12 Blogging Tips for Beginners (+ Lots of Free Resources) (2024)

Looking for blogging tipsto give yourself the best shot at creating a successful blog?

As a newbie blogger, you want to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Being overwhelmed can mean the difference between a good blog that exists only in your mind and a blog full of great contentthat you can look at proudly, thinking, “I created this.”

For that reason, instead of a bazillion hacks and strategies, we’re going to focus on 12 easy-to-follow, high-qualityblogging tips.

Ready?

Let’s get started!

1. Pick a Niche at the Intersection of Love and Money

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To become a successful blogger, stack the odds in your favor by choosing a popular niche that you love to write about — one with both healthy competition and a clear path to monetization.

You may have a hard timecommitting to one path, especially if you’re interested in multiple niches or topics.

Here are some questions to narrow the field.

  • Is it a topic with plenty of organic searchtraffic?You want to be unique in the content you create, notin the topic you write about. So first, confirm that the niche has plenty of interested readers. Otherwise, you can forget about monetizingyour blog down the road.
  • Is there competition?Look for existing blogs and influencerson your topic, which indicates a viable market. Competition is a good thing since it points the way to a popular, thriving space.
  • Is this a topic you enjoy?Imagine yourself on a chilly winter day, with an entire day of free time, snuggled up on the couch with a book. What’s the topic of that book? If it matches the subject of your blog, excellent sign. Choose a topic you can spend your days writing blog postsabout for at least 3 years.
  • Do you have work or life experience related to your niche?Love to explore the world? A travel blogcould be fun. Are you an expert on social networkslike LinkedInor Reddit? Do you have a background in digital marketing that could give you an edge?
  • Is there a way of earning money with your topic? How are other blogs in this space earning money? Bloggingis hard work, so make sure there is a path to monetize your blog before you begin.

Learn More: Two posts by Jon Morrow will set you on the right path. The first, 21 Warning Signs You Chose the Wrong Topic for Your Bloghelps you avoid the mistake of picking the wrong topic, and What to Blog About: 3 Steps to Mapping out Your Ideas in a Logical Wayis a step-by-step guidethat will help you decide whatto write about.

2. Understand Your Audience

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The success of your content depends on how well you understand your audience.

When you understand your audience, you can create a strong connection with them. Use the language they use, showing that you’re an insider and that you get them.

Quality content that resonates with your audience and keeps them on your site is the cornerstone of any savvy content strategy.

After all, if you don’t understand readers’ wants and needs, your piece of contentmay not be useful or relevant to them. They’ll bounce to the next blog.

First, determine who your target readers are. Then research them. What blogs do they read? What podcastsdo they listen to? Get to know their challenges or their goals and how your content can help solve their problems.

Empathy is critical here, and one of the best ways to gain insight is to be a member of your audience!

Learn More: Meera Kothandgives you the steps to figure out whoyour readers are in How to Profile Your Ideal Reader with (Perfectly Legal) Surveillance. The post 7 Psychological Tricks for Turning Fleeting Visitors into Loyal Fansby Katharine Di Cerbocontainspractical blogging tips for connecting with your readers, and 7 Ways to Fascinate Your Readers and Build a Hugely Loyal Followingby Henneke Duistermaat gives you ways to keep your readers “glued” to your content.

3. Pick the Right Blogging Platform

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What is the “right” blogging platform to use? It depends. Are you blogging for fun? As a hobby? Are you testing it out to see if this blogging thing will stick? Then look for free options.

One of the best free options is to create an account on Medium.com. It’s not only free, but it’s also super simple. And with more than 60 million unique monthly readers, there’s no need to drive traffic! So, start here first.

If you really want a website, WordPress.com has a free plan. But understand that it’s like squatting on a friend’s couch versus owning your own home.

If you plan to blog as a business, then you’ll want a self-hosted website using WordPress.org.This will cost money, but your new blogwill look far more professional.

Plus, you don’t want to depend on a free platform that could kick you off at any time or that dictates what you can or can’t do. No, once you get serious, you’ll want that self-hosted site. SiteGround (affiliate link) is the web host we recommend most often to our students. To learn more about it, check out our in-depth SiteGround review.

Once you get your WordPress blogset up, you’ll need to choose a theme. Your WordPress themes will only determine your blog design, but can also affect your site’s loading speed, so choose carefully. The Elementor (affiliate link) website builder works with a variety of themes and creates beautiful pages in minutes. Read Smart Blogger’s full Elementor review here.

The good news is that there are some great choices for free WordPress themes.

Learn More: The 5 Best Free Blogging Platforms in 2024 (100% Unbiased)by Kevin J. Duncan tells you what you need to know to get started—for free. If you want to begin with WordPress, check out Jon Morrow’s guide WordPressHosting: A Brutally Honest Guide (to Save You $). For details about the best free themes, read 8 Best Free WordPress Themes of 2024 (Chosen by Experts)by Colin Newcomer.

4. Less is More: Choose Smart Plugins

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WordPressis powerful, but it can’t possibly include everyfeature everyone wants. Nor would you want it to — that would make the software bloated and buggy, which is nerd talk for slow and unreliable.

Instead, when you want additional functionality in WordPress, pluginscan serve your needs.

Plugins are pieces of software code that you can add to your WordPress site. Many are free for basic levels of service, with premium add-ons available. Just know that they can slow down your site, so don’t use them unlessthey serve a clear purpose.

Each WordPress plugin you choose needs to play nicely with your theme and other plugins you’ve installed. And you’ll want to make sure the plugin is updated regularly — a sign that developers still care about it.

The safest path is to stick with well-known pluginsthat get high ratings from other WordPressusers.

Some categories of useful or smart plugins:

  • Performance optimization pluginscan decrease page load times. Your web hosting company may provide one for you.
  • SEOassistant plugins such as Yoast SEOhelp with basic on-page SEOor search engineoptimization (don’t worry, we’ll cover this later).
  • Automatic backup pluginscreate copies of your blog and upload them to GoogleDrive or other online storage services like UpdraftPlus, for example.

Learn More: Adam Connell has a list of essential pluginsin Warning: Ignoring These 7 WordPress PluginsCould Seriously Damage Your Blog. For additional useful pluginideas, read Sarah Peterson’s article 13 WordPress PluginsThat’ll Save You a Ton of Time. And if you want an in-depth list of resources (plugins, blogging tools, etc.) Smart Blogger recommends, check out the .

5. Headlines Are Critical

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It’s a noisy world out there.

You could labor for hours over a post filled with carefully researched, valuable information. But if no one reads it, nothing happens. That means no organic traffic, no page views, no email subscribers, and no lives changed.

As a blogger, one of the first skills you need to develop is writing catchy headlines. Ones that wave and call out to your target readers, saying, “Hey! Look, I wrote this for you, and here’s how you’ll benefit!”

Headlines should be specific — that way, your target reader knows exactly who your post is for, and what it’s about.

Brainstorm as many headlines as possible. Many times, the first ones you come up with are “meh.” But if you keep going, you’ll write one that makes you smile with satisfaction.

Learn More: Robert van Tongeren’s 10 Ways to Exploit Human Nature and Write Amazingly Appealing Headlinesis a fantastic resource for learning how to tap into your readers’ emotions. And Barbara Sturm explains why using numbers in your headline is a smart strategy in Write Headlines That Convert: 10 “Number Psychology” Tips!

6. Write Valuable Content, Optimized for Online Readers

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Writing for online readers means delivering value in an easy-to-absorb format.

Here are some primary rules:

  • Write in a conversational tone, like you’re talking to a friend. Avoid being formal. Contractions are welcome here.
  • Make your post easy to read. That means:
    • Use subheadsto help scanners. People will skim your post to see if it’s worth reading before committing their time and energy.
    • Avoid walls of text. Write in short, punchy paragraphs.
    • Avoid rambling. Stick to one central idea and make your post only as long as it needs to be to get that idea across.
  • Add in screenshotsand other images where appropriate to give your reader a break from text.

Using data and references to back up your claims wherever possible adds value, making your arguments more concrete.

Including well-placed power words will energize your blog content. And providing examples will bring life to your writing, offering real-world scenarios for otherwise vague concepts. They make concepts easier to understand and can even show readers what is possible in their lives.

Learn More: Dig into Liz Longacre’s How to Write a Blog Post in 2024: The Ultimate Guide for more details on how to optimize your online writing. To escape the content treadmill, check out Evergreen Content (That People Will Actually Remember)by Kevin J. Duncan. And once you have the basics down, Sonia Thompson helps you take your skills further with Demystifying Epic Content: How to Actually Create It (Not Just Jabber About How Important It Is).

7. Edit First, Publish Later

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We’ve all seen it. The post someone wrote but neglected to edit.

After the third or so careless spelling error, you decided that if this writer couldn’t bother to take the time to edit, why should you take the time to read it?

Please — don’t be that writer. We want you to become a successful blogger.

After you create your new content, let it sit a day or two. Then come back and take the muzzle off your inner editor.

Edit before you publish!

As you progress along in your writing career and become a seasoned blogger, keep a list of the mistakes that haunt you. For example, sometimes, my corporate background creeps into my writing. Between the overuse of the passive voice and the formal, stilted language, heck, I can bore myself reading some of my rough drafts.

Create a checklist. Don’t try to remember everything.

Also, use a basic grammar checker. Both GoogleDocs and Microsoft Word have built-in free toolsfor checking spelling and grammar. No excuses!

If you want more help with grammar, there are plenty of user-friendlysoftware options at various price points. Grammar checkers aren’t perfect, and nothing beats a human editor. Still, they can be cost-effective ways of weeding out the most obvious errors.

Learn More: Shane Arthur’s Proofreading: 7 Editing Tips That’ll Make You a Better Writergives you a hit list of ways to improve your writing. Get an overview of the best grammar checkers in , and if Grammarly interests you, check out Grammarly Review: Is it the Best Grammar Checker in 2024?to help you decide.

8. Consistency Is Key

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Let’s be honest. You chose bloggingbecause you love to write, but we all experience those days where writing is the lastthing we want to do.

Writing can be tough at times.

A day or two off is not a big deal, but it puts you at the risk of losing momentum. Days become weeks, which then turn into months.

To prevent this, don’t write only when you feellike it. Write on a schedule. Be consistent.

As a new blogger, you have a decision to make: How often are you going to create new posts? Weekly? Monthly?

Decide on how often you’ll post and stick to that decision. Readers need that consistency.

Learn More: A fantastic way to stay consistent is to create an editorial calendar, as HubSpot’s How to Create an Editorial Calendar[Examples + Templates]explains. Annaliese Henwood gives you plenty of ideas to fill that content marketingcalendar with 255 Blog Post Ideas That’ll Tantalize Your Readers in 2024. And Ayodeji Awosika provides plenty of motivational tips in Writing Inspiration: 99 Ways to Get Inspired to Write in 2024.

9. Gather Your Internet Tribe. Build Your Email List.

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Experienced bloggersall seem to say the same thing: Don’t wait to start your email list.

Yes, it’s intimidating, but the odds are that most of your website visitors are one-time only and could be lost forever.

Don’t forget that with social media, you don’t own a list of your followers there. Everything you build on a platform could be wiped out overnight.

Fortunately, no one can take away your email list.

After selecting an email marketingservice, you’ll want to create an incentive that entices readers to become subscribers. Think of the types of offers that get you to submit your email address.

The incentive must offer value, not just to anaudience, but to youraudience.

Place pop-upsand landing pageswith opt-insoffering those sweet incentives in multiple places on your blog to make it easy for readers to subscribe.

Then once you have a list, interact with your readers to create a bond. Ask them questions and request feedback. This will give you information to create even better content that resonates more strongly with your audience.

If you want to build a personal brand, monetize your blog, and work towards making a full-time income from it, the first step is to get that email list started!

Learn More: Elna Cain’s Email Marketing 101: The Simple, Definitive Guide for 2024covers what you need to know to get started. And when you’re ready to create that opt-in, Stef Gonzaga has great ideas for you in 9 Irresistible Incentives That’ll Grow Your Email ListLike Crazy.

10. Learn the ABCs of SEO(Search EngineOptimization)

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Want to be discovered online? You can earn free traffic from Google, but it comes at a price. That price is learning the basics of SEOand then implementing what you learn.

The first step is learning how to do keyword research. Keyword researchis the process of figuring out which words or phrases people use to search for information on your topic.

Showing up in Google searches requires plenty of high-quality backlinks pointing to your content from sites that Google sees as trustworthy authorities on your topic or within your blogging niche.

You also need to understand “searcher intent” or what someone is looking for when they type in those keyword phrases online. The trick is to make sure the content you create answers the questions searchers are asking.

An effective method is to type your topic keyword into the Googlesearch box. Then look at the top results to see what content is ranking.

Another way to see what people are asking is to use AnswerThePublic. With this tool, you type in a topic name and get a list of questions people are asking about the topic.

Learn More: Entire careers are built on SEO, and it gets detailed very quickly. Start with How to Learn SEO by Brian Dean of Backlinko. Then, if you want more, check out Brian’s guide The Ultimate SEO Tutorial. Ahrefs, a well-respected company that provides SEOtools, offers another choice for a beginners’ guide: SEOBasics: Beginner’s Guide to SEOSuccess.

11. Share Your Best On Social Media

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Once you create valuable content designed for your target audience, the next step is to promote it on social media.

Always check the rules first.

For example, don’t join Facebook groups and throw in links to your website in your posts since that could get you banned from the group. Almost all groups have rules for self-promotion, so be careful to follow them.

Social media marketingis a huge topic. To keep things simple, pick just one social mediaplatform to start with.

Try to choose the one where your target audienceis most likely to be. Focus on it exclusively until you’re comfortable before you move on to the next platform.

Each social mediaplatform has different purposes and attracts different audiences.

  • Pinterestis an excellent platform for visually oriented blogs (Example: a home decorating blog). You create and post eye-catching images with links to your blog content.
  • Twitterallows you to connect with others through (up to) 280-character tweets. You can join discussions and get your name out there.
  • Facebookallows you to join or create groups — providing a sense of community. Just remember that they can and do change the rules at any time.

Learn More: Beth Hayden teaches you about Pinterest in 9 Ways to Go Viral on Pinterest and Get an Avalanche of Traffic. Brian Honigman’s 10 Simple Twitter Tactics That Will Get You More Traffic Todayis a useful resource for Twitter users. If Facebook is your platform of choice, learn about Facebook groups from Sarah Peterson in How to Use Facebook Groups to Get More Traffic and Traction for Your Blog.

12. Think Long Term

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Becoming a blogging success takes time.

And content creation is equal parts rewarding and challenging.

To last for the long haul, you want to have a passion for your topic. You need to enjoy reading and writing about it for its own sake, not for the money.

To stay motivated, think about how your content improves people’s lives.

Otherwise, you’ll quit too soon.

Make it fun. As a new blogger, now is your time to try things, to experiment. It’s your time to find your voice.

Maybe your own blogis a lonely ghost town right now, so posting for a more popular blog (with a relevant audience) may get you noticed. Try writing a series of guest posts, offering to create content for other blogs.

Yes, you’ll want to install Google Analytics, a data collection tool, as soon as you set up your blog. But don’t pay much attention to the numbers yet. That comes later.

As a newbie blogger, you have more important things to focus on, like the ones in the bloggingmilestone post below.

Let’s be honest. If this is your first timebuilding a blog, you probably won’t be able to earn a full-timeincome upfront. You may not make any money bloggingfor a while.But if you keep at it, putting in the hard work, you stack the odds in your favor.

Learn More: Kevin J. Duncan’s 21 BloggingMilestones on the Path to World Dominationis a wonderful resource to accompany you on your blogging journey. Play with the creative writing exercises in Mel Wick’s 26 Creative Writing Exercises That’ll Punch Up Your Writing or use her prompts in Stuck? Try These 72 Creative Writing Prompts (+ 6 Bonus Tips).

So, Which of These Blogging Tips Will You Do First?

Reading a list of blogging tipshelps you understand what you need to do. But there’s a world of difference between reading about it and doingit.

So, make a plan. Start by finding your topic and audience.

Then methodically go through the tips on this list one by one.

Don’t think about all the tips at once. Remember, take one step at a time.

The more of these tips you implement, the stronger your site will become.

You’ll become a better blogger, writer, and content marketer.

But be patient and realize this won’t happen overnight. Give it the time and hard workit requires.

Above all else, enjoy your blogging journey!

Karen MacKenzie

12 Blogging Tips for Beginners (+ Lots of Free Resources) (14)

Karen MacKenzie is a freelance writer and Smart Blogger Certified Content Marketer. Her combined love of writing and personal finance has resulted in her first book (in progress). She’s also the creator of Finding Your Enough, a blog on the pursuit of financial independence through intentional living.

12 Blogging Tips for Beginners (+ Lots of Free Resources) (2024)

FAQs

12 Blogging Tips for Beginners (+ Lots of Free Resources)? ›

Blogs need to be scannable, short, informal, and to the point. The posts contain links to other useful, related information, both within your blog site and on other credible sites. Good blog posts use short sentences and paragraphs.

How do beginners start blogging for free? ›

How to create a blog for free
  1. Sign up for a free blog maker. Choose what kind of blog you want to create.
  2. Pick a blog name. Let people know what your blog is all about.
  3. Choose your blog template. Customize its design to match your style.
  4. Write and publish your first post. ...
  5. Share your blog.

What is the secret of blogging? ›

Blogs need to be scannable, short, informal, and to the point. The posts contain links to other useful, related information, both within your blog site and on other credible sites. Good blog posts use short sentences and paragraphs.

What are examples of blogging for beginners? ›

50 More First Blog Post Ideas for Beginners
  • Give an example of an important lesson you learned on your career journey.
  • Introduce your pets or family in a niche-themed way.
  • List out the best links you've found for helpful guides.
  • Do an article roundup in your niche.
  • Write a checklist on how to do a project.

What is the best advice for blogging? ›

Blogging tips for beginners
  • Develop a powerful linking strategy.
  • Prioritize long blog posts.
  • Keep your content up-to-date.
  • Create a blog newsletter.
  • Promote your blog on social media.
  • Expand your online presence.
  • Monitor your blog analytics.
  • Take advantage of monetization opportunities.
Dec 25, 2023

What is the best free site to start a blog? ›

10 Best Free Blogging Platforms & Websites to Start a Blog for Free
NameDeveloperBest for
WordPressFreeCustomizable blogs with powerful content management
MediumFree or from $5/moCommunity-oriented publications
WixFree or from $4.50/moPersonalized blogs
TumblrFreeShort blogs featuring visual media
1 more row
May 20, 2024

Which blogging site is best for beginners? ›

The Best Blogging Platforms of 2024
  • WordPress: Best for versatility.
  • Wix: Best for beginner-friendly SEO tools.
  • Weebly: Best for blogging and selling online.
  • Drupal: Best for developers.
  • Squarespace: Best all-in-one platform.
  • Content Hub: Best for marketers.
  • Medium: Best for its built-in audience.
4 days ago

What are the don'ts of blogging? ›

The Don'ts of Blogging

Don't: Ramble with run-on sentences that just keep on dragging or lengthy texts. Don't: Try to cover too many topics at once. Break up content into multiple entries if needed. Don't: Use profanity or unprofessional language.

Why do many bloggers fail? ›

Some bloggers fail because they don't research their audience, they don't tailor their content accordingly, they blog inconsistently, they don't use SEO best practices, or they don't promote their content. Let's take a closer look at the reasons why blogs fail, and what you can do to overcome these hurdles and success.

Can you blog anonymously and make money? ›

Anonymous bloggers can make money through methods like affiliate marketing, ad revenue, selling products or services, and sponsored content. However, it may be more challenging to build trust and credibility when you blog anonymously.

What should the first sentence of a blog be? ›

Start With a Reader's Question. Reader questions are great. Mainly because you can usually be sure other people share the same question. Also, it's so much easier to address a specific question rather than have to pull content out of your own head.

Where should I start my first blog? ›

How to start a blog in 10 steps
  1. Choose a blogging platform. Use a platform that offers customizable templates.
  2. Pick a hosting platform. ...
  3. Find the right niche. ...
  4. Select a blog name and domain. ...
  5. Set up and design your blog. ...
  6. Brainstorm blog topics. ...
  7. Write your first blog post. ...
  8. Create an editorial calendar.

What should a good blog look like? ›

First and foremost, you should create a visually appealing layout that is easy to navigate. This means selecting an appropriate website template or theme with plenty of white space. Prioritize attractive, web-friendly/safe fonts (clear typography) that make it easy to read this type of website.

How to blog basics? ›

Blogging Tips for Beginners
  1. Establish clear objectives.
  2. Find your blogging niche.
  3. Analyze your competitors.
  4. Pick a blogging platform.
  5. Read other blogs consistently.
  6. Build a content strategy.
  7. Find topics with high potential.
  8. Establish a posting schedule.
Apr 10, 2024

How to start a blog and get paid? ›

How to make money blogging: 11 ideas
  1. Choose a profitable niche.
  2. Build an email list.
  3. Write sponsored product reviews.
  4. Sell advertising placements.
  5. Join an affiliate marketing program.
  6. Offer services.
  7. Sell digital products.
  8. Sell physical products.
May 23, 2024

How do I start a blog with no money? ›

Free blogging platforms such as WordPress.com, Blogger, and Wix offer basic features and functionality to get you started with your blog. They're easy to use, even for those without technical skills, and they often provide pre-made templates and designs to help you get your blog up and running quickly.

Can you start a blog with no experience? ›

Even if you have no technical experience with websites, starting a blog has become so much easier in 2024. This guide was created with ease of use in mind, and I'll walk you through every step of the way, so that you're able to learn how to create a blog (very easily) today.

Can a blog be completely free? ›

By using WordPress(. org), you can create a professional-looking blog straight away… and you'll have all the flexibility you need to grow your blog and make money from it. The WordPress software is completely free.

How do I create a blog for the first time? ›

Learning how to start a blog means following a few basic steps, which we'll outline in the next section.
  1. Choose a subject. ...
  2. Choose a name. ...
  3. Register your domain name. ...
  4. Find a web host. ...
  5. Set up your blog. ...
  6. Create a custom blog email address. ...
  7. Create your social media accounts. ...
  8. Install blog plugins.

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