There are affiliate links present in this post, but Web Hosting Hub is amazing. If you know anything about me, you know I’m picky about what I endorse. Thank you for supporting A Cookie Before Dinner!
Why do you blog?
It is a question I ask myself almost daily. It is also a question I get asked quite a bit. Today, I am going to share my answer with you, vlog style. Please be kind. It is my first one (ever)! I wasn’t really sure where I was supposed to look when I recorded it with my ipad.
Also? Please pardon the crazy eye. I’m an expressive talker and my eyes play a big role in that.
How do you start a blog?
Step 1. Choose Your Platform And Choose It Wisely!
I’ve been a serial blog starter. I’ve started at least six or seven blogs since 2002. I’ve blogged on both Blogger and WordPress. I’ve blogged on free sites and I’ve blogged on sites where I’ve had to pay a little bit of money.
I’m going to tell you a secret, save yourself the trouble and start out on a self hosted blog on the WordPress.org platform instead of Blogger. You will not regret it. Almost every blogger I’ve met that hasn’t started out this way, wishes they did. It isn’t impossible to migrate your blog from one site to another, but it can be a little stressful.
What does it mean to be self hosted? It means you use a hosting company to house your blog. You have full control and ownership.
Did you know that Blogger is owned by Google? Have you ever thought about what might happen to your Blogger blog if Google decides they are no longer interested in having a blogging platform?
Poof. That’s what. Well, maybe you’d get a little bit of warning. But still.
Poof.
Blogger verses WordPress is an entirely different post, so I’ll save it for another day. But I will say this now, think of Blogger as a garage and your blog as a car. If you blog on Blogger, you own your car, but Google owns your garage. Wouldn’t you rather own your garage and your car? I know I would!
From here forward, we’re going to assume you’ve wisely headed my advice and are setting up a self hosted WordPress.org blog.
Step 2. Get Your Domain & Hosting Company
For me, one of the hardest parts about launching A Cookie Before Dinner was thinking of my domain name. I spent quite a bit of time brainstorming ideas. I wanted a space that would I would be able to grow with as my writing and children matured.
Before you decide on your domain name, do a bit of research to see if the social media accounts are also available. You’ll save yourself a bit of a branding headache and thank me later.
In terms of hosting companies, Web Hosting Hub is the creme de la creme as far as I’m concerned. Their monthly plans are low and their customer service is high. Also, when you call to talk to them you’ll get a real live human on the other end of the line and not some robot.
Step 3. Install WordPress
With most hosting companies, including Web Hosting Hub, this is a one click install. If you follow their directions, you can think of it as magic. Click a button and boom! WordPress is installed. Back in the olden days, one had to know 50 shades of geek to install a blog. These days, the hard work is done for you if you’re a beginner. If you’re more advanced, you can get your geek on in your blog’s back end.
Step 4. Go to your new URL, log in, and create your first post!
This is where the fun really begins! It is time to start blogging. To create your first post in WordPress, look on the left hand side for a button that says Add New. Click on it and a place to write will come up. When you’re finished writing, hit the blue publish button on the right hand side.
BOOM. You’re on your way!
Step 5. Congratulations! You’ve started your blog! What are you going to do about it?
This might actually be the most important step. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, you’re going to have to put in some serious work if you want to become an intentional blogger. You’ll need to think about your goals, generate content ideas, and come up with an action plan.
I’ve written a few posts that might inspire you to dig a little deeper.
My Big Blogging Secret- The How They Blog Blog Planning Kit
Why I’m Blogging Like A Horse With Blinders On
Join the newsletter
Living in MA rocks! Subscribe to hear about awesome events and places to explore with your family.
I loved that I could understand every word you said!! Usually, I do not watch vlogs because it can be impossible to understand, between mumbling, lack of enunciation, looking away from the camera and covering the mouth. Good job! Anyway, I think you just talk to the screen the same way you would in FaceTime.
Nancy recently posted..A Blessing and A Curse, No. 1
Nice blog! Maybe one day I’ll get over my stage fright and create a vlog…once i figure out what to say 🙂
Beth Anne recently posted..Lawn Chair Catechism – Week 1
Definitely bookmarking this for my next roundup of blogging links!
Julie @ Girl on the Move recently posted..Tips and Tricks for Disneyland