Welcome to the Course

Welcome to Day 1 of Blogging for Beginners! I’m glad you are here!

Today we will cover the history, purpose, and types of blogs out there today. If you are specifically interested in starting a money making blog this course is for you! We will also go over the process of identifying your target audience, finding your niche, and selecting your blog name!

Creating great content is at the heart of every successful blog. In a later module (on Day 4) we will talk into crafting engaging blog posts, and optimizing your content for maximum readability and impact.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

• Welcome to the Course
• What’s a Blog Anyway?
• A Brief History of Blogging
• Purpose and Benefits of Blogging
• Different Types of Blogs and Platforms
• Monetizing Your Blog
  • So, How Do Bloggers Make Money?
• What Do You Need To Start A Blog?
• How Much Does It Cost To Start A Blog?
• Finding Your Target Audience
• Finding Your Niche or Topic
  • Niche Examples
• Selecting A Blog Name
  • But How Do I Decide On A Blog Name?
• You’ve Made It!

What’s a Blog Anyway?

Ever heard of an online diary where people spill the beans about their daily life or share their favorite recipes? Well, that’s a blog! A blog is like your very own corner of the internet where you can chat about whatever you like – from travel and fashion to tech and business, and everything in between.

The term “blog” is a shortened form of the word “weblog.” The evolution of the blog began in the late 90s as a form of an online journal, where people could share their personal experiences, thoughts, and musings. However, as the internet matured, so did the nature of blogging.

Today, blogs have evolved into dynamic digital platforms used for much more than personal reflection. Nowadays, blogs aren’t just for personal chit-chat. They’re mighty tools businesses use to connect with customers, while professionals use them to show off their skills.

Plus, if you play your cards right, a blog can also be a neat little money maker.

A Brief History of Blogging

Blogging as we know it began in the late 90s, when individuals started to create online diaries to share their personal experiences, thoughts, and opinions. Over the years, blogs evolved into more than just online journals, as businesses, organizations, and professionals began leveraging the power of this digital medium to reach their target audiences.

Today, blogging has become a widely recognized and versatile form of content creation, playing a significant role in the world of digital communication, marketing, and online entrepreneurship.

And yes blogging as evolved from those diary style blogs to legitimate business models that earn some bloggers well over six figures every year.

Purpose and Benefits of Blogging

Blogging offers various purposes and benefits. Here are the top benefits:

• Self-expression: Blogging allows you to share your knowledge, passions, experiences, and opinions, providing a platform for self-expression and creativity.
• Building an online presence: Engaging and useful content can establish you as an authority in your niche, strengthening your online reputation and personal brand.
• Networking: Connecting with fellow bloggers, industry experts, and potential collaborators can open up exciting opportunities for both personal and professional growth.
• Monetization: Successful blogs can generate income through advertising, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and selling products or services. (More on this later!)
• Enhancing communication and writing skills: Regular blogging hones your writing and communication skills, which are valuable across all aspects of life and work.
• Education and learning: By researching and creating valuable content, bloggers can deepen their knowledge in their chosen niche and stay updated with trends and developments.

Different Types of Blogs and Platforms

Blogs can cover a wide variety of topics and niches. Here are some popular blog types that you might stumble upon on the web:

To accommodate the different needs of bloggers, multiple blogging platforms are available today. These platforms vary in terms of functionality, user-friendliness, customization options, and pricing. Some popular platforms include:

• WordPress (what I will cover in this course!)
• Squarespace
• Blogger
• Wix
• Medium

For the purpose of our course we focus on building a profitable blog with WordPress on a hosted platform. We will deep dive into that later.

Monetizing Your Blog

In this section we’ll be diving into that exciting and important aspect of your blogging journey – monetizing your blog!

You’ve probably heard stories of successful bloggers earning a healthy income from their blogs, and now it’s your turn to learn how you can achieve this too.

How do bloggers actually make money? Before we dive into specific methods, let’s address a fundamental question: what does it mean to monetize your blog?

In simple terms, blog monetization refers to the strategies and methods utilized by bloggers to earn revenue from their site. This can come in many forms, ranging from displaying advertisements to selling digital products and services. You can use this as a side hustle and additional form of income for you and your family or you can scale your blog to eventually go full time.

So, How Do Bloggers Make Money?

Now, let’s talk about some of the biggest most common blog monetization methods that you can apply to your own website.

1. Affiliate Marketing: The most popular option for generating income from your blog is through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing works great even for new bloggers. This method involves partnering with a retailer or service provider to promote their products or services on your blog. In return, you’ll receive a commission for every sale made through your unique referral link. If you plan to use affiliate marketing on your blog make sure you only market products you use and love!
2. Sponsored Posts: Another effective way to monetize your blog is by writing sponsored posts. These are articles created in partnership with a brand or company to promote their product or service. In exchange for creating this content, bloggers are compensated monetarily, with free products, or other perks.
3. Display Advertising: Display advertising is perhaps the most visible way to monetize your website and is truly a form of passive income. This method involves placing display ads on your blog, usually in the form of banners, sidebars, or in-content display ads. Advertising networks like SheMedia, Mediavine, and Raptive streamline this process by connecting bloggers with advertisers and managing the ad placements on your behalf. This method requires a significant amount of traffic so most bloggers wait to build up to this option. Though this might be a stretch goal bloggers can make up to a few thousand dollars a month with display ads and the right amount of traffic.
4. Selling Digital Products and Services: For bloggers with specialized skills and knowledge, selling digital products and services can be a very lucrative source of income. This can include e-books, online courses, webinars, or other digital resources that provide value to your audience. By creating and selling high-quality products that address the needs of your readers, you can develop a reputation as an expert in your niche and generate a substantial income.

As you advance in your blogging journey, you will continue refining your monetization strategies to ensure they align with your unique audience and interests.

What Do You Need To Start A Blog?

You need just a few basic things to start a blog. The top on the list are:

1. A Topic: You need something to blog about that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about.
2. A Computer or Laptop: To write, edit, and publish your blog posts.
3. Internet Connection: You need this to access your blog, research, upload posts, and interact with your readers.
4. Blogging Platform & Web Hosting: A blogging platform is where you’ll create and publish your posts. A web host is the service that stores your blog online.
5. Persistence and Patience: Building a blog and audience takes time and consistent effort.

This list includes the very basic necessities. However, remember to consider other elements like writing, SEO, marketing, and monetization as your blog grows. We will jump into some of these concepts later in this course.

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Blog?

Let’s talk about the cost of starting a blog. To get your blog up and running, there are a few expenses you should be aware of. Don’t worry, though – starting a blog doesn’t have to break the bank!

First and foremost, you’ll need to invest in hosting. Hosting is the service that allows your blog to be accessible on the internet. The good news is that hosting costs are quite affordable. On average, you can expect to pay just under $36 for a year’s worth of hosting or $94 for three years (and that includes 1 year free of your domain name). This fee ensures that your blog has a reliable online presence.

In addition to hosting, you might also consider purchasing a premium them or a child theme. A theme is the design and layout template for your blog to give it that professional look and feel. While there are many free themes available, a paid theme offers additional customization options and enhanced features. I specifically recommend paid child themes if you are not someone who is tech savvy since it makes it easier to get your blog up and running without having to figure out the backend. The cost of paid themes can vary, typically ranging from $99 to $199 per theme.

Don’t worry if these numbers seem overwhelming. We will jump into the logistics of hosting and paid themes in more detail on Day 2 of our mini course. You’ll gain a better understanding of the options available and be equipped to make informed decisions about what suits your blog best.

There are some other plugins and items you might want to buy later on as you start blogging but most plugins do have a free version and you can decide later if you want to invest in paid plugins. But overall you could start a blog this week for as low as $135 for one year (hosting and a premium theme included in this estimate!)

Remember, starting a blog is an investment in your passion and the opportunity to connect with a wider audience. With careful planning and consideration of your budget, you can launch your blog without breaking the bank.

Finding Your Target Audience

Now that you want to start a blog let’s talk about what you will write about! Understanding who you’re writing for is crucial in creating content that resonates with your readers. Take the time to define your target audience, considering factors such as:

• Demographics: Age, gender, location, education, and occupation
• Interests: Hobbies, preferences, and habits
• Pain Points: Common problems or challenges they face
• Goals and Aspirations: What they hope to achieve or accomplish

Having a clear idea of your target audience will help you craft content tailored to their needs, preferences, and concerns. Having a target audience is also key to monetizing your blog!

Finding Your Niche or Topic

You might be asking, what the heck is a niche? A niche is a focused and specialized category that caters to a particular audience or addresses specific needs, preferences, or demographics.

In other words, your blog niche is the specific subject, audience, or theme that your content revolves around. To establish a successful blog, choose a niche that:

1. You are passionate about and knowledgeable in.
2. Has a sizable audience interested in the topic.
3. Offers room for growth and the potential for monetization.

Focusing on a niche helps you build authority, attracts a loyal audience, and helps you stand out from the competition.

Niche Examples

A blog topic might be “Fitness.”

In order to make this topic “Niche” you would drill down to a specific type of Fitness. Let’s say “Yoga.”

Let’s niche down Fitness

In this example, “fitness” is the general topic that encompasses various forms of physical exercise and wellness practices. But in some ways fitness might be too broad. You have people who like fitness but might be into group fitness, or running, or biking, or just weight lifting. As we drill down into a specific niche, we focus on “yoga” so that we can cater our content to fitness lovers with a focus on one topic. This narrows the topic down to a specific area of interest within the larger fitness category.

Another broad topic might be “Lifestyle.” Lifestyle could include a big variety of topics related to daily living, personal interests, and habits. A niche example within this category could be “Eco-Friendly Urban Living” or “Minimalist Lifestyle for Families.”

Let’s niche down Lifestyle

For the Eco-Friendly niche example you could focus is on living an environmentally conscious life in an urban setting. You could cover topics like sustainable city living, small-space gardening, eco-friendly transportation methods (like biking or public transit), energy-efficient home solutions, and ways to reduce carbon footprint while living in a city. Your target audience would be individuals residing in urban areas who are passionate about or interested in adopting a sustainable lifestyle. This blog would provide tips, product reviews, city-specific guides, and personal stories to engage and educate readers on eco-friendly living in urban environments. See how that works?

For the Minimalist Lifestyles for Families niche example, you could focus on families who are interested in adopting a minimalist lifestyle, which involves reducing clutter, simplifying their home and daily routines, and focusing on quality over quantity in all aspects of life. It’s a step beyond the individual-focused minimalist blogs and addresses unique challenges and opportunities that families face, such as decluttering with children, minimalist parenting, budgeting for a family, and engaging in family activities that support a minimalist mindset. The content would cater to parents and guardians looking to simplify their family’s life, reduce stress, and promote a more mindful and intentional living environment for their children. This blog could include topics like minimalist home organization tips for families, kid-friendly minimalist activities, and advice on balancing a minimalist lifestyle with the demands of family life.

This drill down process allows us to cater to a specific audience on our blogs to make sure we gain a following of like minded readers.

Selecting A Blog Name

Now that you have identified your target audience and niche, it’s time to choose a blog name that captures the essence of your blog. Your blog name should be memorable, reflective of your content, and aligned with your niche. Here are a few tips to help you in the selection process:

1. Brainstorm: Begin by brainstorming ideas related to your niche, target audience, or the main theme of your blog. Write down words, phrases, or concepts that come to mind.
2. Research and Check Availability: Conduct a thorough search to ensure that the blog name you have in mind is unique and available as a domain name. Check for existing blogs or websites with similar names to avoid confusion. You can check for availability on Namecheap.
3. Brand Identity: Consider your desired brand identity and how the blog name aligns with it. Think about the impression you want to make on your readers and how the name can reflect your personality or the tone of your content.
4. Simplicity and Memorability: Aim for a blog name that is easy to remember, spell, and pronounce. Avoid complex or lengthy names that may be difficult for readers to recall or search for.
5. Descriptive or Evocative: Decide whether you want your blog name to be descriptive, clearly indicating what your blog is about, or if you prefer a more evocative name that sparks curiosity and intrigue.

But How Do I Decide On A Blog Name?

There are so many factors to consider when deciding on a blog name. Consider this list to give you some ideas.

1. Personal Brand: Using your own name can add a personal touch to your blog and create a sense of authenticity. For example:
   • “Emily’s Insights”
   • “The John Smith Chronicle”
2. Alliteration: Employing alliteration in your blog name can make it catchy and memorable. For instance:
   • “Fashionably Fabulous”
   • “Foodie Finds”
   • “Travel Tales”
3. Wordplay: Playing with words can add creativity and intrigue to your blog name. Here are a few examples:
   • “Wanderlust and Lipstick”
   • “The Quirky Nook”
   • “Scribble and Sip”
4. Combination: Combining two relevant words to create a unique blog name is another effective strategy. For instance:
   • “Healthy Habitude”
   • “TechTrends Today”
   • “StyleMaven”
   • “Twists and Zests”
5. Evocative Phrases: Using evocative phrases can capture the essence of your blog’s theme and intrigue readers. For example:
   • “Whispering Wanderer”
   • “Serendipity Chronicles”
   • “Echoes of Adventure”
6. Descriptive and Clear: If you want your blog name to be straightforward and indicative of its content, you can opt for descriptive names. For instance:
   • “DIY Crafts Central”
   • “Plant Parenting Tips”
   • “Budget Travel Guide”

Remember, the key is to choose a blog name that reflects what your blog is about, resonates with your target audience, and is memorable. Be creative, have fun, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

But don’t stress too much about your blog name! The key here is to pick something that you like that you can also find an open domain for.

You’ve Made It!

That’s it for today!

Congratulations! Now you have a clear understanding of what a blog is, the importance of identifying your target audience, finding your niche, and selecting a blog name that accurately represents you!

Tomorrow, we will talk about signing up for web hosting, your domain name, and loading WordPress.

Can’t get enough? You can jump right to Day 2 now.