Blog Creator 101 starts with TWO important questions:
1) Is your blog just for fun? or ...
2) Do you want to monetize your blog?
If it's just for fun CLICK HERE for the Top 10 Free Websites. If you want to monetize your blog follow these 5 steps to getting online.
1 ) Get A Domain Name
Ultimately to monetize a blog you need a presence. So your first step as a newbie blog creator is to get a domain name. They’re not expensive.
Go to GoDaddy.com or HostGator.com and for a minimal cost you can have your very own, personally branded domain name. Put some thought into choosing your domain name.
Read "How To Name A Website So You Dominate With Your Domain Name ..." before moving on.
2 ) Hosting
- HostGator
Find a host for your domain name. In my opinion the best hosting site is HostGator.com.
For a brand new blog creator you’ll find HostGator to be very simple to use and their support is second to none.
Another reason you want HostGator is because it has a tool called Fantastico that allows you to install WordPress directly onto your domain.
3 ) WordPress
For a newbie blog creator WordPress is the easiest way to get a blog on the Internet. It’s a FREE blogging tool and publishing platform that is very user friendly. Even if you’re just blogging for fun, you can post your blogs right here.
If you want to monetize your blog you can get your WordPress blog installed directly on your domain as I mentioned before.
Another popular way for a newbie blog creator to get started blogging is to join the Empower Network. For just $25 it's all set up for you. In less then 24 hours you'll be blogging on a domain that has a Page Rank of 1 and an Alexa in the US of 340 at the time of writing this post. Not a bad way for a newbie to get a blog with some clout. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.
4 ) Keyword Research
If you're a blog creator looking to monetize your blog you need to learn how to drive long-term traffic to your site and generate leads.
Work out WHO your audience is and target them with laser-focused information.
To help you with this go to Google’s FREE Keyword Tool.
Enter keywords that are related to your subject matter. You are looking for keywords that are very popular.
You will need one MAIN keyword or phrase that is the focus of your blog, and a few related keywords or phrases that you can use throughout your blog.
The reason you do this is two-fold
1 ) You want to make sure you are providing information on a topic readers are interested in, and
2 ) You want the Search Engines to find you. The more relevant keywords you enter the more attention you’ll get from the Search Engines. Search engines love it when you deliver value to your readers. So keep it on point. Do your Keyword Research.
For more specific information on keyword research read, "Keyword Research – 4 Secrets To Conquering Online Obscurity".
5 ) Valuable Content
As a newbie blog creator you MUST understand what your readers want and give it to them. If you don’t have something of value to offer your readers they won’t come back.
So again, do your research, find out what some hot topics are, research the heck out of them and then present your findings.
Keep your blog fresh, original & entertaining.
If you’re stuck for material, read a popular blog I wrote, “My Dog Ate My Blog – 10 Steps To Beat The Blogging Blues.” This blog will give you some guaranteed ways to find top ranking valuable content.
Final Tips on How to Blog for Success
1 ) It goes without saying – check your spelling and grammar. Google actually frowns upon poorly written content. Also, there is no excuse for spelling mistakes. Use your Spell Check!
2 ) Read your post out loud. Does it flow naturally? You want your blog to be easy to read. If it’s grueling to get through, re-write it. Don’t try and be fancy. Just get your information out there in an easy to read, entertaining fashion.
3 ) Make sure you’ve got a Killer Headline. If you want ideas on how to do this “7 Ways to Create Killer Headlines" will get your creative juices flowing.
4 ) Try to keep within 500-1200 words. The only time you should go over 1200 words is if you are creating “How To” Manuals.
No comments:
Post a Comment