‘The era of ‘blogging’ is way over!’, I heard. There are faster ways to communicate and people ask for quick bites of engaging stories; however, nothing gives more space to your creativity and expertise than a blog or a website does. Yes, starting a blog in 2021 is still a good idea and here’s why.
In the early ’00s, blogging was freedom and dressed with fun the aspiration of many wannabe editors. Some bloggers made even a career from a simple blog! Blogging is still a good idea to express yourself and create an enviable portfolio. Why?
Why starting a blog is a good idea and is even cooler in 2021
1) Who stand out from the crowd get more visibility. Everyone – really everyone from people next door, influencers, VIPs and writers – is on TikTok and Instagram. You can integrate your insta-snap with an in-depth article or use Instagram the other way round to promote your blogs. Still, blogging is time-consuming and can feel like a daring choice. Be bold.
2) A blog hosts more media and longer texts. Blogging allows you to write more and show more. Are you a photographer? You can present your whole portfolio with bigger and high-quality pictures. Are you a novelist? You can post your latest story or a snipped of a new chapter.
3) A blog gives satisfaction. Back in the early noughties, having a blog was a matter of pride, also because a stable and fast connection wasn’t for everyone. In 2021, a blog is still a source of gratification as you see it grows with all your words and projects.
4) You are the master. Unlike Instagram, you own your blog and you can buy a domain and hosting at a later stage to get full control and a more professional look.
5) A blog can open unexpected doors. A blog can be several things, from a travel diary to a personal cookbook, but once it’s big enough and you decide it’s time to make it ‘adult’, your blog as a website can be your way to success… but how?
How to make this ‘blogging thing’ happen…
I’ve been blogging here since 2009 and I would lie if I was telling you blogging has been an easy game from day 1. It takes time to understand how your system works and how search engines interact with it.
1) Ask yourself what you can really give to the net that others can’t. There’s no point in creating a copycat space lacking in creativity, taste and, especially, original content. Do you have something to say? Then blogging is for you.
2) Find your blogging provider and start sketching your design with a branded colour palette, a theme and fonts unique to your blog… unique as your name. If you are unsure, you can have a look at BlogLabs. This platform offers a free space for your blog but also technical support, design suggestions, a private community and blogging tips all in one place.
3) Be constant. The truth is harsh: after a couple of months, your interest in your ‘blog child’ will fade, especially if the visitor count is low. A blog is like a plant, you must keep it nourished, your nourishment is your words and hard work.
4) Not just word and work but technique and tricks. Your work isn’t just in your words and original media but also in the time you invest in looking for the right techniques to make your blog indexed by the search engines so that people outside your personal circle can find and read your words. There’s a lot to discover about the components of a blog, the perfect structure of a post, tags and metadata, how SEO actually works. A blog has potential but you need the right plant food to make your ‘blog plant’ grow. Start reading and stay informed about blogging techniques and SEO.
5) Outside the box: the community. A blog is nothing without someone who reads and follows it. This someone forms your community but building a community turned out to be the hardest thing to achieve in so many years. In this case, as well, the other social channels offer a pool of potential readers and a free display window for your blog. Join Facebook groups and share your experiences and latest articles. Don’t be shy and try to connect with as many users as possible. Visit similar blogs, leave comments and try to make friends with other authors. These simple actions can lead to more visits and loyal audience members for you and your space. They are free but precious like gold!
I gave you 5 whys and 5 hows, you have enough hints and tips on how to start and how to make your blog work. Do you have a story to share? Keep Instagram by your side but have also a blog.
Valentina Chirico aka Valens
