How being a solo blogger will make you crazy when starting out, so here’s a guide.

Naturally you have a lot of questions. You’re curious about many elements you see on a website and how you can do the same.

Most newbie bloggers set up their first blog usually on free blogging  platforms.  Why not, it’s free!

They get mesmerized by all the cool features they can add, like – backgrounds, social media, calendars, followers, colors, and more.

Free is not always better

It’s exciting, I know! You want to share your stories, your passions with the world. So you set up your free blog. And you wait for your visitors to come by the droves to read and comment on your blog posts. And, well not to much action, right? Yep, it’s frustrating and you wonder why!

But, there’s an underlying reason in starting a blog. The rumor is you can make money on the internet. And I have to admit this is true – yet not easy, takes time, and diligence.

So, you write some more posts and share on social media. You start looking into programs to teach you how to get traffic, attract visitors, and you start being seduced by online programs, spending lots of money.

Maybe you start looking into affiliate or network marketing programs and sign-up for something that promises you millions in 24 hours – really?  And you still struggle with your blog – STILL no visitors or comments on your blog. No one is buying anything.

Frustration sets in and now you feel like giving up.

So. What’s the #1 action to take as a new blogger tomorrow or right now?

First, DON’T just start doing things on your own! BIG MISTAKE

You’ll end up spending more money, getting confused, and frustrated. Here’s why – when you’re starting out you don’t know what you don’t know. And, most people don’t like to ask questions for fear of looking stupid, they rather figure it out  on their own(WRONG). Instead, you get sucked into buying some online program that promises you the moon and you get an asteroid. Here’s a good smart list of programs to invest in.

Learning is great but here’s what the internet demands – the ability to be resourceful along with finding the answers you need, not having  someone else do your leg-work. Although that does have merit. Lots of people hire others to create and maintain a blog for lots of money. So that would depend on your budget, right?

Second, start out small

What does this mean? Well, I highly recommend OWNING your blog. It the best, first step to take in staring out small. This will:

• Decrease stress because it’s yours and there are NO limitations. DON’T use FREE blogging platforms like WIX, Blogger, WordPress.com. They actually own your blog, so if they out of business so would your blog.
• The “Learning Curve”, I think is easier to digest because when you own your own website it can change as you change. You can change the blog theme, and because you’re already familiar with the blogging platform you understand and do more.

Your knowledge grows as you experience more.

What blogging platforms to use?I recommend WordPress – NOT THE FREE ONE at wordpress.com  You want to host your own blog with a hosting company where they GIVE you the WordPress blogging platform, which is wordpress.org (notice the difference in .com (free) .org (you own).

My opinion here, DON’T use “Go Daddy” or “Hostgator”. they will try do get you to spend money on additional programs you don’t need. And THIS is why you have to ASK people first before you jump into something you’re not familiar with …

I recommend using Dreamhost. I’ve been with them since 2009. They’ve never crashed, try to sell you anything, and their support is very good. 

This is why joining a blogging community is a good idea. Because there are other bloggers that can answer your questions.

Join a blogging community to keep you sane

Why? Because you make instant connections. And if the blogging community believes in reciprocal action – meaning, you comment on my blog and I return the favor and comment on yours. It’s a win/win.

This is important because the more engagement you have on your blog the higher your ranking on the search engines.

And, speaking of ranking, here’s something you need to know. If you have a free blogging platform, 2 things:

1.  Your blog is OWNED by the company who’s given you a free blog. If that company goes out of business – there goes your blog
2. If you’re interested in your website ranking, it will only be the COMPANY ranking you see, not your blog because it’s actually a “Sub-domain” of the company’s platform

I know, so much to know. A lot of the learning too is visual – to learn HOW a blog post is created often you have to see how it’s done because of the tech stuff, right?

So if you’re a new or even a seasoned blogger why not join a blogging community that gives you –

• Traffic
• Engagement
• Visibility
• Education
• Support

Going solo online can make you crazy, miserable. Join a blogging community that can help you reach your goals from the very start. Here’s another recommendation – The Facebook group “Daily Blog Share” lots of educational information there too, just for you.