I've been blogging since March 2012, which means that you've been putting up with my electronically posted thoughts for almost three years now. For some reason it seems like it's been longer, probably because I've started four blogs in that span of time. My first blog is still live, and you can read my old posts if you want to. Here's a hyperlink to it: JustaTeenWriting. I also started WriteOvertheEdge, which I co-wrote with my author-friends Jessie Mae Hodsdon and Christina Adams. I still miss writing on this blog, and hope to write on it again someday. I also started a political blog called A Cranberry Nation, but I never continued with it. I don't think I ever posted on it, so I won't add a link to it here. I probably started it because I was feeling angry at a politician, or something. Heh, oops. Last but not least is this blog, Elysiablogs.com. I started it because I wanted a fresh look and a new name. If I kept with the teen-thing, JustaTeenWriting would have only lasted for another year and a half, anyway.
To get back to how to start a blog... the first step is to choose a platform. I used Blogspot religiously for the first two and a half years that I blogged, and only switched because I wanted more customization. I now write on a website platform that allows you to have your site set up as a blog. It looks more professional (at least I think it does) than my original blog, and I like the way it flows. You can also add categories, which is something that Blogspot didn't offer. Another option for a platform that is pretty popular, is Wordpress. The only thing I dislike about Wordpress, is the fact that you have to pay for customization and templates. It makes sense, because people should most definitely be paid for their work, but I feel like you can do more with Blogspot for free. Another site that I love is Medium. It's a little different from the other sites that I've listed, because it's more of an open platform. It's a beautiful site, though, and your posts will look professional using it. The only reason I didn't go with it, is because I didn't like the fact that you couldn't have a domain. I wanted to use Elysiablogs.com, and Medium didn't offer that. If you don't care about this as much as I do, though, Medium is a wonderful choice. Another cool thing about Medium, is that it suggests other blogs. This is great for connecting with other writers, and for your work to get discovered more quickly. I'm sure that there are hundreds of other options, but these are my suggestions. Blogspot for its simplicity, Wordpress for a professional, but potentially generic look (unless you want to pay), Medium for its beauty and a co-writing atmosphere, and website platforms for the least expensive way of customization. (I pay a monthly fee).
OK, so you've set your blog up. Now what? Add a domain. Though not necessary for blogging success--there are tons of successful bloggers with a (dot)-something address--a web domain gives your site a more professional, and a cleaner look. It's also easier to tell people where to go to see your work.
Next step: what are you writing about? My older sister also has a blog, ChaiandOrchids.com, but she writes about totally different things than I write about. Her blog is more of a lifestyle blog. My blog is more informative. What will you blog about? Don't just pick something to appease others. Do you like baseball cards? Write about baseball cards. Passionate about pancakes? Write about pancakes! The most important thing, is to write about something that you have lots of content for. Write about what you're passionate about. I happen to be passionate about writing, which is why I write about writing. I may write about my life sometimes, or my clothing line InspireThreadCompany, but most of my posts have to do with writing. Find what you love, and write about that.
What about that blank page? One of the hardest parts of getting started, is getting started. Surprised, right? Don't sweat it. Your first post is important, but the more important thing is actually starting. Whether you talk about how to make the perfect blueberry pancake, or what baseball cards are your favorite, you just have to start with something. Then what? Blog consistently. I've gone for a while before without blogging, but I try to blog at least once a week. Try to keep it consistent, because readers like that. They like knowing that you'll always have fresh content. Don't give up, keep writing, and find what you're passionate about.
Did you start a blog after I posted this? I'd love to see it! Comment here or tweet me at @Elysia_Regina.
Have something you want me to blog about? Comment here, tweet me, or shoot me an email mailto:Elysiaregina@gmail.com
To get back to how to start a blog... the first step is to choose a platform. I used Blogspot religiously for the first two and a half years that I blogged, and only switched because I wanted more customization. I now write on a website platform that allows you to have your site set up as a blog. It looks more professional (at least I think it does) than my original blog, and I like the way it flows. You can also add categories, which is something that Blogspot didn't offer. Another option for a platform that is pretty popular, is Wordpress. The only thing I dislike about Wordpress, is the fact that you have to pay for customization and templates. It makes sense, because people should most definitely be paid for their work, but I feel like you can do more with Blogspot for free. Another site that I love is Medium. It's a little different from the other sites that I've listed, because it's more of an open platform. It's a beautiful site, though, and your posts will look professional using it. The only reason I didn't go with it, is because I didn't like the fact that you couldn't have a domain. I wanted to use Elysiablogs.com, and Medium didn't offer that. If you don't care about this as much as I do, though, Medium is a wonderful choice. Another cool thing about Medium, is that it suggests other blogs. This is great for connecting with other writers, and for your work to get discovered more quickly. I'm sure that there are hundreds of other options, but these are my suggestions. Blogspot for its simplicity, Wordpress for a professional, but potentially generic look (unless you want to pay), Medium for its beauty and a co-writing atmosphere, and website platforms for the least expensive way of customization. (I pay a monthly fee).
OK, so you've set your blog up. Now what? Add a domain. Though not necessary for blogging success--there are tons of successful bloggers with a (dot)-something address--a web domain gives your site a more professional, and a cleaner look. It's also easier to tell people where to go to see your work.
Next step: what are you writing about? My older sister also has a blog, ChaiandOrchids.com, but she writes about totally different things than I write about. Her blog is more of a lifestyle blog. My blog is more informative. What will you blog about? Don't just pick something to appease others. Do you like baseball cards? Write about baseball cards. Passionate about pancakes? Write about pancakes! The most important thing, is to write about something that you have lots of content for. Write about what you're passionate about. I happen to be passionate about writing, which is why I write about writing. I may write about my life sometimes, or my clothing line InspireThreadCompany, but most of my posts have to do with writing. Find what you love, and write about that.
What about that blank page? One of the hardest parts of getting started, is getting started. Surprised, right? Don't sweat it. Your first post is important, but the more important thing is actually starting. Whether you talk about how to make the perfect blueberry pancake, or what baseball cards are your favorite, you just have to start with something. Then what? Blog consistently. I've gone for a while before without blogging, but I try to blog at least once a week. Try to keep it consistent, because readers like that. They like knowing that you'll always have fresh content. Don't give up, keep writing, and find what you're passionate about.
Did you start a blog after I posted this? I'd love to see it! Comment here or tweet me at @Elysia_Regina.
Have something you want me to blog about? Comment here, tweet me, or shoot me an email mailto:Elysiaregina@gmail.com
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