After running this blog for almost eight years, I have learned many things. Most of the things I learned after making mistakes. It is true that when you make a mistake, you learn a lesson. But in reality, it costs you lots of time and money, which otherwise could have been used in more productive ways.
Here on this page, I am sharing the things which I have learned the hard way. I hope that these things will help you in saving some money, and most importantly – TIME !!
1. To blog or not to blog?
Mark these words very carefully. Blogging is not easy. It takes lots of effort, time, and patience to build a meaningful blog. It will not happen in the short run. So if you are not sure that you can devote your most of luxury time to it, then please pursue any other hobby.
If you are still determined to create and run a blog like this and don’t want to quit without trying then continue reading.
2. On which topic I should write?
This is a very important step. Choose the blog topic wisely. There are two things you should consider:
- The topic should be able to attract readers from all the countries. It will help in gaining traffic and so profit.
- You should be an expert in that topic. If you are still not an expert, then try to gain expertise first. Do not waste other’s time by publishing below standard content. Anyway, in this case, this blog will never see any good traffic. Quality is a must.
You may also try to find topics of your interest on the internet, to see if you can write better than what’s already available. One good way is to try it. Write down few blog posts and share them on public forums for review. You will get a good idea.
3. Domain name and hosting?
So now you think that you are good with words and want to try blogging, then I will strongly suggest going for WordPress hosting with Bluehost.
Use the given tool to find a good domain name. Choose a generic domain name so that you are free to write on few other things in the future if you may like.
If you already have domain name and looking for a good host then again, I will recommend Bluehost only.
4. Content Writing
Always remember one thumb rule. Your content MUST add value to what’s already available in other blogs/websites. This value addition may be in terms of innovative solutions, better approaches, unknown facts, or better explanations. It has to be better in some aspects.
Do not become one of the noises which are already there. Make a unique identity. Establish your own branding. People should know you by your name or your brand. Only this will help you in long run.
As a suggestion, I will recommend you to read what’s already written in the first top 10-15 blog pages in google search (for the topic you want to write). Scan with sharp eyes. Find out what’s missing there or how you can improve it. Now go for it.
5. Money. It’s outcome
I will not be truthful if I say that money does not matter. It matters and in long run, it is the ultimate motivation. You must get something in return for burning your luxury hours to create something and making it available to others for free. While others enjoy their time in/out of regular work hours, you spend your time doing research and writing. It can go long way only when there is motivation involved. And for most of us, money is a good motivator.
But remember that Money is the outcome of very hard work done with patience for quite a long time. You may not be able to see any money for one or two years. But if you persist that long with consistent effort, you will find it and that’s for sure.
Do not waste your time looking for money until you have a good amount of traffic e.g. 5k visitors/per day. Until then there is no money. Use your time to build your blog content.
6. Persistence
At last, I will insist only on one thing – “persistence”. You will be able to get any success only through persistence. So find a topic, which is interesting enough to keep your motivation for a long time without any return.
If you persist long enough, you will succeed. That’s a promise.
Happy Blogging !!