Hello Beautiful Humans,
I’m actually so excited to create this post for all of you. It’s something I’m constantly asked about and for some crazy reason, I have never written a post on it. I’ve been blogging since high school, but I didn’t get more serious with it until 2015 when I started my blog ‘Somewhere Between Vogue & Van Gogh’.
To start this post off, I’d like to take a trip down memory lane to give you all an idea of how I started and where I’ve progressed. I can promise you this has not been an overnight “good” blogger story, I’m digging deep into the archives for this one.
My Blogging Story
My first blog I ever started was in high school, it was called ‘From Bow to Toe’ – I was a BIG cheerleading gal during this time of my life. I shared some outfits, random lessons I was learning and a few college updates. I never really promoted this blog because I was WAY too afraid to put myself out there. I didn’t want to deal with judgement, it was more like a public diary for me to document in. And, I have to say, this is my first time reading through it in years. It’s fun to see how much I’ve grown not only in my life, but in my writing style.
Next up, I started Somewhere Between Vogue & Van Gogh, as I mentioned earlier. This was also a fashion driven blog. My dream is/was to work in the fashion industry, and I tried to use this blog as a tool for my portfolio for future jobs. However, a few months into creating this one, I began to really develop my niche as a writer and began to share my more authentic stories and experiences.
After finding a passion in inspiring and motivating others, specifically women, I decided to start Pretty, Young & Motivated in 2016. For the first 3 years, it was my personal blog. As some of you know, we switched PYM to a more collaborative site of female writers in April 2019.
Basically the point I am getting at is that creating this platform has been a long time coming. It was definitely not made overnight and it took a lot of practice to figure out my voice. It also took a lot of self taught web design and lots of googling to troubleshoot issues.
I remember this one time, I logged into PYM and everything was GONE. All the posts, all the analytics, the site had been swiped. I literally was about to start crying in the middle of class. I ran out and immediately called tech support to try and see what happened. Somehow, by some miracle, they were able to recover my site. But, it was on this day, I learned the importance of backing up my website.
That’s part of the journey into blogging; you may have to spend sometime teaching yourself website customization or how to back up your content. You may also start writing about one topic or passion, and find yourself developing into another niche later on. It’s okay to switch around and cultivate your blog persona. It is like your life, it will change with you and that’s okay.
So, let’s get to the good stuff!
Tip #1 – Just start documenting
This is my first bit of advice for starting a blog, or even a vlog. The trick is to actually push past the discomfort and just start doing it. If you think of it from the perspective of documenting rather than trying to create content other people will like, you’ll create more authentically and feel a lot less pressure. Once you start, you will begin to feel more comfortable and confident in what you are creating and what you want the blog to be. When you feel ready, you can start sharing with the world.
The biggest tip from most bloggers, or any creator really, is to just start. There will be 1,000 excuses on why you can’t but you have to make your why, your reason to start, shout louder than the excuses. The scariest part is the starting, once you do that, you will start to flow into it.
Tip #2 – You don’t need to be an expert
This held me back from creating a YouTube/vlog for the longest time. I kept using the excuse that I didn’t have the equipment or the right editing software to start. Also the constant worry of “who am I to start a blog/vlog?” “Why should these people listen to what I have to say?” “I’m not experienced enough to do this” – hello, imposter syndrome. However, this is just the mean little critic in your head. If you so feel liek you have a light to share with the world, this is your one chance and one life to do so.
Don’t let the worry and fear gold you back from creating something that excites you or brings you joy. Who cares if you’re an expert or not? No one really is, it’s all in the confident and action of doing it.
As far as starting a vlog with “no equipment”, you can just start on your phone by filming landscape and using iMovie (or other free software) to edit.
Same with a blog, you don’t really need much to start. Just motivation and a desire to write. I started on BlogSpot/Blogger and then moved to WordPress, and later bought my domain when I was established in my writing. When you use free platforms to blog, you will just have them included in your URL (i.e. .blogspot.com, .wordpress.com) This is a perfectly fine option to start with.
I recommend WordPress or SquareSpace, depending on the style of blog you want. SquareSpace is good for photography or visually driven content, WordPress is great for building out a site for blogging or setting up a shop. I’m most familiar with WordPress, it’s easy to use and understand. Both sites include analytics. WordPress offers plug-in’s, which are ways to add features to your site.
Once you establish a following and a voice for your site, you can consider purchasing a domain. I did not do this until I started Pretty, Young & Motivated in 2016. So, I waited about 2 years to purchase a domain. The hosting company I use is Bluehost – this connects to my WordPress site and they offer affordable domains and website hosting packages. They also have great customer service.
Tip #3 – Use Free Templates & Local Artists
When creating the look of your site, start out with a free template. WordPress has plenty of options for this, you can also look on Creative Market or Etsy for more unique templates, but you may end up paying for these options. I’ve purchased templates for around $25, they can be more or less than that.
It’s also important to note that installation may be difficult for a beginner. If you have some web design experience, it may not be too bad to figure out but I’m mostly self taught and some templates required assistance to integrate and customize the site. It also took a lot of YouTube tutorials and googling.
I’m happy to offer assistance, though minimal, in this process – alyssa.waid18@gmail.com
Another tip is to utilize friends, family or local artists for design work. I’ve had friends help me create logos and customize templates. This is typically cheaper and some friends/family may be willing to help for free, it never hurts to ask. If not for free, typically cheaper than an online developer.
Tip #4 – Write Authentically
Some of you may be thinking “umm, obviously” but sometimes when we start creating content for a blog, vlog or social media, we want to tailor it to the audience we are creating for. Now, in some sense, you should consider your audience, but you must write from the heart. I promise you, it will resonate more if you show up as your authentic self.
For awhile, I tried to create posts that fit a “fashion blogger” style of writing, I had horrible viewership when I took this route. When I finally sat down and wrote the uncomfortable posts that felt a little more vulnerable, such as my post about quitting cheerleading in college, I realized how important sharing my story was. It connected much more authentically with others than trying to create this untrue narrative for myself.
There are plenty of fancy, overthought out bloggers in the world – just be you, and create for the sole purpose of creating. As your ideas flow, you will find it’s much easier to write something you are excited and passionate about rather than something you are forcing out into the world.
Tip #5 – Share it!
Utilize your social media channels to share your blog, send it to all of your friends and family and use word of mouth. This can be one of the scariest parts when creating a blog, actually putting it out into the world.
Although it’s uncomfortable and scary, I promise it will be okay. You would be surprised at the feedback you may receive. Thus far, in my blogging career, I’ve received little to no hate. Well, at least not to my face. If someone does choose to hate or criticize what you’ve created, always think about the source. Are they just jealous you had the guts to do it? Are they reliable or someone you look up to? Are they bloggers?
Even if there may be a ‘yes’ to any of those questions, just remain confident in the fact that everyone will have different perspectives and your writing is valid because it’s something you created out of love and passion, and for that, it’s credible to you.
Tip #6 – Graphic Design for Dummies!
Okay, I’m giving away my secret here but Canva is an application that has saved my life with creating content and graphics for PYM. It’s available online or through an app. This is how I’ve create instagram stories, quotes, logos, event materials, etc. You can create so much on Canva and it’s mostly free. You are able to upgrade to a monthly/yearly subscription to unlock other features but I’ve managed to get what I needed in the free version.
Referring to Tip #3, this is also a good alternative if you don’t know graphic design or have a friend who does it. This can be a real lifesaver!
These are just the top 6 bits of advice that come to mind when thinking of how I started, but once again, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to just start. You may not have it all figured out, you might not have the right tools, you may not be an expert but if you feel a calling to start something, you should definitely take the leap. You will figure it out as you go. Discomfort inspires action.
Do not let the fear of judgement or criticism hold you back either. Everyone is just trying to find their place in this world and it takes courage to put yourself out there and create. With courage, comes discomfort.
From my experience, it’s not that scary once you get going. If it is scary, just remember your WHY. Why are you starting this? Who are you doing it for? Stay confident in yourself and don’t be afraid to push out of your comfort zone.
Feel free to use the button above to reach out if you have more in-depth questions, I’m happy to offer advice. You’ve totally got this, just take the first step.
As Newton stated in the first law of motion, “Every object in a state of uniform motion will remain in that state of motion unless an external force acts on it.” In terms of this, once you take the initial action to create a blog, you will likely stay in motion towards that goal – it just takes the action of starting. The only thing stopping you is YOU or the worry of what may happen when you actually do it (external forces).
Just go for it! I believe in you.