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Do you want to start your own blog? Are you ready to jump in to the crazy but so fun blogging world? Do you feel like you can share information and experience to help others?
You don’t have to be an expert to help others, you just have to share what you know. I’ve been blogging for about 2 years now, and I love sharing tips and resources with my readers!
Blogging is the best job I’ve ever had! I love helping others and I love writing.
I also love the income it brings! Blogging has allowed me to quit my full tip office job, and stay home while working to provide for our family. It’s a dream come true.
You can blog from anywhere if you have a computer and internet access. Blogging is not a get rich quick game. It will take hard work and some time and energy to get started, but very little upfront costs.
In fact, you can start a blog for as little as $3.95 a month! I’ll show you how to get started.
How to Start a Blog
Starting a blog is really not hard at all. I’ll show you step by step how to get your site up and running.
What are you going to write about?
Think about what you are most passionate about. I’ve heard others suggest thinking about topics you can’t stop talking about.
You may start out with a few related topics, and find you prefer writing about one of those topics that people relate to.
Pick a name.
Picking your domain name can be stressful and pretty overwhelming to be honest.
My best suggestion is to decide what you are going to be writing about. Then, write down any and all words you can think of that relate to that topic. Start putting two or three words together and narrow your choices down to a few top choices.
You will then want to make sure your top names are available. Try searching for them on Google. Don’t be disappointed if your first choice is taken. It happens, and there are plenty of other options out there.
This will be what is called your domain name – what people type in their browser. You can purchase this with your hosting, which I will explain down below.
Get your blog set up!
Hosting is what keeps your site up and running. I use and love Bluehost for hosting. They are super affordable, have always had great 24/7 support when I need help, and have lots of helpful info to get you started.
Bluehost is one of the largest and most respected web hosting providers in the world. They support more than 2 million websites.
Hosting your site with Bluehost starts at just $3.95 a month. If for any reason you aren’t happy, you can cancel within 30 days for a full refund.
Start your blog for just $3.95 a month here. You can also get your free domain name with Bluehost, which makes it super easy!
Follow the below instructions for setting up your hosting:
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Head to bluehost.com and click “Get started now”
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Select the basic plan.
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Choose your domain name.
This is where you will enter the domain name you chose and to make sure it still available. Enter the name you chose and click “next”.
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Fill out the account information.
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Review your package information.
To get the best price, you will want to pay for 3 years upfront.
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Submit your payment.
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Choose your password.
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Pick a theme.
You will need to choose a theme, which is like a template for your blog. There are tons of free themes with WordPress, or you can purchase a theme.
If you are just starting out, a free theme is what I would recommend. You will be figuring out how to work your new website, and you can play around with the free theme without worrying about messing something up that you spent money on.
Later on, you may want to upgrade to a paid theme. These have more options for customizing your site and tend to look more professional.
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Start building your site.
Bluehost has a great guide to help you get started building your site. And their support is incredible, so always chat with them when you have questions!
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Start writing.
Now that you have everything set up, you are ready to start writing and filling your blog with helpful information.
From here, it’s a roller coaster. You will have frustrating days, winning days, and a lot of in between.
I would suggest writing 10-20 posts before your website goes live. This way, when people find your site, they will have several posts to read.
Take a blogging class.
So, here is the thing about blogging: You want to write and you want to make money. Right? Great!
Well, I hate to tell you, but, the money is not going to come right away.
It takes a little while to establish your online presence, gain more traffic, and work with brands and sponsors.
But, I don’t want to discourage you! I want to help you take the right steps so you are successful as quick as possible.
I would highly, highly, highly, highly suggest you take a blogging class.
Yeah I know, spend money before you are making any. It seems like a big investment in something that could not work out. But, if you want it to work out and you want to be a successful, money making blogger, you need to take a class from someone who knows what they are talking about.
The best class out there hands down is Elite Blog Academy by Ruth Soukup from Living Well Spending Less.
Ruth opens EBA up once a year, so best bet is to get on the waiting list here. And if you EVER see a deal on the course, grab it!
While you are waiting on the course, you can grab Ruth’s book, How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul, to get started and learn more about successful blogging.
It took me about a year to go through the course, and about 3 months after finishing the course, I’m sitting at home on the patio making money and writing this post to help you do the same. It works!
EBA students are some of the best bloggers out there, and I would say they are some of the top money making bloggers, too! This course tells you the exact steps to take, and in what order, to become successful and to earn a living as a blogger.
Get Started!
You can become a successful, money making, blogger, too! You just have to start!
Get started on your blog for just $3.95/month here.
Cheering you on!!
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