A lot of people making money online talk about the fact that blogging can be popular and very effective for marketing and for gaining great momentum in the search engines. If you’re just getting started or haven’t yet delved into blogging, here are some tips on how to start a blog of your own.
There are several ways to start a blog and here are some of the more popular options:
How To Start A Blog From Scratch
So.. How to start a blog - if you don’t have a website? Starting a blog from scratch might sound a bit daunting but really, it’s quite easy if you sign up with the right hosting company who will provide you with tools and a point and click solution that makes it simple for you.
Choose a domain name (with a word or phrase(s) that have relevancy to your topic if at all possible), be sure it’s available, arrange for your web hosting, and then choose a theme. Downloading a theme is simple and you can easily then upload that blog theme to your hosting account. After you’ve got that figured out, using the blog dashboard is just about as simple as composing an email.
Of course there’s more to it than this in terms of researching, writing blog content, formatting posts, adding media, and then promoting the posts. But starting a blog really is quite simple and once you’ve created it, you can learn as you go.
Add A Blog To Your Website
If you’ve got a website already, chances are that it is going to be really simple to set up a blog on it. It won’t cost you anything extra unless you’re adding a premium blog theme. There are plenty of free themes that can match your line of business and offer great formatting capabilities.
If you have a website, you’ve probably got an administration panel built right in such as cPanel (available with many hosting packages). cPanel offers point and click blog installation for several blogging platforms, including the very popular WordPress platform.
Join A Blog Network
If you’re either not interested in learning how to set up a blog on your own or want to have more than one blog, a hosted blog on one of the free blogging networks can be effective. You’ll find quite a few. There are the popular Google Blogger and WordPress.com options and there are niche networks as well.
Generally, these blogs are set up for you can simply start posting straight away and take advantage of existing search engine rankings and maybe even an established flow of traffic that you can take advantage of. You won’t have as much control over a blog network and sometimes you’ll have to share advertising revenue with the network but this can be a quick and easy way to start blogging or to add to your existing blogging efforts.
Regardless of how you choose to start blogging, once you learn how to start a blog it’s time to learn about effective blogging and networking practices so you can make the most of your latest online place, to market to new and existing clients. Spend some time to learn about effective blogging habits and search engine optimisation strategies so you can reap the benefits of this effective communications and sales medium.
About Sean Rasmussen
Hi Sean,
When I started I didn’t even know what a blog was, let alone know how to start a blog of my own.
Wordpress makes it easy for a newby to start blogging, and there are also other places to help you get started like Squidoo and hubpages but these are more restricted in what you can do than wordpress which gives you freedom to be more creative and you do have a bit more control.
Hi Rita
From what you are saying here it is difficult to believe that you knew so little about blogs and Internet Marketing not so long ago.
I see your work in the YOTA forum and I am always in awe of your ability to keep trying and never give up. I really admire that in you Rita, you have a great attitude and an even greater heart.
You are growing in leaps and bounds!
I am the same as Rita, i didnt even know what a blog was to begin with. Whilst I dont have one just yet, I feel as though I am almost ready to have one. Im loving learning about blogs, and this goes hand in hand with the seminar you just did advising about the free blogging sites. Cant wait to gear up and throw myself “write” in to the blogging world
The idea of a blog is amazing, to be able to share your own thoughts and ideas and have people around the world access it is just incredible.
I love how with a blog I can leverage off the expertise of others with so many great plug-ins out there, so much of the development is already taken care of. It lets me focus on other things like writing remarkable content!
Hi Sean,
starting a blog can be really easy – once you have the knowledge needed. And a lot of it I can get from your website, thanks for that.
One question – if I have an existing website that is not based on a blogging platform, can I still add a blog to it without too much trouble? Or would it be easier to just add a link to an “external” blog for that topic?
Hi Renee
Most hosting packages as Sean said will have it. Check to see if you have Cpanel, you should, log on and look for fantastico. In Hostgator it’s under software. Other hosts will be similar.
From there just follow the instructions. You will have to setup a separate folder if you have an existing static site rather than install in the root directory.
Oh and its part of the hosting package. No extra cost. Cool
I will have to have a look at that. My website has been set up by another company and it’s fairly complicated to change content/structure (by far more complicated than wordpress
)
Hi Sean,
finally got my first blog with blogger.com. Had problems with setting up adsense on my blog but it finally got resolved. Thanks for the hint that I can also attach a blog to my existing Website.
Hi Sean,
Thanks for the great advice on how to start a blog. It was pretty easy setting up a self-hosted blog as your video series walked me step-by-step through the process.
The best thing about a self-hosted blog is the latitude it gives you to really personalise it. You can do whatever you want. But, should I still use the free blogs?
Should I start a Blogger blog and link it to my self-hosted blog? Do I use it as another way to funnel traffic to my main blog?
That’s an excellent point Jazz.
I was thinking of setting up on the blogging platforms to take advantage of the traffic.
Maybe Blogger, WordPress, UWC and I’m sure there are others. Wouldn’t it be like posting content on platforms such as article directories, Squidoo, Hubpages etc.
Interested in your views Sean
Hi Gee,
I think it’s exactly like that but I’m not 100% sure. If I build more of these free sites; will it actually help me drive more traffic to my main site? Theoretically it should because we would be building a bigger online presence.
Do I use all of the free sites or only certain ones? And then there’s the backlinks because we could link between all of them. I’m just not sure how to set it up and link them together.
Good clear information as always, Sean. My problem is creating content in the blog, and in an interesting way that would attract traffic.
Hi Kerrie,
I am always worried about that as well. Therefore I started with a topic that I enjoy and know a bit about. After some keyword research I had some good ideas for headlines/ articles. Next step was a bit more research on the net (yes, there is some great stuff out there that can add bits and pieces to your knowledge) and away you go.
The thing is that if you are interested in something you most likely know more about it then a novice and you will explain/describe it in a way nobody else does. So you are creating valuable new content for the community. Just dive in
Before middle of last year I was unaware of what a blog was. Setting up the first one gives you great confidence and satisfaction.
I have a web site that was set up a couple of years ago. I paid a friend to do it for me and its now getting good rankings with google. My friend says the software he used would be to complicated for me to use.
Is it possible for me to somehow have him put wordpress in the site for me so I can add and take content? or am I misunderstanding that part of this article?
Hi Sean
thank you for the information on your internet marketing seminar hosted by Nicci and Lee. very interesting and inspriring. I still have alot to learn including blogging. the seminar and your tutorial helped a lot. Thanks again.
Hi Sean
I had never heard of a blog until I began to be taught by you. It took me quite a while to ‘get it’ but now that I understand how they work, I would have a blog over a website any day. I think they are so versatile and I like that I can add different plug ins.
Your video series on building a blog is really comprehensive and easy to follow. I have only built one so far and am in the throes of building content on it now.
I am also looking forward to building many more. Thankyou for this great article.
Blessings
Elly
Hi Sean,
Thanks once again for the wonderful information. I am really looking forward to getting my blog up and running. With all of the information out there that you have provided, it shouldn’t be too difficult. I too, would be interested to know the answer to Renee’s question as I have a couple of websites and don’t know whether to link an external blog or make the blog part of the site.
Cheers Cath
I won’t go into detail here, but It certainly is possible to add a blog to your existing website. It may be wise to contact your web developer and ask a few questions regarding doing so
Thanks for that Sean,
Have made some decisions, so back on track.
Cheers Cath
Hi Sean, I still have a lot to learn! Hosting account??? Blog Dashboard???
I’m sure it will all come together for you over time Willem, unfortunately I cannot explain all of this in a comment, stick with us and you will learn all the basics to enable you to move forward
About a year ago I knew what a blog was, but had no idea why I would ever want to start one, let alone how to even go about it. Now through great forums like YOTA, not only do I know how to start a blog, I know about Plugins, and Widgets, and Theme and the list goes on.
The important thing to note is to stop procrastinating and take the plunge. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will realize that you should have started earlier. Start a free blog today, you really have nothing to lose – it’s free!
I could barely register a domain name 2 years ago. But the key is to just start and put stuff up. The crappiest looking website that’s on the web is much better than the best planned website that isn’t up! You learn stuff along the way!
Hi Anthony,
You make an excellent point. There’s always something more to learn. It’s much better if you just put something out there and learn how to improve it as you go along.
Awesome avatar by the way.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE GREAT TO START, BUT YOU DO HAVE TO START TO BE GREAT!
So all I have to do is get a domain name and hosting and then follow the bouncing ball, so to say.
I know I can do this, thank you for the valuable content.
Well said Tara
Hi Tara,
that’s it. You just have to start, take action, one step at a time. And learning from someone so experienced as Sean is a great start.
You will have your own site up, running and ranking in no time if you are committed and take the steps. One at a time.
Yes the hardest step is the first one but this is a journey worth taking.
Hi Sean,
I also did not know what a blog was a few months ago, It took a while but I did make a blog post and with your help. I learned how to set up a blog through the step by step video’s available in the YOTA Forum.
It felt really good to make that first blog post. It’s an experience that’s well worth the effort. Like anything else getting started is the hardest part.
When I first started I thought a blog was just an annoying site where people would ramble on about not much, but as I have progressed in my internet education, I see blogging as a wonderful tool to teach people about particular topics and inform them on what is happening with that subject. Looking back at my first posts I’m a little embarrased as they were so badly written, so I hope I have got a little better in the writing department. Still a long way to go though.
Found that really informative. Also think that a tutorial on things like cPanel and WordPress would be really useful. Hope this comment helps you to develop the products that prospects like myself want.
Thanks for your suggestions Lincoln, you will learn a lot about WordPress as we move forward. cPanel is something I will add to my list
I have known for quite some time about blogs by following some so called experts in the field.
However the setup of them the right way was sadly lacking. That didn’t come until I came across Sean and the wonderful community at Yota.
Now I am able to setup, rank for posts, add widgets, plugins etc etc.
And help others as well. That’s got to be the best part.
Thanks Sean and Zodiacs ( sorry am I allowed to give a plug for Yota?)
Thanks Sean,
Great stuff. Certainly learning and practising how to blog right now so this information is great. I already see great opportunities ahead of me to blog with already established websites by adding premium blog themes (talking from where I live). The only thing you need to give me is a piece of note to certify that I’ve participated in this learning program so I can convince the website owners!! (**COUGH** COUGH**).
Cheers
Rose
Hi Rose,
I guess at the end of the 7 weeks you will “speak the lingo” so well that you can convince the website owner without any papers, just on your own merits.
And why not take the 7 weeks competition to set up your own blog and rank it in Google for your chosen keywords? That will impress them even more!
Hi Rose and Renee,
Great advice Renee. I totally agree. If you show someone that you have the skills to get the job done; that is far more impressive than any piece of paper.
Start building your website now Rose, put some content on it and we’ll help you to share it around through social media. This way you will have something concrete to show people and results to back up what you say.
Thanks Renee and Jazz,
Seriously Iam gonna have to have something concrete to work on so you all can help wherever you need to. Iam now learning & working on developing the skills needed to prove that I can get the job done.
Thanks again for your words of encouragement
Cheers
Rose
Thanks Sean,
I totally agree that starting a blog from scratch does sound daunting, especially if you haven’t had any previous writing or web experience.
I feel that the most important thing is to get stuck in and do it because taking action is the only way to progress through anything!
The free blog sites are a good place to get started and often have a blogging community on sight that you can interact with.
Blogging is fun, if you play around with it and read articles like this you build you knowledge and develop your skills. Get some guidance from someone experienced like Sean and you never know where it could take you.
Hello Sean,
I learnt blogging from watching a conference many years ago…a conference where you got up and spoke about Affiliate Marketing.
I so love blogging – actually I am addicted to blogging, it was just a matter of finding my passion to keep on blogging with, and then turning to a Mentor that will help take the blog to the next lever – so thanks Sean and the YOTA team for all your knowledge and support
Cheers
Lisa
Before entering your learn and earn competition Sean I couldn’t see the relevence of having a blog at all. But now that you have shown me why and how to start a blog, and given me one with a step by step tutorial on how to do it…well lets just say I am pretty stoked
Hi and thanks for this Sean, it is not seaming so daunting a task, we are setting up now- let the blog begin. I guess I’m still in the dark about the keyword and backlinks for getting high in the google ranks, but i will re-read the wealth of info here and no doubt what seems fuzzy will sharpen up soon- i hope? i feel like i’m missing something- perhaps i wish it to be more complex than it is??
It can be very daunting starting a new blog for the very first time, and even starting a new one if you have a done few can be quite time consuming in getting all the setting correct. I have made a document of what to do with a new blog as I am setting up a few at the moment and the list is nearly three pages long of all the settings and the plugins and the widgets etc!