You’re basically superwoman.
But you don’t need me to tell you that. In between the moments of wiping noses, driving back and forth to soccer practice, and cooking multiple dinners to appease your picky eaters, you’re also wondering how to start writing a blog.
You want to be able to bring income into your household, and you recently learned that blogging is one way to do just that. But where should you begin? There are so many things to do when you first start blogging, but if you’re going to invest the little time you do have, you want to make sure you begin in the right place.
At this point, you picked a theme and chose a name for your blog, and it’s almost time to start writing. Rest assured, learning how to start writing a blog is simple, and best of all, there are many places to get the traction you need to make this a successful enterprise.
While you could jump right in and start writing what’s on your mind, begin by strategizing and organizing your ideas. Doing so will set you up for success in the long term. Once you’ve got the basics down, then I’ll give you tips on how to start writing a blog post that will wow readers.
Step One: Getting the Basics Set Up
Know What You Want to Write About
The easiest way to get started is having a clear idea what your blog focus will be. Though, if you’re just beginning, don’t feel overwhelmed! Take some time to write down all the topics you’re interested in or would consider yourself an expert in. Still not sure? Read my guide. This will give you many different ideas for figuring out what to blog about.
Know Who Your Audience Will Be
The topic you choose to write about will largely dictate who your audience will be. For example, if you’re writing about interior design and remodeling, your audience will be made up of DIY adults who are looking to you for guidance on how to update their own homes.
Another person might be considering starting a mom blog about how to involve children in the kitchen. It may be filled with recipes and tips and tricks for how children can take over as the chef — well, maybe with a little guidance. Her audience may be both children and their parents.
And finally, another mom with a background in human resources might start a blog to help job seekers polish their resumes, prepare for interviews, and learn how to negotiate a job offer. Her audience may include recent graduates.
Know What Your Audience Is Wondering About
You’ve got your topic, and you know who you’re talking to. It’s time to get into the fun part: strategizing what to write about. This is one of the most helpful places to start when you’re learning how to start writing a blog.
First, make a list of all the topics that you’d like to cover. There’s got to be a few ideas floating around in your head that you just know you’re dying to cover in a blog post. Using the above examples, a few suggestions would be: how to install a kitchen backsplash, the safest kitchen knives for children, and what to write in a cover letter.
But don’t stop there. Put yourself in your readers’ shoes for a moment. What questions do they have, and how can you answer them? If you aren’t sure, think about the types of search terms you’ve Googled in the past few years. Use these as a starting point for potential blog posts you can write on your own blog.
Make Categories
You’re getting so close to being ready to write a blog post, but I promise there’s one more step you can take to set yourself up for success later. It’s time to categorize your subtopics. This makes it easier to organize your posts, as well as give your future readers a chance to binge on your blogs.
Not sure what I mean? Here’s an example. If you were a hairdresser mom with a blog, your categories might be:
- Product Reviews
- Hair Styling Guides
- Hair Care and Maintenance
- and Real Life Hair Makeovers.
By categorizing the types of topics she will cover, this mom is making it easier to know exactly what she needs to write about. If she’s ever stuck one day knowing she wants to write a new post, but she can’t figure out what to cover, she can simply scroll through her categories and see which needs some attention. For example, if it’s been a while since the hairdresser posted any client before-and-after photos in the Real Life Hair Makeovers category, she could start writing a blog post with recent pictures of client hairstyle changes.
Step Two: How to Start Writing a Blog Post
Brain Dump
Getting started writing doesn’t have to be difficult. So often, what holds people back from learning how to start writing a blog post is simply that there’s a lot of anxiety about crafting the “perfect” post. Here’s a big secret: there is no such thing as a perfect post. Everyone’s blogs are unique and it’s time to take some pressure off yourself.
To get started writing, forget about being perfect and just get anything that’s in your mind onto the page. Don’t worry about whether it sounds good or if your thoughts are organized. Simply purge all your ideas onto the page. Let it come out in list format, super long paragraphs — anything.
And don’t put pressure on yourself to write down notes on just one topic. A good brain dump will cover anything that comes to mind. Once you’ve got all your thoughts down on paper you can separate different blogs posts and organize your ideas.
Outline Your Writing
It’s time to write, and you’re not starting with a blank page! Not only did you save yourself time by getting your thoughts written down, but you’re making this writing a blog stuff so much easier. Once you have a few thoughts down on paper, take some time to organize them.
Remember back in school they made you outline your papers? The same approach works well for blogging. Start writing an introduction that outlines your main point, then follow that up with a few sections which back up your point, and end the blog post with a conclusion. Voila!
Let’s pretend you have a fashion blog. Here’s an example of how you could structure a blog post:
Title: The Best Swimsuits For Your Body
Intro: We all have different body shapes and should embrace swimwear. Here are 3 styles to compliment your body.
Section 1: Bikinis
Section 2: Full Coverage Bathing Suit
Section 3: Tankini
Conclusion: Have fun in the summer sun and get out there in a bathing suit that looks perfect on you.
Does that seem too simple? That’s because it is! When you’re learning how to start writing a blog, there’s a lot to know, and you might feel overwhelmed. By simplifying it for yourself, you’re starting with a structure that allows you to fill in the blanks. Plus, you’ll never have a blank page to psych you out. Think of it like a big-kids game of Mad Libs for your blog.
Getting started with blogging may feel overwhelming at first, but if you take it one step at a time and go at your own pace, you’ll eventually become a pro. Just as you had to learn how to parent, learning to be a blogger takes a little trial and error.
Soon, knowing how to start writing a blog post will be the last of your worries. You’ll be a pro at getting a first draft out there, and you’ll feel confident that the time you’re spending growing a blog is worthy of the time you’re spending on it. Remember how I called you superwoman before? Well, that’s because it’s the truth. If anyone can raise babies and a blog at the same time, it’s YOU!
Now that you’re ready, let’s start your blog!
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