5 Steps To A Successful Blog

You've researched and picked the best blog host website, created a crazy good domain name, and have even found the perfect color scheme. You're basically set up for blogging success, right? Wrong. Blogging takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Here are 5 steps you should follow to create a super-popular, fantastic blog (and 10 tricks to make it easier).

5 Steps To a Successful Blog

Step 1. Check your intentions.

Before you start blogging, you might want to check your intentions. Are you doing this just because one day you might get a lot of free stuff/money or become famous? If so, you might want to reconsider starting a blog. Blogging is just as hard to become successful at as trades like acting or singing. You need to be committed and passionate if you're going to make it.

Step 2. Create a schedule.

Will you be posting every day? Every week? Once every other week? Figure out what works best with your schedule, then consistently roll out content at that time. Readers don't want to guess when you'll post next. Make it predictable and your following will thank you.

Step 3. Strive for progress, not perfection.

In the beginning, you aren't going to be perfect at blogging. It will take some time to figure out what works for you and what doesn't. Don't be so set on finding perfection that you become overwhelmed. Start small and simple, and work on getting better each time you post.

Step 4. Market yourself.

Once you've posted a number of blogs (think, 15, maybe), then it's time to start marketing yourself. This will provide your audience with a good idea of who you are and what you like to post about. To do this, utilize social media. Don't go crazy and make accounts for every platform ever created. Instead, pick two or three you can really maintain like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Continue to post consistently on them, making sure each post is eye-catching, brief, and easily-understood.

Step 5. Be true to who you are.

It might be tempting toward the beginning of your blogging career to change the tone of your writing. Perhaps you want to come across as "smarter" or "funnier" or "cooler" than who you already are. However, it is best to just stick to your own voice. Wouldn't it be exhausting to pretend to be someone other than who you are for years?

10 Tricks To a Successful Blog

1. Know your audience.

Be sure to utilize analytics as soon your blog starts getting traffic. There might be a difference between who you're targeting your content to and who is actually seeing it.

2. Figure out when to post.

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3. Keep learning.

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4. Make friends.

Be responsive to the readers that leave comments on your blog, but don't stop there. Reach out to the authors of blogs you enjoy reading and talk to them. Tell them that you loved their newest post on healthy eating or that they have great graphics on their site. This may seem weird at first, but think if someone was trying to try to talk to you. Wouldn't you be flattered? Become genuine friends with everyone, and your brand with grow.

5. Listen to your audience.

6. Forget the haters.

7. Build an email list.

8. Use catchy headlines.

9. Take great photos.

10. Never give up!

Making A Living On Instagram

Credit: BuzzFeedYellow