Have you read the Blogging Quick Start e-book? Think you knoweverything you need to know about setting up your blog andexecuting your plan for success?Before you get carried away, run through this checklist and makesure that you've dealt with each point.Step 1. The Planning StageBefore you do anything, you need to come up with a plan. Thismeans: Coming up with a brand and website namePick a brand name that is descriptive but uniqueDeciding on your niche. Popular examples: Fitness Finance Making money online Business Relationships Games Music FilmWhatever you decide, just make sure that the subject you pick issomething that is: - Profitable- Interesting to you- Popular- But not saturatedYou can also come up with your own niches by going for broadersubjects or by combining multiple topics into a single, new niche.Step 2. Setting UpNow you have your business model in mind, it s time to startconstructing your blog.Choose a CMS or blogging platform. Popular choices are: WordPress BlogSpot Live Journal Tumblr Joomla DrupalThe best option is to download WordPress for your SELFHOSTEDsite and then to install it on a server. Use BLUEHOSTto set up your server space and URL.Now: Choose a unique theme, a paid or custom theme is betterChange the color scheme to be something that echoes yourbranding and adheres to color theoryPick a custom fontOutsource if you need help doing this. Freelancing sitesinclude: Freelancer UpWork ElanceStep 3. Adding ContentThe most important thing for any blog is the content. Make sureyou add high quality content and that you add it regularly. Youcan't expect to get a full time job from blogging unless you'rewilling to work full time at it.Think of topics that are unique and haven t been coveredbefore and that are inherently interesting.Use keyword research tools to get ideas for the kind of thingspeople are looking for in your niche and that are likely to besuccessful from an SEO perspective therefore.Read the sites of competitors for inspiration and ideasRead news sites and particularly those with separatecategories for finance, business, health etc.Look around forums for inspirationRemember you can also create curated content which iscontent you've gathered and collected into one place.Step 4. Socializing Your BlogNext you need to add a social element to your blog. This is veryimportant because it lets you share your content and gives it thepotential to go viral.Think of your target audience as you write the blog.Share to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn as you post.Be everywhere - have a social media account on all of themajor social networks.Add social sharing buttons to your website to allow visitors toshare your content as they wish.Add Disqus to your website. This is a plugin that providessupport for blog comments and is very feature rich, effectiveand popular.Respond to comments and e-mails. Consider every visitor apotential fan and don't underestimate the value of that.Encourage conversation within your posts - ask for opinionsand elicit discussion.Step 5. Add an Opt-In FormThis is a form that you will use to collect e-mail addresseswhenever someone visits. This allows you market to them againin future and is a very powerful tool.Use: GetResponseMailChimpOr AweberAs your autoresponder.You can also use 'SumoMe' for pop-up windows that will let youcollect e-mail addresses.Step 6. MonetizeFinally, make sure your site is monetized...
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