Create Your Own Blog in 5 Easy Steps

I have been blogging since 2013. I used to have emotionally charged writing, but it was not until last year that I opted to explore my writing skills and improve my creativity while having fun with it.

I have two blogs (mavisbraga.com and mavisbraga.blogspot.com) and they are visual examples of how I have grown my blogging skills over the years.

That, however, is my story. Yours could be different. Creating a blog has different motives for each one of us; for one it could be writing and for another it could be documenting their journey or showcasing their art. The fact that you are reading this is the first step to starting your blogging journey. Congratulations!

You need to determine why you would like to start a blog. This will inspire your blog. Ensuring you have a clear vision of what your motive is to starting a blog will align both your design and content generation.

When creating a blog, it is always advisable to have a look at existing blogs. Ensure that you find inspiration to formulate a vision. There are various award-winning blogs on the internet that can help you get your creative juices flowing. If you want a lifestyle/fashion blog, Google some.

The beauty in blogging is that there is so much guidance on the internet. Different blogging sites have guidance tools to make it easy and straight-forward. There are three blogging sites most commonly used. Have a look at them and choose which you believe will work for you. They are all free. The only case in which costs are incurred is when you want to purchase a domain (a personalised site name such as mavisbraga.com).

Blog sites to choose from include: Blogspot, Wixsite or WordPress.

To remove the site name from your domain, there is a fee applicable. I do not recommend purchasing a domain until you are comfortable in your blogging journey. In the event that you are brave and want a personalised domain name from the get-go, sign up for the monthly fee, and you can later take on the annual fee when you are sure about your choice.

Create an account with whichever site you choose and start blogging! This is the fun part, putting the blog together. You can choose templates on your chosen blog site to get you started. Don’t be nervous, because all bloggers have had to go through this. No one has it figured out the first time, because a blog is about growth.

You will grow with it, figure things out as you go and be patient with yourself. You have it in you, so trust the process and allow yourself to create.

You have created your blog, now make it look all kinds of amazing! There are hacks and tricks one can use to ensure that your blog looks good. Don’t be afraid to upload images, videos and gifs. You can create your own graphics. My personal favourite is a design site called ‘Canva’. It is free and allows you to play around with templates. Canva is the easiest design site I have come across. There are plenty more, explore!

The moment you have your blog up and running, you’re already a winner.

The rest will come with time and your content generation is up to you. Pace yourself, there is no rush. It took me three weeks to create my blog’s look, because the process is time-consuming, but so much fun! For content, try some challenges, for example, the 30-day blogging challenge.

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