Listen to “MIH012: How To Start a Successful Blog” on Spreaker.

There are some definite things you’ll want to put in place before you begin creating and sharing your content. In this episode, I share four elements every blog needs for success. You can hear this part in the podcast. Then keep scrolling below to get more detailed information on how to start your blog successfully.

Four Essential Elements to Start a Successful Blog

1.  Set up your blog for success.

First, I highly recommend you start with a stable platform- like WordPress (and not the free version by the way.) Once you’ve got your hosting, domain, and design all taken care of you’ll want to begin thinking about first things first. Without the groundwork and foundation that a platform such as WordPress gives you, you may find a few goodies lacking.

Take advantage of self-hosted WordPress, WP plugins for SEO and scheduling posts, and more!

2.  Set up a mailing list.

This is of utmost importance- and I recommend doing this right off the bat.  Some examples of mailing list providers you might choose from are Aweber, Mailchimp, Mad Mimi, Get Response, or Infusionsoft- and there are others.  Do your research and find one that meets your mailing list needs and your budget, then grab your code and get it on your blog asap.  Don’t make the same mistake I did and miss out on nearly a year of subscriptions simply because I didn’t have the option to subscribe on my blog.  Grow your list right from the beginning.

3.  Narrow down your niche market.

You’re not out to serve anyone and every one- so you’ll need to get laser-focused on your audience. To know how to start a successful blog is important, but understanding your niche market is even more pertinent.  Believe it or not, you can’t get too narrow with your prospects: just find (and dig into) your business passion, and determine the folks that most need your help, and voila! That’s your best target market.

Your blog will be more meaningful if you focus on the smaller percentage of the population that most needs your offerings.

4.  Develop the mindset of making money.

Lastly, you’ll need to develop the mindset of- not hobby blogging- but making money.

I find that oftentimes many solopreneurs (women included) fail to start a money-making venture on the right foot.  If your blog is for a hobby- great! But if you want to make money, then you’ll have to change your mindset and set up your blog for that purpose.

You can still be authentic and real on your blog while making money- and that’s the whole point!

Now, let’s drill deeper.

How have you set up your blog for success? Has this podcast been helpful for you or someone you know in determining how to start a successful blog? Remember, this is only the beginning of the beginning- there is so much more that I can’t wait to share with you.

Let me know what you think about this episode. Can’t wait to hear from you! 🙂