How to Start a New Blog with Confidence

January 16, 2009 · by Joanna Paterson · in

What advice would you give to new bloggers?

That was the question I asked last week. In short form your answers look like this:

1. Adapt your writing style

2. Network

3. Learn, copy and ask for help

4. Get clear on your purpose and intention

5. Manage your input

6. Be yourself

7. Just do it!

The longer version comes in at 70 tips,  suggestions and ideas based on the practical experience of bloggers.

You’ll find the full set – the audacious guide if you like – set out below.

Dip into it, take a note of the points that speak most strongly to you, and think of ways you can build them into your blogging.

Don’t try and do them all or you’ll drive yourself crazy.

Don’t worry about the fact some bits of advice contradict equally valid points and suggestions.  Different people are following different blogging strategies.  The key point is for you to figure out which ones will work for you.

And don’t wait till you’ve got it all figured before you begin.  As I wrote when I first posed the question (What Advice Would You Give to New Bloggers?)

If you’re thinking about it… don’t worry about learning all the advice first.  It could paralyse you and get in the way of you doing what you want to do.  You’ll learn as you go.  Yes, you’ll make mistakes, but that’s the best way to learn, and to find what works for you.

The tips and suggestions that follow were contributed by readers of Confident Writing – some regular, some new – with some additional ideas courtesy of Twitter.

I’ve listed everyone’s details at the end of the post (together with my best effort to indicate who recommended what).

Thanks to everyone who joined in and shared your experience, and advice.
Adapt Your Writing Style

1. Write in a conversational style

2. Don’t lecture your readers

3. Pay attention to your headlines

4. Use scannable lists

Creating lists, and bolding key words in them, is a great way to keep peoples attention as they scan your blog post. (Jonathan)

5. Keep your posts short. It’ll help you get clear on what you’re trying to say as well as being good for your readers

6. Write daily, and write well. Read books and blogs on how to write.

7. Find a way to connect your passion for the content with the readers of your blog

8. Carry around the Elements of Style.

9. Concentrate on writing well.

10. Recognise your authentic voice

My authentic voice is my most confident voice even when it scares me. (Tom Volkar)

Network, Network, Network

11. Link out

12. Add value with your links

13. Take part in other networks (including Twitter)

14. Build up a following on Twitter

15. Enjoy reading and writing comments

16. Comment to build up relationships

17. Respond thoughtfully to all comments on your blog

18. Comment, build up a relationship with bloggers, then ask if you can guest post

19. Don’t expect people to come to visit you

20. Participate in conversations away from your blog and on other platforms

Learn, Copy and Ask

21. Read other blogs, and pick up ideas as you go

22. Make a point of seeking out and reading  new blogs

23. Read other blogs and comment on them. If nothing else, you’ll get a sense of what does and doesn’t work in a blog (content, design, etc)

24. Use images in your posts (watch how others use them, and the difference it makes)

25. Think about the platform you want to use before you start…

26. … in order to avoid changing blog location!

27. Recognise when you need to get technical help and support

28. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

29. Look for free resources to answer some of the technical questions you might have – including blogging platforms, SEO and so on

30. Get free advice from the blogosphere

Get Clear on Your Purpose and Intention

31. Know why you’re doing it

Once you know why you’re doing it, the how, what and when become more obvious. (Catherine @ Sharp Words)

32. Have a purpose or theme.  A simple purpose helps

33. Choose a topic that energises you.

Don’t pick your blog topic based on something that you think will “play in Peoria.” Pick your topic based on your passions, things that interest you, things that bug you, things that you’re curious about, things that make you laugh out loud.  Those are the things that will keep you in it for the long haul. (Roy Jacobsen)

34. Blog about your passion. If you have many passions, blog about all of them.

35. Be passionate – it’ll work its way into your writing

36. Spend some time getting clear on your purpose – and come back to it when you get ‘stuck’

37. Don’t post for the sake of posting

38. Don’t post unless you’ve something original to say; add value to existing arguments

39. Don’t drive yourself crazy worrying if you’re making a difference.

You never know how far your light will shine. Or who, one night, might be flying in darkness and find they are in need of a reference point. Don’t be afraid to turn on the switch. Don’t worry about how much wattage you may or may not have. Just be yourself and let your light shine. They’ll come.

From A Light in the Darkness, by Robert Hruzek (a post that changed things for more than one blogger)

40. Know why  you’re doing it

Know what you want from blogging — if you don’t have a compelling why, you’ll lose the path. Yours might be *share insights and lessons learned*, or *build a sounding board* or *influence change one reader at a time* … etc. It’s whatever is compelling for you, and remind yourself when you need a boost. (J D Meier)

Manage Your Input

41. Don’t underestimate the time commitment

42. Recognise the time commitment and work out how you’re going to deliver on it

43. Blog consistently (daily, every other day, weekly – whatever works for you)

44. Schedule your blog time

45. Brainstorm ideas

46. Use mindmaps to get an overview of what you’re going to write

47. Keep something to write on nearby to capture all your good ideas

48. Feed on the ideas exchanged in the comment box; use them for future posts

49. Get used to the feeling of talking to yourself (in the beginning anyway)

50. Be patient

Be Yourself

51. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind

52. Be yourself and write from the heart

53. Don’t follow the crowd

You don’t have to follow everyone one of the roles the pro bloggers tell you. Do what feels right and the rest will come. (Andy Hayes)

54. Watch out for commercialism — blog readers can sniff marketing a mile away

55. Don’t worry

Don’t worry about how many readers you have or don’t have; start to communicate with other people; don’t worry too much… you’ll find your voice eventually (Pam)

56. Trust your instincts

Just Do It!

57. Don’t over-plan. Jump in and do it, then learn, reflect and evaluate as you go.

58. JUST START… the rest will flow from there

59. Start now.

60. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Sometimes they turn out better than the best laid plans.

61. Experiment.

62. Post “good enough” vs. fit and finish — if you always aim for the long-shot, you’ll miss great posting opportunities along the way.

63. Don’t give up!

64. Just keep going.

Bonus: Bite Sized Tips (Twitter style)

65. Comment often with relevancy (@GL Hoffman)

66. Start on wordpress.org. Focus 1st on content , 2nd on marketing , 3rd on design. It’s hard work. (@Olivia Mitchell)

67 Let blogging be its own reward (@davidzinger)

Let blogging be its own reward and don’t get seduced by branding and copywriting too early in the process. Find YOUR voice

68. Simple. Provide unique and outstanding content. Try using video once in a while too (@webword)

69. Choose a niche you have a) expertise in and b) passion for. Be polite, be helpful. Add value. Then don’t worry, be happy! (@IainBroome)

70. I would say there is such a thing as planning too much. Sometimes, you just gotta do it. So many ppl think about “starting” a blog but then never do it. They plan, and plan, and nothing (@Ribeezie)

PS Just do it!

Useful Posts

Not a comprehensive list – but some useful posts that were shared (or materialised!) when I asked the question:

No Cost (Six Step) Small Business Social Media and Marketing Plan (from @mark_hayward)

How to Plan a Month’s Worth of Posts in 30 Minutes Flat A Confident Writing favourite

Questions I’m Often Asked about WordPress and Blogging contributed by Tom Johnson

Top 7 Blog Mistakes to Avoid contributed by David Airey

A Light in the Darkness a blogging motivation post to keep from Robert Hruzek

Perfect Blogs, 404 Errors and Humanity by Liz Strauss

Contributions by Audacious Bloggers as follows

Cindy: Kiss and Get Fit (1,3)

David Airey: Davidairey.com (2, 3, 12, 19, 25, 26, 41, 48)

Jonathan: The Core Mechanic (4)

Tom Volkar: Delightful Work (5, 10, 56)

Joanna Paterson (that’s me, here) (5, 11, 16, 20, 30, 56, 61, 64)

David Masters: Be Playful (6, 14, 34, 59)

Gennaro: Enduring Wanderlust (7, 8, 9)

Meryl K Evans: Meryl’s Notes (11, 13, 37, 54)

Tyler: Man of Depravity (11)

Carla: Green and Chic (15)

Brad Shorr: Word Sell (17, 24, 38, 47, 60)

George: Tumblemoose (18)

Karen Swim: Words for Hire (20, 36, 63)

Rachel Cotterill: Rachel’s Ramblings (21)

Patricia: Patricia’s Wisdom (5, 22, 27)

Catherine @ Sharp Words (23, 31)

Iain Broome: Write For Your Life (28, 31, 38, 47)

Tom Johnson: I’d Rather be Writing (29)

J D Meier: Sources of Insight (32, 40, 44, 62)

Roy Jacobsen: Writing Clear and Simple (33)

Lucy: ESL EAL and More (35)

Robert Hruzek: Middle Zone Musings (39, 49, 64)

Bo: Seeded Earth (42, 43)

Ulla Hennig: Ulla Hennig’s Blog (45, 46, 48)

Walt: Walt in PA (47)

Tony Lawrence: A P Lawrence (50)

wilson: Will You Mind (51)

Barbara Swafford: Blogging Without a Blog (52)

Andy Hayes: Sharing Experiences (53)

Pam: Facing East Again (55, 58)

Ricardo Bueno: Ribeezie(57)

P.S. If you liked this post and think it would be of value to new bloggers, please do share (link, e-mail, stumble, bookmark) in your favourite way.  Thanks!