So You're Thinking About Starting A Blog? Do This First.

Last updated on 26 November 2024

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So, you’ve got that itch to start a blog? I hear that! But maybe you’re not quite sure where to begin. I also hear that, loud and clear. The excitement is there, the ideas are bubbling, but the path forward seems like Auckland on a winter’s day (foggy – literally, planes are grounded).

There are so many great tips out there for starting a blog (heck, I’ve even shared some myself!) but actually, looking back over my last over-a-decade of blogging experience, and knowing what I know now, there are some things that I just wouldn’t do straight off the bat. Of course, your approach might be completely different, which is great, and you might find that these things I’m about to list are exactly what you do need to do to start.

But here are some things that I probably wouldn’t do I were starting another blog today.

4 things I wouldn’t do when starting a blog

Get a domain name
Pick a name
Choose pretty colours
Brainstorm ideas

While these are all important steps, they aren’t foundational. And building on shaky ground? Well, we all know how that turns out. It ain’t gonna last, that’s for sure.

Rather than dividing straight head-first into those things – you will need them soon, but just pause for a moment – think about these essential foundational steps first. And I wanna suggest there are 3 things to think about before you start (there are probably more, but we’ll start with these).

3 things to keep in mind before starting a blog

To create a successful blog, you need a solid foundation. Think of it like building a house; without a strong base, everything else will crumble.

If I were starting a blog in 2024, here’s what I would do first and foremost, and THEN go back to those things I mentioned before. Remember you might be different!

1. Understand your ‘why’

Why do you want to start a blog? This might sound simple, but it’s important!

Are you looking to inspire people, make some extra money, share your knowledge, or maybe a bit of everything? Understanding your motivation will shape your blog’s direction and keep you committed even when the going gets a bit rocky. Because chances are, it will get rocky. That’s just the nature of blogging and also life.

Your ‘why’ might change over time, but thinking about it at the beginning is a good start.

Example of knowing your ‘why’

Let’s say you’re a passionate traveller (oh hey yo! You’re in good company). Your ‘why’ could be to share unique travel experiences, tips on budget travelling, or to connect with fellow travel lovers. Knowing this will hopefully guide your content and keep you motivated, too.

If your goal is to inspire others with your adventures, your posts will focus on storytelling and captivating descriptions of all the beautiful, wonderful, crazy places that you’re going.

If you want to make money, you might explore affiliate marketing or sponsored content.

2. Know your audience

Who are you writing for? Identifying your audience is pretty darn good idea before you even think about things like a blog name or a domain name. This doesn’t mean you need to have a super niche, but having a general idea of who they are, really does help. Knowing your audience allows you to create content that resonates with them and keeps them coming back for more. Which we LOVE.

And again, your audience, like your blog, might change over time.

Example of knowing your audience

If you’re a DIY enthusiast, your audience might be crafty mums, hobbyists, or maybe eco-conscious people who love to craft. Understanding your readers will help you create posts they’re going to be looking for.

For instance, crafty mums might appreciate easy, budget-friendly projects they can do with their kids, while the eco-conscious might look for sustainable crafting ideas. The better you know your audience, the more effectively you can create epic blogging content for them. It’ll also help with things like colours and names and the things I mentioned before.

3. What’s your time commitment looking like?

Be realistic about the time you can put in and dedicate to your blog. Consistency is key, and knowing your time means you can set up a manageable schedule, without getting overloaded and without forgetting about your blog for weeks on end. Blogging requires time not just for writing, but for research, promotion, and engaging with your audience.

You’ll be able to figure out more of a schedule as you go, but having a sense of what you time is like as you start can really help.

Example of time commitment for blogging

If you can only spare a few hours a week, plan for one high-quality post rather than trying to churn out multiple meh ones. This way, you maintain quality without burning out or getting sick of what you’re writing about.

See where you might be able to carve out an hour or two in your schedule to work on your blog. Put it in your diary if you need to, and make the time.

Starting a blog on a solid foundation will be better in the long run, trust me

With these super important foundations in place (or some like these!), everything that you do next will be much easier. There are of course, many different ways to start a blog, and if some of the things I initially mentioned help, then that’s excellent! These are mostly just things that I would do if I were starting a blog from scratch today.

Leave a comment below with your ‘why’ and who you envision your audience to be if you’re just starting a blog!

And if you’re looking for more guidance, check out The Blogging Room for more support as you start your blog.