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

Last Updated on: September 30th, 2020

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! 

27 thoughts on “Blogging Resources + How To Start a Blog (if you don’t already have one)”

  1. says

    With leaving comments on other blogs, you expose your site for more traffic. Although it is very hard to be the first commentator, it does help in the long run as some will visit your site link. Commenting plays an important role as you receive more visitors and you could also have the visitor sign up for email updates. I also visit the users site when they leave a comment as I could find some valuable info or even sign up for their email updates.
    Kelly Hubbard recently posted…Royal Market Review

    Reply
    • says

      Kelly, thanks for pointing these things out. You’re right.
      I like your style! I used to do the same thing as you. 🙂 Now, I don’t have time to visit everyone.
      I can barely find time to reply to all of the comments I receive! But I do, because my audience is the reason WHY I’m writing in the first place!
      Thanks for YOUR comment. It’s appreciated!

      Reply
  4. says

    Thanks, for great advice. I think many content creators/writers are perfectionists or procrastinators (guilty!). Best way to overcome this is, to borrow from Nike, “just do it.” But once you get some experience under your belt, you should create a plan for your business that can at least provide guideposts for where you want to go.

    Reply
  5. Meer Irshad says

    hi Lorraine

    I learn to blog from your site your site is good from other I want to learn about SEO can you help Me from this problem.

    Reply
  6. says

    Hi Lorraine,

    I planned to start a blog and share my knowledge but I don’t know how to start I have searched I Google I find your Blog your post and blog is awesome I got good information about blogging and other thanks for sharing.

    keep updating us with interesting post

    Reply
  7. udorji625 says

    Hi Lorraine,
    Seriously I was one of them who was overwhelmed and confused after browsing Google when I first wanted to start a blog. With no knowledge of blogging at all, earning online seemed a mere myth and scam at first. But eventually, after networking with few pro bloggers and engaging with them, blogging became a fun and felt I finally found my voice.
    And Yeah, there are millions of steps as you have mentioned and I tried to take it hurriedly. This is where I fell down in blogging. I never had someone to guide me, and I was blogging all alone from a small corner trying to make noise in this noisy blogging world. It went unheard. To be on the right track and to follow the steps of successful PRO blogger is essential if we want to be someone who earns online. This blog, which talks absolutely about blogging in a new blogger perspective can help every new or intermediate blogger. I always tried to find out where I failed and this post helped me to find the answers. Absolutely useful blogging resources to start a blog.
    Thanks and Have a Nice day.
    Ugyen Dorji
    udorji625 recently posted…How blogging can help your business grow

    Reply
    • says

      Hi Ugyen ,
      I am glad I was able to help answer your questions!

      That is very nice to hear. 🙂

      Thanks, too, for the compliment. I help many people with blogging, writing, and freelancing.

      Sometimes things are tough to figure out by yourself, especially with blogging. Fortunately, bloggers are the most helpful people around, so listening to their advice will always help you move forward!

      Reply
  8. says

    Blogging may be fun for lots of people as it helps them to share their beliefs and thinking with others. Many blogging platforms are available these days that can help people find the right services easily. Selecting just any blogging platform will not do any good for aspiring bloggers who are looking to continue blogging for a long time.

    Reply
  9. Jerry says

    Lorraine, for your additional resouces. I looked at hte last link you provided to theblog starter, that resource is horrible. You should replace it with Makeblog.org . I just think that your readers will get more benefit from this.

    Reply
  10. says

    Hi Lorraine,

    When it comes to blogging, it is WordPress.org all the way! Even if someone is blogging on a shoe string, it is worth the few dollars to set up a blog that can be monetized.

    Of course, a newbie has to learn many things before they start jumping into the blogging world. It is best to do that research and then start off on the right foot.

    -Donna

    Reply
    • says

      Donna, wise advice. :*)

      Thanks for being a WordPress.org supporter, too! I love this platform, and I can tell you also love it. Then again, what’s NOT to love?! LOL

      New bloggers sure need to hear from people like us!

      Reply
  11. says

    Hi Lorraine,

    Excellent tips and resources here.

    I’ve been blogging for years (in a self indulgent kind of way) yet I’m still not doing some of the things you’re recommending.

    One of my biggest weaknesses is on the social media side of things. For instance I still don’t have a Pinterest account! Hard to believe, but true.

    So thanks for this timely post – I really appreciate it

    Kim

    Reply
    • says

      Kim, I am not a big Pinterest fan, but millions of others are, and they use it daily!

      So… jump on the bandwagon, dude! LOL

      I’m sure you’ll see results for your blog once you start pinning your posts to community boards. FYI, Harleena Singh has quite a few and I’m sure you know her so ask her for an invitation. Just send her a message via Twitter.

      You have a Twitter account, right?

      Reply
  13. says

    Hi Lorraine,

    1 step at a time indeed. I recall making mountains out of mole hills early during my blogging career. I tried to take 345 steps at once. Did not work. I eventually breathed deeply, relaxed and took the orderly, step by step approach to get things going with my blogging business. I love that you noted the 1 step advice early on. Fabulous post Lorraine. Thanks much for sharing.

    Ryan

    Reply
    • says

      Ryan, I think we all have tried to take a zillion steps at once, and then felt disappointed when we failed to accomplish our mission!

      Your approach (and my approach, and the approach of many pro bloggers) is to do things in an orderly fashion. And take one step at a time!

      When new bloggers realize that they can learn as they go, they will feel more comfortable forging forward.

      Reply
  14. says

    Hi Lorraine,

    Starting a blog is not so easy. People need to learn a lot of things. You have listed some great points here.

    I am sure people would love to follow them. When newbies try to find out the perfect platform to start a blog. They always think about free platforms like WordPress.com and Blogger.

    But we all know that WordsPress.org is the best option to start a better blog.
    Beginners should try it out.

    Great post indeed.
    ~Ravi

    Reply

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