The Blog
Before you even begin to create your own blog, it's important to know what a blog really is. The term blog is actually produced from the word Weblog or Web log. Back in the times, round the late 1990's, these Web logs were utilized by individuals to track updates and references to other resources online. They served as journals, which made them useful as a publishing tool for the user's blast of consciousness. Of course, the readers can still comment and share their thoughts on just about anything under the sun. Technically, blogs may also be referred to as CMS or Content Management Systems. Being a CMS, blogs allow the writers to easily publish to a particular Site and manage the content without the need of experiencing to deal with this program code. Publishing software also provides users with a GUI or Graphical INTERFACE for easy pointing and clicking of their articles. Through the use of easy-to-do procedures, you can perform configurations and create, which can ease your task as a blogger since the tool can automatically organize your published articles next time you publish.
The Advantage of Blogging
The primary question is; thinking about start blog ging? The initial thing you must know is that blogging can boost and support your web communications. However, you must first understand the outcome of your blog that you desire in order to attain success. Exactly why you should start blogging, is that it could be both a fantastic outlet for the frustrations or excitement. What you are passionate about and profitable at the same time. It does not mean that if you are not into blogging, you should not blog. Being in a business, especially those with dealings on the net, requires you to set up a clientele which are actually thinking about your products or services. Blogs can do this easily due to its accessibility and as an excellent medium for marketing that it is, blogs are crucial for businesses. More so, should you be handling a business, there exists a good chance that your competition is blogging about their products and services. This is a better way for you to examine the competition and what their clients' preferences are. Additionally, blogs can create strong customer relationships since your target market can easily and directly communicate with the authority within your business. This kind of opportunity is hard to resist since a strong customer relationship can eventually lead to lasting trust to your product and services; hence, eventual upsurge in your revenue.
How to start a blog as a small business -- listed below are 7 steps to get you started on your journey to creating a blog for profit. Follow this step-by-step guide that shows you how to be a blogger who provides value to your readers.
1. Find a Blog Idea (Business Idea) Which "Fits" YOU!
In order to determine how to start out a blog, we've still surely got to go back to the fundamentals of determining a good blog idea.
We're back again to "fit" again - blogs are simply like business ideas -- they have to be a "fit" for you, your personality, interests, and expertise.
2. Check-Out Your Competition
Another important factor for how to start a blog is to have a look at your competition to find out what they could be doing? That is good market research! Spend some time on their blogs...
What is the competition doing well - is it possible to incorporate this into your site? What ideas must you improve your blog compared to the competition? How will you write your blog to include information which you don't readily see available? What will be your web voice - witty, humorous, serious, challenging, etc.?
3. Brainstorm Some Domain Name Ideas
Sit back with a notebook when you're learning how to begin a blog and begin jotting down a range of names which reach the intent of your main topic idea and/or your spin. This will give you and your business a head start determining a good domain URL and offering you probably the most flexibility and traffic at the beginning for the business blog.
4. Find Your Domain Name
When you're first figuring out how to start a blog, it is easy to fall into the trap of attempting to do that as cheaply as possible. Don't do it with your domain name!!!
You're domain name will cost you around $10 - do that step! It's important and can save you problems later on. Remember that this is like any other business and do the right steps!
Find a domain that has your unique topic in the domain name - this will help you with the search engines and building your traffic organically over time. Maybe you may also get your "spin" in the name to give your domain some character.
Try to buy a .com or .net URL -- this will serve your organization best since these are the most recognized tags online (this might change over time, but for now these remain the standards). Avoid "cutesy" or "weird" names of domain - while they're fun in the moment, others may totally miss your point should they find you at all on the net.
One of many free tools which I find particularly helpful reaches http://www.NameCheap.com.
5. CHOOSE A Software/Hosting
While you are learning how to begin a blog, among the major decisions you'll make is deciding on blogging software and hosting sites, ensure you are comparing apples to apples (rather than oranges). Many sites which claim to be "free" are anything but free. There are a few perceived cheap options in the hosting world (or so it seems when you're just starting out!)
However, these options may cost you more in the end since they usually do not actually supply you with a business building system (BBS) and the support you need and deserve to create your life easier and to help grow your business. As you compare options, make sure you consider both your short-term and long-term needs for the business blog. Ask yourself what tools will be important to your organization blog over time.
You'll want to browse the fine-print to check out any site restrictions to find out if they will work or may negatively impact your future business plans.
Does your host give you training (you will need it for whatever type of business and software you're using)? Look for a system that includes all you need to build a small business -- this consists of built-ins which offer keyword searches, software built-ins so everything works together, e-zines, quality monetization models, constant upgrades because the internet and Google become smarter, and support forums to assist you grow your business.
Beware of hosting systems requiring you to pay extra for each and every little plug-in you'll need to build a successful business. With this particular type of hosting model, you're charged for each individual little bit of business software including a separate fee for the domain name, domain hosting, blogging software, keyword searches plug-in, home based business plug-ins, premium templates, e-zine support, traffic analytics, even extra costs for additional traffic as your site followers grow, etc. This can cost your business a fortune!
And as you're learning how to begin a blog, be sure to take full advantage of any tutorials offered. These is a tremendous value and benefit for you personally as well as your business -- remember you're learning a complete new industry and language. There will be specific nuances you'll need to learn at each step on the way. Keep learning and building your blog so that it looks professional to these potential customers.
6. Create TOP QUALITY Content for Your Visitors
This is ESSENTIAL step if you are starting a blog! You intend to provide your readers with good quality information - and you'll want to have at the least 30 pages, but 50+ is way better to begin with with. Each of your pages should be between 350 - 500+ words (<350 are not enough to provide valuable information to your readers).
If you intend to make your blog a small business, you need to write proficiently for a number of hours each day... That is why it's so vital that you LOVE your topics and write about what you know and are thinking about. Many bloggers will quit because that is work and it's a business! This requires dedication just like starting any business.
When we're discussing how to begin a blog, we'd be remiss if we didn't discuss the need for good quality original content. Your articles has to be interesting, honest, and you also must be yourself if you are writing. This means you will be witty, charming, motivating, or rugged dependant on your personality. Just keep it real! This can keep your readers engaged, interested, and returning for more of your terrific featured articles.
Write your blog content for folks with a brief attention span - this is not a novel where folks will hang in there before end of the plot. They'll be seeking to gain their information in quick short bursts.
7. HOW TO BEGIN A Blog & Promote It
One of the best ways to promote your blog would be to gain traffic organically through the use of specific keywords being searched for by your visitors. By using the right keywords, the various search engines will reward you by delivering your site site to readers across the world. Get comfortable identifying specific words being searched inside your niche.
Be sure to tell your family and friends about your blog - keep these things visit and present you constructive feedback. Make any necessary changes you think will help your blog.
Get your site link published on your social media marketing websites to encourage your social friends to go to your blog. Look for other media opportunities to get the word out about your blog. Also you can advertise in hard copy magazines, online websites, or share links with other bloggers to encourage their traffic to visit your blog.
Who knows... maybe friends and family will ask you how to begin a blog and you may send them here!
Thanks for reading my article, hope that it was helpful and that you enjoyed.