How Does a Reluctant Writer Become a Successful Blogger?

Journey to Blogging: Tips for Starting Your Own Blog

Welcome to my blog! If you are reading this, chances are you have taken the leap of faith into the blogging pool or are at least considering starting a blog of your own. Let me tell you, it’s a decision that should be taken seriously.

HA!!

So says the person that squirmed in her seat in high school and in college at the mere thought of essays or papers. I remember thinking to myself, “Not this writing thing again!” as my face would scrunch up in disgust and despair.

Writing seemed to be a daunting thing, a task that I had to do for a grade rather than a tool for expressing my thoughts or experiences. So, here I am, years later, turning this "daunting task" into something beautiful and inspiring. All jokes aside, I truly believe that blogging can be an incredible journey of growth and learning.

In this post, I will share some insights on how to start your own blogging journey,from finding your niche and creating quality content to staying motivated along the way.

1. Find your niche

The first step in starting a blog is to determine your blog’s topic or area of interest. It is important to choose a niche that you are passionate and knowledgeable about. Ask yourself what topics you enjoy reading about, what areas you have expertise in, or what interests you most from areas including fashion, food, travel, personal finance, health, wellness, and more.

If you have trouble deciding on a niche, try brainstorming different ideas and testing them out. Start by writing a few blog posts on each topic and see which ones you enjoy writing about the most. This will help you find a niche that aligns with your interests and skills.

There's a popular quote circulating online that reads, “Set a goal that makes you jump out of bed in the morning.” If I could rephrase this quote it would read, “Find your thing that makes you a better person and that you would share with anyone you meet.” I have learned that, while we may share the same passions and interests, we must each put your own individual, unique touch on it. No one is going to say it like you are because they are not you.

2. Choose your writing style

Use dialogue that includes your voice in your writing. As you write treat your post like a conversation and bring your journey, experience, and knowledge to life. Add a bit of flavor and creativity. Own your writing and be honest and as genuine as possible. The most important thing is to connect with your audience and, instead of simply telling your reader what’s going on, to demonstrate it through emotions, actions, and descriptive details. Think about why you are creating a blog and what you want to achieve with it. Decide on the tone you want to convey through your writing.

And, of course, there’s my personal favorite, humor. You know I wasn’t going to let that slide by without its proper recognition. I enjoy playfully placing words and old skool sayings throughout my writing because it makes it more engaging and helps readers to connect with me on a personal level.

3. Create quality content

Another important aspect of blogging is creating quality content. Your blog posts should be informative, interesting, and engaging. Write in a conversational tone and include images and videos to make your posts captivating. Keep in mind who your target audience is and what they are interested in so that you can write in a way that speaks directly to their needs and interests.

As you consider what your audience would find valuable, use eye-catching headlines, subheadings, and bullet points to break up text and make it easier to read. Organize your thoughts and ideas into a logical structure to make your post easy to read and understand. Aim for consistency in posting frequency and try to establish a publishing schedule.

Research your blog topics thoroughly. Thorough research ensures that you’re providing accurate information to your readers. This is important because misinformation can harm your credibility and lead to mistrust from readers. Conducting thorough research can also ensure that your content is relevant to your target audience. This helps to attract and retain readers who are interested in the topics that you cover. Lastly, research helps to identify unique angles or perspectives on a topic that others may have missed. This can help you create content that stands out and attracts readers.

4. Have fun

While you are creating quality content, you must find some type of enjoyment in it or it will become that daunting task I spoke about earlier. This is easier said than done, but trust me, building blogging skills take time. I’m sharing with you the same pep talk that I tell myself. Yes, blogging will consume a good portion of your time, but nothing worthwhile has been built overnight (except maybe a random gas station). Blogging is not Formula One racing but a foot race of endurance.

Engage with your audience by responding to comments (*don’t engage with trolls*), asking for feedback, and offering value through your blog posts. Building a loyal following takes time, but consistent effort will pay off in the long run. Recently, a friend of mine described engaging with a troll like a teacher in a classroom of 40 kids stopping to address that one kid who is being disruptive and wants attention. Don’t give them that much power over you. Put them in time out and keep doing what you were doing. BE UNBOTHERED!!

5. Stay motivated

Completing the suggestions listed above becomes the glue and duct tape that holds your blog together. I can’t begin to tell you how many people will not share in your dream or will say to you that you are doing the same thing as many others. I’ve heard this negative bumping of the gums from people I expected to be happy to see me stepping out of my comfort zone, but that’s a hard NAH.

I highly recommend staying away from these miserable people who, since they have no aspirations of their own, will try to sway you away from yours. Surround yourself with people that will motivate you and push you toward your goals. This is a must-have, especially when things don’t seem to be straightforward and quitting feels like the better option.

Also, consider connecting with other bloggers, which is beneficial for several reasons. This connection to community provides a support system. You can share your challenges, brainstorm solutions, and celebrate successes together. Connecting with other bloggers helps you build relationships within your niche.You can learn from their experiences and expertise. This can help you improve your own blogging skills, and even spark inspiration for new content ideas.

In conclusion, starting a blog is an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you’re looking to share your expertise, express your creativity, or build a business, blogging can help you achieve your goals. By finding your niche, choosing your writing style, creating quality content, having fun, and staying motivated you can start your own journey toward successful blogging.