So you want to be a blogger, huh? A capital-B Blogger with the domain name + online presence to prove it. A lot of friends have mentioned the desire to start a blog, and I’ve sent a whole slew of long-winded emails with blogging advice, tips, tricks and favorite resources. After all that typing, I figured it would be easier to share the good stuff in one readily available post: 5 simple steps to becoming a blogger, coming right up!
Here’s the (not-so) secret truth: if you blog, you are a blogger. If you verb, then you are a noun.(Noun-er?) You know what I mean: if you write, you are a writer. If you bake, you are a baker. If you blog, you are a blogger. Strip a label of its connotations and the pressure you put on yourself, and you’ll find that it’s just a word. Certainly, taking an action habitually doesn’t make you a professional (I would never say that I’m a pro photographer), but it does give you a right to a label, if you want one.
Unless you are creating a blog driven by a specific marketing objective (e.g. creating a blog for your business), just start. Do the part you love–the writing, the photography, the design, the community-building–and you can learn about the rest along the way.Step 1: Start. Go to WordPress.com, register for a free site (and buy a domain if you want one), and get on with your bad self! Put first things first: your priority is to create posts that make you proud, whether they are 1,000-word essays, curated collections of professional photographs or something in between.
Nota bene: If monetizing (making a profit from) your blog is a short-term goal, first head to a hosting company like Bluehost and shell out for a domain and self-hosted blog using WordPress.org. You’ll need to pay more for hosting, but on the plus side, you’ll have more control over your design and be able to advertise as you please. Bluehost also gives one free domain name with purchase of hosting.
Step 2: Design. Design matters, but unless you’re a designer, your priority should be your content. I speak from experience when I tell you that you can spend hours teaching yourself basic coding, reading tutorials and creating perfect custom social media icons to beautify your sidebar…but put first things first. Choose a simple theme to start (a free one or an affordable custom-made template like those from Silly Grrl or The Blog Boat--designers of my template). A clean, minimalist design will have you looking professional right off the bat, and you can always go wild experimenting with design or hiring a designer later on.
Step 3: Post. Write, edit and illustrate with an appropriately-credited image or your own pictures/graphics. Do it on a consistent schedule, like every MWF or just once a week. Don’t pressure yourself to post a certain number of times because it feels like you should–blogging as a hobby is something that should fit into your lifestyle and enrich it, not cause you undue stress.
Step 4: Read the blogs you love and for Pete’s sake, comment! I am guilty of being a lurker for, oh, six years or so before I started my own blog. Once I started actually commenting–offering an opinion, additional resources, and questions–my community of the dearest, most creative + inspiring blog friends started to grow. While a blogger with readers in the thousands may not respond to your comment, if you offer genuine words you’ll often find bloggers will visit your site in turn and start offering you the same.
Step 5: Keep going + set goals. Assess what you enjoy about blogging and whether you have goals for your online space beyond personal fulfillment. Do you want to work with brands? Is a freelance writing career calling your name? Are you trying to gain experience with social media that you can put on your resume? Do you just love connecting with new readers?
Here’s my former-high-school-tutor side coming out: once you identify your goals, get SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely). Ashley has a great post laying out simple steps for setting and achieving your goals. Don’t skip around or be wishy washy. Write that stuff down, set dates and benchmarks, and get your hustle on.
There’s more, of course, and your goals should determine the direction of your blog. I’m thankful for the many fantastically fun opportunities that have come my way through blogging. I have my current full-time job because of my self-taught blogging and social media marketing experience + nerdy, time-consuming research. I’ve found an amazing professional mentor and made new friends (online and off) through sharing writing, personal experiences and resources. I’ve become a brand ambassador, a regular guest poster one of my all-time favorite blogs and an income-earning affiliate for Braid’s ecourses for creative entrepreneurs. I’ve written copy for businesses I believe in and consulted on social media for a company whose mission leaves me breathless. Even so, I still happily consider myself a hobby blogger: “someone who doesn’t rely on blogging for her income” (Betsy on Defining Blogging Success). Give me a year, and I may define things differently.
In the coming months I’m excited to share a few more exciting opportunities–including goodies for you! I’m staying tight-lipped for now, but I can’t wait to show you what’s in store.
Bloggers out there, what advice would you give to someone who wants to start blogging? Do you call yourself a blogger?
For a collection of resources + posts on brilliant blogging, visit my Blogging Resources page and follow my blogging board on Pinterest!
Navigating Common Blogging Challenges
Every blogger hits rough patches, whether it's writer's block, comparisonitis, or simply losing motivation. When the blank page feels intimidating, try switching up your content medium—write a list post, share a photo essay, or record a short video. Sometimes the best antidote is to step away and live life; inspiration often strikes when you're not staring at a screen.
It's also easy to fall into the trap of comparing your beginning to someone else's middle. Remember that every successful blogger started with zero readers. Focus on your own progress and celebrate small wins, like your first comment from a stranger or a spike in traffic from a search engine. Consistency matters more than perfection, so give yourself grace on the days when a post doesn't turn out exactly as planned.
Monetization: A Realistic Path
If you're aiming to earn income from your blog, it's important to approach monetization strategically. Many bloggers rush into ads or sponsored posts before they have a loyal audience, which can turn readers off. Instead, focus on building trust and providing value first. Once you have a steady readership, you can explore avenues like affiliate marketing, digital products, or working with brands that align with your content.
When you do start monetizing, be transparent with your audience. Disclose affiliate links and sponsored partnerships clearly—it's not only ethical but often legally required. For a deeper dive into the ethics and questions to ask before taking on sponsors, check out On Advertising, Blogging & Questions to Ask Yourself. And if you're curious about how I've personally approached sponsorship, see Blog Love: Bound + Questions for You About Sponsorship.
Building a Community That Matters
Beyond comments, there are many ways to cultivate a sense of community around your blog. Engage with readers on social media, respond to every comment (especially early on), and consider creating a newsletter to stay in touch. Readers appreciate feeling seen and heard, so ask questions at the end of posts and invite them to share their own experiences.
Collaborating with other bloggers can also expand your reach and strengthen relationships. Guest posting, co-hosting challenges, or simply sharing each other's work can introduce you to new audiences. If you're interested in contributing to Jaybird Blog, visit the Guest page for guidelines.
Essential Tools and Resources
While you don't need a lot of fancy equipment to start blogging, a few tools can make your life easier. Here's a list of categories to explore as you grow:
- Writing & Editing: Use a distraction-free editor like Google Docs or a markdown tool to draft posts. Grammar checkers can help polish your prose.
- Photography: Your smartphone camera is often enough. Learn basic composition and use free editing apps to enhance images.
- Social Media Scheduling: Tools like Buffer or Later can help you maintain a consistent presence without being glued to your phone.
- Learning Platforms: Websites like Skillshare or YouTube offer tutorials on everything from SEO to design.
Remember, tools should support your creativity, not stifle it. Start with what you have and invest in paid resources only when you've identified a clear need.