Blogging is one of the best way to increase a website’s traffic and if you’re a Virtual Assistant and you’re not doing it, I suggest you start now or hire someone who can do it for you.
If you’re an aspiring Virtual Assistant and want to offer blogging as a service, congratulations because you have found a niche that will never run out of customers! Blogging is like pancakes! They sell! Entrepreneurs need new content at least every week and I compare it to selling purified water!
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/uSISZQ
They’re the online business’ basic necessity so what I did is collate a few tips to help you get started.
1. Decide where you want it to be seen. If you haven’t built your website yet and really want to start blogging, first you have to identify where you want it to be seen. Here are your choices.
a. BlogSpot
b. WordPress
If you don’t have the budget for a self-hosted domain and website, BlogSpot and WordPress are your only choice though I’ll be citing a few examples of their pros.
Your blogs can be seen right away. Both BlogSpot and WordPress can be set up in minutes and your blog/s can be posted right away. No need for programmers and no expenses, too!
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/C8ydGz
c. Your own self-hosted domain
According to a few sources, you can readily transfer the blogs form your WordPress.com to your self-hosted site, however, whatever audience you built with either BlogSpot and WordPress.com can not be transferred to your self-hosted website. It is very important for a starting blog because it’s not easy to build an audience and you might want to take that into consideration especially if you really want to make money out of it.
If you’re going to create and use your own website, you can setup the SEO foundation of your site (or have your designer do it) so you’ll have more chance of being seen unlike in BlogSpot and WordPress, you can’t control it.
Having your own domain looks more formal, serious and credible though I understand that it’s the content that matters most, sometimes, your own domain also counts and it’s better not to risk “not having it”.
2. If you already have your website and has chosen your “niche”, write about it. Write about anything related to it.
3. Your niche reaches to your “ideal market”, think about talking directly to them. answer their questions, give solution to their problems and don’t be scared to give out information.
4. Write like you talk. You can be yourself when writing! Come on! It’s a blog and not a “thesis” so you can be less formal if you want to. You can crack a joke, show your personality and share your own story
and views.
5. Plan your blog topics and titles for the month. You can change anytime but it’s better to have a list of topics and titles to guide you before you write. It also compels you to write and not procrastinate, one of the greatest enemy of bloggers.
6. Create your blog calendar and make sure to follow it!
7. Use your own cellphone/camera for the blog pictures and don’t forget to create a disclaimer if you get pictures online. Using your own picture is always best though if you really can’t avoid it, crediting back to its owner is the best thing to do as a courtesy.
8. After writing it, leave it for a day and get back to it for editing. After reading and final edit, ask a friend or someone to just read it for final proofing before posting it. Two pair of eyes are better than one so if you have someone who can help you with it, why not just ask?
9. Share! What’s the use of your blog if no one will see it? You can’t expect others to just find their way to your site without you promoting it! This is one of the hardest part, even harder than making the blog itself. You have to be present in social media. For this part, I suggest you watch the Free VA Training Videos I’ve created on how to start a VA business to give you more idea how to do it.
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/C8ydGz
10. The best part of the tip is, START NOW There is no better time but now. Just write and start planning for it, then work your on your plans.
Your business will not be built without HARD WORK and you need lots of it! Happy blogging and don’t forget to comment if you like the post or share it to your friends!
Great, easy to follow points for those who haven’t dived in yet to start their blogs, Pamela. And you really cover many of the keys things to consider to maximize the blogs potential success. Personally I am currently almost finished my new website and the blog is a lovely addition to the whole. I always look forward to hearing from the people who stop by to read my pieces. Blogging is also a great way to share with others, and you offer people the opportunity to see how valuable it can be to their own brand!
Thank you, Beverly. Aside from business, one of my mission is to help educate the people about the benefits of working from home and blogging is one of the BEST thing I can do to start doing that. 🙂
Great information for blogging! I definitely agree that blogging is everywhere and is one of those things that needs to be done on a regular basis. Thanks for the advice you have provided! 🙂
Welcome, Khungpoo! Geels great that you appreciate it. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these points to follow for those who haven’t blogged yet. Well done, Pamela. Blogging is key and has to be done. It definitely helps to connect with potential clients and share with our audience.
Great crash course on blogging. These tips will be very helpful both for newbies and even seasoned bloggers
Thank you Alexandra and Veronica. It makes me feel like writing everyday when I hear compliments like yours. Lol!
As a freelance writer, I also felt the need of having a blog of my own. I can practice writing articles and I have something to show my clients whenever they ask for a portfolio. Later on I have realized the potential of making money from these blogs so I decided to buy my own domain and try my lock with advertisements and sponsored content that I could probably get for my website. Hopefully this online money making platform would work for me.
I would want to pursue a career in the HR department before but I felt that my skills and knowledge were insufficient.
very informative and easy to follow.. thank you for imparting your knowledge. I will share this to my friends who wants to start blogging!
Great tips for all those just breaking into this field. Blogspot is also sometimes referred to as Blogger, and I agree with it being a great platform. It is the one I use.
Thanks for the tips on blogging they are simple and easy to put into practice. The best tip is write like you talk that makes it easier. Thanks for sharing.
All good stuff about blogging! I use WordPress.org for my blog. I received that advice when I first started and it made sense to me. Its always a work in progress though… always room for improvements and changes. Its been an interesting and fun adventure.
Pamela, this was great! I especially like, “Start Now!” I also like the idea of a blog calendar and planning posts by the month. Thanks for a comprehensive list of things we can do. (My blog started on WordPress and moved to my own site. So I lost those former followers and very few found me again later).
It really is about taking action when you begin blogging. As a blogging coach I focus on the purpose and get my bloggers to start writing.
No one learns all there is about blogging in just one day. So be prepared to learn as you go.
Great post and you make some excellent points. I love how you refer your pictures back to their owner. Great way to create extra back links! Powerful blog and thank you for sharing!
Great information for the starter blogger, Pamela. In those early stages, there seem to be 500 things that need to be decided and it’s hard to see how all the pieces fit together. I think your piece achieves clarity for them!
Thanks for all the great info on blogging! very helpful!
Great tips! I really like the tip of writing how you talk – writing (especially if writing is new or uncomfortable to you) can get too formal too fast. Then the piece loses its passionate vibe and people notice this. I love blogs that show the writer’s personality. They speak so much louder. Thanks for sharing this post!