How to Start Blogging
I'm keeping it super simple in this post.
One of you (I won’t name names) asked me if I’d ever posted about how to blog.
This sort of made me twitch because, honestly, I’m not sure if I actually know how to blog though I’ve been doing it for a really long time in some random form or other.
Even when I was at this little newspaper called the Ellsworth Weekly (it doesn’t exist any longer—weeping begins), I would write pieces on the editorial page that were essentially kind of blog posts.
Anyway, until today, I’ve never really thought about it, so join me as I start to think through it, okay?
I know! I know! So inspiring. Lol. Let’s get started.
So, I think if you think about it too much, starting a blog can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m a big proponent of the “learn as you go” method because that way at least you’re moving forward, right? Not constantly thinking about moving forward or planning about moving forward.
The blog might be about sharing your thoughts, building a platform for your business, or creating a portfolio of your writing.
Whatever your point is, blogging is one of the most accessible ways to begin. You don’t need to be a tech expert or a professional writer. What matters most is having something to say and the willingness to keep going even if no one knows about your blog initially or you aren’t—poof!—instantly a millionaire.
To do this, you need to make some choices. Gasp! I know! I know! Choices!
CHOICE NUMBER ONE—WHERE TO BLOG
First, you need to choose where to blog. There are plenty of user-friendly platforms out there, and most of them offer free options.
Here are a few popular options:
1. Substack
Substack is great for people who want to combine blogging with email newsletters. It’s designed for writers who want to build a direct relationship with their audience. If you’re hoping to write essays, opinion pieces, or personal stories, this might be a good fit.
It’s also where we host our local newspaper, the Bar Harbor Story.
2. WordPress
This is one of the most popular blogging platforms for a reason. It’s customizable, and it’s pretty easy to use if you don’t get fancy. If you think you might eventually want more control over your site’s design or features, WordPress gives you room to grow.
This is where I started, really, after LiveJournal, which I miss. It hosts my author website and is our newspaper’s back-up site because I have trust issues and always worry that a platform might vanish.
3. Blogger
Owned by Google, Blogger is a simple, beginner-friendly platform that has been around for a long time. It’s not as flashy as some newer options, but it’s reliable and easy to set up.
4. Medium
Medium has a clean, distraction-free interface and is great for thoughtful, article-style writing. The downside is that you don’t have as much control over your branding, but you do get access to an existing platform full of potential readers. Being noticed there is sometimes hard.
NEXT STEP—WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WRITE ABOUT?
Once you’ve picked a platform, you’ll want to decide what you want to write about.
I have a hard time with this, which is why I have far too many blogs/newsletters/sites.
You don’t want to be me, but also, you don’t have to have a niche right away. Many successful bloggers start by writing about different topics and narrowing their focus over time.
The big advice everyone gives is this: Write about what interests you. Write about what you notice, what you care about, or what you’ve learned.
I’m not sure if that’s always the best advice, but it’s the trending advice.
For example, things that interest me the most right now are tracking animals, Bigfoot, manatees, and poke cake. I do not write about these things. I do not think I’d be successful at all if I did.
NEXT DECISION: THINK ABOUT HOW YOU ARE GOING TO DO THIS THING.
Most people who have a Substack or Wordpress or Medium site just stop writing after a couple of months. There are a lot of places out there where people haven’t updated their content for years.
This is sad.
Don’t be those people. You don’t need bucketloads of followers and interaction to have a voice or to even have a business. If ten clients pay you 5,000 each? That’s $50k. If your post makes a difference in one person’s life? Inspires them? Gives them an epiphany? Makes them feel less alone? Makes you feel less alone? It’s worth it. Don’t feel like a failure because of b.s. metrics, okay?
RANDOM TIPS
Here are a few random tips about how to do the blogging thing:
Be consistent.
You don’t have to post every day, but setting a schedule helps build trust with readers. Even once a week is enough as long as you stick with it.
Don’t worry about perfection. Cough.
Your writing will improve the more you blog if you are anyone but me. Don’t get stuck trying to make each post perfect. Focus on showing up and sharing your voice. People are mostly super kind when you mess up. When they aren’t? They are poops and not worthy of your awesome, okay?
Engage with others.
Read other blogs. Leave thoughtful comments. Respond to readers if they reach out. Blogging can be a conversation, not just a monologue. Sometimes this is hard, but like I just wrote to Holly in the comments of a post Monday, a comment means everything sometimes to the writer. Don’t be afraid to be kind.
Speaking of being afraid, don’t be afraid to start small.
You don’t need a fancy design, a big audience, or a plan for monetization. You just need a post. Then another. Then another.
The best way to start blogging is to start. Pick a platform, write a post, and hit publish. The rest will come with time.
On Saturday, I’ll talk a bit about keeping readers engaged, okay? I think maybe I’ll have three posts about this blog thing. Then we’ll go back to nitty-gritty craft things.
QUICK NOTE FROM ME
If you think all the content I write over the year is worth $6 a month and you can afford to send that along? That is super awesome and kind. Thank you. If not, no worries! Just stay around and read the free posts, okay? And try not to resent me for the paid ones.
I send WRITE BETTER NOW emails twice a week. If you would also like to receive them, join the other super-cool, super-smart people who love it today.
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That’s me trying to sell. I am terrible at it, I know.
Thank you Carrie. I look forward to the follow-up article.