Thinking About Becoming a Blogger?
So, you want to start a lifestyle blog or vlog but don’t know where to begin. Don’t worry, many successful bloggers felt just like you. When you decide you start a blog, there’s a right way and a wrong way. That’s where this guide comes into play. Read on to learn the steps to setting up and running a lifestyle blog or vlog.
Define Your Niche
Before you write your first word or record your first video, you need to define your niche. Think about your passions. Do you want to focus on frugal living hacks or tips for the perfect home garden? One choice isn’t better than the other it just depends on where your passions lie since you will have to discuss your niche topic constantly.
What do you look forward to doing in your free time? It’s these activities you should consider when defining your niche. It’s also important to mention that no one niche is oversaturated. Yes, there might be others talking about the same thing. However, you can zero in even more to reach a more specific group of people.
Have the Right Equipment
Having the right equipment is just as important as knowing what you want to write or vlog about. While you don’t need to have an elaborate setup to get started, you do need to have a computer, video equipment for vlogs, and pay for a domain. If things take off and you become a full-time content creator, you’d need to invest in high-end equipment. If you’re ready to give it your all and really want to have everything you need, like a recording room or designated office space, you’ll need to have the money to set it up.
While many don’t recommend investing thousands at first, you still might not have what you need to get things off the ground, especially if you prefer video over traditional blogging. If this is the case, you could consider getting a personal loan to buy everything you need. On the Navient Marketplace Blog, you can find a variety of information about personal loans. After checking it out, you’ll be able to decide if applying is the right decision. Keep in mind that it’s usually better to hold off a bit before spending a lot of money. However, there’s nothing wrong with researching and weighing all your options.
Choose Your Platform
You also need to pick a domain name and platform. WordPress offers free packages; however, you won't be able access other customized features or make the domain name your own unless you pay. If you plan on vlogging, then YouTube is where you want to be. But let’s go back to the blogging platforms for a moment.
In addition to WordPress, you can also use SquareSpace. Both platforms have their pros and cons, including feature accessibility and price. Your domain name is also important. You’ll want to choose a name that stands out from the rest. Don’t worry if this takes a little time to finalize. Your name should be one that people quickly associate with your brand. You can always use a name generator for ideas if you can’t come up with one you like on your own.
Branding and Design
Albeit a YouTube channel or website, you’ll want to create a visually appealing place for your audience to visit. On YouTube, create an interesting thumbnail and banner. Be sure to keep things classy and avoid copying others. If you have a website, think about your niche, and apply color theory to evoke emotion. If you plan on starting a blog about mindfulness and positivity, you’d want to use a color palette that’s calming and happy. The goal is to create a reason for users who visit to stick around and read what you’ve written.
Create High-Quality Content
Your content should always be worth reading or watching. While some influencers might be able to churn out low-brow content and still get views, it probably won’t work for you. Especially when you’re just starting out, your content needs to entice people to follow along. It needs to resonate with them on a deeper level and convince them to come back for more. Truth be told, creating content that continually delights the masses takes work. You should already have at least two weeks, if not 30 days, worth of content ideas mapped out before you go live.
