Last June, I finally told my friends and family about my blog. It still feels weird when I talk to a new person about it, mainly because I was so private about it for so long.
Many of my friends (and friends of friends) ask me a blogging question whenever they can, which is kind of funny.
I never thought that someone would come to me for blogging advice. I even have friends asking me to sit down with them for a day and show them how to start a blog and go through everything with them.
One of my good friends even told me the other day that she had a super nerdy thing to tell me – she said my blog opened her eyes up to a whole new world.
Like with my story, I never thought about blogging before I actually started. I knew nothing about it and I didn’t know anyone who blogged. Now that I’m blogging, I’m getting a lot of the people around me interested in it as well.
Since everyone is always asking me for blogging advice, I have decided to make a blog post about this. Starting a brand new blog can be a little scary and overwhelming, but hopefully with my tips below you can start a successful website.
EDIT July, 2016: I recommend checking out my online course for bloggers, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. I earn over $50,000 a month through affiliate marketing and I share my exact strategy and tips in this very informative online course. If you’re a blogger (even if you’re a new blogger!), then you NEED this course. If you don’t have a blog yet but you are interested, then please check out my free blogging course first.
1. Start on WordPress.
I made a very detailed post about this last year. Whatever you do, try to skip Blogger and start right away on WordPress. With Blogger, yes, it is FREE to start your blog, but I don’t think it’s worth it.
Also, I created a guide on starting your WordPress blog on BlueHost. The steps are very easy, and you can do it all on your own.
It may be worth it to have a free blog if you’re not even sure if you want to blog. This way you don’t have to put any money into it until you are sure. BUT, in almost all other cases I think you should start immediately on WordPress. It doesn’t cost much to start a blog from scratch.
I made the mistake of staying on Blogger for far too long… It’s one of my biggest blogging regrets!
Related: How To Start A Blog
2. Find a niche.
This is not exactly a need, but finding a niche to blog about can be a great thing. There are so many topics out there that are waiting for you to blog about.
Some ideas include:
- Personal finance. Making Sense of Cents is primarily a personal finance website, but I also blog about my trips and life as well.
- Travel. Travel blogs are one of my favorite niches to read. I can never get enough.
- Lifestyle.
- Parenting.
- Food.
- Fashion.
If you have a favorite blog, share the link below. I always love finding new websites!
3. Have personality.
If you sound like a robot in all of your posts, I think it would be very hard for anyone to enjoy reading your blog. You should inject as much personality as you can into your posts.
My favorite blogs are ones where the authors have awesome personalities that I can relate to. They can turn a boring subject into something that I actually want to read. I also like to read about how REAL people approach a problem.
If I wanted to read a textbook then I would be doing that 🙂
4. Produce high-quality content.
If you are going to blog, always make sure to produce high quality content. If you are pumping out content that is boring and adds no value to the blogging world, then you are just wasting your time.
ProBlogger has a bunch of great articles that show you how to produce high-quality content. I recommend that you head over there and read How To Write Great Blog Content.
5. Get on social media.
If you want to be a blogger, I think it’s absolutely necessary to have a Twitter and Facebook account. Even if you don’t understand it, start an account and just go with it.
Whenever I tell a new blogger this tip, they almost ALWAYS tell me that they don’t understand social media so they are not interested in starting an account. However, once you get started you will get hooked, and it is so helpful.
Social media is a great way to network with your readers and other bloggers in the community.
6. Don’t get caught up with your stats.
When you are blogging, it is very easy to check your blog’s statistics all the time. I can’t blame you for doing that. You are probably curious as to whether or not someone is actually reading your blog, and numbers may help you determine if you are doing something right or wrong.
It is important to not get carried away with it though. If you find yourself checking your stats every 5 minutes, then you are probably checking it too much! Restrict yourself to only checking it every so often such as once a day or once a week.
7. Make sure all of your links work.
One thing that really bothers me with a blog is when there are links that don’t lead anywhere. Always make sure that links in your sidebar go to the correct places.
An example would be if you have social media icons on your sidebar but they don’t go anywhere. WHY IS THAT?! Am I the only person that this annoys?
8. Don’t use CAPTCHA.
This is just annoying. Does anyone actually like CAPTCHA? There are so many great plugins that help with spam. They also don’t require your readers to fill out an annoying quiz in order to leave a comment.
9. Don’t copy others.
This should be a given. You should be providing fresh content each time you hit publish.
Even if it’s a topic that has been covered before, you still should be putting your own spin on it and not copying someone else’s entire post.
What blogging tips do you have for a new blogger? What blogging mistakes have you made? Share your story below!
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Great list, Michelle! I’m still getting used to Wordpress, that has been the biggest time-suck for me so far. I know it’ll be worth it once I get everything up and running the way I want but it was certainly more time than I expected! I have no doubt this list will help other new bloggers as well!
Thank you Charlotte!
This is great! Luckily, I read your post about getting started, before I began blogging, and started on wordpress right away. I’ve only been writing my blog for a week and a half, so this list was very helpful! I’m still trying to find my personal writing style, but I’m loving it so far! 🙂
These are brilliant tips for new bloggers such as myself. I only started blogging 4 months ago! On doing my research, I found that wordpress was the best platform for new bloggers in particular, as wordpress is experienced and has excellent support and backup.
My tips are: Be consistent. Your readers need to rely on the fact that you will always be blogging at the times that you say that you do. I blog once a week and have never missed a post. No matter what.
Always reply the people that make comments on your posts. I was so proud when an experienced “star” blogger first replied my comment on their blog and I like him very much as he makes the effort to reply to each and every comment. That is dedication, love and respect for his readers. I do the same with mine.
Great post 🙂
I am new to blogging and am currently on Blogger. I actually started on Word Press but got frustrated and found Blogger to be easier in a lot of ways. Why do you suggest using Word Press, what advantages and differences are there? Thanks!
Hello!
This post explains why you should be on WordPress – https://fund-rise.live/2013/02/blogger-or-wordpress-tips-on-how-to-move.html%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Welcome! Wish you the best of luck 🙂
I started a blog back in 2012 and have loved it. It does take a lot of time to upkeep but I just really love writing and the blogging community so it makes it worth it. I’m just now finally looking into making money with a new blog I started.
I’m hoping to start doing more tutorials soon.
Wow, I only came across your blog a week or so ago – it has inspired me to finally make the jump and start my own! Definitely guilty of checking my stats lots, and I’ve barely started! I don’t want to share my new blog with my friends and family just yet….any advice on letting the world know through other channels than social media right at the start?
You can still promote your blog in the many same ways. Guest posting, social media pages for your blog, and more 🙂
Ok thanks, I’ll give it a try!!
Felt so inspired by the blogs you’ve written, I’ve begun my own. One of those rare times when terror and excitement are tightly intertwined! LOL Thanks for the inspiration and doggone you for the inspiration LOL
Congrats on starting a blog! When did you start?
A couple of days ago. I’ve realized my non-code mortality when I saw I had no idea what I was doing aside from writing lol! Any really simple ways you can share how I can get this beast looking like an actual website? LOL crazy complicated.
Love your website! So much useful information. I’m new to blogging, but I’m already loving it… learning from the best 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for 7 months now and I’m always impressed with the content, so informative!
It’s amazing that you share your income and how you make it. I hope to be a full time blogger someday soon. I have a couple niches, things I love to do, therefore I love writing about them. Hopefully that makes my blog interesting. Have fun in your camper travels!
Thanks for being a great reader 🙂
Love your work, it has been a great deal of an eye opener. Been for a while now but still didnt know a lot of things. Thanks a lot.
Very good ideas! I’m glad you really enjoy travel blogs. I started a travel blog this year and one of the biggest mistakes is getting obsessed with stats. Although things are picking up now, it’s so easy to check the analytics every 5 minutes! Since you are looking for fresh content, please have a look at my site. It’s mainly Japan related. <3 Feedback is always welcome. Lots of love, Cory
Thank you 🙂
I am starting a blog as we speak thanks to you. One question. Or maybe a couple. I see blog with pictures on them. Nice ones. Is it a necessity or does it depend on the niche? (it’s no photography or art lol) Also, if I do need pics, where is a good place to get some? I am going a gaming blog. So I’m not positive that picture are necessary to get my discussion points across.
Pixabay is great for images 🙂
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for the awesome advice that you’re always providing for new bloggers. I just launched my blog last week, so exciting! You’re so right that it is tempting to check stats all the time, and at this point for me, it’s just so exciting every time one new person looks at my blog. But I could definitely find a more productive use of that time. 🙂
Congrats on starting a blog 🙂