My goal in life is to convince everyone to start their own blog because it is such satisfying and rewarding activity. Whether you create a blog as a hobby or as a business, you will not be disappointed. I know blogging can be super intimidating at first and feel like it is impossible to start, especially because so many people are blogging. But your voice is unique, so why not share it with the world? If you are interested in learning blogging 101– you came to the right place. Okay, let’s dive into blogging 101!

Some affiliate links are used in this post denoted by an asterisk*. Click here for full disclaimer.

Blogging Basics 101

1. Choose a niche

Figure out what you want to blog about. Are you interested in gardening, thrifting, cooking, reading?

• Need help figuring out a topic? Ask you friends and family what advice they would come to you for. That can help you figure out what you are knowledgeable in. Make sure the topic you choose is something you are passionate about.
• Don’t feel like you have to talk about this one topic forever. You can always add or even change topics later on.

◦ Listen to podcast episode – Power of Niching Down for more tips

2. Decide on a name

Write down a list of possible names for your blog. Be sure to do a quick google search and a social media search to make sure the name you choose isn’t already taken. Some good blog names can be straight forward where they include the topic in the title. It can be your real name or a twist on your real name. Or it can be completely random.

Blog names I love:

• Slice & Rice – couple where the guy loves pizza & the girl loves rice
• Happily Grey – an oxymoron
• The Blonde Abroad – a blonde girl who travels
• Shan Boody – shortened version of her last name Boodram – but relevant to her sex niche
• Sustainably Chic – sustainable fashion blog

◦ Use the random name generator if you’re super stuck

3. Pick your platform

Figure out which blogging platform you want to use. Most bloggers will use WordPress.org (not to be mistaken with WordPress.com) or Squarespace – it just depends on personal preference. There are also sites available like Wix.com – but that site is limited in features.

Also, figure out which social media platforms you will use. You can post content to Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitch, Facebook, and/or Pinterest. There are a lot of bloggers who only use Instagram – but remember you do not own Instagram. If Instagram decides to shut down one day or if it loses popularity like Myspace, you don’t want all of your content to be wasted.

• Industry standard is to create long form content – like blogs, YouTube videos, or podcasts
• Create supplemental content to promote or complement long form content– like Instagram posts, TikTok videos, Twitter posts, or Facebook posts
• Your website can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. If you decide to focus on YouTubing or podcating. You can have a super simple website that gives a quick info like an About Me page & Contact page & maybe even a Shop page.

4. Buy your domain & get hosting

The domain is your actual website name. If you choose Squarespace the domain and hosting is included. If you choose WordPress (like me), you will have to buy a domain and hosting through a third party. I use Bluehost* for hosting & my domain. You can also get a domain from GoDaddy.com*.

• If you’re looking for an ethical hosting option, check out Green Geeks* – the most eco-friendly hosting platform

5. Select a theme & colors & logo:

Now for the fun part. Choose a blog theme. Creative Market* & Etsy* have beautiful themes available. When choosing your theme – figure out your colors and overall branding as well.

• What vibe are you going for?
• Do you love color or are you more minimal?
• Create a pinterest moodboard to figure out your brand feel.

◦ You can design a logo for free using Canva or if you are more advanced make one with Canva Pro* or Photoshop.

Creating Original Content

1. Determine your audience

Who will you be talking to? Come up with a specific person (aka avatar) and always write to them. What it the avatar’s name? What is their biggest struggle? What do they do on weekends? How old are they? Are they single? Get super specific in the details. It will make writing and coming up with content so much easier.

2. Find your tone

There’s nothing worse than reading something that feels robotic. Try to find a tone for your content that feels real and relatable. What feeling do you want to give off? Do you want to be funny? Inspirational? Like an older sibling giving advice? Choosing the tone for your posts will make the content creation process so much easier.

• If you want your tone to come off as your real self – consider recording audio for your posts then transcribing it into a blog post. Pretend you are talking to a friend when recording.

3. Brainstorm content ideas

Now that you have your name and your platforms, what kind of content do you want to create? Will you create videos, audio recordings, photos, infographics, drawings? Also, what is the purpose behind this content? Is it to entertain, educate, inspire, promote, or encourage discussion? Write down a list of content ideas on a piece of paper or on your notes app.

Stuck on content ideas?

• Search Pinterest, YouTube, & Google for ideas
• Refer to this list of 100 blog post ideas

4. Pick a schedule

Consistency is key! Come up with a posting schedule and stick to it. The schedule can be once a month, once a week, or even once a day. Start out slow and if you are able to stay consistent, consider posting more frequently. Remember your posting schedule can vary per platform. You may want to post to your blog once a month and post to Instagram once a week. Pick what works best for you.

• Trello is an amazing platform that allows you to plan content ahead of time
• Plann is great for planning Instagram posts
• Hootsuite is useful for scheduling your content across platforms

5. Don’t worry about equipment

You do not need to fanciest camera or computer to create content. Use what you have then upgrade later on. The hardest part about content creation is starting. If your posts are providing value, that’s what matters the most.

If you do want to get some equipment consider buying used items for the best price. Best Buy* sells open boxed items at a cheaper price, Canon* sells refurbished cameras, and eBay* always has a great selection of used tech equipment. You can also visit your local pawn shop for some good deals on tech.

• If you’re worried about image quality, a quick way to elevate your photos is by using presets. You can purchase premade presets or you can create your own using Adobe Lightroom (the mobile app is free).

How to Grow Blog Audience

1. Connect with other creators

Find a group of like-minded creatives you can talk to about all things blogging. Blogging can be very overwhelming, so it is super helpful finding a group of people you can talk to.

Some amazing tribes to join:

• The Orange Collab –  supportive Facebook community for the creative & diverse woman
• Ethical Bloggers Club – connect & collaborate with other ethical bloggers via Facebook
• Ethical Hour – paid community of ethical brand owners & access to educational content

2. Be engaged

Since you are creating an online community, be sure to be active within that community. Comment on other blogs in your niche and respond to comments. Also, do not focus on the numbers. Remember quality over quantity. Building a strong & loyal community and nourishing those relationships is more important than having a huge following. Building trust within your community will help you grow in the long run.

• Don’t be afraid to reach out to brands & other bloggers you love. I’ve made so many amazing friends through social media.

{Check out this post: How to Grow Your Instagram following to 10,000}

3. Stay true to your values

Being an ethical/sustainable blogger means that you stay true to your values. Posting pretty photos is one thing, but having a deeper message behind your posts is so important. Find a way to incorporate your values into your posts. Your values are a part of your identity and using your platform to raise awareness is so admirable. You may want to discuss veganism, cruelty-free beauty, social justice, fair-trade fashion, environmentalism, or something else. Whatever you choose, be sure to use your platform and your voice to inspire change. Your audience will appreciate you for staying true to your values!

How to Be an Expert Blogger

1. Get informed

Education is key to being a good blogger. Stay on top of industry news when it comes to your niche, social media, and blogging in general.

Some of the best blogging resources are:

• Emma’s Edition (blog) – tips for navigating brand collaborations
• Content Creatives (podcast) – blogging advice
• Thrive Blogger (podcast) – advice from industry experts
• MissBeeBright (twitter) – tips about working with brands & earning consistent income
• Influencer Business by Trove (podcast) – behind the scenes look at the business side of blogging

More ways to stay informed:

• Follow industry experts on twitter
• Sign up for weekly newsletters
• Attend conferences

2. Learn new skills

Being a blogger means you will be learning lots of new skills. You will be a creative director, an accountant, a graphic designer, content editor, model, manager, and more! If you ever feel stuck or lost, there are a lot of resources online and lots of amazing courses you can take.

Courses I recommend

• Sophia Lee’s Perfecting Blogging Course
• Emma’s Edition’s How to Negotiate (Paid) Brand Collaborations

How to Monetize a Blog

1. Determine how you want to make money

Once you get used to posting consistent content and building an online community, you can start monetizing. Some ways you can monetize are through sponsored posts (working with brands), ads, affiliate links, freelance writing, or selling physical/digital products.

If you do decide to monetize through working with brands, make sure those brands are in alignment with your values. Check out my Influencer Rate Calculator to figure out how much to charge for brand deals.

Networks to connect you to paid & gifted opportunities:

• Ethical Influencer Network – connects you with likeminded influencers & ethical brand opportunities
• Reclaim Collaborative – affiliate program allowing you to make money while promoting ethical brands & connect with likeminded people

That’s pretty much everything for blogging 101! I wish you the best of luck in starting a blog. Blogging is so amazing and can open the door for so many opportunities. Good luck on your journey.

Do you have a blog?