Getting started blogging can be an overwhelming task. When you first start, what is really a simple process can seem like an overwhelming learning event. Domains, hosts, traffic sources, topics, what is a blog entry, blog entries versus articles. It can seem like you're drowning in questions.
Relax, it really isn't that hard.
It may seem overwhelming but nothing is really that difficult. It's just a matter of working your way through the process. One step at a time.
Understanding what is important can help you to cut through the clutter of tasks. Yes, you still have to do them all. However, knowing which are important can make the workload seem more doable. In this article, I'm going to share 5 tips to help a new blogger by focusing on what is important.
1. Know Why You Are Blogging
Stephen Covey called this "begin with the end in mind". There are many reasons why you might want to blog. Both from a general point of view and a structural point of view. You will find that you have at least two levels of reasons for blogging. You need to spend some time clarifying your reasons for starting to blog. After all, your motivation will be driven by your reasons. Your rewards will be driven by your reasons. And most of the decisions will be driven by your reasons.
2. Plan Your Efforts
There are two reasons you are feeling overwhelmed right now. The first is that don't have a system to start a blog. The second is that you haven't developed a plan based on that system. So the first thing you need to do is make a list of the tasks you need to do to start your blog. Guestimate how long it will take to do each task. Then list the questions you need to ask yourself for each task. List the information you'll need to gather to answer those questions. Add a task to gather the information and guestimate how long it will take. Then schedule the time. You'll find that the feeling of overload will reduce. You may not be happy with how long it will take but at least you won't be disappointed!
3. Don't Forget the Traffic
A book without a reader is lonely. Your blog without a reader is just as sad and lonely. After all, the whole point of blogging is to be read. Now, in some cases, you may not care about general readers. For example, if you are blogging so a potential employer will understand you and be more open to hiring you. But if you are going to put in the effort to blog regularly, you need to have an audience. And that means you need to include finding traffic. There are many different ways to do this. But they all cost either time and energy or money. Even if you are using content marketing and tools to help market, it will still take time or money. Don't forget to include this time in all your plans and calculations.
4. Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
Everyone starts off blogging with big ideas and wonderful dreams. I'm going to blog everyday becomes I'm going to blog three times a week. And then it becomes, "Oh, blast. I haven't blogged in a month!" You know how much time you have available in a week. Don't commit to more than you can reasonably accomplish. And remember, it will always take you longer to do the work than you expect.
5. Give Value -- But Not Too Much
Here's where it gets really interesting. If you are blogging for ego, there's no reason to hold back. But there's also no real reason to give value to your reader. Other than the fact that your reader won't return if you don't. However, if you are blogging for money you need to walk a balance beam. You need to provide valuable information. That's what will keep your readers coming back for more. However, you also need to avoid giving away the farm. If you are selling information, you need to hold back on some of the content. Otherwise, there will be no reason to buy your products.
Want more free information like this?
Do you want to start to blog? Need to learn how to blog? How do you blog? Good? Poor? So-so? Want to become more efficient as a blogger? Check out my blog and download my free process map: http://www.howdoyoublog.biz/
Do you want to learn how to make money with your blog? Check out my new course at http://www.howtoblogmoney.com/
While you're there you can check out more articles by Glen Ford
Glen Ford is an accomplished consultant, trainer and writer. He has been involved in the internet since the public was first allowed on it. He first began blogging using HTML and he been blogging using better methods for many years now.
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