Here’s how to launch a new blog:
- Go to WordPress.com
- Sign Up
- Start Blogging
There. That’s it. These gold nuggets don’t come too often, so pick them up while they’re hot and available…!
… … …
Just kidding. Read the “serious” stuff after the jump.
One of the pleasures I had at Church Tech Camp : Dallas was to meet more than just a few ministry leaders who had not started a blog.
I got to see the excitement and passion in it’s infancy stage and my goal, once these lucky few we’re identified, was to do everything I could to provide a solid place to start, establish expectations, and give a big round of encouragement.
Why?
Because starting or launching a blog can be really hard. It’s easy to sign up but that’s about it. There are a ton of “unknowns,” even more fears, and all of us don’t want to waste our time, right?
So here are my 8 P’s or Practical Steps to getting started:
1. Plan
Start planning. Dedicate some time to actually thinking about what you want to do, what you want to achieve, your goals, mission, vision, etc. Develop a timeline, and stick to it: A firm launch date helps with this. Get support from friends, ministry teams, etc. Get your resources in order! Then jump to #2.
2. Platform
So, what blogging software or technology will you choose? I can’t stress enough how important this choice is. It’s one of those “make your bed and sleep in it” deals. You’re going to want to choose a platform technology that suits your needs and that can help you accomplish your goals. Make sure it’s “sustainable” and that it can scale as your blog grows. Consider highly about hosting your own, if the software allows. This will cost a little, but not much.
3. Presence
Your domain name and blog name is everything. It establishes your identity and your brand. It’s your “presence” online. Make it a good one, make it memorable, and easy to type. Does it associate well with your ministry if this is a church / ministry blog? Does it “market” well?
4. Positioning
Where do you “sit” on the internet? How are you going to make a difference? What specifically are you going to blog about and how are you going to differentiate yourself? Is “differentiating” even the goal? Be specific as possible. You want to position yourself as closely to a “niche” as possible to create maximum effectiveness.
5. Presentation
How does your blog look? Are you going to use a “free” design and template? Do you have money to spend on a designer? What plugins or additional functionality will you include in on your blog? Consider both the sky-level view and also as granular as possible.
6. Promote
Tell others. Let other bloggers know, let your ministries know, and get the word out. Use all your other sources that are available, like Facebook, Twitter, etc. Give them a timeline and a launch date. Get people pumped.
7. Publish
Queue up about 5-10 posts in a word document. Let an experienced blogger read them and give you some feedback. Accept the feedback and don’t despair. Set a time table for how often you publish and when you publish.
8. Party
Have a “Launch Party”, either physically or digitally. Post your first entry live. Welcome to the wide world of blogging!
Love the pre-launch feedback idea. That's golden.
like you need any tips…
This is where I go for ideas when I'm sitting here Clueless in the Coffee House.
which one?
Fusion Cafe 1333 Broadway St, Longview, WA
hehe.
So I did everything wrong! At least I was cvonsistent in my errors! Good advice, I wish I had it 7 months ago.
I'm with Mark. Set up some method of pushing your blog to others so they don't have to check the website frequently in search of updates.
word. don't feel bashful about it either…!
…and when you update your blog, don't spam Twitter followers by
posting about it across ALL your accounts.
oh, my bad.
I've been blogging for a few years now, but this reminds me of some things I need to keep in mind. Thanks John.
sure thing brian!
Excellent post. I would add only a couple of things from my two years of blogging : set up straight away the ability for people to sign up to receive notification when you post. I recommend as a start, feedburner.com and think about how much time you are willing to spend each week on your blog. Really good blogs take time, time to craft the right words, time to find that perfect image, time to promote it. And the last thing to mention is that developing a following for your blog is a slow process. So be patient, persevere, it might take years to get the sort of following and traffic you hope for.
excellent. these smaller functional reqs are great… nice add.
I would also add proof-read and edit before posting. There are some great helps on article and magazine type writing available online and at the library. If your wife is a home-school teacher and author(like Mrs. G)she can be a huge help. Email the posts to a friend and ask for insight.
Ahhh, Launch Party – I knew I missed something.
That whole promoting thing never seems to let up, it seems to be the thing that keeps me busy the most.
the party is the best part.
I'm going to a WordPress Users Group in Portland,OR tonight. http://tinyurl.com/7xvckaand Beer and Blog tomorrow night http://portland.beerandblog.com/
dude, live blog it.
Ha! I just read this. Man, Lessons learned, lessons learned.