HOW TO WRITE YOUR FIRST BLOG

Growing up I assumed when I hit 40 life would be easy. Everything worth learning would be absorbed and all of life’s most important answers would come easily. Not sure where I got that idea but it is not true.

Some of the most successful people I’ve known are well organized and have always understood what they want to do from a young age. Having a goal and allowing yourself for focus is one of the most important challenges of being happy or successful.

Elizabeth Gilbert has written incredible books such as Eat Pray Love and Big Magic but she has never considered herself a great writer. Entrepreneur Richard Brandon is dyslexic and he claims it was a reason why he is so successful. Steve Ells, only opened Chipotle as a temporary business with a goal to make enough money to open a fine dining restaurant. I don’t think Steve has opened the fine dining restaurant yet. The point is being organized and setting your goals will provide success.

Too many people make plans to be perfect before they begin. Others may not have drive to take risks or may numb their ideas and never have dreams. Either way, nothing is ever started. The greatest ideas are all worth the same… nothing!!!

I HAVE A DREAM…. BLOG

Call your thought a dream, idea, spark, fart… I’m not talking about the spontaneous idea you had on Monday and followed it up with new ideas on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. The idea I’m talking about eats at you. It may not be 24/7 but the itch returns often.

For the past decade, I’ve wanted to have an online presence and make continuous improvements as I learn. My first step began with researching successful BLOGs, YouTube Channels, and learning from Podcasts but it was so overwhelming and intimidating. I learned a lot during my research but I also lost my drive believing I can never be a Mark Manson or Tim Ferriss.

Example #1 – WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BLOG

Below are a collection of ideas to help you have a successful blog. Remember you will not have 10k readers day 1.

• GET A BLOG AND GO ONLINE
  Many sites argue this should not be the first step. This is the most important step. Get started!!! I should have started my BLOG years ago. Reading and seeing pictures about the Blue Hole in Belize is great but doesn’t come close to experiencing it first hand.
• FIND A GREAT TOPIC
  If I’ve learned anything watching NPR’s How I Built This with Guy Raz it is to always adapt. My advice, don’t spend a ton of time thinking of the “perfect topic”.
• CREATE A CATCHY TITLE
  Not a bad idea and I’ll sound like a broken record, but please do not let this slow you down. If you spend more than a day thinking about the title of an article you’ve spent too much time. Check out titles from other BLOGs and listen to Marketing School – Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips but don’t let that stop you from moving forward. Analysis by paralysis will stop you in your tracks.
• WRITE & PUBLISH YOUR FIRST BLOG
  This is nerve-racking and I know my first blog will not be my best work. You need to push publish.
• OUTLINE YOUR POST
  I’m not a quick learner but I do realize if I wait to complete my outline I may never publish a post. This will help to speed up my thoughts and publish posts in the future but I will need to learn as I go. The number 1 goal is to start.
• CONNECT & USE EMOTION
  Writing is not my greatest skill. Some have an incredible ability to write with emotion and connect with the audience. Maybe I’ll learn and maybe not. Don’t wait for this before you begin. If you already have the ability, congratulations.
• GIVE THE READER A CONCLUSION
  Have you ever seen a movie that really doesn’t have an ending? The ending of the movie is the most impactful part. Have you seen the movie Big Fish? Most of the movie was a 6, maybe a 6.5 (IMDB scoring). The end was a 10, bringing the rating to an 8.0.
• PROOFREAD, SEO, & DESIGN OH MY
  You’re not turning in an assignment at school. Yes, please proofread but if you’re anything like me I use Grammarly and hope most issues are caught. Search Engine Optimization and Design are skill-based so unless you already have experience you will need to learn as you go. Remember, continue adapting.
• LET OTHERS KNOW
  Take a chance. Your BLOG will not get traffic right away. Share your site and get feedback. I’m trying to thicken my skin as I’m writing this.

WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR WRITING A BLOG

Your goal for writing a BLOG is important. But you may find it changes as you begin. Whether you’re starting a BLOG to promote an idea, earn money, or improve yourself the most important step is starting the BLOG.

BLOG – PROMOTING
Everyone has an opinion. You may have thoughts regarding religion, politics, sports, travel, kids, dreams, etc… Starting a BLOG is a great way to deliver your ideas. Sure, you can use Facebook or Twitter but you get more freedom and have a good chance of expanding your audience past your “friends” by creating a BLOG.

BLOG – FINANCIAL
You may have a passion to begin your BLOG as a way to get paid. Or maybe you started your BLOG promoting ideas and your traffic can be monetized. I plan to use affiliated links to help promote items I love. Life needs more authentic people suggesting great products.

BLOG – IMPROVE YOURSELF
You don’t need to stick to one goal. I’m using my BLOG to promote ideas, suggest products that have changed my life, and learn along the way. I’m excited to see how I grow.

READY FOR ACTION!

What are you going to do? If you’re reading this and you made it this far you’re either a family member or somehow I kept your interest. Your next step should be asking yourself would you like to write and share your ideas? DO NOT ask if people want to hear your thoughts. The answer is yes, people do want to hear what you’re thinking but don’t do it for them. Do it for you.

Once you remove your roadblocks, and insecurities go to https://www.bluehost.com/ and begin your blog. You are beginning your BLOG with what’s in your head and that is all you need to get started. Next you can begin learning.

LEARN TO MAKE YOUR BLOG AMAZING

Here is a list of sites I’m learning from.

YouTube
Cathrin Manning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlbHdYMWSOA
Neil Patel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8rN3JKqUc8

Podcasts
Marketing School – Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips

BLOGS
https://chrisguillebeau.com
https://markmanson.net
https://www.startamomblog.com

WARP SPEED YOUR BLOG

Maybe you already have a great niche and you want to begin marketing your site immediately. Are you looking for the quickest way to monetize your blog?

You can study YouTube channels, review help articles, and develop your brand or… you can go warp speed.

• Online training is available to hold your hand and walk you through the creative process. Check out Easy Blogging Profits to turn your idea into something valuable.

• For $9.95 you can download material to walk you through finding your niche, creating your blog, and learn to monetize. It Pays to Blog

Good luck and please leave me feedback.