[New post] How to Start a Blog You Can Grow Into a Business
Kally posted: " Contrary to popular belief, it is straightforward to create a blog about anything or anyone. Many businesses and even personalities are looking for a side-hustle that uses blogging to build their following and earn money. However, it can be tricky to "
Contrary to popular belief, it is straightforward to create a blog about anything or anyone. Many businesses and even personalities are looking for a side-hustle that uses blogging to build their following and earn money.
However, it can be tricky to create a following and monetise it if your blog isn't set up correctly. If you plan to make a blog that you can grow into a business, here is a simple guide (with examples!) to help you out:
Know Your Niche
Before you start a blog, you need to pick the niche you are interested in and create the right content that will catch your readers' attention. It is crucial that you explore the niche you want to focus on and create a plan to help you have a steady content flow and differentiate your blog from your competition.
Example: MiddleMe's core niche is based on career. Other topics like freelancing, expat, relocation do not separate from the core niche.
Pick A Good Blog And Domain Name
Once you have a niche for your blog, you need to pick the right blog and domain name. Your blog and domain name should be easy to remember and spell, unique and matches your brand. Having a memorable name for your blog and domain can make a great first impression on your readers and give them ideas on what to expect when they check your blog.
Example: MiddleMe represents one being stuck between their personal and work life, trying to find a balance. It is quirky, easy to remember and straightforward.
Pick The Right Blogging Platform
Aside from a unique blog and domain name, you need to pick the best blogging platform that will match the content you want to promote and how you want to monetise your blog in the future. If you don't want to spend a lot of money and get immediate access to readers, opting for a hosted blog on sites like Blogger or WordPress may be good for you.
Meanwhile, if you want to invest in a website for the long haul, having it self-hosted can be the ideal choice. You will need to pay a fee for a host, like BlueHost or GoDaddy, to host your website and get your blog set up with them. Most hosting sites can set up WordPress.org as your blog platform.
Example: MiddleMe is hosted on WordPress.com because I do not have plans to monetise with pop up or banner ads. But in the future, if I want to do so, I will have to migrate my blog to be self-hosted.
Pick The Best Monetisation Strategy That Fits Your Blog
If you are going to monetise your blog, there are many options you can choose from. You can sell a product through your blog, be an affiliate site or do paid content for brands. See what fits your niche, and don't hesitate to do more than one monetisation strategy if it works well with your content.
Example: MiddleMe benefits from clients who engage me for freelance gigs through my website.
Publicise Your Blog
Once your site and content are active, you should look for ways to publicise your blog to call in readers. You can utilise keywords to help your site score well in search engine results and optimise your content. You can also share your posts on your social media and get people to share them.
Example: MiddleMe articles are available through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. I also participate regularly in guest posts to spread the word about my blog.
Schedule Your Posts
You will need to ensure that your readers stay with you if you want to turn your blog into a business. Have a set schedule for posts and what topics you will be discussing. At the start, it is expected that you won't get too many hits for your content, but once you get into the groove of publicising your blog and improving your content, it will grow slowly.
Example: MiddleMe published posts every Monday to Friday at 12noon (Singapore time). Consistency and good content are what will lead your readers to keep coming back for more!
Conclusion
Blogging is a fun way to promote products, services and topics that you want to discuss with your target audience. Whether you are starting a new blog or it's your second, make sure to focus on what your audience wants to see and provide the right content regularly to help your traffic grow and earn more in the process.
WordPress.com
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