How to start your own Blog |

I have had many readers and new bloggers ask me how I started my blog. So this how to start your own blog series of articles is for them and anyone else interested in starting a blog either for fun or for profit. I hope in the series, to help people realize their goal in starting their own blog.

This how to start your own blog series is aimed at helping you decide if blogging is for you and if so, how to set up a blog and get it going. There are many topics that can be covered within this series, I will touch on some but it is impossible to cover all. Fortunately, there are a number of blogs blogging about blogging, getting people to your blog, making money, and many other topics that might interest you. However, this how to start your own blog series is different because not only will I point you to sites or blogs that can further assist you if I am unable to, I am available to answer questions you may have that meet your individual need. And I will also talk briefly about a host of sites that allow you to create a free blog. However, I will concern this how to start your blog series mostly with Wordpress because I use it and is more widely used, has a large community of developers and bloggers alike than any other service; did I forget to mention, it is also free.

What is a blog?

Weblogs or blogs started out as personal websites or web spaces that people used to share their likes and dislikes, and as a way for people to share links and stories with others on the internet. With time and advances in technology, blogging grew to something more as well. Today, blogging is something anyone can do; anyone, from the spiked haired teenager that plays loud music at midnight to a fortune 500 company CEO and even grandma Pooky who may know little about the internet. Blogs can be set up in minutes free of charge or you can buy a hosting plan like I have and pay to own your domain and other expenses. Simply put, a blog is whatever you want it to be. There are no rules. You make your own rules and write about whatever you want. However, respect the property of others. But before you continue, think about why want to start a blog.

Why do you want to start a blog?

For me it is simple; I am a creative person who dislikes the confinements and methods like those found in mathematics although I like computer math. I know it does not make sense but I like PHP and other tech/geeky related areas that deal with math. I guess my love for the techy stuff out weighs my disdain for math. But, I use my blog as an outlet for the things I love to do. I love design, writing, traveling, programming and a number of other things. But I cannot write about all of them so I only write about a few of them I am really passionate about. And while I travel, this is the best way to keep up with family and friends. But you do not have to start a blog for the reasons I started mine. There are many types of blogs and the benefits of a blog are endless.
Let me state a few: you can communicate with thousands of people, keep up with friends and family, make money, offer products and services, promote a business and much more. More on types of blogs:

Information sharing blogs :

shares news, data, photos, videos

Business blogs :

promote and have a presence online or share your business ideas and strategies to help others in the same business, to make money

Personal blogs:

maintain contact with family in another state or country, thoughts and your reflections, keep a journal

For fun:

blogging about something that matters to you that may not interest many people or for comedy

The bottom line is that you can blog about anything you like. This list is only to give you ideas or add to ideas you already have. Your blog is only limited by the limits you set for it.

Can anyone really start a blog?

Absolutely yes! Blogging is one of the easiest things you can do on the internet. If you can surf the internet, have a word processor (i.e. MS word, notepad), you can start a blog. However, it does not mean that everyone should start a blog. If you intent to start one, ask yourself these questions:

Do you like to write?
Is there something you love to do or are passionate about?
Is there something you know that you would like to share?
Do you have a business you want to grow?
Do you want to an online journal to share information with family and friends?
Are you a photographer or an aspiring talent in some area of interest?
Do you like to make money?

These are some questions you should think about. Obviously, these are not all the questions you might want to ask yourself but it is a good place to start. If you answered yes to any of them or perhaps all of them, then you may want to consider starting a blog. The last question is not to entice you in any way; it takes hard work to make money with a blog.

Do want to enter the world of blogging?

Excellent! Then stay tuned. In the following days and weeks, I will continue this series and talk in detail about the important things when starting your own blog. I will talk about how to narrow down on your topic, how to setup your blog, how to choose a hosting company if you want to pay for one and own your domain name, where to go to get a free blog, getting traffic to your site, how to make money with your blog and even where to get free templates for your blog. I have a few resources I use and at the end of this series, I will compile a list that might be useful to you as it has been for me.

There are many aspects in blogging, please be aware that it is impossible for me to cover all of them. Fortunately, there are plenty of blogs and websites out there that you can use to find what you are looking for. I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

I recommend
This is a great book for beginner bloggers and professionals alike.
Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal: A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives of all Kinds

Read the reviews on the product page to see what others are saying.