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9 Actionable Blogging Tips for Beginners

Beginning bloggers often dream of the day when their sites scroll seamlessly with engaging content, reader responses, and some income along the way! Alongside those dreams, the overwhelm of all the details can begin to creep in and slow you down. When you feel like you have so many ideas without a place to start, take these blogging tips for beginners to launch yourself forward.

Why do we offer these tips?

We are passionate about breaking down the overwhelming parts of blogging into simple, actionable steps that anyone can do. We know the tendency exists to compare your beginning stages to established blog stages in terms of audience, email list size, sponsorships, and so on! With this mindset, anyone can get bogged down in the details.

These actionable blogging tips are here for you as a guide to just start. Keep the “snowball effect” in mind here. One decisive move gets the ball rolling, then the next,… and before you know it, your blog is further along than you thought possible!

Blogging Tips for Beginners 

Here are 9 actionable steps you can take to clarify your thoughts, spend your time where it matters, and start seeing progress on your site!

1. Set your intentions

Begin by thinking about why you want to start a blog and what priority level it will take in your life. Set your intentions for what you want to create or do with your online space. These decisive markers can help guide you as you allocate time, energy, and resources to your site.

There will often be times in your blogging journey when creativity or inspiration will ebb and flow. Setting and returning to these intentions will give you the foundation to keep building. 

For ideas on developing these intentions and what it means to be successful in the blogging industry, read more in How to Become a Successful Blogger.

2. Document your goals

Blogging is a “long game” endeavor and sometimes bloggers can lose sight of progress in the thick of the small, continual steps required to build a platform. Along with your intentions, write down what pieces (both small and large) that you want to accomplish and be specific. Check out podcast episode 37 for some great tips on remembering the motivations behind your blog – whether a business or hobby.

Some ideas of measurable goals could be as simple as reaching a certain number of posts logged on your site, growing your email list to a specific number of subscribers, or offering a certain piece of freebie content.

Take time to review and update your goals as you make progress regularly and most importantly, be encouraged!

3. Do your homework

When you first start an online blog or business, there are so many tools, add-ons, features, and other “shiny digital objects” that will vie for your attention. Don’t rush into these things by signing up for whatever comes across your screen or what everyone else seems to have.

Take time to research what tools and systems are best for your goals. As a beginner, you will certainly still be figuring out what works for you, but keeping your goals in mind will help you make the most educated steps toward finding what you need. And then, decide and move forward! 

For more ideas on choosing systems that work for your needs (along with info on one of our favorite tools!), check out episode 63 with Kaci Ackerman, ClickUp and systems expert.

4. Learn about your audience

This actionable tip for beginners is one that can get pushed to the bottom of the list because it is not as objective or quantifiable. However, every bit of investment you make in learning about your target audience will make your content even that much more valuable. (We discuss great tips for identifying your target audience in episode 72.)

So, how can you learn more about your readers?

Check out online forums such as Reddit, or Facebook groups that are specific to your niche. Talk face-to-face with family and friends or inquire at local brick-and-mortar businesses and organizations. Gather information informally, or set up a tool such as a survey or discussion post on social media.

Get creative in finding ways to learn about who is currently reading or who really NEEDS to read your content. Your goal in learning about your audience should be to familiarize yourself deeply with their needs, problems, or interests so that your specific content offers a solution.

5. Make a content plan

Taking what you learned about your audience, now, get very specific about your niche. What can you offer that people are looking for and currently can’t be found elsewhere?

Use this information to write down all of the ideas you have for blog content and group them together by category – ideally, you should have 3 to 5 categories! Cross off anything that does not serve your reader to hone your content plan into a valuable blueprint. Map out your content into a logical flow and get started!

Need more tips and tools for content planning? Read more here.

6. Create systems

We can almost guarantee that if you add “work on the blog” to your to-do list, you will end up scrolling for hours OR staring at a blank screen waiting for inspiration to strike. This is where systems are absolutely crucial to moving you forward in meeting your goals. 

Simple systems are best. 

• First, block off time in your calendar to work on your blog. Some of your time should be learning, and some should be action. Designate the time for each.
• Next, create prioritized to-do lists. Think about what tasks must be done daily, weekly, monthly, etc. Try to batch your tasks as much as possible to maximize productivity and save time mentally switching between different types of work.
• Use digital tools to help you manage your plans. Back to episode 63 for systems-planning tips!

7. Stay focused

Easier said than done right? But when you have goals in front of you and a content plan mapped out, you know where you are headed. So, now that you’ve made your plans, stick to them the best that you can!

Remember:  don’t get distracted by each new thing that comes along. These things can keep you from the consistent daily action that it takes to make progress.

8. Build a support system

Blogging can be an isolating journey behind the screen. Find ways to build community and support with other bloggers who are learning alongside you or even a few steps ahead!

We know how important it is to have spaces to ask questions, share challenges and successes, and brainstorm together. This is why we have created amazing systems of support for bloggers in all stages! We offer:

• The Ultimate Blog Bootcamp – The next level of support with an online course and live weekly coaching calls to get real-time answers and encouragement.
• The Ultimate Blog Membership – The best way to keep growing in your blogging ventures with live monthly trainings and a community of bloggers who are passionate about what they do!

9. Measure

Remember that tip about documenting your goals? Time to check off some boxes! 

Be intentional in setting aside time to review and reflect on the goals you set and the specific steps you have taken to get there. This can be as simple as a monthly check-in on metrics, or a review of a new tool or plug-in. Be sure to keep track of what you implement and when so you can review progress later.

Tip: Use our notes in episode 50, “How to Audit Your Own Website,” as a starting point for site elements to review from time to time.

Remember…

Even with these blogging tips for beginners, remember to take it one step at a time. 

When you are building a space that you love, your timeline is your own and can be adapted in the ways that serve you best. Keep revisiting these actionable tips and reach out to get help when you need it.

We are rooting for you!