#DigiBlogChat Feb 13, 2024 Help, I started a blog, what next?

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The topic: Help, I started a blog, what next? with @lazblazter! Image StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

February 13, 2024 Help, I started a blog, what next? with @lazblazter! #digiblogchat 

The topic for #DigiBlogChat on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 1:00 pm Pacific Time is February 13, 2024 Help, I started a blog, what next? with @lazblazter! What do you do when you’re just starting with blogging? What should your posts be about? And of course we’ll have the ever-present side conversations!

Join us on Twitter each Tuesday from 1:00 through 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time for #DigiBlogChat. My partner for these chats is @LazBlazter.  If you need to know how to participate, click here: How to Join #DigiBlogChat. P.S. Don’t forget to add the #digiblogchat hashtag!

Here are the questions:

Q1. Starting the blog was a big step but has anyone got tips for curating ideas to give it longevity? #digiblogchat 

Q2. Should I follow the feedback my blog generates to determine future content or stick to a set theme or genre?  #digiblogchat 

Q3. Now I’m up and blogging, do I need to be concerned about which platform it is hosted on?  #digiblogchat 

Q4. Anyone got tips about linking social media with my blog please?  #digiblogchat 

Q5. What about frequency, is a regular date preferable to publishing as and when I feel inspired?  #digiblogchat 

Q6. Is it okay to work with guests and debate ideas or is that more for vlogging and podcasting?  #digiblogchat 

Q7. What do you feel about using a blog to advocate for causes, is that inviting hostility?  #digiblogchat 

Q8. How should I deal with negativity, meet it head-on or acknowledge it and trail it off?  #digiblogchat 

Q9. Where can I find fresh ideas to blog about, what would inspire you?  #digiblogchat 

Q10. Finally, what do you, or would you, blog about?   #digiblogchat

Blogging Beginner? How to Get Ahead of the Game

Blogging Beginner? How to Get Ahead of the Game

Blogging Beginner? How to Get Ahead of the Game

You’ve been hearing for years–make that a decade–that you need to start blogging. But how do you even begin? There’s so much information out there, and so much of it is technical. This assumes you already have a website set up, by the way. If you don’t, I can offer you a referral to someone who can help. This blog post is for those just beginning bloggers. If you’d like something more in-depth, you might want to check out Bob Dunn’s blog posts for tons more ideas (highly recommended!).

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Who’s Your Audience?

The first thing is to figure out who you’re talking to. If you don’t have an audience yet, think about who you’d like your audience to be. Who would be your ideal customer? What do they look like? Sound like? What are their interests and pain points? Here’s an article that might help you get started: Who Are You Writing For? Target Audience and Social Media.

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What’s Their Language?

I don’t mean English versus French. I mean style. Are they casual? Will everything you write need to be backed up by hours of research? Would they have a more formal style? Mirroring their language will help you engage with them. Some people find that creating the perfect audience member can help them when writing.

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Write an Intro Paragraph

I was taught a “keyhole structure” for writing. So you go from the large and abstract idea to the more particular. Your thesis is at the end of the first paragraph. But you don’t need to be that formal. The important thing is to introduce the subject matter to your audience.

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Write Three or Four Headers

Keep in mind that you can always change your headers later. What will each paragraph be about? If what you write changes, tweak your header to match. But it’s important not to mislead your readers. If you’re promising an exciting article about the benefits of, say, video games for teens, make sure your headers reflect the overall scheme.

Write a Sentence Under Each Header, and Then Another

Say something out loud and then write it down, if that helps. Whatever your paragraph will be about, write something. Then write a little more. Don’t edit or add links at this point. Just keep writing. As someone once said (Abraham Lincoln? Mark Twain?) before you can edit, you need to write.

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Put in a Call to Action (CTA)

What do you want your reader to do once they’re done reading? Fill out a form? Read something else you’ve written? Leave a comment? Say that!

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Edit

Go back and look at your writing. I find it helps to read it out loud at this point. Correct any mistakes. Does it flow well? If you’re not good at editing, you can have someone edit for you.

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Add Images

There are a number of sites for free images, or you can buy images, too. Which do you prefer? You can also **gasp** take your own photos and use those!

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Publish or Schedule

If you’d like to publish at a later date, go ahead and do that. Or publish it the moment you finish writing.

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You’re Done

Was that easy enough? If you have any questions, leave me a comment!

 

 

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