So you wanna be a blogger?

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about blogging so thought I'd write a quick post on what I get asked most frequently.

First of all I am still absolutely scarlet at calling myself a 'blogger'. I do have a full time job so blogging still is, and will probably always be, a very enjoyable hobby.

How do you set up a blog?

Easy peasy! There's two main platforms for blogging - blogger and wordpress. I use blogger, it's free, very easy to set up and use. These platforms allow you write and publish your blog posts and offer different layout and templates to personalise it. You can buy other templates from the likes of Etsy for anywhere between €5 - €100. Setting up a blog takes a couple of minutes (choosing the name is probably the hardest part) and just like that you're ready to take the next step and publish your first post.

What to write?

My one piece of advice about blogging is to write for yourself but assume everyone is going to read it. Basically write what you want, but be able to stand by it. If you're writing to please someone else you're just wasting your time. Have a look at other blogs for inspiration. I'm no wordsmith but I understand the importance of paragraphs and pictures, essentially your blog should read like a conversation and be visually appealing as well. 

It's sooooo nerve wracking!

Sharing your first or fiftieth blog posts can be daunting but will be worth it. People will be way more supportive then you think. I have received so many messages from strangers saying how much my blog has helped them, and luckily have never received a nasty message. Think about it, how likely are you to send someone a critical message over a supportive one? Believe me, most people are actually sound.

Social Media

The social media aspect of blogging is time consuming to say the least but it's a fantastic add on to your blog. It keeps your users engaged even if you can't produce new blog content everyday. Snapchat is great for hassle free instant content, while Facebook has the option to schedule posts for a future date.

Do I get paid to blog?

No I do not! Bloggers who get paid are the one's who do it full time and have put a lot of time and effort into making their blog a business. And fair play to them! It's definitely a route to go down but not something that happens over night. Of course there are certain perks to blogging, I'm not going to turn down free stuff, but also that doesn't happen over night!

Like I said my blog is a very enjoyable hobby, I don't put pressure on myself to do it, but it is something I love doing - when I have the time. It's a fantastic way to share my views and experiences and I love getting feedback and interacting with my readers and followers. That's what makes it worthwhile.

 If you've thought about setting up a blog but are nervous about what people will think (like I was) all I can say is just go for it! I'm telling you - you won't regret it!

Hope this helps!

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Image credit: Pinterest