedule from there. The columns you use are completely up to you, but you’ll probably want to create different sections for the publishing date, blog title, main keywords, article status and comments.

create a blog editorial calendar

Pro tip: If you know you’re prone to procrastination (aren't we all?), open up a Google Calendar and fill in your deadlines there. You can even set aside blocks of time in your calendar for writing.

How often should you blog?

When learning how to start a blog, a big question people ask is how often they should be publishing new content. As a rule of thumb, the more often you blog, the more traffic you get. There’s no black-or-white answer for exactly how frequently that is, but studies have pointed us to a few important statistics :

11 or more posts per month yields a noticeable increase in traffic. Among small companies of 10 or fewer employees, those who published at least 11 blog posts a month had twice as much traffic as those who published two to five blogs a month.

Small companies also found that publishing at least 11 posts per month yields twice as many leads as those publishing six to 10 monthly articles. This is important if your goal is to obtain subscribers, sell products or work as an affiliate (more on that in Step 10).

how often should you blog

How often you blog also depends on your goals . If your main goal is to generate brand awareness, start with one to two new posts per week. On the other hand, if you’re primarily aiming to increase blog traffic , you should ideally be writing three to four new posts per week.

Keep all this in mind as you create your editorial calendar, but make your goals small and achievable. If you set unrealistic deadlines that you can’t meet, you’ll get thrown off course and even discouraged.

You can always ramp up your efforts once you get used to publishing and make it a habit to stick to your schedule. In addition, remember that you can always bring in guest contributors to up the quantity of published content each week.

09. Promote your blog

Share on social media

Create a blog newsletter

Write for other sites

Reach out to an existing community

Participate in question and discussion sites

Invest in paid ads

Try new content formats

At this stage, you have everything you need to start a blog. These last couple of steps will focus on how to spread the word about your blog and grow it into a serious monetization tool.

In order to get readers, you’ll need to find creative ways to drive traffic to your site. While improving your SEO is an important step, the following methods can also help you promote your blog . Note that most of them are completely free, while a few (like advertising) are paid.

Share on social media: Social media is an excellent place to post your content and draw attention to your blog. Whether you promote your blog on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn, it’s a great way to reach new readers.

Create a blog newsletter: Send out a weekly email newsletter to engage your readers and get them coming back to your blog for more. This will help you sustain a loyal fan base. To get subscribers to your blog email list in the first place, include a prominent Subscribe button in your website’s navigation bar, footer, and within your blog posts.

blog newsletter

Write for other sites: Strengthen your reputation as a writer and expert in your niche by publishing content outside your own website. Consider opening a Medium account and making a name for yourself there, or post articles on LinkedIn . You should also keep an eye out for guest blogging opportunities, which are offered by publications such as Forbes and Entrepreneur .

Reach out to an existing community: Facebook groups, forums and LinkedIn groups are gathering places for people interested in a particular topic. If you find an online community that’s relevant to your blog niche, share your website with them and network among their group members.

Participate in question and discussion sites: Sites such as Quora and Reddit give you the opportunity to highlight your blog in discussion threads. Use one of your blog posts to answer a question or follow up on a comment, but be sure to come across as helpful and informative rather than promotional.

Invest in paid ads: In addition to sharing posts on social media, you can boost your posts with a paid promotion so that they reach more people. Likewise, you can pay for Google ads and reach new users through the search engine.

Try new content formats: Expand your reach even further by trying new content formats. These essentially repurpose the same information provided in your posts. For instance, you can turn your blog posts into videos and start a YouTube channel. You might even create a podcast or offer a webinar. The sky's the limit.

10. Make money blogging

Affiliate marketing

Advertise within your blog

Offer paid subscriptions

Write sponsored content

Sell e-books and merchandise

Provide consulting services

If you’re looking to start a blog with a large readership, chances are you’re also aiming to make money from your blog’s popularity. We touched on affiliate marketing earlier in the article, but let’s talk more about this and other money-making strategies that can help you generate passive income from your writing efforts.

make money blogging

There are more ways than one to make money blogging . Here’s a quick overview of each method:

Affiliate marketing: This is one of the most common ways to make money blogging, and it’s easy to get started. Intermediate affiliates can earn between $300 to $3,000 per day , and that number only goes up with experience. There are plenty of affiliate marketing programs out there, but Amazon Associates is a popular choice for beginners.

Advertising within your blog: Another option is to display ads within your blog, which means you’re essentially selling your blog real estate as ad space. This is a fairly reliable way to make money, as you’ll be earning revenue with each click. If you’re thinking of taking this route, Google AdSense is by far one of the most lucrative and popular programs.

Offering paid subscriptions: You know how the New York Times makes you pay to read their content? You can do the same thing with your blog. While some of your articles should be free, you can also create exclusive content that readers can buy access to through a subscription plan.

Write sponsored content: Reach out to companies—or, as you blog grows, make it easy for brands to contact you—regarding sponsorship opportunities. You’ll be writing articles that promote those companies’ products, and the business, in turn, will compensate you for the posts.

Sell e-books and merchandise: You can also sell digital or physical goods directly from your site. This might include branded merchandise, products related to your field, or e-books and other online resources. One way to do this is by adding a Pay button to your homepage that your readers can click to browse your merchandise.

Provide consulting services: This approach involves making use of your professional experience and harnessing the knowledge you’ve gained as a professional blogger. Based on your insights and expertise, think about the kinds of consulting services you might be able to offer to your clients. If you’re writing a nutrition blog, one such idea could be making customized diet plans or working as a nutrition coach for clients.

For further details, take a look at this article on how to monetize a blog or check out the Wix Learn online course on monetizing your blog.

Reasons to start a blog and is it worth it

People start blogs for a variety of reasons, some of which include:

Share your ideas with the world

Sometimes you just want to be heard and get your ideas out into the universe. This is where a blog can help—it’s a form of communication and space that’s entirely your own. You can use your creativity and passion to create a space customized exactly to your liking where you can share your ideas, expertise and experiences.

Promote a product or service

Blogging for business  is a great way to engage potential customers and provide more information about a product or service. Additionally, blogging does wonders for a website's SEO.

Earn income

Blogging can be profitable with time and continued effort. The best way to see the monetary fruits of your labor is by posting quality content regularly that draws in new readers and brings more traffic to your website. This will help your blog gain advertisers and can also boost your status as an online influencer, which can open up the door for affiliate marketing.

Build a community

Thanks to the internet, we no longer need to live in the same city, state or even country to feel connected to others. A blog, as part of a wider blogosphere  community, creates a space to share your story, ideas and start conversations with people all over the world with mutual interests. A blog typically has a comments section where your readers can speak with you directly, allowing you to engage in conversation and build relationships.

Is it too late to start a blog?

Blogging is crucial to build your brand's voice and community, and allows you to expand your reach to a relevant audience who might otherwise not know you exist.
Judit Ruiz Ricart, Team Lead of Blog Growth at Wix

Blogs are still a popular and effective way to share your thoughts, ideas and expertise with the world. In fact, blogging is one of the most popular forms of content marketing. It can also be a great way to build a community and connect with other people who share your interests.

Remember that the internet is still growing, with more and more people using it every day. This means that there's a large and growing potential audience for your blog, too. While there are many blogs out there, there's always room for new voices and perspectives. If you have something unique to share, people will be interested in reading it. And the best part is that there are many tools and platforms that make it easy to create and manage a blog.

There are a number of reasons why blogging is still relevant, including:

Search engines love blogs

Blogs are a great way to improve your website's SEO and rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is because blogs provide fresh, high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience.

Blogs build authority

When you write informative and engaging blog posts, you establish yourself as an expert in your field. This can help you attract new customers and clients, and build trust with your existing audience.

Blogs build connections

Blogs provide a platform for you to share your thoughts and ideas and to connect with other people who share your interests. This can help you build a community around your brand. This is especially true of service industries, fitness blogs for example are a great way to build a loyal health focused audience and the same is true for almost every industry.

Blogs generate leads and sales

When you write blog posts that are relevant to your target audience, you can include calls to action that encourage them to learn more about your products or services, or to contact you for a consultation.

The blogging landscape has changed in recent years, the space is more competitive as more blogs exist and competition for audience numbers grows. Hand in hand with this social media and video have become more popular ways to consume content, especially amongst younger audiences. However amongst all of this blogs still play an important role in the content marketing mix.

Blogging resources - how to become a blogger

As you learn how to create a blog and become a blogger, browse these blogging resources to help guide you through the writing process, SEO and more:

Blog post checklist : Check off these steps to ensure you’ve covered all the bases with your first blog post.

Blogging for beginners : Read through these additional tips on how to start your blog from scratch.

Free online writing courses (Udemy) : Browse Udemy for professional writing courses that will help you develop your blogging skills.

Free SEO tutorial (Moz) : Learn the basics of SEO with this free six-part video course.

Blogging tools

Finally, online tools are a big part of launching a blog, since they make the process more streamlined and efficient. Here’s a quick list of some helpful blogging tools you can use to start a blog—don’t forget to bookmark them for future reference:

Google Keyword Planner : Get data about which keywords to use in your blog posts.

Google Analytics : Obtain insights into your blog’s data to strengthen its performance.

Google Search Console : Have a clear view of the number of website visitors and clicks your blog receives.

ShareThrough’s headline analyzer : Type in your headline and get feedback on its strengths and weaknesses.

Pexels : Find free stock photos for your blog articles.

Grammarly : Review your writing with an AI editing tool.

BuzzSumo : Keep track of trending content to create relevant, targeted posts.

Asana : Manage your writing schedule with an online task management tool.

How to start a blog infographic

That's all there is to it. Let's wrap up with a quick infographic:

how to start a blog

At this point, you have all the tools and resources you need for starting a blog. You couldn't have found a more rewarding endeavor, and I couldn't be more honored to help you get your blog off the ground. Feel free to bookmark this guide as a reference as you begin this new journey, and happy blogging.

Start a blog FAQ

How can i start a blog for free.

First of all you'll need to choose a blogging platform with free user options. With Wix, for example, you can create a blog for free. You can also save money when starting a blog by writing all of your content yourself and by using as many free content planning and keyword research tools as possible. You can also use stock images included within the template or editor of your blogging platform for free in most cases.

How do I make a successful blog?

Is blogging still worth it in 2024, how to make a blogging website, how do bloggers get paid, can you start a blog as a side hustle, how to write a blog post with ai, related posts.

How to write catchy blog titles: 12 tips and examples

120 profitable blog niche ideas and how to pick the right one

How to make money blogging: The complete free guide

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The Minimalists

How to Start a Successful Blog in 2024

Learn how to start a blog in less than an hour. Become a blogger today by following the steps we used when starting our blog, which now has reached more than 20 million people and has been seen in the New York Times , TIME magazine, and on the TODAY show.

How to Start a Blog in 2024

You can start a blog in just 5 simple steps.

  • Choose your blog name and hosting.
  • Build your blog with WordPress.
  • Pick your design to make it your own.
  • Add SEO and track stats.
  • Write compelling content.

Do you want to start a blog fast?

This is a long essay and you may want to start your blog without all the detail.

This is the first how to quickly start a blog guidepost.

To start a blog fast simply:

  • Look for these boxes.
  • Follow the brief steps.
  • Click the link to jump to the next box.

Click here to go to the first step.

How The Minimalists started their blog

How We Started This Blog

Want to create something meaningful? Why not start a blog? Why not become a blogger? Creating this blog is one of the best decisions Ryan and I ever made. After all, our blog is how we earn a living . We make money blogging, but more important it’s how we add value to other people’s lives.

So you’re thinking about starting a blog, but you don’t have any idea where to start, right? Guess what—neither did we! Before we became “The Minimalists,” we wanted to start a blog to communicate our thoughts and express our feelings, but we were overwhelmed with options.

Clueless, confused, and confounded with choices, we had no idea how to start a blog or how to be a blogger. When should we start? How do we register a domain name? What is hosting? Which blogging platform should we use? How do we choose a blog theme? What should we write about? Heck, we could hardly spell HTML, let alone build a blog!

But good news: it turns out that starting a blog is much easier than you think. We’ve learned a ton of lessons during our ascent to millions of readers, and now you can learn from our pain and suffering to avoid much of the tedium involved in setting up a blog.

How to Become a Blogger: Video Tutorial

If you prefer to watch our process for setting up a blog, we’ve created a step-by-step start a blog video, How to Become a Successful Blogger Today , which shows the entire starting-a-blog undertaking. Otherwise, read on.

How to Start a Successful Blog in 5 Steps

  • Choose your blog name and get your blog hosting.
  • Start your blog by adding WordPress.
  • Pick a simple theme to make your blog your own.
  • Add two key blogging plugins to find your readers and track stats.
  • Write compelling content to create a blog that your readers love.

While there are other blogging platforms out there like Blogger, Squarespace, and Wix, nearly every serious blogger uses a self-hosted WordPress site because of its creative freedom and flexibility.

It’s not only because it’s the easiest blog to set up. The Minimalists uses WordPress because it gives us greater control over the look and feel of our blog—more creative control than any other platform. Oh, and WordPress itself is free !

How to start a blog in 2024

These are the exact steps we took when we created this website. If you follow these five steps, you will learn how to set up a blog in less than one hour.

Step 1 Choose your blog name and get your blog hosting

The first thing we did when starting our blog was go to Bluehost and register our domain, which is free with hosting. We’ll explain hosting in a moment, but let’s talk about your domain name first.

Blogging Quick Start – Step 1

In this first step you will choose your blog name (domain name) and buy your blog hosting.

  • Go to Bluehost and click the Get Started Now button.
  • Select the Basic plan .
  • Pick your domain name and enter it into the New Domain box.
  • Create your Bluehost account.

Click here to jump to the next step.

Choose your domain name

Your domain name is an important part of your blog because it creates a first impression—it is the name of your blog. Also known as your URL, your domain is also your address on the web. For example, our domain name is www.theminimalists.com.

So, what do you want to call your blog? Maybe it’s YourName.com. Maybe it’s YourBusinessName.com. Or maybe it’s a creative brand name you thought up. If you’re having a hard time thinking of a good domain name, try Wordoid , a wonderful naming tool that will give you plenty of great options. Just make sure you don’t buy the domain from them since Bluehost will give you a free domain. (If you’ve already purchased a domain elsewhere, that’s okay, too, because Bluehost will make it easy to transfer your existing domain during the setup process.)

Set up blog hosting

Once you’ve decided on a domain name, you’ll need to set up hosting for your blog. While WordPress itself is free (see Step 2 below), you need a reliable place to host your WordPress blog (your blog needs to be on a server somewhere on the Internet).

For hosting, we recommend Bluehost for several reasons:

  • We Use Bluehost. We personally use Bluehost to host The Minimalists . If you recommend a company, you better be willing to use their product yourself. We also use them to host several other websites of ours.
  • Great Pricing. TheMinimalists.com is a Bluehost affiliate partner, which means that in addition to using their service, we also receive a commission for referring new customers. To be fair, though, we would still use Bluehost even if we weren’t an affiliate—we’ve used them for a long time. Ergo, we don’t recommend Bluehost just because we’re an affiliate (every hosting company offers a similar affiliate program); we recommend Bluehost because they are the best, most reliable option. Plus, because we’re a partner, Bluehost offers a more than 50% discount for The Minimalists readers: only $2.75 a month for the first year.
  • Free Domain. When you sign up for hosting, Bluehost will give you a free domain name, which allows you to avoid the upfront and recurring fees associated with purchasing a domain on your own. If you’ve already purchased your own domain name, don’t worry; you can still use your domain with Bluehost (it’s just one extra step).
  • Money-Back Guarantee. Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk if you change your mind.
  • Reliability. Bluehost’s facilities are world class. They have their own custom-built 20,000-square-foot datacenter with enough backup generators to power a city.
  • Friends & Family. Many of our friends and family also use Bluehost to host their blogs.

Now that you’re ready to get started, go to Bluehost and click the Get Started Now button.

Step 1 - Get Started Now

Next choose your hosting plan.

Step 1 - Choose your blog hosting

You’ll see that prices range from $3 to $6 per month, depending on whether you want a basic, single blog hosting plan or a more robust plan that allows you to create multiple blogs.

Once you select your plan you’ll choose or enter your domain name.

Step 1 - Sign Up Now

If you don’t own a domain name simply enter your desired blog name into the New Domain box.

If you’ve already own a domain name simply enter that into the I have a domain name box.

Click Next .

Finally create your blogging account.

Step 1 - Create Your Account

And click Create your password to complete your blog hosting setup.

Step 1 - Welcome to Bluehost

Just like that you’ve nearly become a blogger!

Starting a Blog

How to Start a Blog Ebook

Pressed for time? Learn how we started our successful blog using this free ebook.

Step 2 Start your blog by adding WordPress

Next you will install WordPress, which is free. Don’t let the word “install” intimidate you, though. It’s much easier than it sounds and Bluehost does all the work for you.

Blogging Quick Start – Step 2

Next you’ll install WordPress.

  • Click the Log In button.
  • Click Skip This Step on the Pick a theme screen.
  • WordPress is now installed, click Start Building to go to your dashboard.

To begin simply click Log In .

Step 2 - Log In

Bluehost provides several blog design options, but simply scroll to the bottom and click Skip This Step (you’ll see why in a moment).

Step 2 - Click Skip This Step

WordPress is now installed. Simply click Start Building to go to your new blogging dashboard and continue to Step 3.

Step 2 - Click Start Building

Step 3 Pick a simple theme to make your blog your own

A theme allows you to pick a design for your blog without the need for coding expertise or design knowledge. In other words, a good theme helps you to design your blog exactly how  you  want it to look. If you’re not a coder (I’m certainly not a coder), then a theme makes the design work a million times easier.

Blogging Quick Start – Step 3

Next you’ll choose and install your blog’s WordPress theme.

  • Go to BYLT .
  • Purchase the theme that fits your style (we use the tru Theme).
  • Download and save your theme’s .zip file to your Desktop.
  • Return to your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Themes .
  • Click Upload and then Upload Theme .
  • Click Choose File , select your theme .zip file, and click Install Now .
  • Click Activate .

Our blog design is from BYLT, a platform created by our good friends at SPYR. They have several beautiful, simple WordPress themes to choose from, and, in fact, you can purchase the same theme we use if you like.

Simply go to BYLT and find the minimalist WordPress theme that best fits your desired aesthetic. Their themes are feature-rich; plus, once you buy your theme, you will have the same team supporting your work that we trust to support ours.

Step 3 - Blog Designs

Once you purchase your theme you’ll be able to download your WordPress theme (a .zip file) from your BYLT Dashboard . Save this file to your Desktop because you’ll need to upload it to WordPress in just a moment.

Step 3 - Download a Blog Theme

Remember how easy it was to install WordPress? Well installing your blog theme is just as simple.

First return to your WordPress Dashboard.

You should already be logged in, but whenever you are signed out go to my.bluehost.com , enter your new domain name (or username), your password, and click Submit .

Step 3 - Log In to Blog

From here, go to My Sites and click on Log in to WordPress .

Step 3 - My Sites

Next, in your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes .

Step 3 - Appearance > Themes

Next, click the Upload button.

Step 3 - Upload Blog Design

Then, click the Upload Theme button followed by the Choose File button.

Find the .zip file you downloaded from your BYLT Dashboard (this is your theme file) and click Install Now to install your new simple blog design.

Step 3 - Install Blog Theme

Finally, click Activate and your blog theme is installed.

Step 3 - Activate Blog Theme

Step 4 Add two key blogging plugins to find your readers and track stats

Plugins are third-party appendages that add additional functionality to your blog.

Blogging Quick Start – Step 4

In the final setup step you’ll install two plugins that will improve your blog’s features.

  • In your WordPress Dashboard go to Plugins > Add New .
  • Search for Yoast SEO . Click Install Now followed by Activate .
  • Click the Add New button to add one more plugin.
  • Search for MonsterInsights and click Install Now followed by Activate .
  • Click the Launch the Wizard! button to configure MonsterInsights.

It’s best to keep your number of blog plugins to a minimum and install only the best ones, because too many plugins—as well as unreliable plugins—can slow down your site. We use very few plugins at The Minimalists .

In this section you’ll install and activate the following free plugins:

  • Yoast SEO  is the defacto standard SEO plugin for WordPress. For details and everything you’d ever want to know about WordPress SEO read  Yoast’s Definitive SEO Guide .
  • Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights  allows you to track your blog’s traffic easily and with lots of interesting data: overall traffic, traffic sources, views per author & category, automatic tracking of outbound clicks and pageviews.

In your WordPress dashboard go to  Plugins > Add New .

Search for Yoast SEO .

Step 4 - Install Yoast SEO

Then click Install Now followed by Activate and your blog will immediately have improved SEO.

Step 4 - Activate Yoast SEO

Next search for MonsterInsights .

Step 4 - Install MonsterInsights

Then click Install Now followed by Activate .

Step 4 - Activate MonsterInsights

Next click Launch the Wizard! and follow the steps to complete the MonsterInsights setup.

Step 4 - Click Launch the Wizard!

Finally, so people can receive our blog posts via email, we have an email newsletter. For a feature-rich email-subscription service we recommend ConvertKit (affiliate link). (By the way, if you don’t already, subscribe to  The Minimalists’ blog via email .)

Step 5 Write compelling content to create a blog that your readers love

Congratulations! You started a blog, and now it’s time to start blogging. This is where the fun begins.

Now that you have your own blog, you get to make it yours ; you get to turn your vision into a reality.

  • Content . Start writing and publishing the content for your basic pages: create an About Page, Contact Page, Start Here Page, and any other page you want in the header of your new blog.
  • Photo . Add a photo of yourself (pro tip: you can start with a well-lit selfie, but when you get a chance, get some professional photos taken; they’re well worth the cost because people identify with other people more than they identify with logos).
  • Logo . Create a basic logo using a program like InDesign, Photoshop, or a text editor (note: even though we have no design skills, we were able to use Apple’s Pages application to create our simple logo after downloading some free vector art  and choosing the typeface that best suited our aesthetic). Or you can find someone on a site like Fiverr or hire a designer like SPYR to create a professional logo.
  • Images . Spice up your blog posts with high-quality stock photos and images: Unsplash (free), Library of Congress (free),  iStock  (fee-based), Shutterstock (fee-based).
  • Comments . Determine whether or not you want comments on your blog; they are often a useful way to receive feedback and directly engage with your readers.
  • Social . Establish a social media presence on X (Twitter) , Facebook , or Instagram (or all three).
  • Publish . Start writing new blog posts. Publish at least once a week, especially when first starting a blog, so you can build an audience. Below you’ll also find 20 blogging tips to improve your writing in the How to Blog section, as well as 15 reasons you should start a blog and 3 reasons not to start a blog.

We hope you have loads of fun expressing yourself on your new blog. We’re certain it will be a huge growth experience for you during the coming months. You have now officially become a blogger. Wherever you’re going, make sure you enjoy the journey ahead.

How to Blog: 20 Blogging Tips to Improve Your Writing

We receive many emails asking how to blog, about blog topics, and about creating meaningful content. The bulk of this essay explained how to start a blog, but that’s just the initial step. Now it’s time to start writing and publishing your content.

Here, to answer the frequently asked “How can a beginner start blogging?,” are 20 tips for beginners on how to blog .

  • Find Your Niche . You needn’t have a niche, but it helps. When learning how to be a blogger, it’s important to ask yourself what you’re passionate about. Running? Cooking? Being a parent? Have you found your passion? If so, whatever it is, write about that. If not, then you must first find your passion . Note: We generally recommend that people don’t start a blog about minimalism or keto or any other heavily saturated topic. But what we really mean when we say this is: don’t create a blog about something unless you have a unique perspective. If you’ve embraced simple living and have a unique perspective, then by all means have at it.
  • Define Your Ideal Readers . Once you’ve found your niche, you need to know who will be reading your blog. For example, we blog about living a meaningful life with less. Thus, our ideal readers are people who are interested in exploring minimalism so they can clear the path toward more meaningful lives. If you want to write about your newborn baby growing up, that’s wonderful: your ideal readers are probably your friends and family. If you want to write about restoring classic cars, that’s cool, too. Tailor your writing to your readers (whether it’s your family or local community or whoever else will read your blog).
  • Add Value . Your blog must add value to its readers’ lives. You want to help people solve problems. This is the only way you will get great quality readers to your site (and keep them coming back). Adding value is the only way to get someone’s long-term buy-in. We both learned this after a decade of leading and managing people in the corporate world. With everything you write, it’s worth asking: Is this adding value?
  • Be Original . Yes, there are other blogs out there about the same thing you want to write about. Question: So why is your blog different? Answer: Because of you . You are what makes your blog different. It’s about your perspective, your creativity, the value  you add.
  • Be Interesting . Write interesting blog posts. Especially if you want people to share it with others.
  • Be Yourself . Part of being interesting is telling your story. Every person is unique, and your story is an important one. The important part of storytelling, however, is removing the superfluous details that make the story uninteresting. A great storyteller removes 99% of what really happens—the absorptive details—and leaves the interesting 1% for the reader.
  • Be Honest . Your blog needs to be authentic—it needs to feel real—if you want people to read it. You can be your blog, or your blog can be you. That is, do you really embody the stuff you write about? If not, people will see through it.”Be the change you want to see in the world,” is the famous Gandhi quote. Perhaps bloggers should build the blog they want to write for the world.
  • Transparency . Being transparent is different from being honest. You needn’t share every detail about your life just for the sake of being honest. Always be honest, and be transparent when it adds value to what you’re writing. (Because everything we write must serve the greater good, you won’t ever see pictures of us using the restroom—that’s simply not relevant.)
  • Time . Once you’ve learned how to start a blog, you’ll learn that blogging takes a lot of time, especially if you’re as neurotic as we are. That said, once you have your design set up, don’t tweak it too much. Instead, spend the time on your writing.
  • Vision . The reason our site design looks good is because we have a great host , we have a great theme , and, most important, we had a vision of how we wanted our blog to look. Once we had the vision, we worked hard to make that vision a reality. (Note: neither of us had any design experience before starting a blog.) It’s hard to create a beautiful blog if you don’t know what you want it to look like.
  • Find Your Voice . Over time, good writers discover their voice and their writing tends to develop a certain flow, one that is appealing to their readers. Finding your voice makes your writing feel more alive, more real, more urgent. For additional reading, check out our blog post about Finding Your Voice .
  • We Instead of You . Use the first-person plural when possible. Statements of we and our are more powerful than you and your , especially when talking about negative behaviors or tendencies. The first person comes off as far less accusatory. Think of it this way: we’re writing peer-to-peer—we are not gods.
  • When to Post . Question: When is the best day and time to publish a blog post? Answer: It doesn’t really matter. We don’t adhere to a particular time-of-day schedule, but we do publish at least once a week because consistency is important. You needn’t get bogged down in the details, though.
  • Social Media . Yes, we recommend using X (Twitter) , Facebook , and Instagram to help connect with your audience and other bloggers, but don’t get too caught up in it. Focus on the writing first, social media thereafter.
  • Ignore Negative Criticism and Stupidity . Sure, we get a lot of negative comments and stupid questions from ignorant people who aren’t really our readers (“You’re not real minimalists!”). We call these people seagulls : They fly in, crap on your site, and fly away. But we pay them no mind, because we didn’t start our blog for them. Delete their comment and move on.
  • Research . Spend time researching what you’re writing about. The reason we are able to use so many helpful, relevant links in our essays is because we put in the time to research our topics.
  • Keep It Simple . This is where minimalism can be applied to starting any blog, irrespective of its genre. No need to place superfluous advertisements or widgets all over your site. Stick to the basics and remove anything you don’t need—remove anything that doesn’t add value.
  • Picture . Put a picture of yourself on your blog. People like to see the face of the person who’s writing the blog. If two goofy guys from Dayton, Ohio aren’t too afraid to put their pictures on their site, then you have nothing to worry about.
  • Comments . If you’re going to have comments on your site, then read The Five Words That Kill Your Blog by Scott Stratten.
  • Live Your Life . You’re starting a blog about your life (or about certain aspects of your life, at least), so you still need to live your life. There are things that we always put before blogging: exercise, health, relationships, experiences, personal growth, contribution. Simply put, live a life worth writing about.

15 Reasons You Should Start a Blog

We were inspired to research and write this blog post after reading Joshua Becker’s 15 Reasons I Think You Should Blog , in which he discusses 15 great reasons why you should start a blog.

Why is the keyword here. Crucially, Becker writes about the purpose of blogging, not just how to start a blog. That’s what many of these other “blogs about blogging” seem to miss: they miss the purpose— the why behind starting a blog.

Here is a summary of our three favorite reasons from Becker’s list:

  • You’ll become a better writer . “At its core, writing is communication. It is about recording thoughts on paper and compelling others to agree with them,” writes Becker. “To that end, writing (just like every other form of communication that has ever existed) improves with practice. Blogging will not force you to become a better writer, it’ll just happen as you do it. And becoming a better writer holds important benefits for the rest of your life—whether you are creating a book, a presentation, a resume, or an anniversary card for your spouse.” Spot on! Writing blog posts is not only a great way to improve your blog writing, it’s a wonderful chance to improve everything you write—from business emails and text messages to that novel you’ve been dreaming of penning.
  • You’ll meet new people . “Whether it be through comments, emails, or social media, you may be surprised at how quickly you meet people online,” writes Becker. That’s true! The Minimalists’ blog is responsible for many of the most important relationships I’ve developed over the past decade—long-term business and personal relationships birthed from this very blog
  • You’ll become more confident . “Blogging will help you discover more confidence in your life,” writes Becker. “You will quickly realize that you do live an important life with a unique view and have something to offer others.” So true! Writing helps us better understand the lives we live and the consequences of our actions.

3 Reasons You Should Not Start a Blog

So now you have 15 reasons why you should start a blog, and we’ve shown you how to start a blog, step-by-step, based on our personal experience.

But after giving you those detailed instructions, which could save you hundreds of hours of wasted time, we also want to give you some good reasons why you should not start a blog. (Keep in mind that these reasons are just our opinions, and we do not pretend to offer them up as a collection of empirical blogging maxims.)

  • Money . You should not start a blog to make money. We need to get that out of the way first. If your primary objective is to replace your full-time income from blogging, forget about it. It doesn’t work that way. Do you think that Jimi Hendrix picked up his first guitar so he could “supplement his income”? No, he didn’t. Rather, he did it for the love of it, for the joy and fulfillment he received, and the income came thereafter—much later actually.
  • Notoriety . Don’t plan on getting “Internet famous” right away. Not every site grows as fast as ours did, but that’s okay. The truth is that we kind of got lucky. We found a great domain name, we cobbled together a logo and site design that people liked, we write fairly well, and our content connected with people in a unique way. We didn’t start this site to become “famous,” though. That’d be ridiculous. We started this site to become bloggers and share a message. Our popularity came as a surprise to us, and it was a result of a little luck and a lot of hard, passionate work.
  • Traffic . Not all traffic is good traffic , so don’t worry about getting thousands of readers right away. Spend your time producing meaningful creations and eventually the audience will show up if you are helping people solve problems. In other words, focus on adding value, not increasing traffic.

The funny thing is that all these things can happen. You could make a full-time income from building a blog. We do it and so do many others. And you could become an Internet famous blogger like Leo Babauta .

But if these are the sole reasons you start blogging, you’ll be miserable because it will seem like a job. And if it feels like a job, you won’t be passionate about it, so you’ll either hate it or fall flat on your face (or both).

Instead, become a blogger and write because you’re passionate about it…

4 Blogging Resources

If you want to learn more about blogging, publishing, writing, and SEO, then check out these additional resources:

  • What Kind of Media Counts?  (Seth Godin)
  • How to Publish an Indie Book (Asymmetrical Press)
  • How to Write Better: Online Class (Joshua Fields Millburn)
  • Some Funny Thoughts on SEO (Exile Lifestyle)

How to Start a Blog Infographic

How to Start a Blog

FAQs When Starting a Blog

How do bloggers get paid do bloggers make a lot of money are blogs still profitable in 2024, how many hours do bloggers work, is blogging hard to do what do bloggers actually do, what does blog stand for what does blog mean, which blogging platform should i use squarespace vs wordpress: what is the best site to write a blog, how do i become a blogger, what’s the difference between a blog and a website, are blogs dead, does anyone read blogs anymore is blogging a waste of time, are blogs still relevant in 2024 is it worth starting a blog in 2024 is it too late to start blogging, should i start a blog or should i start a podcast, do i need a business to start a blog, is blogging a realistic career do careers in blogging have a future is blogging a good career, what has replaced blogging, which blog content is best what should i blog about, what does a good blog look like what is a blog used for what makes a good blog, what makes a blog successful, what kind of blog is most popular which type of blogs are most searched what are popular topics to blog about, how do you start a blog with no money how do you start a blog for free, how often should i blog, what should my first blog post be about, how do you introduce yourself in a blog, why do blogs fail, does bluehost charge monthly or all at once, what is the difference between a blog and a vlog, what does the b in blog mean, do blogs or vlogs make more money, can you make money from a blog alone, what does a blog look like, do you need a license to run a blog do i need an llc to make a blog, do i need to copyright my blog, how do i protect my photos on my blog, how do i register my blog name, do i need to trademark my blog name, is it ok to use stock photos on my blog, can i use google images on my blog, should i use my full name on my blog, should a blog have a home page should my blog be on my homepage what should i put on the front page of my blog, can everyone see my blog, what is an attention grabbing sentence what is a hook sentence for a blog what is a good hook example.

  • Do you have a question that we didn’t answer?

  • Creations . By building an audience who finds value in our message, we’ve been able to offer our three books and our documentary, Minimalism , to an audience who is willing to support our creative work. Consequently, all three books have been bestsellers and are now translated into more than a dozen languages; and thanks to Netflix, our documentary is available in 190 countries. (For more information about our book-publishing process, read this blog post series: How to Publish an Indie Book .)
  • Audience Contributions . Since we refuse to clutter our blog or popular podcast with ads, we depend on audience support to fund production of our podcast. With more than 5,000 supporters on Patreon and many others via PayPal, The Minimalists Podcast is fully funded with audience support, which means we’re able to pay for our podcast producer, filmmaker, and studio space without advertisements on our platforms.
  • Speaking . As we built our audience, many organizations, universities, and conferences began contacting us about speaking at their events. At first, we starting speaking for free just to build a name for ourselves. Then, we started charging a few hundred dollars per event. Now, we’re able to charge significantly more money because the demand for our talks is high. So far, The Minimalists have spoken at Harvard, Apple, Google, Allstate, SAP, SXSW, TEDx, and many other organizations. We speak about a wide array of topics, from simple living and “simple work,” to health, relationships, writing, publishing, social media, personal growth, and contribution—and it all started because we started this blog. (Anyone who is interested in hiring us to speak can visit our speaking page for details.)
  • Tours . Over the past eight years, The Minimalists, have embarked on eight speaking tours , including 2017’s 50-city “Less Is Now” theater tour, which attracted an average of more than 1,000 people a night, with considerably larger audiences in bigger cities. Our 2014 “Everything That Remains” bookstore tour spanned 119 cities in eight countries and attracted 75,000 attendees.
  • Writing Classes . I get countless questions about writing, so I’ve been able to transfer that skillset to help hundreds of students improve their writing over the years. I teach a four-week online writing class designed to improve the writing of people at any skill level—beginner, intermediate, or professional.
  • Amazon Links . If The Minimalists recommend a product like this photo scanner , and then a reader purchases that product, we receive a small commission for that sale at no additional cost to our audience. We’re careful about what we recommend, however, because, as minimalists, we want you to consume less and to consume intentionally.
  • Affiliate Sales . When we recommend services such as Bluehost and ConvertKit , we receive a referral fee. Once again, though, that’s obviously not why we recommend these services. Virtually every hosting company has an affiliate program, so we think it’s best to recommend the companies we trust.

Through these various means, Ryan and I are able to earn a full-time income through blogging. But it’s worth noting that making money from your blog is not the best place to start.

While there’s nothing wrong with making money—which you can do through affiliate links , advertisements , and your own products and services—the best reason to start blogging is because you have something to express.

If you make money along the way, that’s great. In fact, if you help people solve their problems, you’re all but guaranteed to make money from your blog—eventually. Let’s just remember there are at least four resources that are more important than money: skills, time, energy, and attention.

That said, let’s not kid ourselves by acting as if making money is irrelevant—it’s not. Making money from our blog is simply not the primary driver for our creativity or why we became bloggers. Although people often think of money as the ultimate resource, it is the least important of the five mentioned above.

Money won’t necessarily improve your life, but it will amplify your existing behaviors. If you have bad habits, then more money will make your life considerably worse. And if you’re already a generous person, then more money can help you be more loving, caring, and considerate.

Personally, I write one or two blog posts per week, usually in the evenings, or on weekends, so it doesn’t get in the way of my other activities. That’s the nice thing about blogging: you get to write whenever you want-no one tells you what to do, when to do it, or how much must be done. Within five months of learning how to blog, you’ll find your own rhythm that works for you.

Writing a blog does not require a degree or special training. In fact, all you need is a desire to communicate with an audience. If you have that, then starting a blog is ideal for you.

According to Wikipedia , a blog is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of “discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (posts).” The term “weblog” was coined by Jorn Barger on December 17, 1997. The short form, “blog,” was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog in 1999.

Today, blogs have many shapes and sizes. Many are public journals people use to express their feelings. Others, like this blog, exist to help people think critically and solve problems.

There are blogs that cover nearly every topic, ideology, and interest—from sports and politics to religion and travel and everything in between. Even the world’s largest news organizations—ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, and MSNBC—all have their own blogs.

Here are five reasons WordPress is better than Squarespace:

  • Design (Themes) . Squarespace provides some beautiful templates, but they’re limited by the number of designs that are available. Since WordPress is a free, open-source blogging platform, there’s an ecosystem of tens of thousands of themes ready to satisfy every want and need. While this variety is a benefit, we know full well that too many options can lead to a paradox of choice. This is why we recommend starting with the premium themes designed and supported by our friends at SPYR. We’ve worked with SPYR since the early days of The Minimalists and continue to recommend their products and services. (This is not an affiliate link—SPYR just does great work.)
  • Features (Plugins) . While Squarespace has a rich feature set, no blogging platform can compare with the immense scale of features that WordPress offers. WordPress has a library of over 54,000 free plugins that can handle any task. While we suggest that you keep the number of plugins on your blog to a minimum, the level of customization provided by WordPress is unmatched. Plugins aside, one key feature that’s built in to WordPress, but not Squarespace, is version control. Version control tracks your changes and allows you to compare revisions and revert back to a version of your Page or Post from any point in time. I use this feature all the time because I know that if I’m unhappy with anything I’ve changed, I can quickly revert back to the previous version. This feature provides a failsafe that allows bloggers to compose, draft, edit, and publish their posts within WordPress itself, making it a complete blogging solution.
  • You Own Your Content . Owning your content means that you have full control over what you express on your blog—and complete access to take that content and use it anywhere that you wish. To enable the latter, WordPress provides tools to export your data for use on any hosting provider that you choose to use. With Squarespace you can never truly download a complete copy of your server files or database, but with WordPress you can create an exact replica of your blog, at any point in time. This is most valuable for maintaining backups or in case you choose to restart a blog with a new hosting company . With WordPress you have 100% ownership of your content, files, data, and design—and everything can be backed up.
  • SEO . Out of the box, both WordPress and Squarespace are search engine friendly. But with a single plugin WordPress elevates your SEO (Search Engine Optimization). A plugin we recommend for every blogger is Yoast SEO . This free WordPress plugin allows deep customization of your on-page SEO, but, more impressive, it provides automated content analysis. This helps guide you to improve and optimize your content for better readability and improved reach in search engines. While SEO isn’t everything, we all start our blogs in hopes that people will read what we’ve written. Following proper SEO practices can be a differentiating factor in reaching new people.
  • Growth . WordPress is extremely robust and customizable. It allows you to build a blog exactly as you’d like. But what happens as your new blog grows? If you outgrow the off-the-shelf option, maybe it’s time to work with a design partner to create a fully custom website that’s tailored to match your brand and image. Since WordPress provides you with complete ownership of the platform, it also provides a designer with the freedom to build and create your blog design without restriction. Nothing is off limits.

The answer is in the question: the only way to become a blogger is to start a blog. This might sound overly simplistic, but that’s because it’s not that complicated. If you follow these steps you’ll become a blogger and start blogging today.

There’s an old truism, “Writers don’t like writing; they like having written.” I think the opposite is true for bloggers: because of the instant gratification of the WordPress “Publish” button, I find that bloggers enjoy writing because they’re constantly sharing that writing with the world.

The barrier to entry is gone, so start blogging if you want to become a blogger. It really is that simple.

While the lines have blurred over the years, the simplest way to put it is that a blog is a type of website, one that catalogues, over time, the personal or professional thoughts and beliefs of a person or organization.

As your thoughts, beliefs, and ideas change, so will your blog. It’s nice to have a time capsule of our thoughts, as they’ve evolved over the past decade.

No, blogs are not “dead.” In fact, blogs are more alive than ever!

As a matter of fact, our blog has grown every year since 2010 and now boasts more than 3.78 million readers and an email list that continues to grow every month.

Millions of people read our blog every year-and our audience continues to grow because, thanks to our blog, new people find our work every day. But it’s not just The Minimalists who are successful. Blogs are popular all over the world, and they are the simplest way to publish content without middlemen or gatekeepers.

Blogging is the opposite of a waste of time. If you have a genuine desire to share your creativity with the world, then it’s one of the best “time investments” you can make. Our blog is simultaneously our practice space-where we share new ideas and writings with the world-as well as an announcement board that keeps our audience abreast of any new developments in the world of minimalism.

Starting a blog is arguably more important than ever. Whether you want to publish your writing, build an audience, open a business, or start a podcast , your blog is the home for your creative projects.

Once you’ve started a blog, you are no longer reliant on other people’s platforms. There’s nothing “wrong” with having an Instagram or TikTok account, but those platforms are ephemeral. If they fall out of relevance, then so do you (remember MySpace). That’s not the case with a blog, though. Because you own your blog, it stays with you no matter where the culture sways.

The best time to start a blog was a decade ago. The second best time is now . If you have an idea you want to share, get started!

You don’t have to pick one over the other. You can start a blog and start a podcast. That’s what we did. After starting our popular blog, which is now read by millions of people, we started a similar podcast, which, at the time of this writing, has more than 100 million downloads. Frankly, our podcast would not have witnessed the same success if we didn’t also have a blog. So if we had to pick one, we’d start a blog. But thankfully, you can choose both if you’re compelled by both creative outlets.

No, you don’t need a business license to start a blog. Even if you start earning money from your blog, you can claim that income on your personal taxes under your name and social security number. It was several years before Ryan and I turned The Minimalists into a limited liability company (LLC).

Blogging is still a career for many people, a great way to make supplemental income for even more people. But Ryan and I don’t look at blogging as a career. Rather, for us, it’s an opportunity to add value to people’s lives. Of course, if you add enough value, income tends to follow. Blogging has also enabled us to showcase our books, podcasts, films, social media, and other projects that add value to our audience.

While new forms of media continue to enter the picture-podcasts, newsletters, social media-nothing replaces having a home for your creative work. The Minimalists have a podcast, an email newsletter, and several social media accounts, but none of them could ever supplant our blog. Instead, we use our blog to point to these additional resources.

We often hear people say that you should blog about what you’re passionate about. That’s great advice if you know what that passion is. Maybe it’s technology, finance, baking, music, or rock climbing. If so, write about that!

If, however, you don’t know what you’re passionate about, don’t worry. Passion isn’t simply stumbled upon; it is cultivated.

Here are six questions to ask yourself to help you determine what you should blog about:

  • What are your values? Whatever you write about, you want it to align with your values.
  • What excites you? There will always be drudgery, but if you find something that excites you, you will be able to drudge through the drudgery.
  • What makes you angry? If you aren’t excited by something, then anger is often a great motivator. If there’s something in the world you want to change, write about that. It will help inform and strengthen your values.
  • How can you solve problems? You will feel fulfilled if you can provide solutions to people’s problems. Coincidently, if you write about solving your own problems, that will help other people solve those same problems, too.
  • What if money wasn’t important? If money wasn’t a factor, what would you do with your life? Yes, you need to make money, but, just as important, you want to do something meaningful. Write about that.
  • Who is the person you want to become? Your writing should help you become the person you aspire to be. Write as if you’re writing to make your future self proud.

A blog is used for two things: to express and to communicate . A good blog is able to marry communicative writing and expressive writing to create blog posts that are informative and entertaining.

When considering how you want to use your blog to communicate and express yourself, ask these questions:

  • What message am I attempting to communicate?
  • Does the writing express the emotions I want to the reader to feel? What are those emotions?
  • Does this sentence serve a purpose?
  • Can I cut this line and still preserve my message?
  • How can I make this more concise?
  • Do I need all these modifiers and qualifiers? (Hint: no!)
  • If I killed the first two paragraphs, would this piece be better?
  • How could I restructure this sentence/paragraph to make it more climactic?

You get to define what success looks like for your blog. Maybe your goal is to reach a thousand true fans, publish a blog post every day, or build a large audience so that you can sign a book-publishing contract with a major publisher. It is possible to accomplish any of these feats with your blog (I’ve done all three). Blogging has brought me more success than I ever expected: New York Times -bestselling books, millions of readers, international book tours, an Emmy-nominated Netflix film, speaking at Harvard, and much more. None of these achievements fit my original idea of success, but as I added value to an audience, I discovered what was possible.

While it is best to blog about subjects that interest you, these are some of the most searched blog topics:

  • Relationships
  • Career advice
  • Local interests
  • Food and beverage

In short, what do you find compelling? Blog about that! Your blog is more likely to become popular if you’re passionate about the topic.

The good news is that starting a blog is free with WordPress. All you need to pay for is hosting, as outlined in the step-by-step instructions above .

There are also other “free” amateur services like Tumblr or Blogger that allow you to start a blog on those company’s platforms. Just be careful, because you may not own your content if you’re posting it on someone else’s website. That’s one of the many reasons why we use WordPress.

When talking to my writing students, I recommend writing every day and publishing a blog post at least once a week. We usually publish two blog posts per week on this blog. Seth Godin blogs every single day.

Whatever you decide, we recommend you stay consistent. Setting a weekly schedule helps you create accountability partners (your readership) so you feel compelled to write even when you don’t want to write.

Avoid grandiosity. Avoid throat clearing. Your first blog post needn’t be a grandiose mission statement. And your first blog post doesn’t have to be a vapid, self-involved introduction to your blog.

Instead, find one thing that interests you today and write about that. Use the prompts in the “What should I blog about” section above.

For reference, you can read the first blog post on this blog, circa 2010: Be on the Mountain .

Don’t worry about introducing yourself in every blog post. Instead, create an “about” page that new readers can reference if they want to learn more about you, your life, and the projects you’re working on. See The Minimalists’ About page as an example. Our friend Derek Sivers also has a wonderful Now page that could work for you.

There are at least three reasons blogs fail:

  • Some bloggers have poor expectations. If you start a blog today and expect a million readers overnight, you’re setting yourself up for failure. But if your motivation is sincere-if you want to add value to the world-then you’ll find your expectations shift.
  • Some bloggers don’t add value. Instead of metrics like subscribers or follower counts, The Minimalists focus on adding value to our audience. If you help people solve problems, the success will spring from that-not the other way around.
  • Some bloggers put money first. There’s nothing wrong with earning a living from your blog (we do), but it needn’t be the main objective. Good blogs make money; great blogs make a difference. Said another way: we allow money to have a seat in the car, but it’s never the driver.

Bluehost bills annually, so when you use our link to receive the discounted rate of $2.75 per month you will be billed for the entire first year.

That said, if for any reason you decide that it’s not right for you, Bluehost offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

A blog (short for “weblog”) is a written communication by an author or creator that is meant to communicate with an audience; a vlog (short for “video log”) is a video version of a blog.

Blogs and vlogs are both excellent ways to reach an audience. However, a blog has a lower barrier of entry (no cameras, lighting, or microphones required), which makes it easier to start blogging today.

The word “blog” is an abbreviation of the term “weblog.” So the B in blog doesn’t stand for anything specific; it is merely a shortened form of the original term.

I’ve made significantly more money from blogging. Yes, The Minimalists create both blog posts and vlogs, but the dynamic nature of our blog has allowed us to reach more people and retain an audience, which is significantly more difficult with vlogging alone because with vlogs you don’t have direct access to your audience like you do with your blog.

It’s worth noting that we also use this blog to share many of our YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok vlogs with our dedicated blog audience, which amplifies our creations much better than social media alone.

Yes, you can make money solely from your blog. There are at least seven ways The Minimalists make money with this blog .

A blog can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. Successful blogs mirror the personality of their authors. For example, this blog is aggressively simple because, well, we are “The Minimalists.” Other blogs deploy bright colors and elaborate designs that mimic the quirky character, style, and disposition of its author. Either way, a WordPress blog grants you and your blog the flexibility to be as ornate or austere as you desire.

You do not need a license to run a blog. However, when you begin earning money from your blog, it can make sense to set up a separate LLC (limited liability company) for your blog. Alternatively, if you don’t want to establish an LLC, you can also claim any earned revenue from your blog under your personal social security number (I did this for the first few years of this blog, before finally registering The Minimalists, LLC).

You do not need to copyright your blog because you already own the intellectual property of everything you create. Your blog and all of its contents, blog posts, photos, images, and written words are already considered “copyrighted” the moment they are published. As long as you can prove that you are the author of a piece of content, a copyright is granted by public law without the need to file additional paperwork.

Unlike other blog and social-media platforms, your WordPress blog allows you to download and save all of your blog contents so that you can protect your photos and written words. Personally, I keep a backup of all my photos and written content on a separate hard drive, as well as a cloud storage account (e.g., Google Photos or Dropbox) for double redundancy. This isn’t required, but it gives me a piece of mind that I can’t get from social media.

Registering your blog name is free and easy. In fact, registration is a built-in part of the simple setup process outlined in the instructions within this blog post.

When you use Bluehost to host your blog, you’ll receive a free domain registration, which allows you to choose any blog name you want. If you can’t think of a good blog name, Wordoid is a free tool that can help you pick an effective name for your blog.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office , you are not required to register your trademark, but where or whether you decide to register your trademark can determine the scope of your rights. Specifically, you can rely on common law rights or file for state, federal, or international trademark registration.

Because of the monetary and time costs associated with filing a trademark, The Minimalists did not trademark our blog name for the first several years. Once we began selling products using our blog name (“The Minimalists”), it made sense to trademark that name because, according to the USPTO, there are several benefits of trademark registration, including:

  • Trademark is listed in USPTO’s database of registered and pending trademarks. This provides public notice to anyone searching for similar trademarks. They will see your trademark, the goods and services on your registration, the date you applied for trademark registration, and the date your trademark registered.
  • Legal presumption that you own the trademark and have the right to use it. So, in federal court, your registration certificate proves ownership, eliminating the need for copious amounts of evidence.
  • Can use your registration as a basis for filing for trademark protection in foreign countries.
  • Right to bring a lawsuit concerning the trademark in federal court.
  • May use the federal trademark registration symbol, ®, with your trademark to show that you are registered with us. This may help deter others from using your trademark or one too similar to yours
  • Record your registration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They can stop the importation of goods with an infringing trademark.

Yes, it is perfectly reasonable to use stock photos on your blog, as long as they are obtained lawfully from a creative commons website such as Unsplash or Pond5 . Just make sure you credit the photographer.

It is not acceptable to simply use Google Images on your blog; those photos are copyrighted. If you’re not careful, reusing photos from Google Images can lead to a costly lawsuit.

It is a good idea to use your full name and photo on your blog. Why? Because people connect with human beings, not faceless avatars. That’s why I use my full name—Joshua Fields Millburn—on this blog.

Alternatively, if you’re worried about maintaining anonymity because of your job, family, or the divisive nature of your blog’s content, then a pseudonym can be an adequate substitute for your real name. Just understand that blogging pseudonymously can make it more difficult to build trust with an audience. It’s not impossible to connect with others using a fake name, but it is an uphill battle.

While WordPress allows you to establish a home page for your blog, most blogs don’t need a home page because a home page creates one extra step for new readers to read your newest blog content. That’s why we removed our home page on this blog—we want readers to get right to the good stuff without any friction. Then, if a reader wants to learn more about our blog, they can always visit our about page.

Once your blog is public, anyone can see it. This is a good thing. As a writer, you want the opportunity to connect with new readers, even when you’re sleeping. A public blog is the best way to connect with a fervent readership.

However, readers can’t see your unpublished content (drafts, deleted posts, etc.); only your published blog posts are available for everyone to see.

Any sentence that makes the reader want to read the next sentence is a great sentence. The best opening lines force readers to ask questions. For example, how does the following sentence make you feel?

The average American household contains more than 300,000 items.

That sentence might lead to several questions and doubts in the reader’s mind:

Wait, what?

No way, that can’t be true!

Tell me more!

As soon as a reader is hooked, the sentence has done its job. I call this writing technique Narrative Urgency .

More Blogging Questions

Do you have a question about becoming a blogger that isn’t answered above? Post (Tweet) to @theminimalists with your question and a link to this essay.

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how to learn to write blogs

The Ultimate Guide to How to Write a Blog (And Make Money Blogging for Clients)

  • January 30, 2023

Learn how to make money blogging and writing high-quality articles.

how to learn to write blogs

Did you know brands that consistently publish high-quality SEO blog articles generate 67% more new leads than those that don’t? 1 When done right, blogging is still one of the most effective ways to grow your online presence, increase your organic traffic, and solidify your authority with your audience (yes, even in 2023!). Whether you want to learn how to write a blog for your own brand or how to make money blogging for clients, you’re in the right place. As a freelance copywriter who’s been working with clients for over a decade, I know first-hand how impactful a blog is for a brand. I’ve helped many of my clients rise to the top of their industries and become household names through thoughtful SEO blogging. Plus, I’ve taught thousands of students how to start a lucrative copywriting career by writing blogs for clients. Do you want to be next? This article will walk you through the benefits of blog writing, how to write a blog,  and how to get paid to write high-quality articles. ✍️

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Why Is Blog Writing Important?

Is it still worth learning how to write a blog in 2022-2023? The short answer is yes. Blogging started in the mid-90s and quickly grew in popularity from there. At first, blogs were personal accounts that people used to share their stories and thoughts. 2 But blogging has since turned into much more than a simple way to share ideas. A search-engine-optimized blog is a revenue driver for your – or your clients’ – brands. Here are four of the many benefits of blogging:

1. Generate Organic Traffic.  

Search engine optimization, or SEO , is how you help your content show up in search engines like Google. The goal is for your blog to appear when your ideal audience searches the topic online. From there, the audience clicks on your blog, which takes them to your website. This increases your site traffic – boosting your SEO and engagement with your brand. This shows how an SEO blog has the power to generate organic traffic and new leads to your brand. It captures a reader who’s unaware of you, drives them to your site, and compels them to work with you.

2. Results Build Over Time.

SEO blogging compounds over time and creates long-term results for your brand. An article you write once could generate hundreds of site visitors every month. The more leads that find you organically each month, the less time you need to spend on lead generation. This saves you time while increasing your brand awareness and customer base. If you start blogging consistently with SEO, you should begin to see your organic traffic increase in about three months – and continue to build from there.

3. Build Trust and Authority.

A high-quality blog grows your authority in a few different ways. Imagine an ideal client Googles you when considering whether to work with you. If you publish helpful content, readers see you as an expert and may be more likely to want to work together. A blog article is also helpful content you can share with your existing email list and audience. This shows that you’re continually providing value to them. Lastly, writing thought-leadership articles can solidify you as an authority among your peers in the industry. Your peers may start to quote you and refer to your articles, bringing traffic and leads to your site.

4. Repurpose Your Content.

You can treat each blog article you write as a content pillar that drives your content ideas across channels. This gives your content a solid direction each month. For example, let’s say that you write for a holistic life coach. One month’s content pillar could be around “how to reset your wellness routine.” The article could give an overview of all the different areas, like meditation and movement. Then, each of these sections could expand in short-form content, like email or social media captions. This prevents you from scrambling to find ideas to talk about whenever you want to post something on social media or send a note to your list. Many brands either don’t know the power of SEO blogging or don’t know how to do it successfully. Using SEO gives you a leg up over competitors who aren’t doing so. Although other channels like social media marketing are rising in popularity, SEO still delivers one of the highest returns on investment. Google’s total search volume grows 10-15% a year. If you learn how to write a blog using SEO, you successfully set your brand apart. 3

How Blog Writing Fits Into Your Content Marketing Strategy

When creating your blog strategy, you want to consider the customer journey. How does the blog move the customer through the process of deciding to work with you? A blog is unique because it serves multiple jobs within your marketing funnel . It attracts new audiences, builds trust with your existing audience, and compels them to take action. Here are some of the benefits you’ll reap with blog writing.

  • Attract new readers. The purpose of an SEO blog is to capture readers with high-quality content and drive them back to your website. This makes potential leads aware of your brand.
  • Nurture your audience. Blog writing is an excellent way to connect with your existing subscribers by providing them with value. Remember to email your audience when you publish a new blog. This builds trust and drives them back to the site, which helps with SEO.
  • Convert into action. Always include a call to action (CTA) in your blog – such as booking an appointment or purchasing a product. It’s effective to position the CTA as the solution to the problem you covered in the blog.

One effective strategy is to use your blog to compel your readers to sign up for your email list. The blog would attract new readers through SEO and drive them to your email list. Then, you’d continue the conversation over email and compel them to purchase products down the line.

How to Write a Blog Article (Blog Writing Tips From a Copywriter)

Tired of staring at the blank page? Writing a blog may feel daunting when you don’t know where to start or what to include. I recommend you break down the process into three steps to make the whole process more digestible. Here are the three phases of the blog writing process: 

  • Research and Outline
  • Write Your First Draft
  • Edit and Publish

Let’s dive into each one!

1. Research and Outline

Before you start writing, outline your exact goals, who you’re writing to, and the research you’re going to include. If you put intentional effort into your outline process, the blog starts to write itself.

  • Who is your audience?
  • What are their beliefs?
  • What are their pain points?
  • What problems does your product or offer solve?

Once you’ve identified your general audience, think of ONE person that represents your audience group. Learn how to write a blog as though you’re speaking directly to that one person through a one-on-one conversation.

  • Identify SEO Keywords. What keywords or phrases would your ideal audience type into Google if they were looking for a brand like yours? Your website should target the keywords that describe your services. Blog articles are a unique opportunity to answer the questions your audience is already searching. Write articles on topics like these to get the audience’s attention, and then communicate how your brand solves the problem/question.
  • Study Front-Page Results. Take a look at the top 5 results for the keyword you want your blog article to rank for. What are they doing well? Are there any information gaps your article could address? Your goal is to learn how to write a blog that offers a new perspective or additional information instead of simply regurgitating what’s already online. Prioritize genuine value and quality to make the biggest impact on SEO.

SEO research is also one of the best ways to get ideas for what to write about in your article. Outline your piece with the questions your audience searches about the topic.

Now that you have your research, it’s time to put together your outline. Here’s a proven blog outline template to steal for a short-form blog post (1,500 words):

  • Introduction. A brief paragraph that hooks the reader, introduces the subject of the blog, and tells them what to expect in the article.
  • Background/Problem/Context. The first paragraph is a solid place to give your reader background on the subject you’re talking about. This could be where you give your reader context that’s essential to know.
  • Solution Section. After explaining the problem, dedicate a section to the helpful solutions you’re offering. This section is the most robust part of your blog and usually includes a bulleted list with multiple solutions.
  • Conclusion/CTA. At the end of your blog, state how your offer is another solution to the problem they’re having. Build the value around the solution you’re offering and compel them to take action.

This outline offers a standard approach to solving a problem or answer a question for your audience. If you follow this structure, you’ll be able to write a 1,500-word blog article quickly. As you outline your blog, include ideas, quotes, and research that you plan to have in each section. Planning each section ahead helps you stay focused on writing instead of going back and forth to find research. Minimizing disruptions as you write helps you get into the flow state and finish your work faster.

2. Write Your First Draft

I’m going to let you in on a writer’s secret to change your perspective on writing… The first draft is supposed to be bad. The magic is in the editing process. Almost every successful writer writes an ugly first draft – even Stephen King! 4 We tend to put pressure on ourselves to write every idea perfectly. But perfection is impossible, so this idea quickly leads to procrastination or not starting at all. It’s actually an important part of the process to get your messy, unformed, creative ideas on the page. You come back and form them in the editing process. Here are blog writing tips to help you get started writing:

  • Use simple language. Unlike academic writing, the best copy is casual, simple, and easy to understand. Write as though you’re having a conversation with your reader. I even use a voice typing tool that dictates my copy as I speak out loud to sound natural.
  • Connect with your reader. A blog usually addresses a challenge by answering a question or solving a problem. Connect with your reader by speaking directly to them and empathizing with the challenge they’re facing.
  • Keep it brief. You want to keep your sentences succinct and punchy to keep your reader engaged. A couple of ways to keep your sentences brief and straightforward is by using the active voice and addressing the reader as “you.”
  • Paint a picture. Use descriptive language that helps the reader visualize your point. For example, instead of saying, “I was nervous for the call,” you could say, “palms sweating, heart pounding… I slowly reached for the phone.”

At this point, you’re still writing your messy first draft. Get creative, throw ideas on the page, and let yourself free-write. In this phase, minimize your distractions and focus on writing to cultivate a flow state. You’re going to clean everything up in the next section. The more ideas you have written on the page, the easier the editing process becomes. 🧠

3. Edit and Publish

I always tell my copywriting students that you’re writing for three people: the skimmer, the digger, and Google (or other search engines). Keep these three audiences in mind as you edit during blog writing:

  • The skimmer is the person that doesn’t have time to read every line in detail. That’s why it’s important to format your blog in a way that’s easy to skim and still come away with the key benefits of the piece. So, use easy-to-read formatting, like bulleted lists, italics, and bolding lines that are crucial.
  • The digger is the person who’s going to read your piece in-depth, line by line. This is why it’s vital to focus on high-quality writing and information that keeps the reader on the page and provides value, which also benefits SEO.
  • Search engines are sites like Google and Yahoo. These platforms send bots to your site to read and index your content. So, include keywords throughout your piece and within your backend SEO. Be sure to include keywords in places like your meta descriptions, URLs, and page titles.

Pro tip: if you’re a copywriter, list the keywords you used at the top of the doc you deliver to your client. Describing where to input the SEO in the backend is a simple way to go the extra mile and make implementation easy on them. Plus it shows your credibility, knowledge, and professionality, making it easy for them to refer you to others. The editing phase is where your piece starts to form and come together. I recommend budgeting time between your drafting and editing phases. Step away from the blog and come back with a fresh perspective and new ideas.

Blog Writing Tools

Here are my favorite tools to help when you’re learning how to write a blog. Keep this list in your back pocket for the next time you write a blog article.

  • Ubersuggest –  SEO strategy and keyword research.
  • Buzzsumo – Research popular articles on topics in your industry.
  • Hemingway.app – Editing tool to make sure your writing is concise and easy to read.
  • Coschedule –  Site that helps you write winning headlines (aim for a 70 or above!)

How to Make Money Blogging for Clients

Blog writing is a marketing engine that generates new leads, builds trust with the audience, and grows organic authority over time. All brands benefit from a blog. The problem is the blog writing process is time-consuming. Many brands may want to blog but simply don’t have time to dedicate to researching, writing, editing, and publishing a blog. As a blog writer, that’s where you come in. Here are three steps to take to get paid to write a blog:

  • Practice writing blogs. After reading this article, you know exactly how to write a blog. Choose a few subjects that interest you and practice writing blogs. You don’t need a degree or prior experience to become a blog writer. But you do need a few high-quality, relevant writing samples to show to potential clients.
  • Self-publish a portfolio piece. Think about one industry or niche that interests you that you’d want to write blogs for. Choose a relevant topic in that industry and write a portfolio piece. This shows clients that you have knowledge in their field.

Want your portfolio to look professional? Self-publish a blog on Medium.com and link out to the article from your website for a clean look.

  • Pitch clients on freelance blog writing. Find a few clients you may want to write for, and audit their website using a tool like Ubersuggest. How is their organic traffic? Chances are, they would benefit from SEO blogs that boost their website authority, ranking, and traffic. Send the brand owner a personalized cold email describing their site audit and your blog recommendations.

You may need to send at least 50 pitches before you start hearing back from brands. Gradually, you’ll start getting interested leads and eventually paying clients.

Use the first section of this blog article to explain to your potential clients why blog writing is still relevant and valuable, especially in 2023. High-quality blog writing is a foundational copywriting skill that leads to other opportunities. Thousands of my students have started their freelance copywriting careers by blog writing for their clients. Then, you can pitch other types of copy and expand into new areas.

How to Get Paid to Write a Blog (And Other Types of Copy)

Want to learn how to make money blogging and writing other types of content for clients? Freelance copywriting, including blog writing, is a lucrative and highly in-demand skill. If you want to become your own boss, earn more money, and get paid to write – this could be the career for you. 🎉 My signature copywriting course, Write Your Way to Freedom, teaches blog writing as the entryway to a successful freelance copywriting career. Inside the program, you learn…

  • Fundamental copywriting skills and techniques. Get in-depth training in copywriting – from persuasive techniques to copywriting style.
  • How to write types of copy. Learn step-by-step how to write a blog and other types of copy – like landing pages, email sequences, product descriptions, and so much more.
  • How to pitch and land copywriting clients. Multiple modules are dedicated to learning how to find and land clients through different strategies like cold email.

Get everything you need to learn how to write a blog and create a lucrative freelance writing career in one comprehensive course and support system. Apply for a strategy session with one of our amazing team members to see if Write Your Way to Freedom is right for you! Resources

  • Fit Small Business
  • Stephen King, On Writing

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  • Learn Blogging Basics – Everything You Need to Know

Artem Minaev

Thinking of starting your own blog?

Well, you’re not alone. While many people think about starting a blog – not many end up running a successful blog. Do you know why? Because they lack the experience.

If you’re one of them – worry no more. Your search for a blogging guide ends here. We are here to share some valuable tips about starting your blog successfully.

Also, we’ve compiled some of the best, most helpful resources about blogging to help make learning to blog an enjoyable experience for you. Here, we have a collection of excellent tutorials, guides, and informative articles in the order that we want them to be read. Whether you are 15 or 85, you can create your own blog in less than 20 minutes.

Learn blogging with us now through our guide on blogging basics – let’s get started!

What is a blog?

A blog is derived from a “weblog,” a term used to describe websites that display information on a particular topic or several topics. A blog has a diary-like interface where the latest content is displayed at the top and the older posts in subsequent positions.

Blogs can drive traffic to your website, convert that traffic into leads, and ultimately boost your business. Reports suggest that organizations that prioritize blogging are 13 times more likely to see positive ROI.

It also helps you to create an online presence, attract leads, and engage with a vast audience as you show your expertise in a specific industry. The industries can range from personal to political and can focus on just one subject or a whole range of topics.

Why is blogging so popular?

Blogs have become just as popular as websites, with their own search engines, forums, and ad directories. And no doubt, they’ve gained this popularity for all the right reasons.

Firstly, blogs are popular because they are just so easy to use.

Blogging makes it easier to assert the online presence of your personal or professional brand. You can make yourself popular as an expert in an online field or a particular topic by regularly publishing content.

Secondly, blogging works exceptionally well as a search engine optimization tool for web creators and entrepreneurs because search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo appreciate unique content.

Thirdly, it is one of the cheapest and effective forms of promotion you can get for your services and products. Blogs can be a fantastic way of expanding your online store by driving visitors to your blog. Still, this can only be accomplished with the right strategy.

Beginner blogger topics

People pursue blogging for many reasons, but the most popular ones are to share their knowledge, document their thoughts, earn money passively, review gadgets or products, or to travel the world.

If you want to become a blogger for any of these reasons, our blogging basics can help you to achieve that. But first, you need to know what blogs are and how you can run one yourself.

We will walk you through some of the ways you can easily set up your personal or business blog. Our easy-to-follow guide will help you to understand the reasons why you need to start a blog, how to start it right, and the types of professional blogs prevalent online today. But remember, the first thing you need to do is choose a niche you are passionate about.

In addition to that, we’ll also share our tried-and-tested blogging tips to help you avoid all of the blogging mistakes most newbies make.

  • How to choose a niche
  • How to start a blog
  • Why start a blog
  • Benefits of blogging
  • How to blog
  • Types of blogs
  • Examples of blogs
  • Mistakes to avoid
  • Blogging tips
  • Blog name ideas

Technology topics

A successful blog must be built on a secure technical foundation to achieve its strategic goals.

Although an effective content strategy helps in generating traffic for your blog, the technical aspects of your blog are also crucial for its success.

Therefore, before writing and publishing your blog, you need to first understand the technological grounds on which your blog works. Some of the factors to be considered include a memorable domain , a reliable web hosting service , and a suitable blogging platform.

We will introduce you to some of the best blogging platforms available with a heightened focus on WordPress as it offers the most customization options for free.

Another topic that you need to take into account is choosing your blog name. Many online tools can help you to come up with the perfect name, such as name generators and other services that you can use when you want a catchy blog title or an apt blog name. It all depends on your preferences.

  • Best blogging platforms
  • What is WordPress?
  • WordPress.org vs. WordPress.com
  • Blog name generators

Content-related topics

This is the point at which you need to start thinking about the topics and the content-niche you want to write about.

As far as content is concerned, you need to start researching potential topics that you can write about. For content ideas, you can browse through our compilation of topics, or you can search on the web for topics specific to your niche that are attracting the most traffic.

This will give you an idea about the latest trends in the blogging industry and how other bloggers are interacting with their audience.

We will help you to create a content plan so that you can populate your blog with targeted posts and strategies for audience development and growth.

On top of that, we offer tips on creating value-added content and using flawless language verified through credible grammar checker tools. These tips will assist you in producing quality content that can attract traffic and ultimately convert them into subscribers.

Our guides will completely sort out any problems related to a lack of content ideas. It will also help you to present your content in a way that increases your reader base and maintains it in the long term.

  • What to blog about?
  • What is a blog post?
  • Different types of content
  • Content planning
  • How to write a blog
  • What is evergreen content?
  • Become an authority blogger
  • How to get subscribers
  • Grammar checker tools

Promotion-related topics

Setting up a blog and writing valuable content to engage your readers is just not enough. You also need to promote it through effective strategies to expose it to a bigger audience.

Remember, sharing it on social media is often pointless unless you have millions of fans and followers who get awestruck by every word that comes out of your mouth.

Through our guides, you will learn what blog marketing is and how you can effectively execute it with an efficient marketing plan in place. Not only this, but you will also learn how to optimize your blog for search engine optimization and quickly increase the traffic to your blog.

These strategies work for business, professional blogs, and personal blogs.

  • What is blog marketing?
  • How to create a marketing plan
  • What is content marketing?
  • How to promote a blog
  • Blog marketing tips
  • How to increase blog traffic

Monetization-related topics

Making money from a blog is a real challenge, primarily if it generates less than 1,000 visitors per day. But, with a little bit of persistence and hard work – anything is possible. It takes time and effort to build an income from blogging, and no blogger has ever become successful overnight.

To monetize your blog, you need to identify the stage of blogging you are at and grow from there to achieve the desired results.

Our in-depth guides will help you monetize your new blog by helping you find some unique money-making opportunities. We advise that you start with affiliate marketing first and then move on to other methods of monetization.

Other skills that you will learn with us include selling services and products online via a website that works like a digital store.

You can attract customers to your website and reach out to potential buyers through marketing tactics and promotional campaigns.

Finally, if you want to change careers, our guides will help you with some promising tips on selling your high-functioning blog for a ball-park price of six figures.

  • How to start an online business
  • How to make money
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Selling services
  • Selling products
  • Sell advertising
  • Sell your blog

Additional resources

To learn blogging from scratch and master it, leverage our useful blogging resources that will help you to upskill from home. Our resources include how-to guides that provide step-by-step tips and information on various blogging topics. This includes answering your queries about changing your blogging platform or switching your web-hosting providers, etc.

Also, check out our easy-to-follow video tutorials that cover WordPress blogging tutorials and other blogging basics. These video guides offer visual instructions that help you to understand what blogging is and how you can be successful at it.

Also, if you are new to content creation, launching a new blog can be an intimidating task. We are here to offer you the right tools that will assist you in achieving your desired goals.

  • All resources
  • Software and Services
  • Blogging Glossary

Take a look at our resources to find out what tools and services are the best for your blog. Start making money online today.

If you are looking for the perfect medium to share your insights and opinions with a vast audience, blogging is the ideal choice.

It is the most affordable option to promote your products or services to the outside world. From planning compelling content topics to hosting them on a reliable blog hosting platform, we will assist you with expert tips every step of the way.

Not only this, but we’ll also help you to promote your content through different marketing channels. You’ll also learn how to monetize your blog by renting your ad space, through affiliate marketing, or simply by selling your own products and services.

If you are still facing problems with setting up your blog or if you have any questions, you can head over to our website. We offer easy to follow guides on various blogging topics as well as all of the right tools that you need to kick start your own blog.

3 comments on “Learn Blogging Basics – Everything You Need to Know”

thank u so much

The information you have provided on Blogging and various topics on Blog was amazing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Thank you Manoranjan!

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literacy strategies with a depiction of the same

1. Phonics Instruction

2. graphic organizers, 3. think-pair-share, 4. vocabulary instruction, 5. story mapping, 6. kwl charts (know, want to know, learned), 7. interactive read-alouds, 8. guided reading, 9. writing workshops, 10. literature circles.

Today, literacy is not just about learning to read and write ; it’s a crucial tool that opens doors to a world of knowledge and opportunities. It’s the foundation upon which we build our ability to communicate, understand, and interact with the world around us. It is the cornerstone that supports all other learning.

SplashLearn: Most Comprehensive Learning Program for PreK-5

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SplashLearn inspires lifelong curiosity with its game-based PreK-5 learning program loved by over 40 million children. With over 4,000 fun games and activities, it’s the perfect balance of learning and play for your little one.

But how do we ensure every student learns to read and write, loves the process, and excels in it? This is where literacy strategies for teachers come into play. 

In the modern classroom, literacy strategies are essential for several reasons. They help cater to diverse learning styles , engage students more effectively, and promote a deeper understanding of the material.

These strategies are vital in an era of abundant information and attention spans are challenged. They equip teachers with innovative methods to make reading and writing more interactive and meaningful. 

In this blog, we will talk about some of the best literacy strategies that can make a significant difference in your classroom!

Literacy Strategy Definition

Literacy strategies are various methods and approaches used in teaching reading and writing. These are not just standard teaching practices but innovative, interactive, and tailored techniques designed to improve literacy skills. They include activities like group discussions, interactive games , and creative writing exercises, all part of a broader set of literacy instruction strategies.

The Role of Literacy Strategies in Enhancing Reading and Writing Skills

Teaching literacy strategies enhance students’ reading and writing skills. These strategies help break down complex texts, making them more understandable and relatable for students. They encourage students to think critically about what they read and express their thoughts clearly in writing. Teachers can use literacy strategies to address different learning styles, helping students find their path to literacy success.

15 Best Literacy Strategies for Teachers

Phonics Instruction is fundamental in building foundational reading skills , especially for young learners. This method teaches students the relationships between letters and sounds , helping them decode words. Through phonics, students learn to sound out words, which is crucial for reading fluency and comprehension. Phonics Instruction can be fun and interactive with games, songs, and puzzles , making it an enjoyable learning experience for students.

You can begin here:

Card Image

Graphic organizers are powerful visual tools that aid in better comprehension and organization of information. As part of literacy practices examples, they help students visually map out ideas and relationships between concepts. This can include charts, diagrams, or concept maps. Using graphic organizers, teachers can help students structure their thoughts, making complex ideas more accessible and understandable. It’s an effective way to break down reading materials or organize writing drafts visually.

Think Pair Share worksheet

Think-Pair-Share is an essential literacy strategy that fosters collaborative learning. In this activity, students first think about a question or topic individually, then pair up with a classmate to discuss their thoughts, and finally share their ideas with the larger group. This strategy encourages active participation and communication, allowing students to learn from each other. It’s a simple yet powerful way to engage students in critical thinking and discussion.

Vocabulary Instruction is crucial in expanding language comprehension. This strategy involves teaching students new words and phrases in terms of their definitions, context, and usage. Effective vocabulary instruction can include word mapping , sentence creation , and word games. By enriching students’ vocabulary , teachers equip them with the tools to understand and articulate ideas more effectively, enhancing their overall literacy.

Card Image

Story Mapping is a technique where students break down the narrative elements of a story, such as characters, setting, plot, and conflict. This strategy helps in enhancing comprehension and analytical skills. By visually organizing the elements of a story, students can better understand the structure and themes of the text. It’s an engaging way to dissect stories and can be done individually or as a group activity .

A KWL chart

KWL Charts are an effective tool for structuring learning objectives. This strategy involves creating a chart with three columns: What students already Know, What they Want to know, and What they have Learned. This approach helps activate prior knowledge, set learning goals , and reflect on new information. It’s a great way to engage students in the learning process from start to finish, making them active participants in their education. KWL Charts can be used across various subjects, making them versatile and essential in the classroom.

Kids in a classroom

Interactive read-alouds are a cornerstone among literacy instructional strategies. In this activity, the teacher reads a story aloud, using expressive tones and gestures to bring the story to life. This method engages students in dynamic storytelling , sparking their imagination and interest. It’s an essential literacy strategy that enhances listening skills, vocabulary, and comprehension. Teachers can pause to ask questions, encouraging students to think and predict, making it an interactive and inclusive learning experience.

kids in guided reading session

Guided Reading is a tailored approach that addresses the diverse reading levels within a classroom. In this strategy, teachers work with small groups of students, providing focused reading instruction at their specific level of development. This allows for more personalized attention and support, helping students progress at their own pace. Guided Reading improves reading skills and boosts confidence as students feel more capable and supported in their learning journey.

Kids in a writing workshop

Writing Workshops are a dynamic way to foster creative expression among students. These workshops provide a platform for students to write , share, and receive feedback on their work. It’s an interactive process where students learn to develop their writing style, voice, and technique. Writing Workshops encourage creativity, critical thinking, and peer collaboration, making them a vital part of literacy development.

Depiction of collaborative learning

Literature Circles are a collaborative and student-centered approach to reading and discussing books. In these circles, small groups of students choose and read a book together, then meet to discuss it, often taking on different roles like discussion leader or summarizer. This strategy promotes discussion, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of literature. It’s an engaging way for students to explore texts and share their perspectives, enhancing their analytical and communication skills.

11. Scaffolding

Scaffolding technique

Scaffolding is a teaching method that provides students with step-by-step guidance to help them better understand new concepts. This approach breaks down learning into manageable chunks, gradually moving students towards stronger comprehension and greater independence. Scaffolding can include techniques like asking leading questions, providing examples, or offering partial solutions. It’s especially effective in building confidence and skill in students, as they feel supported throughout their learning journey.

12. Word Walls

A word board

Word Walls are a visual and interactive way to display vocabulary in the classroom . As one of the essential literacy strategy examples, they help students learn new words and reinforce their spelling and meaning. Teachers can add words related to current lessons or themes, encouraging students to use and explore these words in their writing and speaking. Word Walls are educational and serve as a reference tool that students can continually interact with.

13. Reader’s Theater

Kids in a readers theatre

Reader’s Theater is an engaging literacy activity that combines reading and performance. In this strategy, students read scripts aloud, focusing on expression rather than memorization or props. This method helps improve reading fluency, comprehension, and confidence as students practice reading with emotion and emphasis. Reader’s Theater is also a fun way to bring literature to life and encourage a love for reading and storytelling.

14. Dramatization of Text

Kids dramatizing text

Dramatization of Text involves bringing stories and texts to life through acting and role-play. This strategy allows students to interpret and enact narratives, deepening their understanding of the characters, plot, and themes. It’s an interactive way to engage students with literature, encouraging them to explore texts creatively and collaboratively. Dramatization can enhance comprehension, empathy, and public speaking skills.

15. Inquiry-Based Learning

Inquiry based learning wallpaper

Inquiry-Based Learning is a student-centered approach that promotes curiosity-driven research and exploration. In this method, learning starts with questions, problems, or scenarios, rather than simply presenting facts. Students are encouraged to investigate topics, ask questions , and discover answers through research and discussion. This strategy fosters critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a love for learning .

In conclusion, these literacy strategies for teachers offer a diverse and dynamic toolkit for teachers to enhance reading, writing, and comprehension skills in their classrooms. By incorporating these methods, educators can create a more engaging, inclusive, and effective learning environment , paving the way for students to become confident and proficient learners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the key benefits of using literacy strategies in the classroom.

Literacy strategies enhance classroom engagement, improve comprehension, and foster critical thinking skills. They make learning more interactive and meaningful, helping students to connect with the material more deeply.

How can teachers effectively integrate literacy strategies into existing curricula?

Teachers can integrate literacy strategies by aligning them with current lesson objectives, using them as complementary tools for existing content. Start small, incorporating strategies gradually, and tailor them to fit the lesson’s context.

Are these literacy strategies suitable for all age groups?

Yes, these strategies can be adapted for different age groups and learning levels. The key is to modify the complexity and delivery of the strategy to suit the developmental stage and abilities of the students.

How do digital literacy strategies for teachers differ from traditional ones?

Digital literacy strategies incorporate technology, focusing on skills like navigating online information, digital communication, and critical evaluation of online content, which are essential in the digital age.

Can literacy strategies be used in subjects other than language arts?

Absolutely, literacy strategies can be applied cross-curricularly. For example, graphic organizers can be used in science for hypothesis mapping, or story mapping can be used in history to outline events.

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Visual calculations (preview).

Headshot of article author Jeroen ter Heerdt

This is it. The way you write DAX changes today with the preview of visual calculations!

Visual calculations are DAX calculations that are defined and executed directly on a visual. A visual calculation can refer to any data in the visual, including columns, measures, or other visual calculations. This approach removes the complexity of the semantic model and simplifies the process of writing DAX. You can use visual calculations to complete common business calculations such as running sums or moving averages. Visual calculations make it easy to do calculations that were previously very hard or even almost impossible to do.

To use visual calculations while in preview, you need to enable it in Options and Settings  ➡️  Options  ➡️  Preview features . Select visual calculations and select OK . Visual calculations will be enabled after Desktop is restarted.

Adding a visual calculation

To add a visual calculation, you first need to select a visual. Next, select the New calculation button in the ribbon:

This will open the visual calculations edit mode. This screen consists of three major parts. From top to bottom, they are:

The new calculation button is shown on the Home tab of the ribbon in Power BI Desktop in the Calculations group.

  • the visual preview , which shows the visual you are working with,
  • a formula bar where you can add visual calculations,
  • the visual matrix , showing the data in the visual. It will show the visual calculations as you add them.

The visual calculations edit mode consists of the visual preview at the top, the formula bar in the middle, which includes the button to add templates and the visual matrix at the bottom.

To add a visual calculation, type the expression in the formula bar. For example, in a visual that contains Sales Amount and Total Product Cost by Fiscal Year , you can add a visual calculation that calculates the profit for each year by simply typing:

The visual matrix is updated as you add visual calculations using in the formula bar. New visual calculations are added as columns to the visual matrix.

Additionally, you can easily add a running sum of profit by writing:

Here a visual with the two visual calculations we have just created:

A bar chart showing the profit and running sum example visual calculations as well as sales amount and total product cost by year.

By default, for most visuals, visual calculations are evaluated row-by-row, like a calculated column. In the example above, for each row of the visual matrix, the current Sales Amount and Total Product Cost are subtracted, and the result is returned in the Profit column. Although possible, there is no need to like SUM as you would in a measure. In fact, it’s recommended not to add these aggregates when they are not necessary so you can more easily distinguish between measures and visual calculation expressions.

You can use many existing DAX functions in visual calculations. Functions specific to visual calculations are also available, such as RUNNINGSUM , PREVIOUS and MOVINGAVERAGE ( see our documentation for a full list ). Using these and other functions, visual calculations are much easier to read, write and maintain than the current DAX required. On top of that, most existing DAX will work, so this is not a brand-new language that you need to learn.

An easier and faster option for calculations

Visual calculations differ from the other calculations options in DAX in that they are not stored in the model, but instead on the visual. This means that visual calculations can only refer to what is on the visual. Anything that is in the model needs to be added to the visual before the visual calculation can refer to it. This means that visual calculations do not have to worry about the complexity of filter context and the model. Visual calculations combine the simplicity of context from calculated columns with the on-demand calculation flexibility from measures. Compared to measures, visual calculations operate on aggregated data, instead of the detail level, often leading to performance benefits. Since visual calculations are part of the visual, they can refer to the visual structure which leads to additional flexibility.

To learn more about the various options for doing calculations in Power BI, please see our documentation .

Hiding fields from the visual

In visual calculations edit mode, you can hide fields from the visual just like you can hide columns and tables in the modeling view. For example, if you wanted to just show the Profit visual calculation, you can hide Sales Amount and Total Profit cost from view:

You can hide visual calculations from the visual by using the icons on the field list of the visual.

Hiding fields does not remove them from the visual or from the visual matrix, so your visual calculations can still refer to them and continue to work. A hidden field is still shown on the visual matrix but is simply not shown on the resulting visual. It’s a recommended practice to only include hidden fields if they are necessary for your visual calculations to work.

Templates are provided

Visual calculations include templates to make it easier to write common calculations. You can find templates by selecting the template button and choosing a template to work with:

Using the template button on the formula bar you can add templates to a visual calculation.

The following templates are available:

  • Running sum. This calculates the sum of values, adding the current value to the preceding values. This template leverages the RUNNINGSUM function.
  • Moving average. Calculates an average of a set of values in a given window by dividing the sum of the values by the size of the window. This template leverages the MOVINGAVERAGE function.
  • Percent of parent. Calculates the percentage of a value relative to its parent. This template uses the COLLAPSE function.
  • Percent of grand total. Calculates the percentage of a value relative to all values, using the COLLAPSEALL function.
  • Average of children. Calculates the average value of the set of child values. This template uses the EXPAND function.
  • Versus previous. Compares a value to a preceding value, using the PREVIOUS function.
  • Versus next. Compares a value to a subsequent value, using the NEXT function.
  • Versus first. Compares a value to the first value, using the FIRST function.
  • Versus last. Compares a value to the last value, using the LAST function.

Selecting a template inserts the template in the formula bar. These templates are just starting points. You can add your own expressions as well without relying on templates.

Axis determines how the calculation is evaluated

Many functions specific to visual calculations have an optional Axis parameter, which influences how the visual calculation traverses the visual matrix. This parameter is default set to the first axis in the visual. For many visuals, this is ROWS, which means that the visual calculation is evaluated row-by-row in the visual matrix, from top to bottom. The following are valid values for the Axis parameter:

Restart the calculation with Reset

Many functions specific to visual calculations have an optional Reset parameter, which influences when the function resets its value to 0 while traversing the visual matrix. This parameter is by default set to None, which means that the visual calculation is never restarted. Reset expects there to be multiple levels on the axis. If there is only one level on the axis, you can use PARTITIONBY . The following are valid values for the Reset parameter:

  • NONE . This is the default value and does not reset the calculation.
  • HIGHESTPARENT . Resets the calculation when the value of the highest parent on the axis changes.
  • LOWESTPARENT . Resets the calculations when the value of the lowest parent on the axis changes.
  • A numerical value referring to the fields on the axis with the highest field being one.

To understand HIGHESTPARENT and LOWESTPARENT, take an axis that has three fields: Year, Quarter and Month. The HIGHESTPARENT is Year, while the lowest parent is Quarter. For example, a visual calculation that is defined as RUNNINGSUM([Sales Amount], HIGHESTPARENT) or RUNNINGSUM([Sales Amount], 1) returns a running sum of Sales Amount that starts from 0 for every year. A visual calculation defined as RUNNINGSUM([Sales Amount], LOWESTPARENT) or RUNNINGSUM([Sales Amount], 2) returns a running sum of Sales Amount that starts from 0 for every Quarter. Lastly, a visual calculation that is defined as RUNNINGSUM([Sales Amount]) does not reset, and will continue adding the Sales Amount value for each month to the previous values, without restarting.

Easier than regular DAX

We went to great lengths to make sure visual calculations are easy to use. They provide functions that are very easy to use with a low number of parameters to configure. Most of the time you will be writing DAX that almost feels like writing English.

Examples of these visual calculations specific functions are the RUNNINGSUM function shown above. Also, there is the MOVINGAVERAGE function and navigation functions like PREVIOUS and FIRST .

However, in some situations these functions might not do exactly what you need them to do. In this case, it’s good to know that the visual calculations specific functions are shortcuts to functions you might remember as the window functions that we added in December 2022 . Specifically, OFFSET , INDEX and WINDOW . Those functions provide the highest level of flexibility but are not as easy to use as the visual calculations specific functions.

However, you can express the visual calculations specific functions in their equivalent window function to tweak the behavior to precisely what you want.

Let’s contrast visual calculations with measures by looking at an example of writing a running sum.

Here’s the regular DAX to write a running sum in a measure:

Here’s how you would do write the same measure using WINDOW , one of the window functions:

Here’s how you write it in a visual calculation:

As you can see, the visual calculation is by far the easiest to read and write.

We need your help

We are only just getting started with this preview. There is a lot more that we have planned, so please stay tuned for updates in future releases. However, we invite you to jump in now!

For more information, including which functions are available, please read our documentation . Please try the preview today and let us know what you think .

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