How To Start A Blog

I thought I would share how to start a blog or how I started a blog.

When I first started my blog I was on blogger.

It was a free service, the only thing I had to pay for was photo space.

  I take lots of photos and soon after starting my blog I ran out of space.

I have to admit I knew nothing at all about blogging, nothing at all about writing and nothing, about photography.

And as much as I would like to say I figured it out all on my own, well I would be lying.

My sweet niece helped set up my first blog.

But soon after I was playing around trying to figure things out, and eventually I did.

It was very easy.

Editing photos was a piece of cake too as soon as I found out about Picmonkey.

And now, I am now using Lightroom along with Picmonkey.

I use Lightroom for my most of my photo editing, and Picmonkey for my graphic images.

Soon after I started my blog, I discovered that I had been hacked!

I have been told that Blogger is easy to hack, not sure if that’s true or not.

But I have several blogger friends of mine that came to there blog page, only to find it gone!

Shortly after that I decided to get on WordPress.

Yes, your blog can still get hacked with WordPress, but not as easily, or so I have been told.

There is a free version of WordPress, mine is self hosted.

Which means I pay a monthly fee.

Moving to WordPress was quite a change from blogger, I was a bit scared and intimidated.

But it was the best move I ever made!

 I am now going on three years of blogging, and I just celebrated my second year.

I wanted to share a few things with you if you are thinking of starting your own blog.

Be your own voice

I am who I am, I type the way I talk.

I share what I truly love and my style.

  Whatever your blog is about share the real you.

People will love the person you are.

When people meet me, they always say you are just like you sound on your blog 🙂

Decide what your blog will be about

Share topics on whatever you want to.

I wanted to share my love of decorating, and I wanted to inspire others to decorate with what they have and embrace vintage style.

If you want to share recipes, or talk about health and fitness, talk about that.

Whatever you decide you need to keep sharing those subjects.

What I mean is that if you are always sharing decorating ideas, you can’t talk about the best places to travel.

It gets confusing to the reader if you are all over the place.

If you start your blog out that way, sharing a little of this and a little of that, then its expected.

But if you have been sharing one topic then you should keep your blog that way.

 The more photos you take the better you will get

Great photos are important if you are a DIY or decorating blogger.

But, you don’t need a fancy camera to take amazing photos, just practice.

  I have seen amazing photos that people have taken using a point and shoot camera, and even with a phones!

Oh, and never use a flash, remember THIS post?

If I could do it all over again

Yes if I knew then what I new now, I would have started out on WordPress.

  Now if you are just blogging for a hobby then it does not matter.

  But if you are thinking of making blogging a business then yes, start out with WordPress.

You get much better SEO using a WordPress site.

If you’re new to blogging SEO=Search, Engine, Optimization.

Party like it’s 1999!

 Link up and join the party.

I am sure you have noticed many blogs have link parties.

That’s  a great way to meet other bloggers and get yourself out there.

But please be courteous.

They are hosting a party and letting you link up your post.

Always make sure to link their blog to yours and always, always thank the hostess.

I can’t believe how many times I see someone hosting a party and 300+ join and 35 actually respond to say thank you.

Remember they are helping you bring traffic to your blog so please say thank you :-).

Let’s get social

 Make sure to join in on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and Hometalk.

  When you’re building your blog the more exposure the better.

Social media is a lot of work, but stay with it!

You can also schedule your posts on Facebook, and Pinterest.

On Facebook you can easily schedule your post directly from your page.

Pinterest posts can be scheduled as well.

My favorite schedulers to use are, Tailwind and Board Booster.

It’s all in a name.

When I was thinking of my blog name I wanted something that would work as a business name.

When you’re thinking of a name think of a name that describes you and what you want your blog to be about.

This is the hardest thing you will ever do before starting your blog.

Because this name will stay with you as long as you blog.

Think about what you are going to share, and what topics you will discuss.

I personally would suggest using your real name or something that can work even if you decide to change direction in your blog topics.

I know many bloggers that started out DIY bloggers then decided they wanted to share recipes.

Once you decide on your name, make sure to get your Domain name.

There are many companies out there like go daddy.

It is a small fee to pay,but no one can take your name away from you.

Make sure to do that right away.

Always remember

 I think this is one of the most important things to remember.

Being a part of a blogging community you meet lots of other people with the same interests, and you make lots of friendships.

I think it is so important to support one another.

I don’t like to see jealousy among other people.

Always support each other.

If someone gets recognized for something show your support.

I am just as thrilled and excited to see a fellow blogger get recognized as I would if it were me.

So if you are thinking of starting a blog, go for it.

  I am so glad I finally did!

  I have made some amazing friends I would have never met if I had not been blogging.