Blogging has become increasingly popular over the past decade or so, with more and more people choosing to launch sites of their own. What was once seen as a ‘little hobby’ has transitioned into so much more than that: the blogsphere has become a business enterprise in its own right, and it’s easy to see why.
The concept of being able to write for a living on a remote basis, as and when it suits you is something that appeals to a wide audience of people – from students to parents (and everyone in between). The issue is that it’s not as simple as setting up a blog and instantly seeing success from it – there’s a lot more to launching, building, and running a successful blog.
The industry is competitive. It’s hard work running a blog and yielding results from it. That’s the truth. However, with the right mindset and setup, it is possible to build a blog that has the potential to be successful.
Photo source: Pixabay
So, with that in mind, the question is: what is the recipe for blogging success?
Let’s start with the basics
The first question that you’re probably wondering about is how do you start a blog for beginners – the good news is that it’s not as complex as you might think to get started. Taking advantage of online guides and tutorials is a good step to take though, as this should help to streamline the process slightly.
The first step is always the administrative side of things, from picking a domain name and choosing a server hosting service to actually building your site.
The domain name process can be tricky as it’s a lot to think about – choosing a blog name that encompasses what your site will be about and is also available as a domain name can feel difficult at times. It’s sometimes easier to search a term, such as ‘lifestyle’, and then see which related available domains there are, and then go from there.
Building your site can also feel like a rather complex process, as it can feel like there’s a lot to creating a website that fits your concepts and ideals. A handy hack here is to work with a designer who can custom-build a site that fits your exacting specifications.
Remember, content is king
In the blogsphere (and within the copywriting and SEO sectors) the term ‘content is king’ is a popular one. A lot of people mistakenly assume it relates only to written content, but this isn’t the case.
Today, utilizing mixed media content on your blog is more important than ever before. Blogging is no longer just about written content, it’s also about incorporating video content – a form of content that’s also known as ‘vlogging’.
Mixed media content aside, the term ‘content is king’ also refers to how high-quality content can have a huge impact on the success of a blog or website. So, this means that knowing how to create quality content that includes lots of SEO best practice is extremely important.
The key is also to keep your content relevant to your audience, interesting and exciting. You want to be creating content that people actually want to read, watch and consume. It needs to have a pull to it – something that encourages people to actually read it and potentially to share it.
Utilize social media
If you’re going to make a success of your site, it’s important that you understand the value of utilizing social media. You could launch the most amazing blog in the world, but if no one knows about it, how can you expect it to be a success?
That’s where having a social media strategy in place for your blog can be a great step to take. Even if it takes a little bit of time to create and put in place.
Lack of confidence with social media? Look at taking an online course – there are lots of free and low-cost ones to choose from – so that you can improve and enhance your marketing skills.
Understand how to monetize your blog
Success isn’t measured in financial terms but if you’re starting your blog as a business, then naturally you want to ensure that you know how to monetize your site.
There are a few options when it comes to monetization, from sponsored posting and paid ads on your site and social media channels to offering ebooks, low-cost courses, and paid email newsletters, in addition to affiliate linking.
It’s worth taking the time to research each option carefully, to determine which ones are the best fit for you and your site. Remember, as your site grows, these options may change and develop, so ensure that you keep your mind open to the different options.
There you have it, a simple guide to what the recipe for success in blogging could be.
Mocha Girl Alysia