So you want to start a blog? Congratulations! Blogging is a fantastic way to share your passions, build an audience, and even make money online. But it‘s not always as easy as it seems. As someone who has been blogging for over a decade, I‘ve made my fair share of mistakes and learned a lot of valuable lessons along the way.
In this post, I‘m going to share with you 20 things I wish I had known before starting my first blog, so you can learn from my experience and fast-track your own blogging success. Let‘s dive in!
1. Take blogging seriously from the start
When I first started blogging, I treated it more like a hobby than a business. I would post when I felt like it, without any real strategy or goals in mind. As a result, my early blogs failed to gain much traction.
It wasn‘t until I got serious about blogging that I started to see real results. I put together a business plan, set clear goals, and started treating my blog like the real business it is. If you want your blog to be successful, you need to take it seriously from day one.
2. Choose a niche you are truly passionate about
One of the biggest mistakes new bloggers make is choosing a niche based on profitability rather than passion. While it‘s important to consider your audience and monetization potential, you also need to choose a topic that you genuinely care about and can write about consistently.
My early blogs failed because I wasn‘t truly passionate about the topics. It was a struggle to come up with new content ideas and motivate myself to write. But when I finally landed on the right niche, blogging became fun and effortless. I could write for hours about topics that genuinely excited me.
3. Invest time in planning your blog strategy and goals
Before you even launch your blog, take some time to map out your strategy and set clear goals. What do you want to achieve with your blog in the next 6-12 months? What kind of content will you create? How will you promote and monetize your blog?
Having a solid plan keeps you focused, motivated and on track to achieve your blogging goals. I like to set 90-day goals for my blog and create a content calendar to stay organized. I wish I had done this from the beginning instead of flying by the seat of my pants!
4. Choose a brandable domain name
Your domain name is the address of your blog on the web (like www.yourblog.com). Ideally, you want to choose a domain name that is:
- Brandable and memorable
- Easy to spell and pronounce
- Short and punchy
- Relevant to your niche
- Available as a .com
I made the mistake of choosing quirky, hard-to-spell domain names for my early blogs. Now I know that simple and brandable is best. A strong domain name helps people remember your blog and find it easily online.
5. Invest in professional web hosting
When you‘re just starting out, it‘s tempting to choose the cheapest web hosting plan to keep costs down. But cheap hosting is often slow, unreliable and lacking in features. This can really hurt your blog‘s performance and user experience.
I recommend investing in professional, managed WordPress hosting from the start. This will ensure your blog loads quickly, is secure, and can handle spikes in traffic as you grow. I use and recommend hosting services like Flywheel or WP Engine, which are optimized for WordPress blogs.
6. Design your blog for your ideal reader
Your blog‘s design should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for your target audience. Think about your ideal reader and what kind of design will resonate with them.
I‘ve experimented with many different WordPress themes and designs over the years. I‘ve found that a clean, minimalist design with plenty of white space works best for my audience. I also like to use high-quality images, clear fonts, and intuitive navigation to create a great user experience.
7. Create epic, cornerstone content
To stand out in a crowded blogosphere, you need to create truly epic content that blows your readers away. I‘m talking about in-depth, well-researched, actionable content that is the best resource on the web for your topic.
This kind of "cornerstone content" can be hugely valuable for your blog. It helps you rank in search engines, attract backlinks, and establish your authority. It also provides ongoing value to your readers and helps turn them into loyal fans.
I try to create at least one piece of cornerstone content every month, such as a definitive guide, expert roundup, or resource toolkit. This content takes a lot of time and effort to produce, but it‘s the best thing you can do to grow your blog.
8. Build your email list from day one
I made the mistake of waiting too long to start building my email list. An engaged email list is one of the most valuable assets for any blogger. It allows you to build relationships with your audience, drive traffic back to your blog, and monetize with affiliate offers or your own products.
Start building your list from the moment you launch your blog. Create a compelling lead magnet (like an eBook, cheat sheet, or email course) to encourage people to subscribe. Then nurture your subscribers with valuable content and offers.
9. Focus on SEO and keyword research
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your blog. I didn‘t pay much attention to SEO in the early days, but now I make sure to optimize every post for relevant keywords.
Do your keyword research to find out what your target audience is searching for. Then optimize your posts with those keywords in the title, headings, URL, meta description, and throughout the content. But avoid "keyword stuffing" – keep your writing natural and your users in mind first.
10. Promote your content like crazy
Writing great content is just the start. To get eyeballs on your blog, you need to actively promote every post. I used to just hit publish and pray, but now I have a checklist of promotion strategies for every piece of content, such as:
- Sharing on social media multiple times
- Emailing my list
- Submitting to content communities (e.g. Reddit, Growth Hackers)
- Reaching out to influencers to share
- Repurposing content into different formats (e.g. infographics, videos)
- Promoting in relevant forums and Facebook groups
- Running paid ads
Aim to spend as much time promoting your content as you do writing it. The more people who see your content, the faster your blog will grow.
11. Network and build relationships with other bloggers
Blogging can be a lonely pursuit, but you don‘t have to go it alone. Some of my biggest breakthroughs came from building relationships with other bloggers in my niche. Look for ways to connect and collaborate with bloggers in your space, such as:
- Commenting on their blog
- Sharing their content
- Inviting them to contribute to a roundup post
- Proposing a guest post swap
- Meeting up at conferences and events
Building genuine relationships with other bloggers can lead to valuable opportunities like partnerships, cross-promotions, backlinks, and client referrals. Don‘t be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself!
12. Monetize your blog early
Many bloggers wait too long to monetize their blog. But I believe you should have a monetization plan from the start, even if you‘re not expecting to make a full-time income right away. Having some money coming in will help you justify your time investment and treat your blog like a real business.
There are many ways to monetize a blog, such as:
- Advertising (e.g. Google AdSense, sponsored posts)
- Affiliate marketing
- Digital products (e.g. eBooks, courses)
- Services (e.g. coaching, consulting, freelancing)
- Physical products
- Memberships and subscriptions
I recommend starting with affiliate marketing, as it‘s an easy way to earn passive income by recommending products you already use and love. Then you can add more income streams over time.
13. Focus on building authority and trust
To build a successful blog, you need to establish yourself as an authority in your niche. This means consistently creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and building trust over time.
Some ways to build your authority include:
- Guest posting on respected sites
- Speaking at events and webinars
- Getting featured in media outlets
- Partnering with influencers and brands
- Collecting testimonials and case studies
- Showcasing your credentials and achievements
Focus on providing immense value to your audience and positioning yourself as a trusted resource in your space. Authority and influence will follow.
14. Prioritize quality over quantity
I used to think that the key to blogging success was pumping out as much content as possible. But I quickly burned out trying to meet an unrealistic publishing schedule. Now I know that quality matters much more than quantity.
It‘s better to publish one amazing post per week than five mediocre posts. Your audience will appreciate the extra effort you put into creating well-researched, actionable content. Plus, you‘ll have more time to promote each post and engage with your community.
15. Learn to manage your time effectively
Time management is an essential skill for bloggers, especially if you‘re blogging on the side of a full-time job or other commitments. It‘s easy to get sucked into the endless tasks of writing, editing, designing, promoting, engaging, and so on.
Some of my favorite time management tips include:
- Batching similar tasks together (e.g. writing multiple posts in one sitting)
- Scheduling focused work time and sticking to it
- Breaking big tasks into smaller, manageable steps
- Using tools like Trello or Asana to stay organized
- Automating repetitive tasks with tools like Zapier or IFTTT
- Outsourcing tasks that you don‘t enjoy or aren‘t good at
Remember, you can‘t do everything yourself. Focus on your strengths and highest-value activities. Learn to say no and let go of perfectionism. And don‘t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
16. Be authentic and transparent
In the age of social media, authenticity and transparency are more important than ever. Readers can spot fake or salesy content from a mile away. They crave real, honest voices that they can relate to.
Don‘t be afraid to show your personality and share your story on your blog. Be open about your challenges, mistakes, and lessons learned. Build genuine relationships with your audience by responding to comments and emails. And always disclose any sponsored content or affiliate links.
Your unique story and perspective is what will make you stand out in a crowded niche. Embrace it!
17. Invest in your blogging education
Blogging is an ever-evolving industry. What works today might not work tomorrow. To stay ahead of the curve, you need to continuously invest in your blogging education.
Some of my favorite ways to stay educated include:
- Reading blogs and books about blogging, marketing, and entrepreneurship
- Attending conferences and workshops
- Joining blogging communities and mastermind groups
- Taking online courses and certifications
- Experimenting with new strategies and analyzing the results
The more you learn and grow, the better equipped you‘ll be to navigate the ups and downs of blogging. Investing in your education will pay dividends for years to come.
18. Treat your blog like a business
If you want to make money from your blog, you need to treat it like a real business – not just a hobby. This means:
- Setting clear goals and creating a business plan
- Identifying your target audience and unique value proposition
- Developing systems and processes to streamline your workflow
- Investing in professional tools and resources (e.g. email marketing software, premium WordPress plugins)
- Tracking your income and expenses and paying taxes
- Continuously testing and optimizing your strategies
Treating your blog like a business will help you stay focused, make smart decisions, and maximize your profits. It‘s not always glamorous, but it‘s necessary if you want to turn your blog into a sustainable income stream.
19. Don‘t compare yourself to others
Comparison is the thief of joy – and motivation. It‘s easy to look at other bloggers in your niche and feel like you‘ll never measure up. But the truth is, everyone starts somewhere. Those successful bloggers you admire have likely been at it for years, putting in the hard work day after day.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own journey. Celebrate your small wins and learn from your failures. Set realistic goals and track your progress over time. And don‘t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your audience.
Remember, there‘s room for everyone to succeed in the blogging world. Stay in your own lane and run your own race.
20. Have fun and enjoy the journey!
Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, patience, and persistence to see results. But it can also be a fun and rewarding journey if you enjoy the process.
Remember to celebrate your successes along the way, no matter how small. Take breaks when you need to recharge. Connect with other bloggers and build genuine friendships. And don‘t be afraid to pivot or try new things if something isn‘t working.
Most importantly, have fun and let your passion shine through in your writing. Your enthusiasm will be contagious and attract the right people to your blog.
Blogging has been one of the most fulfilling and life-changing experiences for me. I‘ve learned so much about myself, my audience, and my niche. I‘ve made incredible friends and built a business around my passions. And I‘ve had the opportunity to make a real impact on people‘s lives.
I hope these lessons will help you avoid some of the mistakes I made and fast-track your own blogging success. Whether you‘re a total beginner or a seasoned pro, there‘s always more to learn and room to grow. So keep showing up, putting in the work, and enjoying the journey.
Happy blogging!
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