Setting up a new blog is not difficult but blog terminology can be confusing at first and how to begin is not always made clear. Follow these six simple steps to start blogging.
How to Choose Blogging Software
There are many blogging platforms available and taking the time to choose the software which meets requirements is important. Most blogging platforms provide very similar facilities so the decision really is the personal preference of the blogger.
One way to decide is to try out different blogging software. Two popular platforms are Blogger and Wordpress - both allow bloggers to blog for free.
Blog Purpose and Name
Defining the purpose of a blog is important to help ensure the blog posts stay focused. Completing a blog purpose statement will help clarify the types of posts needed to keep the blog current and interesting to readers. Examples of a blog purpose include:
- To promote a business
- To have fun and let friends around the world read personal news
- To be a showcase for creativity – showing new photos, writing, etc.
The blog name is also important. This will be used by people searching for relevant blogs, so if possible it should reflect the purpose.
Blog Theme or Template – Look and Feel
Once the blogging platform has been selected, the overall look and feel of the blog should be chosen. This can be changed easily in most blog software, so trying out different options is a good idea. A number of themes and templates are available for free and it is also possible to buy themes or even have one developed to meet specific requirements.
How Many Blog Pages are Required
Blogs can have pages which are separate to the blog postings. Pages hold information that doesn’t change. The following pages could be included in a typical blog:
- Contact details
- Details about the blogger, such as a brief history and credentials
- The actual blog – this page will be created automatically when the first blog post is made
Depending on the purpose of the blog, there may be a requirement for more pages too. Although it is possible to add, amend and delete pages at any time, working out what pages are required before starting work on the actual blog posts, helps keep the blog posts focused around the purpose.
Defining Blog Categories or Labels
Every page and post on a blog can be categorized (into more than one category if required). Defining the categories or labels required before many posts have been made will save time on rework later. It is recommended that new blogs start with at least four or five categories. For example:
- Events, for information about future events and event reviews after attendance
- Individual topics, for example a photo blog might choose landscapes, indoors, family, portraits, etc
- A general category, with a more descriptive name such as ‘my life’ or even the same name as the blog
Categories and labels can be changed, but adding a category might result in extra work if it is necessary to go back and amend existing blog posts to be included in the new category.
Work Out a Blog Plan
It is important to ensure that blog posts are made regularly, as this encourages visitors to return and see what is happening on the blog. This means it is better to write one blog post every week rather than many blog posts all on one day each month. A blog plan can be created, stating how frequently new blogs will be posted.
Generating a list of possible blog topics before the first blog post is made and then blogging at least once a week is one way to build a blog plan. It is often difficult to decide on a topic for the first blog post. One suggestion is to set out the purpose of the blog as already defined.
Start Blogging
Blogging can be started by setting up the new blog using the preferred software (such as Blogger or Wordpress), setting up the name, choosing the theme, defining the categories, writing the pages and finally, following the blog plan.
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