Blogging Resources + How To Start a Blog (if you don’t already have one)

Woman blogging on a laptop

It’s easy to become lost and confused when it comes to blogging.

Even with all of the resources out there, things can get REALLY overwhelming.

(And if you’re a perfectionist like me, it’s even harder to meet those high expectations!)

However, I have some good news for you if you are:

  • a new blogger
  • a semi-experienced blogger who wants to get better at blogging, or
  • someone who simply wants to start a website but doesn’t know where to begin.

This post will help you… despite which of these categories you fall into!

Where to Begin (Especially if You Have NO Money)???

First of all, if you have NO website BUT WANT ONE, you need to learn about a million things. (LOL)

(For instance, here are 40 Things to Know Before You Start a Blog: A Day-by-Day Guide.)

Seriously. I won’t lie to you. There’s A LOT to know!

Don’t be scared, though.

Just take things one step at a time.

It’s MUCH EASIER that way!

Sure, you can Google “how to start a blog,” but that’s not going to be much help, as you don’t know who to trust or who is going to try to scam you out of your precious, hard-earned dollars by telling you that you NEED certain things that you don’t.

Take me, for example. I started out with ZERO dollars, and I created a free website on WordPress.com. I called it Lorraine Reguly’s Life, because, after all, I was writing about things that happened to me.

I also wasn’t sure if  which version of WordPress was right for me. After all I was a newbie blogger! (Hint: Read WordPress.Com Versus WordPress.Org: Which WordPress Version Is Best For Me?)

After about a year, I weighed the pros and cons of having my own site. Because there were more pros, I moved my site to this one (using WordPress.org), gave it a new name, and built my business around it.

Before I made the move, however, I had to decide upon a hosting provider.

(Related: 9 Best Options For Managed WordPress Hosting Compared)

(Also related: Best WordPress Hosting • TOP 8 Options Compared • 2017)

(Also related: Best WordPress Hosting by Performance: 10 Options Compared… with Results!)

(Also related: The 7 Best WordPress Hosts For 2018 Compared)

I ultimately decided to use Abivia to host my site, but switched to CanSpace (aff link) because they offered me a deal that I couldn’t refuse!

There are many other companies you can use, such as GreenGeeks (aff link) or any of the ones listed in Wording Well’s Hosting Guide as well as The Ultimate Guide to WordPress Hosting for more information.

(My original intention was to make a name for myself online, to attract readers for my autobiography – which I’m STILL writing! – but then I discovered I could earn money by offering my expertise to others, which I do via the four different freelancing services I offer.)

So don’t fret if you don’t have a ton of money to invest! You don’t need it!

What You Need to Know

First of all, there are going to be a ton of people who will tell you which blogging platform to use. Your options include:

  • WordPress.com
  • WordPress.org
  • Blogger (Blogspot)
  • Weebly
  • Wix
  • TypePad
  • Tumblr
  • SBI
  • and many more!

There are also a ton of good articles out there that compare different sites, which should aid you in your decision.

First Things First: What do you want to do with your blog?

Figure out what you want to accomplish with your blog.

Read articles that will help you decide which you should choose. Then, if you decide to get your own host (which you really should, as the pros outweigh the cons!), I’d strongly urge you to read this web-hosting guide. It’s chock-full of great info!

(And yes, I wrote that darn thing. Took me forever, too! But my research was worth it, as I love my hosting provider! If you’re wondering why… here’s why!)

I’d also highly recommend checking out these many Easy to Follow Video Tutorials. They not only compare the different platforms, but they show you how to use WordPress, which, in my opinion, is one of the best if not THE best platform to use!

If You Decide to Blog On WordPress… (my personal fave)

Take a look at these guides so you can learn how to install and use WordPress.

They’re all GREAT! 

That’s because there are more than 440 million active users using WordPress!

In no particular order of greatness, they are:

If You Choose Blogger (AKA Blogspot)

Read this guide. It’s the best I’ve found.

It’s a bit biased, as it’s geared toward authors. But, really, most of what’s in it applies to everyone!

It’s called How to Start a Blog in 20 Easy Steps: A Guide for New Author-Bloggers.

What to Learn Next?

Another million-and-one things! (LOL) Learn how to maximize your social media skills.

Learn the gazillion tips and tricks used by pro bloggers everywhere.

Learn who to follow, and who to befriend. Influencers have power! Leverage that!

And keep dropping by Wording Well to learn more blogging tips!

Additional Blogging Resources

My Plea

Show everyone some love and share this post!!! (And not just on Twitter, but on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.!!!)

#amreading about a ton of great #blogging resources. Check them out!

Click to tweet

Need a Blog Post Writer?

I’m available. I can do it all, too! Images, text, uploading posts directly to your site… whatever you need, I’m your gal!

Feel free to check out the different services I offer! (There are FOUR.) Then contact me and let me know what you need! Me at Starbucks 367x275

Full disclosure notice: In a way, this was a bit of a sponsored post, as Wording Well was paid by a few different people/companies/website owners to include links in this post to their sites and/or articles. However, I would not have recommended them if they were not GOOD! 

Security Tips for Freelance Writers and other #Entrepreneurs

Image of a lock

Security tips for entrepreneurs is not something that is often discussed… but it needs to be!

Entrepreneurs, including freelance writers (and anyone who works with digital files on a daily basis) need to be aware of the steps they can take to ensure that their hard work is not lost, deleted, or stolen, never to be retrieved.

The purpose of this article is to share some security tips you can follow easily to protect your computer/laptop and data from being compromised. Read More

Tell Me What You WANT Even if it is Different from What You NEED

This is a picture of a stick man I created who I like to call Gimpy. He's frustrated because he doesn't know what is going on! He's trying to comment on my blog, but can't.

question marks

This is NO JOKE.

Tell me what you want.

I’m serious; I want to know how I can help you BEST.

Do you want blogging info? Freelancing info? Writing info? Editing info? Publishing info?

Advice?

Something else?

If you tell me what you want to know and what you want to see on this site, I PROMISE I will do my best to provide you with it… especially now that I’m back from my 3-month vacation/hiatus.

I want to continue to give you the quality content you crave and desire!

Why? Because I care about you!!!

The only problem, now that I’m back blogging, is that I need to know what that is!

So drop me a comment and let me know what it is you want and/or need, and I’ll oblige you (or one of my guests will!), okay?

Thanks!

Some Life Updates and Info about Freelancing from #freelancewriter Lorraine Reguly

Lorraine Reguly FITSFITS Series Welcome Image

Guess what? The final instalment of the FITS series has arrived. The “Freelancer In The Spotlight” today is… me, Lorraine Reguly, the woman behind Wording Well!

I thought it would be kinda neat to feature myself, since I’ve been offline for a while (SORRY ABOUT THAT!).

It’s been about a month since I published anything, but in today’s post, I’ll tell you WHY . There are a few valid and important reasons. I’ll also reveal what it means TO ME to be a freelancer (the good AND the bad).

Plus, I’ll update you on what’s been going with me (health-wise and family-wise), as well as my plans for the next few months.

I Took Time Off For the Entire Summer!

First of all, I took a much-needed vacation this summer, as I had been blogging (basically, twice a week) for the past 2+ years without a break!

Creating your own hours is one of the perks when you’re a freelancer.

Of course, you need to take into consideration your clients’ needs first.

Fortunately for me, my clients understood that I needed a break. I haven’t really had an extended vacation for quite some time!

Unfortunately, my summer wasn’t as great as I thought it was going to be…

It had its ups and downs. On the plus side, I read A LOT of books (a luxury for me!) and I spent a lot of time at the outdoor public pool with my nephew, whom I taught to swim!

I also re-connected with one of my best friends from when I was a teenager, and spent a lot of time with her. We went to the fair together, took in a hypnotist show, and began visiting one another as well as started going for walks together. The pic below is one I took when we were at the fair; they were selling T-shirts with funny sayings on them, and I thought that this one metaphorically “fit” me (I LOVE KETCHUP!!!).

On the downside, however, I got bad news about my health. Oddly, it might be because I, indeed, put Ketchup on my Ketchup!

Funny saying about Ketchup

Read More

A 12-Section Guide to Branding Your Business Online

Branding_Your_Business_Online

Branding your business is easy if you know exactly how to do it. Unfortunately, most people have a hard time understanding what branding is.

This guide will help you navigate your way through the branding process. It contains 12 informative sections.

Guide Contents:

I’ll also share with you the Slideshare presentation I made, as well as a true story about a presentation I gave on branding. I’ll actually begin with the true story, move into the guide, and share the SlideShare presentation at the end.

Following that is a special offer that I want to extend to new business owners, to anyone starting a website, to anyone needing help with a blogging strategy, or to anyone who still has questions and wants some advice.

I’ve been blogging and running a business for years, so I know a thing or two!

And if I don’t have ALL of the answers, chances are that I know someone who will.

 

Read More