As I sit down to write this post, I’m filled with excitement and nostalgia. The thought of helping someone start their blogging journey is what gets me pumped up! For me, blogging has been a life-changing experience, and I’m confident it can have the same impact on you. As we dive into the world of blogging, let’s take a moment to get acquainted. Who am I? Well, I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my passion for writing into a career, and I’m eager to share my knowledge with you.
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty details of getting started, let me give you a brief overview of what you can expect from this post. We’ll be covering the blogging basics, as well as a step-by-step guide to setting up your blog. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a solid foundation for your online presence and a clear understanding of how to start generating income. But before we get into all that, I want to take a moment to share my own story of how I got started with blogging.
Who am I? + my blogging story
I’m Rachel, and my blog, Days Inspired, has been a game-changer for me since 2020. While I was drawn to blogging as a way to earn a living, it’s not just about making money – I’m passionate about sharing content that resonates with readers.
As I watched successful bloggers earning five and six figures per month, working part-time hours, I knew I wanted to join their ranks. The idea of writing once and reaping rewards forever was incredibly appealing.
In my previous corporate job, I felt like I was wasting my life, trading precious time for money. Blogging offered a chance to break free from that cycle.
As a self-motivated individual with diverse interests and hobbies, blogging became the perfect outlet to pursue creative passions without pressure. The thought of part-time bloggers exploring the world, starting families, or pursuing their artistic side was incredibly inspiring – it’s what I aspired to achieve.
Fast-forward to today: my blog receives over 150,000 pageviews, our Pinterest content garners over 50 million impressions, and I earn $3,000 monthly. The best part? It only takes a few hours each week.
I’ve been thinking about starting this blog for years before taking the leap. Sometimes, it just takes that extra push to get started. And trust me – getting started with blogging is quick and easy. We can have your blog set up in mere hours, and I’ll show you exactly how in this post.
If you’ve been hesitant to start a blog, today’s the perfect opportunity to take action. Whether it’s a tech question, business concern, or simply needing some motivation, I’m here to help. Email me at rachel@daysinspired. com for tips, advice, or encouragement.
Building this blog has been an incredible journey, and I’ve learned so much along the way. It’s not just about earning a living – it’s about creating something that brings joy and fulfillment.
And if you’re ready to start your own blogging adventure, let’s get started with some basics!
Blogging basics
For those who are familiar with the fundamental concepts, feel free to move forward to more advanced topics. However, for individuals new to blogging, it’s essential to grasp a few key points before diving in. This will provide a solid foundation for future development.
What is a blog?
When browsing online, it’s common to stumble upon articles shared through links from search results. Behind these articles lies the humble blog – a website dedicated to publishing in-depth content on a regular basis. Blogs can be categorized into two main types: business-focused and personal. While some individuals maintain blogs as digital diaries or reflections of their life experiences, this type of blog typically doesn’t generate revenue.
To monetize a blog effectively, one must create content that resonates with readers beyond personal interests. The mechanics of achieving this will be explored further in this post.
How do blogs make money?
While my blog generates a steady income through Mediavine ads, affiliate links, and digital product sales – around $5,000 per month – it’s essential to recognize that blogging can be monetized in numerous ways. The key is to identify what works best for your specific audience and content.
There are several methods to make money from blogging:Ad revenue: This involves partnering with platforms like Google Adsense or Mediavine to display ads on your website, earning a paycheck every time someone interacts with them. Affiliate marketing: By promoting products or services through affiliate links, you earn commissions when readers make purchases. Amazon Associates is a popular choice for many bloggers.
Selling digital and physical products: This involves creating and selling items like eBooks, planners, or other digital goods to your audience. My Etsy shop offers a range of digital journals and planners. Sponsored content: Brands may pay you to create sponsored posts featuring their products or services. However, these opportunities are less appealing due to the added stress of managing contracts and deadlines. What I love most about blogging is its immense earning potential!
Unlike traditional corporate salaries, which often see modest annual increases (2-3%), your blogging income can skyrocket much more significantly. If you’re interested in exploring the money-making strategies employed by successful bloggers – including those raking in six or even seven-figure incomes – be sure to check out my post on these methods.
How long does it take for a blog to take money?
While it’s true that making a decent income from blogging can take time, I’d like to offer some encouragement and perspective. The reality is that 70% of blogs never generate any income at all, simply because people give up before they’ve given their blog a fair chance to succeed.
Even if you’re doing everything right – consistently publishing new content, writing about topics your audience will find interesting, and using social media or SEO to drive traffic to your site – it can take over six months to a year to start seeing meaningful results. But here’s the good news: in my experience, every blogger who has stuck with their blog for three years or more has eventually started making money.
The key is to stay focused, learn from others in the blogging community, and apply your knowledge so you don’t have to make the same mistakes yourself. Of course, not all beginner bloggers will start seeing income within the 6-12 month mark. In fact, most people who are able to scale their blogs to six figures or beyond have worked on them for two to five years or longer. There are always exceptions to every rule, and some blogs will naturally do better than others.
The important thing is to set realistic expectations and understand that making a decent income from blogging takes time, effort, and dedication.
Is blogging dead in 2024?
Contrary to popular belief, blogging remains a thriving and profitable endeavor in 2024. My own blog traffic has experienced an astonishing 400% increase since last year, defying any notion that the medium is dead or dying. Rather, it’s undergone a transformation that makes starting a successful blog more feasible than ever before.
Know before you start
Before diving into the setup process, there are a few crucial considerations to keep in mind. With these key factors taken care of, you’ll be well-equipped to establish a strong foundation for your blog and set yourself up for long-term success.
How long does it take to start a blog?
While it may seem daunting to get started with blogging, the truth is that setting up a basic blog only takes around an hour. Of course, this initial setup is just the tip of the iceberg, as you’ll likely spend more time fine-tuning your blog’s design and adding fresh content in the days and weeks to come.
Breaking down the process into its various components provides a clearer picture of the time commitment involved.
For instance, setting up my own blog took around 30 minutes to an hour, while customizing it took a bit longer – roughly 1-2 hours.
As for adding content to your website, this is where things start to get more labor-intensive. Depending on how many posts you’re looking to create and the level of detail involved, this process can take anywhere from 2 hours to several days or even weeks.
The most time-consuming aspect of blogging, however, is undoubtedly writing a blog post that’s truly high-quality. This can easily take up to 4 hours of your time, but the payoff in terms of engagement and reader loyalty makes it well worth the investment.
Finally, promoting a blog post on platforms like Pinterest – while not necessarily the most time-consuming task – still requires a significant amount of effort.
In this case, I’m talking about around 1 hour to get your post noticed by your target audience.
How much will it cost to start my blog?
When starting a blog, it’s essential to keep costs manageable, especially in the first year. This allows beginners to focus on building their online presence without feeling pressured to generate income immediately. As your blog grows, you can invest in more advanced tools. To get started, consider the following expenses:* Blog hosting: A must-have for any blogger, this service typically costs between $2 and $35 per month.
* Domain name: If you choose to host your blog through Bluehost, your initial domain name is included. Otherwise, purchasing a unique web address can add some expense. Prices vary depending on the domain’s rarity and length.* Website template or theme: While free options exist, investing in a high-quality template or theme can significantly enhance your blog’s user experience. If you have a budget for starting your blog, consider allocating it to this area.
The total cost of launching your blog will depend on your choices regarding these expenses and any additional investments, such as courses or plugins.
But isn’t it free to start a blog on blogger or wordpress.com?
While it’s technically possible to start a blog for free on platforms like Blogger or WordPress. com, I strongly advise against it. These platforms come with significant limitations that can hinder your ability to monetize your blog. For instance, they own your content and site, restricting customization and ad placement options. This is why I recommend taking the self-hosted route by setting up a WordPress. org site.
Yes, this option requires an initial investment, but it provides complete control over your blog, a crucial factor for those looking to turn their blogging into a profitable venture.
Start a blog in 10 steps
Now that the groundwork is laid, it’s time to bring your blog to life. In just 10 easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful online presence.
Choose a niche (what you want to blog about)
To begin blogging, it’s essential to identify the core theme or niche you want to focus on. While writing about your personal interests can be fulfilling, research suggests that targeting a specific topic or audience can lead to faster success. This is because a defined niche allows you to attract a dedicated following and establish yourself as an authority in that area.
As someone who writes about women’s lifestyle topics, I’ve found that it’s possible to build a successful blog without focusing on a single niche. However, I do agree that this approach may take longer to yield financial rewards. Some of the most successful blogs have honed in on specific niches, such as food, entrepreneurship, or travel.
For instance, Midwest foodie blog has gained popularity by sharing family recipes, while Ryrob.
com has built a following among entrepreneurs and side-hustlers. Cup of jo is another well-known women’s lifestyle blog that covers relationships, decor, and motherhood, whereas The Blonde Abroad has become a go-to resource for solo female travel. These examples illustrate the importance of defining your niche early on in your blogging journey.
Sign up for a Bluehost self-hosted WordPress account
To begin your blogging journey, you’ll need to set up a self-hosted WordPress site. This is the foundation of your blog, and Bluehost is an excellent option for hosting your website. Not only is it affordable, with plans starting at just $2.95 per month, but they also offer a free domain name when you sign up. To get started, click this link to select your WordPress hosting plan. As a beginner, the basic plan is usually sufficient for your needs.
Once you’ve chosen your plan, you’ll be able to register a domain name for your blog. This step can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure of what to name your blog. Don’t worry; it’s a normal part of the process! You can take inspiration from existing blogs in your niche or use your own name as the foundation. Whatever you choose, Bluehost will provide suggestions to help you find an available domain.
Once you’ve registered your domain, Bluehost will guide you through setting up your account and payment information. Once this is complete, you’ll be able to log in to your Bluehost dashboard, which looks like this:From here, click on ‘Log into WordPress’ to access your website’s backend. You should have received login credentials from Bluehost via email; use these to log in to your WordPress dashboard. If you’ve successfully logged in, congratulations! You’ve set up your blog at the basic level.
As a blogger, you’ll spend a significant amount of time in this dashboard, where you can create and manage posts, customize your website, and monitor settings related to your blog. On your dashboard, you’ll find key statistics about your blog, the ability to create new posts, and recent activity on your blog, such as new posts and comments. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the different areas of your new WordPress site, accessible through the left-hand navigation.
Make your blog look super professional with a theme
Choosing a blog theme is a crucial step in creating a profitable online presence. The right theme can elevate your blog’s visual appeal, provide ample customization options, and ensure seamless user experience. Conversely, a poorly selected theme can result in a slow, frustrating website that may even experience technical difficulties. To avoid these issues, I strongly recommend investing in a high-quality theme, especially for bloggers targeting specific niches like women’s lifestyle.
A premium theme can cost anywhere from $100 to $150, but it will pay dividends by saving you the hassle of searching for another one in the future. For those who want my exact blog theme, I highly recommend visiting Hearten Made, a reputable Etsy shop offering a range of beautiful and customizable themes, including the ‘Sage’ theme that powers my site. If you’re looking to create a personal brand that stands out, 17th Avenue Designs is another excellent option.
If budget constraints prevent you from investing in a premium theme, you can still find quality options through WordPress’s official theme directory. With over 9,000 themes reviewed and tested by the WordPress team, you’re bound to find one that suits your needs.
Download basic blog plugins
WordPress plugins are an essential part of running a blog, as they can help with various tasks such as analytics, page speed, and more. When setting up your blog, it’s crucial to get started with some basic plugins. However, don’t go overboard – start with the essentials and gradually add more as you become more comfortable with blogging. To manage existing plugins or download new ones, head to the ‘Plugins’ section of your WordPress dashboard.
Here are a few essential plugins I recommend for new bloggers:Firstly, Yoast SEO is a must-have if you plan on using search engine optimization (SEO) as part of your strategy. This plugin ensures that each blog post is optimized for search engines. For those who need to comply with laws regarding cookie consent, GDPR Cookie Consent is an easy-to-set-up solution. If you’re unsure whether you need this plugin, I recommend checking out a relevant article.
Grow by Mediavine is another essential plugin for growing your audience and increasing engagement. This plugin helps users find recommended content on your site and subscribe to your email list, keeping them engaged with your blog. Last but not least, Site Kit by Google is a must-have for setting up Google Analytics and monitoring page speed, user engagement, and other key metrics. It’s an easy-to-use plugin that provides valuable insights into your blog’s performance.
As you gain more experience with blogging, you’ll likely find the need to install additional plugins to cater to your specific needs. These few essential plugins are a great starting point for new bloggers.
Fill out your basic blog pages
As you’ve established your theme and plugins, it’s time to populate your WordPress blog with meaningful content. While it’s tempting to rush through this process, taking a few moments to add some basic pages will ensure your site doesn’t feel like an empty space. Here are the essentials:Start by crafting a compelling About Me page that introduces yourself and sets the tone for your blogging journey.
Next, don’t forget to establish legal groundwork with terms and conditions, privacy policy, and disclaimer pages – although we won’t delve into the specifics here. For more information, refer to our previous discussion. A contact form is also a great addition, allowing readers to get in touch if they’ve been inspired by your writing. To access these page-creation tools, head to WordPress’s ‘Pages’ view.
You may find that your theme has already provided some pre-built pages for you to customize or create new ones by clicking ‘Add New.’While it’s tempting to linger on this step, my suggestion is to tackle the basics quickly and revisit them later if needed – after all, there’s more to explore in the world of blogging!
Write your first blog post
When you’re ready to start writing your first blog post, take a deep breath and get started. If you already have a clear idea of what you want to write about, great! If not, don’t worry – we’ve got a process to help you come up with something amazing. To begin, conduct some keyword research to identify topics that resonate with your audience. This will give you a solid foundation for your post.
Next, dive into competitive analysis by searching for similar content on Google and analyzing the top results. What value do they provide to readers? How can you improve upon their efforts? Once you’ve got a better understanding of what’s out there, it’s time to brainstorm ways to make your post stand out from the competition. Remember, Google is constantly looking for the best content to display at the top – so focus on being better than the rest.
Now that you have a clear direction, start writing! Aim for a minimum of 1500 words and incorporate visual elements throughout to keep readers engaged. Finally, it’s time to publish your masterpiece in WordPress. To do this:Step 1: Navigate to the ‘Posts’ section and select ‘Add New.’Step 2: Utilize the WordPress post editor to craft your content. Don’t be afraid to get creative with the various block types available. You’ll find everything from text elements to images, videos, and more.
This panel offers a range of content blocks you can add to enhance your blog post’s visual appeal. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these features, as they can elevate your posts’ overall quality. The main content area is where the magic happens – this is where you’ll write your text and add blocks. The right-hand panel provides settings for individual content blocks and the post itself, allowing you to customize things like URL, tags, categories, and more.
Once you’ve completed your post, a blue publish button will become available in the top-right corner. Click it, and your first blog post will be live on your website!
Sign up for a Pinterest business account to promote your blog
When starting your blogging journey, it’s likely that Pinterest will prove to be an even more effective way to drive traffic to your website than search engine optimization (SEO). As a result, I highly recommend this platform for promoting blog content. If you’re new to Pinterest, consider checking out my guide on how bloggers can effectively utilize the platform. To get started with setting up Pinterest for your blog, begin by signing up for a business account.
This will provide you with access to various tools and features designed specifically for businesses and entrepreneurs. Once you’ve set up your account, Pinterest will guide you through creating relevant boards that align with your blog’s content. Make it a habit to regularly pin content to these boards in order to fully flesh out your profile. The ultimate goal is to create a profile that’s filled with a diverse range of content.
To effectively promote your new blog posts on Pinterest, you’ll need to create engaging Pin images that include catchy titles and eye-catching visuals. I personally use Canva for designing my Pin images, as it allows me to quickly and easily create professional-looking designs. Next, upload these images to Pinterest, add them to a relevant board, and link them back to your blog post.
For example, you could create a Pin image that includes a title like ‘How to Boost Your Blog Traffic’ and an eye-catching visual related to the topic. This type of imagery can significantly impact the visibility of your posts and drive more traffic to your website. To maximize the benefits of Pinterest for your blog, make it a habit to create Pin images for every blog post you write. By doing so, you’ll be able to attract visitors to your site in a way that’s both organic and effective.
Create an email list with ConvertKit
As new bloggers begin their journey, I strongly advise them to create an email list as early as possible. Many regret not taking the leap sooner, but it’s a crucial step in building a loyal following. Having an email list gives you direct access to subscribers, allowing you to share updates about new content, products, and blog posts. It’s a tangible asset that puts you firmly in control of your communication with readers.
In my experience, ConvertKit has been the ideal platform for managing my email lists. Its intuitive interface makes it simple to monitor progress, send targeted emails, and embed sign-up forms throughout your site. To get started, sign up for a ConvertKit account and follow their guided setup process or consult this comprehensive guide. Taking things a step further, consider offering a valuable free resource, such as an e-book or webinar, in exchange for email addresses.
This approach not only grows your list but also provides value to your readers.
Set up google analytics
Setting up Google Analytics is a crucial step to track the progress of your blog. This powerful tool provides valuable insights into how users interact with your website, including the number of visitors, most popular pages, and referral sources. With Google Analytics, you can gain a deeper understanding of your audience’s behavior and optimize your blog for improved performance.
Monetize your blog
As you’ve established your blogging foundation, it’s essential to consider strategies for generating income from your online presence. While building a profitable blog takes time and effort, it’s crucial to have a plan in place to achieve this goal. In the months following your blog’s launch, I recommend applying to basic affiliate programs and ad networks. Keep in mind that these platforms often require minimum content and quality standards to be met.
It may take a few attempts before you’re accepted (as I experienced), so it’s vital to start exploring monetization options early on.
For beginner bloggers, I suggest familiarizing yourself with the following revenue streams:
Google Adsense allows website owners to sell advertising space to advertisers, generating income. To be eligible for Google Adsense, you’ll need to meet specific requirements, including unique and engaging content that adheres to program guidelines.
You can learn more about eligibility by visiting their website.
Amazon Affiliates enables bloggers to link Amazon products on their site, earning commissions when users click the link and make a purchase. To apply for Amazon Affiliates, you’ll need an active website with recently published content.
It’s essential to create a plan for monetizing your blog, which can be implemented once you’ve gained initial traction.
Getting accepted into both or either of these programs is a great starting point towards achieving financial success from your online presence.
Congrats! You’ve officially started a blog
As you celebrate this milestone, remember that starting a blog is a significant accomplishment. It requires navigating unfamiliar terrain, troubleshooting technical issues, and investing time in learning new skills. However, it also marks the beginning of a journey that could lead to exciting opportunities. With your blog now set up, you can shift your focus from establishing the foundation to crafting compelling content and building an audience – the most enjoyable aspects of blogging, by far!
