Have you ever wanted to become a blogger? Here’s a simple, fast track plan you can follow to start a successful blog!
Professional blogging is definitely becoming a dream job of parents across the globe who want to be more available for their kids, but still earn an income!
It’s been an incredible journey for our family of eight! I share my Work-from home story here and even have a FREE, three day course you can join to help you start working from home too!
I want to help you make your OWN blogging success story!
See families changed for the better and bring in a part-time or full-time income that helps you provide for your own family!
It’s definitely a “have your cake and eat it too” kind of life.
But it does require work, dedication and strategy.
If you’re ready to be devoted to becoming a passionate, successful blogger, let’s dig into this fast track method!
First Things First
The boring, but neccesary part of the Fast track plan to successful blogging starts with the bare bones of blogging.
My brain does not like thinking about anything technical. Period. But this is a “must do” of blogging, so alas, here I am explaining it!
Before you write your very first post or share your first Instagram story, you have to create a place for your blog to live happily ever after.
You’ll need to choose a domain, sign up with a host, pick a platform and decide on a theme.
All that “important technical” information totally makes me want to take a nap, but it’s not too complicated! Even a busy mom can figure it out!
So stay with me…:)
Let’s chat about the “Cliff Notes” version of blog domains.
Successful Blogs Need Domains
Your domain is your address on the internet. It’s the name you give to people when you tell them where to find your website. My domain is pintsizedtreasures.com. Pretty cute, right?
The domain is completely up to you, as long as it’s not already taken. But, here’s a word of warning: use words that represent the topic and purpose of your blog.
And, unlike I did, keep it short, simple and easy to remember!
Some of my favorite domain names I’ve read are The Better Mom, Money-Saving Mom, Your Modern Family and Pinch of Yum. Just from their domain names you can figure out exactly what that blog is about — and guess what? So can Google! (You’ll learn later that Google’s opinion of your blog is pretty important!)
Moving on…
The Short Version of Website Hosting for Successful Blogs
You absolutely have to have a great host to get your blog off to a fast and successful start!
Your domain is the address of your little piece of the internet, but it’s built on your host.
The hosting company you choose keeps your site on its servers so people can access it over the internet. Without hosting, people will just see an error page when they try to visit your professional blog. Ouch! That would NOT be a good thing!
Where do you find your host?
I recommend Bluehost for website hosting. For only $7.99 a month you can get your blog up, running and on the way to building an income for your family!
Here’s how to set up BlueHost:
Click here to get started. (The link will open in a new window so you can reference these instructions as you work.)
- Click the green “Get Started Now” button.</li>
- Select your plan. Choose the plan you’d like to start with by clicking one of the green “select” buttons. I typically go with Plus or Prime because you get more unlimited features. One main feature of Prime that I highly recommend is domain privacy. If you choose Plus, you’ll have the option to add it later for about $1 a month.
- Enter your account information. Make sure you give your best email address because this is where your login information will be sent. Don’t delete these emails!
- Choose an account plan. Bluehost bills 1, 2, 3 or 5 years upfront. They do not offer a monthly payment option (hosts that do often charge double or triple). But it works out to be a great deal!
The only add-on I snag is the Domain Privacy Protection. However, it’s important to note that domain privacy is only available for new domains. If you selected the Prime package, it’s free.
This protection keeps your personal information private.
- Enter your billing information. Read the find print and submit your information.
- Choose a password. Just click the “Create your password” button to choose a secure password.
- Choose a Bluehost password. This password will allow you to login and get started.
Whoo-hoo!!! Your host is all set up!
But there’s MORE technical “must haves” for a successful blog!
You need a platform.
And, if I use Genesis!
Choosing Genesis definitely helped me blog stand apart from all the other mommy blogs! I definitely recommend choosing a theme to help you get on the fast track to successful blogging.
Let’s Review the Fast Track!
What do you need to be on the fast track of starting a successful blog?
- A name for Your Blog
- A domain
- Choose a host (I recommend Blue Host)
- Choose a platform (Definitely a WordPress fan here!)
- Install a theme, if you want one (Highly recommend Genesis!)
Now all the BORING, snooze-worthy, beginner tech stuff is out of the way, let’s chat about more EXCITING things!
Like YOU!
After you’ve got everything set up, take about 20 minutes and let your future readers know who you really are.
Share with them your passions, pursuits and goals.
And include a picture of yourself!
Yuu can keep it simple and short…like 21 Things about Me or you can add more depth and details and create an entire page of images and paragraphs that share your personal story.
This is also an area where you can set yourself up as a strong voice or expert in whatever topic you’re blogging about. Keep your about me page sprinkled with content around your blog’s main focus.
Now, let’s start Blogging!
Choosing your topic for your very first few posts totally depends on your topic.
What expertise or advice can you share with the world?
And what creative angle can you write those tips from?
As a beginning tip, think of solving problems related to your blog’s topic (or niche) when you write.
And if you want to go ahead and see what people are searching for, you can use the Free Keyword Tool called Keyword Finder. It shows you how many people are searching for certain words and topics. There’s a free and paid version. Cool, right?!
You definitely don’t want to write on topics no one is searching for.
Once you decide on a topic, over-deliver in your writing and content.
You want to help your reader as much as possible.
Give them printables, resources and places where they can find additional help. It’s always a good idea to link to other resources within your posts!
And make it modern-day friendly by keeping your points and paragraphs short, condensed and super helpful.
Think bullet points.
Sub-headings etc.
Shorter paragrahps.
Any final touches that will make your blog posts easier to read!
And if you can, always add a video! People love watching videos!
That’s the reason why I’m sharing a video that might be helpful to you below by super-smart, business-minded blogger! Enjoy!
But, don’t make this rookie blogger mistake…
Before you publish your very first blog post, make sure you have at least 15 blog posts ready to go.
That’s right! I said 15 blog posts!
Sounds frustrating when you want to be not the fast track, right?
Here’s my reasoning on this…
Imagine walking into Target and finding only one item for sale in that entire store.
Huge store. One product.
That would seem totally weird and you would probably walk out and never return, right?
Same thing with publishing a blog and only having 1-3 blog posts.
Your blog will look deserted, unwanted and unloved.
Resist the urge to publish at this very moment, and write at least 15 blog posts on your topic that are super helpful, well-written and have great images to go along with them.
Where Do You Find Images for Your Blog?
Great question!
You can definitely take your own pictures…this is the cheapest way to get it done! And you don’t have to worry about copyright etc.
You can ask a friend to take pictures for you and use those.
You could use free ones that are copy right free…but these can get tricky. Sometimes you think they’re copyright free and they’re not, I never recommend using free stock photos anymore. There’s been lots of issues with this strategy in the past two years.
You can purchase monthly photo stock photo packages from well-known companies like Adobe Stock Photo or Light Stock.
I personally recommend Light Stock. They have fresh, real, modern images that readers seem to connect with.
Not to mention, their customer service is awesome!
I’ve included a screenshot of their pricing plans below. They also offer a free image and free vector image weekly.
There’s the basic, fast track plan to getting a successful blog set up!
I wish you the best on your blogging journey!
*I’ve added affiliate links to companies that I think will make your blogging journey the best!