Do you want to share your passion with the world? I know I’m completely biased when I say this, but blogging is one of the best ways to do that! Blogging is great, especially for those of you who love to ramble on a little too long on Facebook, or who like to send out a monthly family newsletter! I’m going to talk you through how to start a blog today!

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Blogging is also one of the most popular side-hustles out there. Over two-thirds of internet users read blogs, so there’s a huge potential audience out there for you to tap into. Of course, you aren’t going to appeal to everyone, but there are plenty of opportunities to build up a loyal following. 

While your blog might start out as a writing hobby to pass the time, with some hard work and dedication, you can turn it into a profitable profession. If you’re a budding blogger, then check out these five tips for building up your blog. 

5 Steps To Start Your Blog Today

practice your writing

Choose Your Platform & Your Host

Choosing the right platform for your blog is an important decision that you really shouldn’t rush – changing it later down the line isn’t always the easiest thing to do so I’d recommend you start your ‘how to start a blog’ to-do list with ‘choose the best platform’. The key here is to consider what it can offer you in the long term.

One of the most popular blogging sites for bloggers all over the world is WordPress with millions of blog posts published every day. This valuable resource allows you complete control over your creative outlet and offers you a huge variety of free themes, as well as the option to import themes you purchase elsewhere.

Chossing a host is also tricky. There are 100s of deals out there. From personal experience I would recommend either Siteground or Lyrical Host. I currently have sites hosted with both and can’t fault either of them. Choosing which one to go with is going to come down to what package they offer and what your budget is.

wordpress for how to start a blog today

Master Your Writing

Poor writing is one of the quickest ways to turn away your readers. 

And like anything, writing takes practice, and you need to work to perfect your prose. If you need a bit of help getting started, you could always consider an AI service to help such as rytr.com – it’s great for helping plan your blog post layout, as well offering suggestions for content.

With eloquent and engaging writing, you’ll draw in more readers, and encourage them to stick around for more. But if spelling and grammar aren’t your strong suit, then run your post through a service such as Grammarly before you set them free into the big wide world of the internet. 

Share Your Story

People are drawn to stories, and they want to connect with others. By including an ‘about me’ section, you’ll offer your readers a chance to know who you are before they settle down to read your posts.

When you give your audience a chance to feel connected with you, they’ll be more invested in you and your story, and therefore your blog. Don’t try to be a journalist, and don’t try to be perfect. The beauty of blogs is that they are real, personable and raw – no one expects them to be magazine quality or newspaper style.

be a social media influencer

Implement SEO

Search engine optimisation is one of the most useful tools you can use to boost your readership, and it’s being used by brands and bloggers to drive traffic to their sites.

Getting to grips with it can be a challenge, especially when you’re just starting out. You’ll hear plenty of phrases like Google rankings and keyword optimisation that might not make a lot of sense to you. 

However, if you’re thinking about how to start a blog and the thought of learning SEO puts you off. Don’t let it. There’s no need to go it alone. By outsourcing your keyword research to Maratopia Digital Marketing, you’ll have an insight into the types of topics your audience is searching for, helping you appeal to the right readership. 

Be Active on Social Media

Ignoring social media is not only impossible, but it’s foolish. These platforms have so many handy features to help you connect with your followers. 

Not only that, but due to the amount of time that many of us spend on social media, it’s how we discover new bloggers and influencers. Digital marketing is booming at the moment, driven by the insatiable need to consume content on social media. There’s never been a better time to get involved and get creating that content than there is now.

By posting on these platforms, you’ll have the chance to reach a wide range of readers and engage through short-form and visual content as well. And social media is an excellent place to repurpose your blog content.

If you’re after any advice about how to start a blog, please do reach out. I have loads of tips, advice and will be happy to offer my support. And if you’re a blogger yourself, please share any tips you have for how to start a blog in the comments below!