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How to Start a Blog

May 8, 2019
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I get it. You have a lot to say, and you need to say it. The great thing about the internet is that there’s virtually limitless, free space to share your thoughts. Yes, there are thousands of blogs out on the web, but I believe everyone has a story and valuable things to say. And people are reading blogs: 77% of internet users are reading blogs, which means this is so much room to grow — especially in this almost fully digital world due to the coronavirus.

If you’re looking to start a blog, here are the basic steps to get you up and running. Happy writing!

This post contains an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission from purchases made through links. All opinions are my own.

Pick a topic that you are an expert on or have a particular fascination

Maybe it’s recipes. Maybe it’s styling. Maybe it’s graphic design. Maybe it’s organization or home remedies. Maybe you like to travel like me. Maybe you love writing about your faith. Pick a niche, and write out specifically what this is, even if just for yourself.

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A post shared by Cat Reifschneider (@catdrawingthings) on Feb 17, 2019 at 3:45pm PST

Find a platform

I use WordPress and don’t ever plan on switching. I started on tumblr, but for my content, that platform doesn’t make much sense. I switched over the WordPress, and while it’s not perfect, it’s mainstream and has lots of options and a great website just for how to work the site. I have the Premium Plan and really like how I’m able to monetize some.

Make a list of 10 to 15 post ideas

Maybe you’re obsessed with bullet journaling and want to start a blog about it. You might be able to, but taking the time to come up with several handfuls of post ideas might make you realize it’s too narrow. Your blog could be about DIY art instead of just bullet journaling. You want it to be broad enough but also not too random.

Allow changes

Give yourself the grace to be imperfect. If you scroll back to the beginning of my blog … RIP! Those posts are rough, but I was learning and growing as a writer and blogger. Your niche might change or become more focused. Try not to do an entire rebrand, but if you’re growing as a person, your blog will too.

Brainstorm blog titles

Next up, a title. Come up with a lot, and run these blog titles by someone else. The name will be on your social handles, Google searches, etc. Be sure to like it before you get moving.

Make a schedule or goal

Maybe it’s posting once per week or once per month. I started blogging over four years ago, but I wasn’t truly consistent until almost two years into blogging. I wanted to take myself and my blog more seriously, so I decided to post every Wednesday and haven’t stopped.

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Don’t be afraid to promote yourself

For some reason, I was embarrassed or somewhat bashful about having a blog. It wasn’t until months, maybe even over a year, that I truly began to promote myself. You have important things to say, and hopefully, your blog is making people’s lives easier, more colorful, more fun, more interesting, you name it! Why wouldn’t you share it? You might want to take several weeks or months to get your blog up and on its feet, but eventually, it’s time to share away.

More resources

The best way to learn how to blog is reading other blogs. If you’re wanting to start a travel blog. If you’re wanting to make money through your blog. Some of my favorites are Helene in Between, World of Wanderlust and Melyssa Griffin. What are some of your favorite resources?

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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Hi, I'm Kristin. I'm a content creator teaching English in southern France. I'm all about exploring new places, practicing my French and sharing blogging tips. Allez-viens!
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Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if yo Why is being present so hard?!🙈Double tap if you agree!

It's so easy for me to get stuck in the past or focused on the future — so much so that I made this quote my lock screen for a looooong time. It's funny how forgetful we are as humans: We long for the future, but once we're there, we crave the past.

🌍I love how travel reminds me to be present. When you've saved up, planned and dreamed about a trip for so long, OF COURSE you want to savor each moment. But it's a great lesson for our everyday life, too.

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Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine day Not to be dramatic or anything, but those nine days truly changed my life😍 About 7 years ago, I was taking AP European History and heard about a summer trip to Europe with my high school. London, Paris, Florence and Rome.

Yep, we were that group of students walking around Europe with our lanyards and headsets. I got those jitters when I saw Europe in its glory for the first time. And I still do.

If you would’ve told me then that I’d move to France during a global pandemic, I’d tell you you’re complètement fou.

But here’s the thing: that trip with @EFtours stirred something inside of me, and it has yet to settle. It was a longing to see and experience the world with my own two eyes. And it inspired me to start my travel blog, to continue with my French studies, to study abroad and to move to France.

This ain't sponsored (but I sure wish it were!), and I mean with my whole heart those few days in high school set me onto this path. And for that, I am beyond grateful.

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One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so mu One thing you rarely hear about life abroad: so much dang paperwork and many complicated processes🙈

💰I have several bank accounts in the U.S. and France. I'm paid in euros, but I still have recurring subscriptions on my American credit card. I'm also all about growing my savings and getting those credit card points on my American account.

What👏to👏do?👏

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Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small w Have you ever had one of those “it’s a small world” moments?🌏

☀️Back in 2017, I spent a summer in Toulouse. One weekend, my friends and I went on a road trip to a slew of villages in southwestern France. They were truly some of the best days of my life: we stayed in my friend’s castle🏰(casual), we swam in the river + sunbathed, we drank wine + played games, we explored idyllic villages.

One of my favorite spots with the sweetest of nostalgic memories was in a small village called Laguépie. Population: ~600. Whenever people asked me my favorite place in France, nobody ever knew where I was talking about. It wasn’t in the magazines or travel blogs. (Ahem, it’s on mine!)

➡️Fast forward to 2020. I’m preparing to leave for France and am keeping a close eye on my teaching program’s Facebook page. An American girl posted in the group about her time in Marseille, and we began messaging. She helped me with a million and one things during my move to France, and we’ve stayed in touch and become good friends.

Earlier this month, I visited Albi to see her along with her French boyfriend, who’s from a small village. He never told me the name, but as we were sipping wine and eating saucissons, he said something about Laguépie.

“WHAT?! Did you say Laguépie? I’ve been there and fell in L O V E!” He said, no, we can’t be talking about the same place, no one ever goes to my hometown😂 But after showing him my photos, including ones the village’s castle @chateau_louvielcastel reposted, it was one and the same.

Can someone queue “Invisible String” because what a small world this is that we’re all connected. Do you have any wild stories like that? Tell me in the comments⬇️

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What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌 What do you like searching for on Pinterest?📌

✈️I love finding travel destinations + itineraries, easy recipes and decorating ideas. My guess is that you've found some blogs and ideas you love through this site. 

😍I'm even more obsessed with how @pinterest serves to grow my blog and brand.

Currently kicking myself for not getting on the Pinterest for Business train sooner because this site is truly a game changer. I went from a personal account with a wedding board and gluten-free board with recipes I’d never tried to a bustling business board with more than 400,000 monthly visitors. And most of that is not from advertising.

📈I took a free @jennakutcher webinar on how to use Pinterest for Business and saw massive growth. And the best part? You can schedule out content for an entire week in just 30 minutes to an hour. 

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Want to learn how you can use Pinterest to grow your blog, brand or biz? Head over to link in bio for my best blogging tips💯

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Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰 This med Best day trips from Nice No. 4: Èze🏰

This medieval village enchanted me so much so I almost teared up as we left because I just didn’t want to go. If there are castles, sea views and charm, I’m so there. And Èze checks all these boxes✅ 

😍This medieval village is a labyrinth of cobblestone and windy paths, but the steps are worth it. There are shops and restaurants along the way to the top where you get sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea. 

🌵Once you make it to the top, you have to pay to enter the Jardin Exotique d’Èze, and I can't recommend it enough. (Be sure to ask about the combo deal that includes both the garden in Èze and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild nearby.)

🚗🛤️Distance from Nice: 30-minute drive or 15 minute train ride

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