How to Start a Blog: Part 1
In part 1 of my “How to Start a Blog” guide, we will start with the non technical aspect of choosing your topic. There is no point in registering a domain name or choosing your WordPress theme if you have no idea what you are going topic you are going to choose to blog about.
What to Blog About
So you have taken the plunge and decided to create your very own blog. Before we even begin to touch on the technical side of things you are going to have to choose a topic to blog about. If you have already decided to create a blog, then you must have a few ideas in mind.
Although this seems like a fairly easy question to answer, it can often be the hardest decision you will make and will have a big effect on whether your blog will succeed or not.
Types of Blogs
There are a number different ways to blog, and depending on your own vision you will need to figure out what type of blog you want to create. Blog types vary from personal insights to informative posts, educational to reviews, news to rants and the list goes on. Essentially the types of blogging can be categorised into two main categories.
Personal
A personal blog is written in a diary style type of writing, written in first person. Normally it revolves around the bloggers life experiences such personal issues, work, friends, family, relationships, money and travel.
A personal blog can be a way for the blogger to keep in touch with friends and family – sharing their thoughts on what is going on around them, or can be an outlet for the blogger to write what they are feeling in order to give them some perspective.
Informational
An informational type blog is a blog that is dedicated to a particular subject matter. Informational type of blogs are normally chosen based on the bloggers knowledge and interest of the subject matter. For example, a friend of mine is interested in fashion so she created a fashion blog based around the latest fashion trends and what is currently popular in the world of fashion.
An informational blog is aimed at educating your readers on the particular topic. Whether it be news, reviews, opinions, informative – you are blogging in order to share your knowledge with the end user.
Finding a Niche
A niche is the subject matter or theme or your blog. This is possibly the most difficult choice you will have to make regarding your blog. Chances are that whatever topic you choose to blog about, there is going to be 100 other bloggers doing the same thing.
The best thing to do in order to find your niche is to write a list of your interests based on how much knowledge you have on each.
Consider these points:
- Do you have enough knowledge on the subject to post about it consistently?
- Does your subject interest other people?
- What can you tell your audience others can’t?
- Are you passionate about your subject?
If you choose to create a blog about a hobby or interest, then make sure that you have enough knowledge and experience on the subject matter to ensure you can create an unlimited amount of posts. There is no point if you create a blog based on a subject if you only know enough information to last you ten posts.
The most important thing you have to remember is to choose a niche you are going to enjoy blogging about. You don’t want to start strong and realise a few months down the track that you are struggling to motivate yourself. You have to make sure you enjoy blogging otherwise you are going to loose interest very fast.
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