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April 30, 2015

How To Start A Blog: 5 Easy Steps

how to start a blog
It has to be said, we’re five years into LelaLondon.com’s lifespan and – without getting too mushy – blogging has truly been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.

Because of this, I urge everyone with a passion for anything to start a blog. Not to ‘get rich’ (it took me sweat and years to gain a sustainable income), not to get freebies (you can put the same amount of effort into working to afford said freebies!), but to keep a record of the things they love. To invest in themselves regardless of results.

But you’re reading this blog, you get that already…let’s move on and start a blog, babe!

How To Start a Blog

1. Figure out what you want to blog about.
The blogosphere is jam-packed full of blogs. Daunting, I know, but this actually works in your favour. To focus on a certain niche or angle from the beginning means you stand out from the e-crowd. In the same mind, launching a beauty or fashion blog means you have a huge, readymade community waiting to enjoy your posts.

The key to figuring out what you want to blog about is following your passions. Though I started off as a fashion blogger while working as a stylist, my interests in food, beauty, travel, home interiors and more all found their way online and opened up many more doors.

Get a rough idea, make a rough blog schedule, and become a diamond in the rough.

2. Choose a blog name!
This can, strangely, be the most time-consuming task. My tips are simple; choose something timeless (not trendy), choose something personal (nicknames are always good!), and choose something you’re comfortable saying out loud.

If all else fails? Use your name (that’s what I did!).

3. Get your domain and web space.
A step you’ll be glad you did in the long haul. If you haven’t had a website before, don’t be intimidated by the idea of domains and web hosting – it’s a piece of cake. Affordable (about as much as an actual piece of cake) and gives you complete control of your blog and dot-com.

The best web hosting I’ve found is at Bluehost. They start at $3.99 (roughly £2.50) a month and offer unlimited domain hosting, unlimited hosting space, unlimited file transfer, unlimited email accounts, free domain name, free site builder with templates, free instant set-up, and very solid customer service for newbies. The ultimate!

4. Install WordPress.
Unless you’re wanting to code everything by hand – and I advise against that – you’re going to need a CMS (content management system) to make blogging as fun and easy as possible. There are a number of options you can choose from but WordPress will be my forever recommendation. WordPress is an easy install, an intuitive interface, the most SEO-friendly CMS, and comes with tonnes of free themes/layouts you can use and edit with little to no HTML knowledge.

5. Be a blogger!
You’re all set up! Now is the time to create some posts, interact with other bloggers you love, and tweet/Instagram to your little heart’s content!

Let me know if you start a blog so I can have a look and tweet me with any questions you may have.

Blog on!

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