Have you ever thought about starting a blog? Blogging has been very popular for a number of years now, and many bloggers have even managed to make a living from it. In fact, some of the most popular blogs make millions of dollars a month!
Blogging has made it possible for almost anyone to share opinions and experiences with a worldwide audience, without having to go through the traditional barriers of journalism. If you have got something to say that you think may be interesting to others, whether it is about politics, pop culture, or even an unusual hobby like stamp collecting, you can start a blog and get your voice heard.
However, the fact that almost anyone can start a blog means that the field is a crowded one. In order to stand out from the crowd, you’ll have to know what makes a blog successful. Here we will explore five tips for starting a successful blog.
Choose the Topic Well
You can write a blog about almost anything. The more popular and relevant to most people the topic is, the more potential readers you can get, but also the more competition you will have.
It is best to choose a topic that you are passionate about. After all, you want to enjoy writing the blog, and writing about a topic that does not interest you will most likely result in you losing motivation. Once you have chosen the topic, try and come up with a unique perspective on it that will set your blog apart from the rest.
Choose a Blog Name
Names are important. Ideally, you want to choose something that explains what your blog is about and is also snappy and memorable. It can be difficult to come up with a name, but a good idea is to check out the names of your blog’s competitors. This way you can get some inspiration and also see what to avoid because it’s already taken!
A blog name that you can also purchase as a domain name is best. This may mean using words that aren’t real or are spelled differently. Many popular blog names are made up of two words joined together, like Buzzfeed, TechCrunch, or Deadspin.
Create a Content Calendar
Creating a content calendar is a great way to keep your blog on track. It is important that blogs post regular updates consistently, otherwise they will usually lose readers. Planning what articles you are going to write and when you are going to post them is recommended, and it is best to know what you are going to be posting for at least the next two weeks at any given time.
Use SEO Techniques
SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is an important technique in getting your blog seen by more people. SEO is optimizing your written content (usually using certain keywords) to place highly on search engine results pages. There are various online tutorials on learning SEO, or there are also sites like clickintelligence.co.uk that provide bespoke SEO strategies.
Be Active on Social Media
Making sure that you have a presence on social media sites like Twitter can not only allow you to advertise your blog there but can also give readers an idea of the human behind the blog. Relatable personalities are the main selling point of many different blogs!
