Blogging is a great opportunity to share your experiences, connect with like-minded people, and even make money from the comfort of your own home.
However, starting a blog can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start.
As a stay-at-home mom, you have a unique perspective and voice that many people can relate to, making it the perfect time to dive into blogging.
But if you spend anytime online, then right now you know that big bloggers everywhere are in a panic!
The new Google updates have their heads spinning, because they lost so much traffic. Some people are worried about how they are going to pay their mortgage, they took such a big hit.
It’s really sad.
I know bloggers who were left reeling, wondering what to do next. And I know bloggers who weren’t at all affected.
And then there’s oddball people, like me, who actually saw a crazy spike in traffic after the Google updates. 😆
So, what do you, as a new blogger, do?
In this article, we’ll be discussing what to focus on to set yourself up for success as a new blogger!! (*hint: It’s NOT Google! 😂🤣)
Let’s get started!
1. Find your niche
Before you start blogging, think about what you want to blog about.
Your niche is basically what your blog will be about, such as food, parenting, or travel.
It’s important to spend some time thinking about your niche because it helps you to establish a reliable and consistent following.
By sharing specialized knowledge and experiences about a specific topic, you show your audience that you’re an expert in that area.
So, take the time to identify what inspires you, what you’re passionate about, and what makes you stand out.
My niche is parenting, but I have narrowed it down to focus on stay at home moms who want to be happy at home!
2. Consistently create quality content
Once you’ve identified your niche, it’s time to get writing.
Creating quality content is the cornerstone of a successful blog!!
It’s essential to prioritize high-quality content over quantity since publishing low-quality content can damage your reputation and deter readers. Focus on producing content that provides value to your readers and is informative, entertaining, or educational.
This is where a lot of people went wrong with Google. They focused on chasing those keywords and optimizing their content for search engines.
Google pinged it, which is really weird, and started promoting forums and other user platforms instead. Google is focusing on the user experience, and content that is helpful to the user.
I didn’t get harmed, because I create content based on what I think will be super helpful to you. Yes, some of it is optimized, but most of it is not. 🤣😂
This blog post, for example, is part of my “One Shot Blog Post” series.
I don’t optimize it at all, as you can see – I don’t even include pictures!
That’s because every morning, I sit down and give myself a half hour to write a few quick tips for you. Something that I think will help you on your journey as a sahm.
So, in the beginning, focus on creating consistent, quality content. Put your reader first. What will help your audience?
Don’t even worry about google. They change the rules all the time. You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to make google happy. 😆
Just worry about your reader
3. Build a community
Blogging is not just about sharing your ideas. It’s also about building a community of readers who are interested in what you have to say!!
To do this, it’s essential to engage with your readers. Respond to their comments, share other people’s content, and create a space where people can connect with you and with each other.
How you do this is up to you.
You can focus on turning your blog into its own little community.
Or you can use your email list, Pinterest, or Facebook.
Ideally you should go hang out wherever your audience hangs out and build your community there.
But I’d start with your blog. Focus on that first and master it. Then focus on building your email list and making that a community.
Next, I’d focus on Pinterest, and then some other social platform.
Don’t try to be in all places at once. You’ll wear yourself out! You can’t do it.
Master one, build a community there, and then move on to the next.
4. Optimize for search engines
To attract more readers, it’s important to optimize your blog content for search engines.
AFTER focusing on creating high quality content that is really useful to your reader!!
This means using keywords and phrases that your audience is likely to search for on search engines like Google. But keep in mind that Google is NOT the only search engine out there!!
Believe it or not, Pinterest is also a search engine.
So, when you are ready to optimize, focus on both of them.
Don’t put your eggs all in one basket, because relying on Google can hurt you in the long run.
I personally think it’s important to leave some blog posts completely untouched and not at all optimized as well.
Just in case Google changes their algorithms again. 🤪
But it is important to optimize some, or no one will be able to find you!
5. Promote your blog
Finally, promote your posts to attract new readers and build a larger following.
Social media is an excellent platform for promoting your blog and connecting with your audience.
Guest posting on other blogs within your niche can help you reach a broader audience as well.
I’d start with your email list and Pinterest, and then slowly work your way out, as you have more time.
And after you’ve mastered email and Pinterest.
Blogging can be a rewarding and crazy amazing fun if done right!!
As a stay-at-home mom, you have the perfect opportunity to share your experiences and insights with the world.
By focusing on finding your niche, creating quality content, building a community, optimizing for search engines, and promoting your blog, you’ll be well on your way to success as a new blogger.
Remember, blogging is a journey, and it takes time and effort to develop and grow your blog.
So don’t be afraid to experiment, learn from your experiences, and enjoy the ride!
