10 Beginner Blogging Tips You Need To Know

When I first started blogging in 2016 I kicked off as a beauty blogger with a name that was basically my nickname and Instagram handle at the time. I was heavily into beauty content so I slapped on the word beauty behind it and Suephoriabeauty was born. I got into affiliate marketing and my blog was a hub for showcasing beauty products, makeup looks, beauty hauls as well as reviews. My Instagram page was frequently updated with flatlays, makeup looks and who remembers the Dupe Alerts? As my blog started to grow however, I was obviously evolving as an individual, and as situations, experiences and circumstances changed,I began to feel limited as to what I was able to offer with such a narrow niche. As I personally felt convicted to present a wider variety of content, the tough but constructive decision was made to rebrand to a lifestyle blog and I don't regret it. Recently I was asked about the ins and outs of being a blogger, including the start up process so I compiled a list of steps to get you started as you embark on this journey:

1. Type of Blog (Niche vs General/Lifestyle)- The first thing you're going to have to decide between is having a niche or general blog. Niche blogs cater to a specific audience since you're predominantly covering one particular topic. The main pro of niche blogging is that it allows you grow to be an expert in the field, inherently building your credibility, making you more attractive to brands if you're seeking to be an influencer. Lifestyle blogs cover a wider array of talking points that usually go hand in hand with the writer's daily life and personal interests. The exceptional thing about lifestyle blogging is that you can cover various sub niches within your blog. This affords you endless ideas for content on subjects that are meaningful to you.

2. Name/Brand- Think carefully about naming your blog as your name is basically your brand, it represents you and it's going to be there for the long haul. Your name sets the tone for your blog. If you're too quick and narrow with your blog name it may have to be changed as you evolve, as you saw from my experience. I advise against using a name that is too long or hard to spell, you want to stick to something short and catchy with a little bit of personality, essentially telling readers what to expect. You also want your name to be easy to remember and find in search engines. . If you're stuck, ask friends and family members what they think about it, someone may randomly suggest a name that resonates with you and when you finally come up with something you like, be sure to verify if the domain is actually available.

3. Website Hosts- The next step is to choose a website host and pick a plan. Usually the basic plan offered by any host is good enough for new bloggers, you can always upgrade to premium as you advance. I do, however, suggest utilizing the free version before considering purchasing your own domain, you don't want to go all in only to realize that blogging is not for you a few months down the road. There are a variety of hosts that are quite simple for new bloggers to use like WordPress.com, BlueHost.com, Blogger.com and Wix.com, just to name a few. I stuck with Wix.com since it's what I've been using for the past four years, it's quite easy to navigate plus Wix is always looking for new ways to upgrade the site making it more user friendly.

4. Designing- Most website hosts have step by step instructions on designing your blog. Wix has templates you can easily customize to reflect your brand as well as style. Since your design is the first thing visitors notice, you want to have interesting appeal and do so without going overboard. Trying to do too much is harsh on the reader's eyes and looks quite unprofessional. You also want readers to be able to easily navigate your site so having less clutter is key. If you're unable to complete your design with the material provided, consider hiring a professional to assist you.

5. Content Creation- My favourite but also the most demanding part of blogging is content creation. You do not have to be a great writer to be a blogger, however, I will say this, PLEASE check your grammar. Bad grammar discredits you, readers will not take you seriously if your basic grammar is not up to par. Bear in mind as a blogger you're constantly striving to maintain balance, you want to sound like you know what you're talking about yet you don't want to come across as a smarty pants. The trick is to relax and connect with your audience as if you're talking to your friends.

6. Be yourself. Stay true to yourself- If you are starting a blog to be like someone else then forget about it. Understand that you possess too much uniqueness to allow your creativity to be fueled by another person. What makes you authentic and easy to identify with is your passion as well as your drive that comes from your own experiences, if you cannot identify with that then blogging is not for you. Readers can tell whether or not you're serious about what you put out, it shows in your work.

7. Promote- Utilize apps or services your website host offers for promotions. Wix has Shoutout that notifies your subscribers when you publish a new post. Utilize various social media outlets to share your posts such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram. Consider switching your Instagram from a personal to a creator profile so that you can view analytics and understand your reach.

8. Growth- Don't expect your blog to rapidly take off, unless you're lucky enough to have an article or post go viral. Blogging is hard work, making time for blogging especially if it's something you're doing alongside a regular job is challenging. Consider having a monthly goal for the amount of content you produce but at the same time don't overwhelm yourself trying to overachieve.

9. Competition- Competition is the least of your problems. While it's good to stay in the loop about recent trends there is no need to constantly gape at what someone else is doing, every minute you spend checking up on other people is a minute you could be using to better your brand. It's important to network with like minded individuals however, stay away from toxic situations where people start comparing or stealing ideas. Also, understand that THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERYONE.

10. Stay consistent no matter what- There will be a period of time as a new blogger where you will still be figuring things out but as you grow your blog grows, your subscriber count climbs and you will be expected to consistently produce. Loyal subscribers will celebrate your journey but be prepared to face the naysayers. As with any business venture, blogging and building a brand is no different, there will be people who will downright criticize you, people you expected to show support may never even read a single blog post. You must be determined to press on regardless, remember you can't get out of your blog what you don't put into it.

I hope this article gave you a little more insight and clarity as you embark on your blogging journey. Though it's a ride filled with mistakes, learning curves and evolvement, it truly is a fulfilling one. Allow me to take this opportunity to thank you all for supporting me, whether it's by reading, liking, commenting or sharing my posts and more importantly for trusting me to provide meaningful content. If you found this post to be helpful drop a comment below and let me know. All the best to you!

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