8 Things to Know Before Starting a Blog 2022

Things to Know Before Starting a Blog - So, you like to write, you have the things you want to say, and you believe you can also make some money out of it. You've decided to start a blog. Good for you!! But if you're something like I used to be when I started out as a novice blogger, and don't know anything about how to start a blog, stop for a minute. 

A lot of new bloggers get frustrated and give up, because they haven't done any groundwork before starting a blog and don't really know what to expect. Because I don't want that to happen to you, here's a checklist of things you should know before starting a blog.

1. Blogging takes a lot of hard work

Seriously, this is one of the primary things I wish I knew before I started a blog. Don't be fooled for a moment thinking it's as easy as it looks. 

You need to put time and energy into writing, rewriting, editing, researching, sourcing images, etc. Once published, you will also have to spend time promoting your blog on various networks. 

Be prepared to work hard. Of course, with Yogratnama Advice, you can set up your blog promotions to run a lot more on auto-pilot, so make sure you use these features to save your time and effort.

It's not that you won't need to put in too much effort, you'll also need mental strength to be consistent and patient, because in the beginning you may not have much audience. 

It can take months for a critical base to be established until you've already established in your area, especially if you've chosen a very crowded place.

2. Blogging is not the easiest way to earn money

We read about all bloggers who have made a lot of money online through their blogs. Yes, it can be done, and you can definitely get there. 

However, know that to reach that point, it takes years of continuous work and patience. Before starting a blog, just make it clear that if all you want to do is start earning quickly, there can be even faster ways than starting a blog. 

Blogging is more of a long-term investment than a short-term one. Still, start a blog for the right reasons, and earnings should follow.

3. Choose a niche

There are millions of blogs out there, and the only way to stand out in the noise is to have a place and stick to it. 

What's a niche, exactly? In terms of blogging, a niche is only a specific and narrow topic around which all your content will revolve. With your niche defined, you'll be able to better identify who your ideal readers are, and how you should target them with your content. 

Writing for a niche will help you attract readers who are really interested in that specific topic. For example, if you want to write about healthy eating rather than having a blog about healthy eating (broad topic), you can create your blog about keto recipes (niche topics).

Before starting a blog, think about all the topics that you are knowledgeable about as well as passionate about. 

They are subjects around which you will be able to create good and engaging content. It's also easy to maintain motivation when you're blogging about something you like. 

Because trust me, if you love blogging, there will still be days when you will struggle with inspiration and self-doubt. Remember to ask yourself if you have to blog about your chosen topic every week (or day or month, as you like) for the next few years.

Your shortlist of subjects can now be further reduced by locating topics in your list that you can actually make money about. Unless you plan to monetize your blog, you should have a plan to generate income from it at some point. 

So, before starting a blog, decide how you plan to eventually make money from the content created for the selected niche topic.

4. There's no harm in starting small.

If you're starting a blog for the first time, it's possible you're not entirely sure what things will be like. You may like it, or you may decide after a few weeks or months that blogging isn't really your thing. 

So, you can always start small with a free site, and no fancy bells and whistles. Both WordPress and Blogger are great platforms where you can start blogging with a free account. 

You can also start writing on platforms like Medium. Take your time to explore blogging and find out if it's something you want to continue. 

You can always go for commitments like self-hosting and paid plans later. In fact, once you're sure you're into blogging for a long time, it certainly makes sense to be self-hosted.

5. Nothing more than great content

Your audience will come to you for what you write, not because you have a killer blog theme or a weird blog name. 

The best way to create an audience is to put in well-written and engaging content and do so consistently. 

Interesting content is shared, and gradually expands your reach. Here are some tips on how to create a blog that will keep your readers coming back for more:

**Provide value: **Create the kind of content that no one else is putting in your niche, and you'll win not only readers, but Google as well. Write long, thoughtful, informative posts, aimed at helping your readers solve a problem or answer a question. 

Make your posts so useful that your audience saves and shares them!

Think about structure: What your blog post looks like is as important as what it says. Divide your text into small paragraphs, so that it is easier to read. 

Add some well-chosen photos that can break the monotony of the text as well as make your content more engaging and informative.

Read this for some of the best tips on how to structure a great blog post.

You may also consider having a professional content marketing agency that helps you throughout the process, from writing to implementing a strong SEO strategy that works for you.

6. Blogging means going social.

As a blogger, you'll need to interact and connect with other bloggers – both within and outside your niche. 

It's a sure fire way to expand your network and reach a larger audience. Bloggers create a well-organized community and help each other through regular link-outs, guest posts, social shares, etc. 

I would recommend following other blogs, sharing their content on your social network, and joining online blogging communities.

With a little planning, you can create an active social media strategy for different platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. To make it even smarter, use the social media campaign functionalities provided by Missing Later.

7. Be ready to learn new things

Unless you're already in a technical field, chances are you'll have to take on a lot of new skills because you're serious about blogging. 

Every blogger needs to understand basic SEO and analytics, and be aware of the changes that are taking place, such as Google updates. 

The good news is that when it comes to the technical side of blogging there are plenty of resources out there that provide suggestions and guidance. 

I would recommend free and very useful content from Yoast and Moz to begin with. You can also learn the basics of Google Analytics with free online training from Google's Analytics Academy.

8. Always be yourself

The most important thing to remember when you're starting your blog is to be real and let your readers see who you are. 

You need to develop and express your style and voice, and don't be afraid to say what you feel. Write about what you love, tell it and enjoy it. I know I said blogging is hard work, but it's the kind of hard work that can actually be a lot of fun too.

So, these are basically some things I wish I had known before starting a blog! I hope you find these ideas useful when you're going to start a blog for the first time. 

Once you've got your first few readers, don't forget to start working on the email list and, of course, plan monetization. With the right processes and tools, it's all perfectly doable, so just get started. May you succeed!