Questions All Bloggers Need To Ask Part 3: Setting Sail
Testing The Waters and Where To Begin
A few weeks I wrote a post about Questions All Bloggers Need To Ask. and last week we learned How to Define our Niche. This week we are going to test the waters. If you would like a quick review of what we worked on to date please follow the links above and read parts 1 and 2 again. The rest of us will wait with our checklists, pencils and note paper while you catch up.
If you have ever asked me for an opinion or guidance on a subject you already know the way I speak geek is through a good metaphor. My idea on how to actually get your feet wet as a Blogger is not going to be any different. As a kid I watched this TV series every week called Gilligan’s Island. It was the ongoing tale of 7 very different people taking a scenic tour in a small boat. Well, a storm comes up and they become marooned on a supposed deserted island. They all need to use their talents and pitch in to survive and find a way back to civilization. Blogging is a bit like that crew of seven totally different people. Your choices, personality, and preparation are what will define your blog and then keep you going forward in the best direction. Try as hard as you will you won’t be able to survive alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
When you first learned to swim did you stand near the edge of the water? Slowly put in one toe, then lower yourself into the water until you were sufficiently wet enough to let go of the edge? Or did you dive in head first and surface screaming and exhilerated by the cold water?
Most new bloggers, whether they realize it or not, start out using Social Media to test the waters. It is a great way to put together an outline you feel comfortable with and to get some content written and published for when you actually launch your blog. You have nothing to lose this way and are gaining knowledge and experience every time you press publish. This is key to opening your site to give your followers more to read and learn about what you have to offer them from the first time they visit. And they already know you and your work!
When you decide your destination (niche) you will need to start your journey (blog) with your bags packed (about 15 good ideas) your itinerary (published posts), choosing your first stop on the trip (your blog platform) , and a sense of what the actual tools you are going to need to become successful. (How to develop your blog and live comfortably with the technology that dictates how you proceed.)
These are the questions that you answered to help you get to the point of choosing your blog platform:
2. What aspects do you want to control? Completely control? Own it all? Customize any part? This question is designed to help you understand what platform you want to use to build your Blog upon.
What is right for you? Blogger, Tumblr, Stumblepon? WordPress.com or WordPress.org? Or just continue publishing on Social Media?
Know the differences between these platform choices. Some are limiting as to writing what you want, owning your content, or if you can provide different tools to style your blog in a way that benefits your goals. Not all platforms are equal! Be informed.
5. Let’s talk finances. Earning: Do you have a budget in mind? Do you want to earn $$ selling? Teaching?
You will have expenses incurred running your blog. Do you want your blog to make money to help with those expenses? How much of an income do you expect to make and how long are you willing to wait to make that income?
6. Finances again. Spending: Are there costs involved as far as materials? Gadgets? Phone? Computer? Postage? Education? Conferences? Programs? Technology? Office supplies? Travel? Do you have a budget in mind?
Your choices at this point will cause you to spend some upfront money unless you are tech savy, have your own server and design aware. Themes, design costs, hosting, and your time are all aspects of blogging that need to be considered. You can always change your style and focus but at this point you are starting to invest your time, your money, and your efforts in building your readership.
9. How much time do you want to operate your blog? 3 months? Forever? Does it matter?
Don’t spend all your time and money unless you know the commitment you are making. Blogging looks easy! Just write down a few thoughts, throw up a bunch of ads and then watch the satisfaction and profits roll in! WRONG! You can easily become shipwrecked without a solid plan to stay on course and become adaptable. There are many storms that will arise and try to pull you in many directions. You will need a crew to help you stay afloat. Who you choose and when you use them will make all the difference in the world. Whether you build a community of like minded bloggers or utilize services to provide the technical aspects you yourself can’t or don’t want to deal with, you are going to need the talents of others to help carry you forward. Thankfully you thought ahead and are ready for what may come. Be comfortable with the sources of information you trust. You will get all sorts of “experts” advising you. Take advice for what it is worth. Use a mix of teaching sites, forums that include technical folks, and some friends. Beware of anyone telling you the “best” way to do things even if they appear successful. No blog, platform, host, plugin or theme will suit everyone. And remember Google, technology and SEO change very quickly. If I own a cadillac and tell you how a certain type of gas works best for me stop and think. If you are using a pogo stick you won’t be able to find the gas tank!
In the last part of this series we will talk about realizing the need to keep a balance between your life and your blog. In the meantime please sign up for my weekly newsletter to stay on top of what Marilyn’s Treats is up to and attend the Linkup Parties hosted so I can help you share your content and reach readers that may have not yet discovered just how awesome you are!
Until then Happy Blogging and feel free to leave comments below! I love to hear what you are thinking!
You can find Part 1-4 at the links below.
Part 1 of the 4 Part Series. Questions All Bloggers Need To Ask
Part 2 of the 4 Part Series. Your Niche
Clearissa Coward
September 19, 2017 at 2:04 PMWell Marilyn there is nothing like experience. I started this journey with no plan except to share and have fun. As long as it was a hobby, I did just that. But once I turned the corner of wanting to profit from my “hobby”, everything changed. This is an awesome series.
Marilyn
September 19, 2017 at 9:08 PMthank you Clearissa. My blog started as a hobby. I spent a lot of time and money to get it to pay for itself. There are too many ads that require minimum earnings to get paid. They will make you forfewit any earnings if you don’t make the minimum that month. The cookie could still be running for another blogger when your friend triggers the ad and you lose the money. I went back to hobby blogging and I am much happer. Everyone needs to decide for themselves.
Leanna
September 19, 2017 at 1:46 PMThis series is so well written. Its factual and you can tell it comes from someone with experience. Well thought out and informed. Love this whole series Marilyn, thank you for writing and teaching
Marilyn
September 19, 2017 at 9:04 PMThank you Leanna for the very kind words. I felt it was important to write about what blogging is in fact. There are too many posts about “the best plugins”, the best way to make 6 figures the first month”, “the best auto ways to blog with no work while you sleep”. Those are the posts that draw so many eyes and should be sending people running to find reality.
Amber Harrop
September 18, 2017 at 6:26 PMTypical me I started out on this journey with no plan at all – I wish I had read this first !!
Marilyn
September 18, 2017 at 7:28 PMI am the one that jumps into something feet first with no knowledge or plan. I started this blog with one cheesecake recipe I wanted the world to try. Good thing I am retired, no kids, no outside life since I still spend 12 hours a day learning this stuff! You aren’t alone Amber. Have a great week.
Jen
September 17, 2017 at 12:49 AM“Blogging looks easy! Just write down a few thoughts, throw up a bunch of ads and then watch the satisfaction and profits roll in! WRONG!”
SO WRONG!! Blogging is so much work. At least to do it right it is!
Great series!
Marilyn
September 17, 2017 at 9:35 AMThank you so much Jen. I hear so often from bloggers how they felt it was going to be easy and they would make enough money to “retire”. Reading blogger posts that tout that line do more harm than good. I like to point out these same bloggers are peddling ebooks and courses for some signifant money. I doubt they ar getting rich on ads. But again, there are bloggers that came into this field with a strong base and some big backers. Should we all be so lucky. I am glad you like the series. Have a great week!
Shirley Wood
September 15, 2017 at 11:13 AMBlogging is not for the faint of heart or the lazy! It is indeed a lot of hard work and require dedication and patience. That sense of community among bloggers is really what keeps many of us going sometimes! Love you Marilyn! #merrymonday
Marilyn
September 15, 2017 at 5:09 PMFrom your mouth to God’s ears! Bloggers are the best. And good bloggers are the strongest. Have a great week!
Janice Wald
September 14, 2017 at 9:58 PMHi Marilyn,
I like your graphic. What tool did you use? Was it Befunky?
Janice
Marilyn
September 15, 2017 at 5:08 PMThx Janice. No, it was an ios app called photogrid. I need to ch3eck out yours. Is that computer only? Have a great week!
candy
September 14, 2017 at 9:12 PMcomplete honesty which is refreshing when it comes to blogging. So many what ifs and what do you want out of your blog.
Marilyn
September 15, 2017 at 5:07 PMI am glad you like the series Candy. Have a great week!
Debrashoppeno5
September 14, 2017 at 6:57 PMThank you for telling it like it is. It does take dedication and hard work besides knowing your subject, photography, and writing and who to reach out to for the things we don’t know. And a beginning blogger quickly realizes all of it. But the community spirit is what keeps us going and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Marilyn
September 14, 2017 at 7:37 PMI feel the same way. And that crisis of commitment happens all the time. Thanks Debra.
Karen
September 13, 2017 at 3:51 PMGreat series. I just started the process of monetizing my blog so a post like yours is very helpful and interesting. Thanks for the tips.
Marilyn
September 13, 2017 at 3:54 PMThank you so much Karen. It is great to hear you found iy useful. I hopw you make great money off your blog! Have a great day.
Carrie Myers
September 12, 2017 at 9:44 PMVery True Marilyn there is lots going on when starting or even maintaining a blog. I wrote a post about finding my niche which is still ever evolving. I like the analogy to Gilligan’s island. Some days I feel like a sinking ship other days on top of the world. You never know about blogging!
Marilyn
September 12, 2017 at 9:48 PMI know. My niche is in three places, none are close to the same. Yes, today I am on top of the game. Yesterday I wanted to quit. But it is the ride of my life at this stage. Keep enjoying what you do. Have a great week!
Michele Morin
September 10, 2017 at 5:05 PMGood stuff, Marilyn. Thank you.
Marilyn
September 10, 2017 at 7:58 PMThanks for reading Michele. Have a safe and blessed week!
Jen
September 9, 2017 at 9:36 AMThis is great! I have loved blogging, but it definitely is not for everyone.
Marilyn
September 9, 2017 at 1:07 PMI appreciate your comment Jen. Sometimes are dreams are not attainable as quickly as we want them. Have a blessed week!
Amy
September 8, 2017 at 8:20 PMWhat a great series of posts. There is so much food for thought here. I really appreciate you sharing these posts. Starting this blog has been overwhelming and it is nice to read information like this. It is funny, but I wish that I had known where to look for information like this before I started my blog. Something that has taken me a long time to learn is that you need to know the questions to get the answers and sometimes it takes a while to figure out what the questions are.
Marilyn
September 8, 2017 at 8:45 PMYes, you need to know exactly what to ask. But those answers really need to be vetted. Who is giving the answers and what is their expertise? Also, how old is the information? We all know how quickly tech and google changes so what is good today is no longer valid tommorow. And just like the articles, “how I made $100,000 in my first 30 days of blogging and you can too!” You have to vet and take with a grain of salt. The big thing is, there is no one answer fits all. And that answer can change over time. That is why I wrote this series, to show no one is an island and there will always be new things to discover. I visit this list every year when my hosting renews. More than once it has prompted me to change hosts. Even though I love them, you out grow them. Well, I digress. LOL. Have a good weekend!
Amy
September 8, 2017 at 10:48 PMYou are so right. We are finding out some of these things. You are such a good source of information. Thanks again.
Marilyn
September 9, 2017 at 9:27 AMThank you Amy. Sometimes, questions are the best answers!
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
August 28, 2017 at 8:42 AMMarilyn, I loved this series. Well done! I knew nothing when I started out in February 2010. I wasn’t even really reading blogs at that point, let alone writing one. The only thing I knew at that point was how often I wanted to post. The few blogs I’d read posted several times a week and had a ton of photos, and I assumed that would take a huge amount of time. And I never visited a blog more than once a week, no matter how many times a week they posted. So for those two reasons I decided I’d post just once a week and use a limited number of photos. Even *that* takes far longer than I imagined, 😀 so I’m glad I made that decision!
Marilyn
August 28, 2017 at 8:57 AMAll great points Jean. Everyone needs to be able to decide what is best for them and their own goals and feel GOOD about it. Thx for commenting!!
Jessica
October 20, 2015 at 6:55 PMI knew that blogging would be work, but I had no idea how much work was involved when I started. I was, and still am, a bit overwhelmed at times. It seems like when I get the hang of one thing, I realize that I’ve been off track somewhere else.
Marilyn
October 20, 2015 at 7:24 PMJessica you are among good company. Every blogger that has a passion experiences this. Never wish it away! What you need to do is decide, is my blg growing and am I happy with whete it is going? Then determine if you actually need to obsess about this new thing or if you just need to simply add whatever it is from now on. You may not even need it! The folks where EVERY aspect matters are professionals that are doing this as a source of income and trying to make a living. You can always increase whatever is new as you wish. Or not!
Beverly
October 19, 2015 at 11:05 PMMarilyn, your blogging tips are great and no doubt lots of other bloggers are benefiting from your suggestions and from your thought provoking questions. Thank you so much for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday.
Marilyn
October 20, 2015 at 4:25 PMThank you Beverly for this large vote of confidence! I love to share with your readers as well as seeing what they are up too!
Terri Webster Schrandt
October 19, 2015 at 12:17 AMLove your post and your water/swimming metaphors for blogging, Marilyn!. Lots of great info here! I am always happy when you share on #TheLeisureLink!
Marilyn
October 19, 2015 at 2:15 AMThanks Terri. I am always selfconscious about my choice of words. My thoughts come faster than I can type!
Nikki Frank-Hamilton
October 18, 2015 at 10:37 PMWhen I began blogging I did not even read other blogs. I was so removed for the first 2 years. This is a great series, there are so many things involved with blogging, I guess I’m glad that some of them I was in the dark about, I may never have started. I’m glad I did though, life changed, I had a stroke, and now I have this to build on. I guess life knew what was going to happen long before I did.
Marilyn
October 18, 2015 at 11:05 PMNikki I am glad you did. Life has a way of taking away our sense of self, but it always comes back in another form. Glad you are doing better.
Mary-In the boondocks
October 18, 2015 at 6:28 PMMarilyn, I too am a newish blogger and really had no idea what I was getting into. We all seem to be saying the same thing. But now that I am in waist deep, I feel as if with lots of hard work I’ll be fine. And I realized that a lot of things I was doing correctly intuitively, others I was totally in the dark about such as SEO, policies, the best web host etc. Why is it that when bloggers tell you how to start a blog they never mention all these other important things. I just recently discovered Alexa rankings and it totally changed me… We learn something new ever single day. Thanks for your timely and informative post.
Marilyn
October 18, 2015 at 7:23 PMNice to meet you Mary and welcome to Marilyn’s Treats. First off, I believe it is human nature to want to share whatever it is you are passionate. So, we jump in thinking that if I write it, the rest will follow. When most people talk about blogging they are doing it for their own reason. Some are sharing how they revealed their self esteem, learned they had something to share, etc. others are trying to sell something like a host, or marketing or seo, and are trying to appel to bloggers for arrention and profit. Still, others are trying to educate. There is just so much to say about starting a blog that if you try to say everything at once you get two reactions. First you lose the reader after the first paragraph, or you give so much info they are overwhelmed. Even this series was tough to break down and find a way to get bloggers to read to the end. I am glad you are sticking with it! And there comes a time where your blog is almost on autopilot and takes much less time and gives back so much more. It’s like raising a child!
sue
October 17, 2015 at 10:23 PMMarilyn I have found your series so informative and look forward to always learning something from them. Thanks for sharing at #WednesdaysWisdom.
Marilyn
October 17, 2015 at 11:38 PMThanks Sue. I know you understand what that mens to me. I always feel like the mother duck when trying to put things in perspective.
Paula R
October 16, 2015 at 5:06 PMGreat advice. PS: I loved Gilligan’s Island as a kid too! ~Paula R 🙂 #TheLeisureLink
Marilyn
October 16, 2015 at 7:12 PMThanks Paula. Whenever I think about the saying “No man is island” I remember that show. It seemed apporopriate as you can’t run a successful blog very long on your own. You are the only one I think that saw that show!
Debbie
October 16, 2015 at 11:52 AMYou wrote topics that are rarely mentioned, Marilyn.
I think the “easy” aspect is what causes frustrations most of the time.
What people want from their blogs and their expectations get messy pretty easily.
Thanks a bunch for sharing this on #tiptuesday.
Marilyn
October 16, 2015 at 7:10 PMThanks Debbie for the opportunity. I just thought it was a side of blogging most people don’t think about until they have spent time and money.
Shellie Bowdoin
October 15, 2015 at 10:56 PMHi Marilyn,
It really does help to clarify your expectations and develop a plan. I have been blogging less than a year and I have found that the more organized I become, the more I accomplish! I just hopped over from the Leisure Link.
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Marilyn
October 15, 2015 at 11:59 PMThank you for commenting Shellie. I have found that also. I always felt posting a recipe every day was a schedule. It wasn’t specific enough to keep me organized. When I use my planner and decide the type of the post I find I can get much more accomplished! Have a great week and please visit #AnythingGoes on Sunday night and #WakeUpWednesday on Wednesday! I would love to have you linkup.
[email protected]
October 15, 2015 at 7:21 AMSome really good stuff here Marilyn – I wish I’d thought/read about blogging before I jumped in. I am usually a “get wet slowly” girl, but I leapt into this completely unaware of the whole blogging community, niches, timeframes etc etc. In a way that’s a good thing because I probably never would have started if I’d known what a big world blogging is! I’m happy in my little corner though 🙂
Marilyn
October 15, 2015 at 10:09 AMI think most bloggers jump into the arena with both feet and eyes shut tight. That can be a good thing/bad thing depending upon your expectations and personality. The reality is it WORKS! So many bloggers fail at their first blog because of bad timing and being unprepared. Some bloggers flourish as they discover hidden treasures within themselves and the internet. Taking stock here and there becomes that much more important so you can evolve. Thanks for commenting Leanne!
Random Musings
October 14, 2015 at 8:40 PMFantastic advice for anyone thinking of starting a blog. I did the dive in head first thing, Googled start a blog, and clicked the first result and went for it. On one hand, I wish I had done a bit of research so I wasn’t now having to make the jump to self hosted. On the other hand though, if I had started out self hosted and totally clueless, I think I would have given up quite quickly.
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
Marilyn
October 14, 2015 at 9:50 PMI did the same thing Debbie. My Google search led me to Blogger where I learned how to make posts, categories and setup my blog. I didnt know anything about social media so when three months later I moved to wordpress.org I had no content to lose. Just 8 psts, no comments, no rankings, bo shares, no readers! I was able to use that time on Blogger to learn a bit more so I credit it with saving my blogging days.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
October 14, 2015 at 12:17 AMIt’s definitely a labor of love, isn’t it? As in every job, there will be parts that are more fun than others and for each of us, it could be different. I love to cook and I love to write but marketing is such a struggle for me.
Marilyn
October 14, 2015 at 12:55 AMThat is so true Maureen. That is why I am doing these articles to get bloggers to get in touch with what they are after and not get frustrated when they run into the unexpected. Thanks for commenting!
Cheryl @ ReimerandRuby
October 13, 2015 at 2:26 PMVery informative post! I’m a new blogger too and still testing the waters, I’m loving it so far… I love the blogging community as well! Thanks for sharing! #AnythingGoes
Marilyn
October 13, 2015 at 5:40 PMThank you Cheryl. There are so many bloggers with so many opinions. The trouble is not all bloggers or they blogs are the same. I just try to get folks to think so they can make more informed decisions! If you ever need to chat let me know!
Jess
October 13, 2015 at 12:16 PMYou always write the best posts! 🙂
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Marilyn
October 13, 2015 at 5:38 PMThanks Jess. You are too kind.
Jenny (Midwife and Life)
October 13, 2015 at 6:04 AMThanks for the information, I’m a new blogger (since July) and it’s overwhelming at times, so many directions to go but I’m loving it and hope to turn it into my second career. #anythinggoes
Marilyn
October 13, 2015 at 5:37 PMThank you Jenny. We do get so overwhelmed and seem to forget to have fun! My series is just trying to put bloggers feet on an easier path to have less anxiety. Have a great week!
Carrie Groneman
October 13, 2015 at 12:26 AMWonderful post and very well thought out. I’d LOVE to pick your brain for help:) Stopping by from Teach Me Tuesday Party. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Marilyn
October 13, 2015 at 5:30 PMWelcome Carrie! I’d love to chat with you. Every talker loves a listener! That is what my husband says. I really enjoy talking about blogging because I in turn learn so much from my listeners. Come by any time or leave comments!