Just a few short years ago, blogging was something that only tech geeks did and virtually no one read them. Now almost everyone with an online presence has a blog, from homemakers and mothers to the biggest corporations and politicians. Some have made blogging a business, while others use it as a creative outlet or to share their lives with friends and family. Whatever reasons you have for starting a blog, it is a wonderful hobby that will allow you to be creative, express yourself and potentially earn you a bit of spending money. Not to mention, getting started is easy. All you need is a computer and an Internet connection.
Choose Your Blogging Topic
There are hundreds of potential topics on which you can start a blog. You can write about your personal life experiences, treating your blog as a diary. You can share your opinions on the latest news or celebrity gossip. If there is a cause or issue that you feel strongly about, you can blog about that. Whatever your interests are, there is likely an audience for your blog. Blogs do not even have to be written word. Some choose to use audio or video entries to share their voice with the world.
Decide on a Blogging Platform
After you have chosen what you would like to discuss on your blog, you need to find a place to put your thoughts and ideas. Several places offer free blogging platforms that you can customise to your needs. They usually offer detailed instructions and tutorials on how to use their services. One downfall to these free services is that you may be limited on your monetisation options. You may have to use their network ad services and will be bound by the site’s rules and regulations. One example of a free, hosted blogging platform is Blogger.
An alternative to using free services is to purchase website hosting and a domain name, then host your own blog. While this takes a little more work and knowledge, it offers the most options for monetising your blog and adding various features and services to the site. Hosting plan costs vary, but for a basic site they are usually very affordable. Blogging platforms that require you have your own domain name and hosting include WordPress.
Personalise Your Pages
Now that you have a place to put your blog, you can start to create your own presence. You want to create a site with a pleasant look that is appealing to your readers. Find a template or background that you like and add it to your site. Every platform has its own set of standard themes, plus there are others offered for free by other companies. Premium themes can be purchased or you can hire a web designer to create a unique theme for your blog. You can pick one template and stick with it, or change them according to your mood or the season.
Start Adding Content
Developing content for your blog is where your own creativity can start to shine. Write a daily diary, record a video blog - also called a vlog - or create an audio podcast with your thoughts or ideas. Update your blog on a regular basis, daily or at least weekly, to give your readers fresh content that will keep them coming back. Though it may seem that no one reads or visits your blog in the beginning, as time goes on, you will begin to build a readership if you offer good content that is updated regularly.
Earning Money Through Blogging
If you would like to use your new hobby of blogging to earn some extra money, you have several options. Ad networks are a popular choice. When you sign up for these services, they provide the advertisements on your blog and you receive payment based on views and reader action on the ads. Affiliate programs allow you to promote products and services on your blog, then receive a commission if a reader chooses to purchase the product through one of your links. Private ad sales are also an option; companies pay you to place their advertisement on your blog space, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. New blog monetisation programs are constantly being developed, so network with other bloggers to find out what is happening in the “blogosphere.”
Whether you decide to blog just for a fun and creative hobby or if you choose to invest a bit more into your venture and make it a hobby that earns a bit of money, blogging is a wonderful way to share your creativity and interests. Take a look at the options available and give it a try. You may find that blogging is the perfect hobby to release your artistic and creative energies.
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on blogging, take a look at the following books:
Blogging For Dummies
The IT Girl’s Guide to Blogging with Moxie
Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal
Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
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