How to start a blog (in 5 easy steps)

Are you a blog reader? Have you thought about creating a blog for yourself? For your business or organization? Not sure where to start? You can start right now and have your first blog published today in 5 easy steps. Read through these steps first to familiarize yourself with the process. Then go back through and complete the steps and in a very short time your blog will be up and running.

Step 1 - Pick a host.

There are many blog hosts available. To get started quickly, I'm going to recommend two choices that are first-user friendly and free. Look at both, but don't pick one until you've read all the steps here.

Blogger - one of the early blog self-publishing services that is now a Google service. Click the link (opens in a new window) and look it over.

WordPress - offers two versions. Click this link (new window) to look at the free and easy version hosted by WordPress.

Step 2 - Pick a theme.

You need a theme to get started, but you can change you mind and direction in the future. So don't be afraid to decide! Some possibilities:

• Open diary - where you talk about what's on your mind or in your life...
• POV - express your point of view on politics, religion, environmental issues...
• Professional - talk about your specialization, demonstrate your capabilities...
• Business - communicate with customers and prospects in installments...
• Combination - when you are your business, the lines can blurr...
• Anything - start typing your first post and figure out your theme later...

Step 3 - Pick a name.

You can't equivocate here because your name is registered with the host and becomes your permanent ID (for that blog). Think about your theme. Think about your audience. The simple names may already be taken so prepare a list of choices before you begin the registration process. The name can be run together words like onestormyday or greenisgood, etc. The name can be a made up word like jabberwocky (OK, I didn't make up that word!).

Step 4 - Post.

That's right, you need to get started. So start drafting your first post. Do it in a word processor then cut and paste to your blog post form after you've edited, spell checked, and re-read enough. Consider using your first post to introduce yourself and your blog. Don't overwork your posts. Free and spontaneous is good in a blog. Never fear because you can edit before and after you publish. That's right; in blogging there is such a thing as the do-over.

Step 5 - Publish.

This is just the push of a button, but you have to let your words out for others to see.

Now you have a published blog! Here are a couple of bonus ideas.

Bonus 1 - Draft.

You blog host allows you to create draft posts. It is helpful to use the post draft capability as a note pad to store ideas and title and language snippets that come to you. You can storehouse a few posts to release when you don't have a today-idea.

Bonus 2 - Promote your blog.

Put your blog URL in your Email signature. Follow these promotion tips.

Send me an Email with your blog URL or post it in the comments section below. I'd really like to read your first efforts. Enjoy!