I get emails and comments all the time that are similar. They are all along the lines of….
I wish I had a blog, but I just don’t know where to start.
Starting a blog just seems like so much work.
If I wrote a blog, no one would read it!
How will I ever find the time to actually sit down and write consistently?
What does SEO mean? And what’s an RSS? HELP!
So, what it seems like is that this whole blogging thing? IS DAUNTING TO MANY OF YOU.
Now, I am in no way a blogging expert…no where near it. BUT, I have been blogging since 2004 and have seen blogs come and go and have seen words like SEO cross my path and have wondered about readers and finding the time to post too.
But, here’s the thing. If you want to start a blog…START ONE. Today. Stop putting it off because of some excuse. Start writing and start writing today. Everything else will come later. Do not worry about things like hosting and designs and all of that. Sit down, and set up a blog and start writing. THAT’S WHERE IT STARTS.
I would recommend two places to start…
2. blogger.com
I am a big fan of both of these platforms, especially for new bloggers. They are easy to use and don’t take much technical background knowledge. They will have pre-made templates so you won’t have to concern yourself with design (yet!).
GO ON. Go and start a blog. It’s easy. BABY STEPS!
Once you have started your blog, the hardest part will be coming up with a name for your site. Remember, this is important. Your name is your brand. I would recommend trying to come up with something unique, but something that you like and something that defines you. But, then again, you want to make sure it’s not too defining. If you name your blog ‘SINGLE IN HOUSTON’, what happens when you are no longer single? Or you no longer live in Houston?
So..you want it to be about you, but not TOO much about you.
And while you are thinking about YOU, you should decide early on if you plan to use your real name or a pseudonym. I read many blogs written by many people…some of the use their real names and some of them don’t. Many writers like to keep their anonymity because of their families or their work situations or simply because it’s what feels right for them. And some of them – like I do – write under their own names.
Now go and write your first post!
(and be sure to come back and let me know that you did!)
(and be sure to come back next week where I talk about buzzwords like self-hosting and google readers!)
Debates about the specific techniques aside, good point on being a cup not an ocean. Been doing this in-house for years by focusing on the basics with great results. Nice part is the basics seem to have much more staying power in the algorithms, my rankings stick around for years regardless of changes to the way engines rank sites.
When trying to learn internet marketing to newbies, what do you suggest the first steps should be?
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Hopefully I can get this to work for me. It sure can’t hurt to try to implement some of these tips.
nazis 4ever
Do you have any more info on this? pls post if yes . really appreciated
Thanks Ali! You have inspired me to start a blog when I first met you, and love the writing outlet. I have also have successfully encouraged my patients to start blogs, to release their inner-author. Great post.
Thanks Ali. Going to try to start this tonight after work. I will be glued to your column to see what tips I can use.
I use blogspot and if I can do it, anyone can!