3 Essential Steps to Successful Blogging
Over the course of my business career, there have been many twists in the road to where I am today. It wasn’t that long ago that the word “blogging” was as foreign to me as some exotic vacation destinations of the world are.
When I decided to bring my business online to the worldwide web I had no idea what lie ahead. Who knew that learning never stops? Gone are the days of learning one job and then working at it for 40 to 50 years! Only our moms and dads had jobs like that, right?
Those who want to do more than rock in the chair on the porch will want to do exactly what I did…learn, try and grow into making money online. If that sounds like you…keep reading.
If you are like I was you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed, not quite sure where to even start. I remember that feeling all too well. But, take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves and decide you’ll do it, and guess what? You, will!
Moreover, if you’re looking to set up your own website but don’t know where to start, a website design agent like Don Deleeuw can help you with any questions you might have. From deciding whether to build your site using WordPress, to selecting an eye-catching color scheme, Don at Via The Webs can offer support and guidance to get your business online affordably.
Today’s article is focusing on the 3 essential steps to successful blogging. These blogging basics will get you started writing your very first blog post and more. Ready? Here we go…
Step # 1 – Keyword Research
How To Do Keyword Research – On-Page SEO For Beginners
It all begins with words typed into a search box.
Keyword research is one of the most important, valuable, and high return activities in the search marketing field. Ranking for the “right” keywords can make or break your website. Through the detective work of puzzling out your market’s keyword demand, you not only learn which terms and phrases to target with SEO (search engine optimization) but also learn more about your customers as a whole. Whether you focus on keywords for specialization or go for a more wide stream audience, it is a vital part of any online marketing plan. SEO is so important in today’s world, so if you want some help with your SEO marketing it makes sense to find the right information to aid your journey.
It’s not always about getting visitors to your site, but about getting the right kind of visitors. The usefulness of this intelligence cannot be overstated – with keyword research you can predict shifts in demand, respond to changing market conditions, and produce the products, services, and content that web searchers are already actively seeking. It is this intelligence that companies can use if you choose to hire them to help boost your blog, so it is worth understanding. In the history of marketing, there has never been such a low barrier to entry in understanding the motivations of consumers in virtually every niche.
Step # 2 – Write Your Idea on Paper
9 Tips on Becoming a More Creative and Productive Writer …
Dorothy Parker famously said:
“I hate writing. I enjoy having written.”
Don’t we all? We love the end result, the feeling of accomplishment and creative fulfillment. But the hardest thing for most writers is the simple act of getting started. Here’s the usual scenario:
A great idea pops into your head while in the shower. By the time you’re dry enough to turn on the computer, you’ve forgotten what it was. Stare at the blank computer screen. Nothing.
Get up and fix a cup of coffee. Nothing. Check email. Check your Facebook page. Read other people’s Facebook pages. Resist the temptation to play Angry Birds. Got to write something. HELP!
Here are five quick tips for getting yourself unstuck (followed by four more tips on how to apply them in the real world) …
Step # 3 – Edit and Publish
30 Quick Editing Tips Every Content Creator Needs to Know …
Outline the major points. You’ll flesh out the details of your content when you write, but ensure posts are cohesive before you begin. Write one compelling line. The stress of writing a blog post, landing page, or ebook is imaginary.
Drafts aren’t only rough versions of documents and manuscripts. Most creations are ongoing works in progress.
“The professional writer says, ‘It is almost certain that most of what I write will not resonate with most people who read it, but over time, I will gain an audience who trusts me to, at the very least, be interesting.” ~ Seth Godin
Prioritize the changes you need to make, and then wrap a pair of 
horn-rimmed glasses around your face. It’s time to grab your virtual red pens, my Editing Friends.
It’s a Wrap
Had I known three-plus years ago what I know now boy would my business be in a different income bracket! The information I’ve gathered for you, above in this very post is so rich it ought to have a price of admission just to read it.
Seriously, you’ll find in your journey as have I that there are blogs that give plenty of good advice, tips, and strategies. Then, on the flip side of that coin, there are those that won’t. I’m hoping that you’ve come to enjoy the information shared here, for your benefit.
If ever there was ever a time to grab a cup of coffee and really read a post, it’s this one for sure. There is a wealth of business blogging information contained within the links to the complete articles where I found these tips.
Share this article with your friends, those who are like you and me; who are just beginning to enter the blogging world.
Leave a comment below with your favorite tip.
Great, great, great article! I totally relate to that quote about “I love HAVING WRITTEN” haha 🙂 Sometimes it’s hard to get in the groove with creative stuff, so I’ve learned to train myself to recognize the times when the flow is there, and just go with it, no matter what else is on my to-do list. If I’m having ideas, and it’s flowing, I stop everything and WRITE NOW! It has served me well 🙂
That’s an excellent idea Robin…to write when you are feeling creative and go with it. It’s very true that there are times when it just isn’t going to happen. When that happens I get up, leave the office and do something else. Never fails an idea pops and I’m back into the groove of writing for my audience.
Taking simple steps are so important when we are blogging.. I have noticed that for me it is important to write out several articles ahead of time and then to do pictures and tags seperately..when I do it piece by piece my finished product comes out better;)
I totally agree Daniele. One of my goals is to write ahead of the week. So far it hasn’t happened, but I’m working on it.
I love writing…seems things are so busy lately that writing has been a bit rushed…need to settle in for some again…
Carl I love your writing and message of healthier living. Keep doing what you are doing, we are watching, reading and doing what you suggest…
When I look at how far we’ve come, Carla, in our shifting to this business model! I realize I have over 150 blog articles written and published, mostly 600-900 words: I have about three books worth! And how my method has changed. Last night I got up in the middle of the night, grabbed a pencil and wrote the title of today’s article. I let it “simmer” all day, then sat down and it flowed out of my fingers onto the page. All resistance is gone! I guess practice makes perfect?
I love it Sharon! Yes, we have come a long way baby 😉 Your articles pack a punch and one that is sorely needed in these days of women redefining their success…in so many ways. Don’t you love the resistance disappearing? I sure do!
Thank you. It appears that blogging is so easy. How long did it take for you before you have familiarized yourself making a blog?
You are welcome, Lorii. I’ve been working on my blog, learning how to write better for the better part of 3 years now. Finally though I found a community and system to use that has made the process simpler for me. The people are supportive and knowledgeable and I can get my questions answered within a matter of minutes usually. What a difference finding the right tools and people to work with makes.
All great ideas but I especially resonate with ideas to paper! Thanks Carla!
Thanks Anita. Not sure which one is my favorite…but, I know that I do my best to do all three consistently…it just works better that way.
Great Post Carla,
I wish that I learned some of these skills when I first started blogging. I wasted lots of time in the early days 🙂
Thanks Tom. I know, isn’t hind-sight 20/20? At least we know now and can warn others through our articles, right? Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Carla, Like you the world of blogging scared me to death 5 years ago. I knew nothing about computers or the internet. But once I decided to learn then every thing changed.
As I have learned, the more you research and blog the more traffic over time you will receive. Blogging is not going to make you rich over night but in the long term it will become one of your strongest marketing tools.
Thank you for sharing this wealth of information. I hope people “get it”.
Thank you so much Katrina. Seems our paths have been pretty much the same, at the same time…funny how birds of a feather indeed flock together, eh? I loved how you mention “when you decided to learn everything changed”. Isn’t that the truth…the old saying “when the student is ready the teacher appears”…we are never too old to learn until we die.
These are great ideas. I usually end up bouncing around on Google searching for ideas that sounds like a great idea to write about. I am terrible I usually blog by the seat of my pants and come up with a topic after I sit down at the computer.
So funny you say that Christy. That is exactly what I used to do. Now, using the leadership tips I’ve gathered from my marketing group I’ve learned how to focus on what I have to say, organize it and then have blog subjects for months to come…all within my reach and in my notepad…(hint hint there’s a tip in there)
Enjoyed your post, Carla. They are always so interesting and informative as well. Thanks for sharing these tips. Key word search is so important and so are the other points you mention. I sometimes get an idea for a blog and write it down…otherwise I may forget the next day. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you Alexandra. I sure appreciate when you come visit. You always zero in on just the right point of the post. Appreciate your readership girl.
Great list! The SEO moz for beginners is an excellent resource! I sometimes still reference it! And there is nothing like writing on paper. For some reason, my ideas just flow better that way!
You are so right, Angie…writing out on paper that is. I once learned the reason for this…maybe that’s another blog post, ‘eh? Let it be said though that there is a perfectly logical reason for using the hand and your eyes to write down your thoughts first…then take it onto your blog 🙂 Thanks for sharing you gave me an idea!
Writing does not come naturally for me, but once those creative juices are flowing i cant be stopped.. Thanks for this info i enjoyed reading it!
Rob I never would have guessed writing doesn’t come easy to you. Your articles help me in many ways my marketing Kungphoo master. Thank you for stopping by today, you make me smile.
If we want to be successful, we need to enjoy and love what we are doing, that way we are likely not being forced to do something, most of the time our body and mind will move on its own. Blogging might not be an easy task but if we are used to certain strategies, we can be more successful.
Thank you, Nicholas. Blogging isn’t always easy. But, when you align yourself with experts in the field like I have it’s a simple learning process everyone can take advantage of.
I totally agree with the getting started and forgetting ideas. I had to start carrying a notebook with me so I could remember everything.
I find that trying to put my ideas in order is another hard part for me. I usually just want to write and then to actually make it so it fits and makes sense is something I need to work on.
Great article Carla!
Thank you so much for stopping by Shay. Really appreciate you sharing what works and doesn’t work for you.