It still holds true for today!
Do you have a story to tell? A passion to share… a skill you could teach … experiences that could help others? You can get started today and not have to spend a cent.
Blogging is an inexpensive and easy way to start writing and get started online. Some people have even turned their blogging into books and movies, like the recent movie Julia, Julia, and Tim Ferris author of the 4 day workweek.
Blogging has evolved quite far from its humble beginnings as an online journal. Today blogs are fully functioning websites which help get the news out, connect people, and build communities of like-minded people.
How often do I need to write or post something?
Once a week is good, but if that seems like too much even once a month is a great start. The important thing is to develop the habit of writing and posting online.
How long does it need to be?
The average reader stays on a blog post 96 seconds. People are used to reading snippets online now and it has been shown that the reading habits of American online have changed to more of a scanning style.
So 200-350 words a post is a good size for a blog post. You certainly can write longer and more, but breaking up a long post into parts one way to do it, and you will find different readers will find you through different titles and stories you have written.
I am not sure what I want to say or how to say it.
One of the first things I suggest you do before you start a blog, is find other blogs and websites that may cover some of the subjects you want to write about. Find online forums and read what people are saying. Research is always a good idea before you begin. Take notes while you are doing this so you can remember your ideas for later. I recommend that you keep a blog notebook with you at all times to jot down ideas as you go out and about.
There is no right or wrong. This is not English class. Do not be afraid to write. The more you write the better you will become and you will find your voice.
You can go back and edit change anything you have written. You can even delete posts you don’t like. Blogging is fun if you just relax and let it be a creative way to express yourself.
How will people find me?
Tell all your friends, start an email list, join some of the other blogs and online forums you may of found in your research and become part of their community, you can add a link to your website in your signature file in your email, and on all your social media websites and business cards. Update your Facebook when you publish a post, then go and tweet it!
How will I learn how to blog, I am not technical at all!
You can Google wordpress training videos, or blogger training videos, and you will find hundreds of wonderful videos that will show you each step. I have several videos for beginners on my website for wordpress users to help them learn how to get started posting.
Anyone can blog
My 71-year-old Dad had a stroke 5 years ago, and is now in a nursing home. After his stoke, he very was sad about the loss of his old life and mobility and independence, yet he inspired his therapists and others with his amazingly positive and never give up attitude. I told him he could help other people like him through blogging. I bought him a laptop and set up a blog for him and he is blogging in the nursing home. He recently got them to install a wireless router for visitors and the other residents.
One of my clients runs a blog called Feisty Side of 50. She is the number two blog for baby boomer women! She got started with a free wordpress blog just for fun and it took off.
Today she has her own internet radio program where she recently interviewed Prince Charles and Patricia Cornwell, all because she started a little blog for fun.
If you have something to say and you love to write, get started online and who knows what might happen!