Blogging For Beginners

Why i think you too should blog in 2018? Here is a short story. Over the course of my life, I have read so many other blogs on how to be a successful blogger, tips to help create compelling posts, what to do and what not to do.
After a careful study and research of most other blogs, I decided to lunch a blog on the blogger platform in 2017 which was about fashion and lifestyle with a new domain name.
The first one month was encouraging as I had tons of traffic from social media sites (Facebook, StumbleUpon, Twitter, etc) and forums like Nairaland and a few organic traffic from Google.
Fast forward to the third month, I hardly got any traffic, non was coming from Google and if I didn’t promote on social sites it meant no traffic for me, I became frustrated and stopped updating my blog, and I just let it waste away.
I withdrew myself from the blogging atmosphere, did a proper check on myself and I decided I was going to re-lunch another blog but this time I said to myself I must first sit down and write a whole lot of unique and quality contents that I will consistently be publishing on my blog in 2018. Knowing that “content is king”.

Excerpts

A friend really motivated me and showed me the power behind having captivating original contents, he created a fresh blog about entrepreneurship, published original contents (30 posts) and in one month he got approved by Google AdSense, when his blog was just 6 months old he started getting calls even from advertisers because his traffic was huge and has made over a thousand dollars by giving people the right information.

And while there are lots of articles written about the reasons why you should blog to grow your business, share ideas, or make a whole bunch of money, the best recommendation is still found in the self-realization that blogging impacts positively on you, the writer.

10 ways on how blogging impacts life

1. It makes you a better thinker

   Because writing includes recording thoughts on paper, the blogging process encourages you to stop and really think deeper. You will look deeper into the matters concerning your life and the worldview that shapes them. Sadly, at this point, many will choose not to blog (or write anything at all) based on the reasoning that they have nothing to say or write about.

2. It makes you a better writer

   Writing is communication. It is the act of recording thoughts on paper and being able to compel others to agree with them. Basically, writing just like every other form of communication that has existed improves with constant practice. As the saying goes “practice makes perfect”. Blogging doesn’t force you to become a better writer, it is something that happens naturally as you continue to write and of cause becoming a better writer holds great benefits for the rest of your life, whether you are creating a presentation, writing an article or an birthday card for your loved one.

3. It helps you develop an eye for meaningful things

   Blogging is a never ending process of choosing to articulate the most meaningful events and the most important thoughts, because it’s simply not possible to write about every event and every happening in your life. Bearing this in mind helps you keep an eye for meaningful things.

4. It helps you live a more intentional life

   When you start writing about your life and the meaningful happenings around you coupled with the thoughts that shape it, you will begin to think more intentionally about who you are, who you are becoming and whether you like what you are seeing or not. This may just be the reason for to kick start your blog.

5. It helps you meet new people

   It could be through e-mails, phone calls or comments; you may be surprised at how quickly you meet people online. And by meet people, I mean forming relationships that legitimately seeks to serve one another. I personally have become friends with a few bloggers online whose blog I like and I have learnt from their experience. The blogging community is encouraging, fun and genuinely cheering for you to succeed.

6. You could inspire others 

   Blogging not only affects your life in a positive way, it also changes the life of your reader and for the fact that blogs are free for the audience and open to the general public, it is simply an act of giving. I call it a selfless act of service to invest your resources (money, time, energy) and view into a piece of writing on a blog and then offer it to anyone who wants to read it. Many people will find courage, inspiration in your writing and that’s a wonderful thing.

7. It is free 

   Your blog can kick off today without spending a single penny. Or for just a few dollars per month, you can use your own domain name. I use and recommend speedyconnect. Why not start a blog in 2018?

8. It makes you more confident

   Blogging helps you quickly realize that you do live an important life with a unique view and have something to offer others (more providing solutions to problems), thereby discovering more confidence in your life.

9. It will make you some money 

   Well you don’t need to make money to enjoy blogging. Although making money from your blog can motivate you to think more and churn out more useful contents for your readers, as you know that more useful traffic simply means more $$$. Why not start a blog in 2018?

10. You will find a platform to recommend 

    Everyone likes to recommend something they have found enjoyable or beneficial, whether it’s a new product, a book or a new lifestyle. The fullness of joy is not expressed until we have shared that joy with others, so what better way to do it than with the world? A blog provides that platform to share the joy we have experienced and recommend good things we have found out to others.

Note that you don’t need to blog as a means to get rich nor change the internet. The change that blog will bring to your life is reason enough. If you have been thinking of starting a blog in 2018, I believe its time to stop procrastinating, get into action.

Starting a new blog can sometimes be challenging, even if you are a professional web designer that can design professional and responsive looking blogs. The question that comes to mind is once your site is up, what do you post or write about? Defining what your blog is going to be about. This post details how to find the perfect niche for your blog that is best for you.

First What Is A Niche?

In simple terms, a niche is basically what your blog is about i.e what you are blogging about. It refers to the information you offer to your audience and what topics are covered. You can choose to have a broad niche or a tight niche, there is no such thing as a wrong niche. The aim is to find what you have passion for, what you can write about and never get bored, what suits your personality and topics you enjoy researching on.

Some Examples Of Niches

• Entertainment
• Health and fitness
• Lifestyle
• Entrepreneurship
• Sports
• Fashion
• Technology
• Gossip
• Cooking

It is possible to also go further into these niches, for example you may only want to blog about basketball instead of sports in general. You can also combine two niches; my blog is a perfect example of that.

How do you find the perfect niche for your blog?

Follow Your Passion

Everyone has one or more things that the love. It may be analyzing football clubs. It may be cooking. It might be going on adventures, travelling. It may be writing fictional stories. The question is what do you love? Where does your passion lay? Write down the list of things you really enjoy. Be creative. Think deep.
Are you an expert in a special field?
Some people have a special field of expertise, such as being an engineer, a nurse, a lawyer or just being really, really good at telling witty jokes. What are the things you have certifications on? Things you can comfortably teach? Things you can beat your chest and say damn I am good at it? Write down the things that you do well. For me, I love to research. This will give you a true scope of the possibilities of your new blog and why you should start a blog.

Think About What You Could Write Like Forever

Now you have a possible list of things you have passion for, things you love to do, things you are good at. It could be a very small list or a very big list. Think about the topics, do some writing, research online if possible to have ideas. Hire freelance writers if the case maybe. Do you already have tons of ideas for fashion posts swirling in your head? If your answer is yes then consider yourself one step closer to finding the perfect niche for your blog.

Look At Your Final List

At this point, I believe you should have it narrowed down to a few ideas. Perhaps you only have one idea or you have 6 ideas. Its ok, look at your list. Brain storm on it. Take a few days. Look it over again. The idea is to meditate on the possible niches for your future blog without making a hasty decision.
As time goes on, you will keep getting ideas for possible niches on your blog you will keep going back to one again and again.

Be Confident Enough And Go For It

Once you find the perfect niche, discard your list. Don’t leave any room for doubts. Be confident and start a blog in that niche. Write your first post. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look pretty, as time goes on you will sharpen your writing skills.
I believe if you take your time and follow through the processes listed above, you will in a short time find the perfect niche for you blog.

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