I once counted how many blogs I’ve “started” in my lifetime and it was something ludicrous and somewhat embarrassing. Thankfully, I can’t remember (and perhaps it really doesn’t matter).
As you already know, we’ve recently launched 3 new blogs in the 8BIT Network and trust us when we say that we’re not done yet. All of them have been doing fantastic so far (per our metrics and goals) and we can probably say with a little bit of confidence that we have an idea of how to start a new blog off right.
We’re no experts though, but here are 5 tips for starting a new blog from someone who’s done it a lot:
1. Choose Your Platform Wisely.
There are tons of choices out there when it comes to blogging software and platforms: WordPress, Drupal, Live Journal, Typepad, Movable Type, Blogger, Text Pattern, etc. Some of these are free, some are not.
Choosing the right one is a critical decision. My choice is obviously WordPress. I’d also go self-hosted, meaning, don’t go for the free version of WordPress either (Need a cheap host? Check out Dreamhost). You can see what some of the other Top Church Blogs are using here too.
2. Focus on Content, Really.
Focusing on content is your primary concern when you start out. When I mean primary, I really do mean just that. In fact, you can probably just kill everything else out of the equation for the first 3 months.
Things, especially like design, can come much later. If you’re itching for a really good WordPress Theme, consider the Standard Theme which powers all of our blogs on the 8BIT Network.
3. Follow a Schedule, Pattern, or Rhythm.
We have an Editorial Calendar across the blogs which we follow religiously. You don’t have to have one (obviously) as rigid as we do but a schedule is everything.
Well, not everything, but getting into a pattern and/or rhythm of blogging will help you with your posting and also develop a culture around and in your blog about when readers can expect to see new posts. Plan this out, be honest with yourself on production levels, and then do it.
4. Tell Others.
Tell others about your new blog. Seriously. If you have problems broadcasting, check out this post I wrote a little while back titled: “5 Things I Did to Grow my Blog with Humility.”
In addition, we’ve got tons of strategy around blogging here. Take a look.
The simple fact is that you need to tell others, and be confident in it! It’s an awesome thing. And “accountability” in this area really does work as well.
5. Get Help, Get Networked.
Sometimes we just need some help. That’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with that.
Know what you can and can’t do and then seek to get help in the areas that need it the most. People are more than willing to come alongside a new blog, more than you probably know.
Networking is also a part of this. Reach out, tell others, and become “blogging buddies,” or at least virtually. Your network will expand the more people you know (duh.).
Bonus:
I’ve blogged about this a number of times as well, but the simple fact is that you need a bit of patience when it comes to blogging: It’s more about a marathon than a sprint than anything.
Also, “success” looks different and is different for every single person. Comparing yourself or getting disappointed because you don’t see the same “results” is stupid. Forget about that stuff.
Stay positive, focused, and remember, again, to have fun!
PhillipGibb says
Expect Nothing, be surprised by Everything.
That’s my motto and I don’t live by it :O
Otherwise Networking FTW
John Saddington says
networking ftw!
Sherman Haywood Cox II says
Well, I have done probably in the neighborhood of 10 new starts and I suggest that
1) WordPress is the obvious choice. I been on Drupal as well as the hosted blogger and found that a self-hosted blog on WordPress is more than enough for my needs. Plugins are plentiful and there are a ton of themes. You can get up very quickly.
2)Yep…Content is very important. You need a post 5 times a week for a while to build up some traffic. I have found that it is probably best to have 15-20 posts before you start advertising your website strongly. Let me also say that I have found that “how to” type posts work the best in building up traffic….
3) Schedule…yep 5 posts a week…at least 3 posts a week…I probably need to spend a bit more time putting together my calendar, but just forcing myself to put these posts out helps things…
4) I used to tell people about my blog ventures, but gave up on it. I didn’t really realize the importance of accountability. That probably works… I stopped telling people because it never seemed to work to get them visiting or to even look at my site. I probably need to think about that accountability bit you are speaking of though…
5) Networking with other bloggers has always helped my traffic immensely…I think it is an important cornerstone to any blog.
Let me also add that a new blogger needs to stop worrying about other blogs and stop worrying about the aesthetic looks of the website and spend more time worrying about content. Content will win in the end. In many niches, only a unique article every other day will cause you to rise…
John Saddington says
yes! love it.
Josh Miles says
Good info, John. I know I’ve had to come back and remind myself to be patient more than once. It seems that just when I’m thinking that my content sucks I’ll get random, first-time visitors who express that they were encouraged by my posts. Ok God, I’m paying attention….
John Saddington says
*smack*!
to me.
Travis Fish says
Thanks for all of the advice John! I always appreciate it!
John Saddington says
sure. 🙂
Jared says
So, I just started blogging about two weeks ago. This article is a major help! Since I have started, I have already had a couple of other like-minded people come alongside and offer help! It’s nice to be a part of the blogging community now.
John Saddington says
great!
Kyle Reed says
Gary V just put out a video about this yesterday:http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com/patience/
Well patience that is…
Sam says
For the sake of transparency maybe you should make sure when you recommend something in an article whether or not it will financially benefit you. Otherwise every article is just one big ad.
dewde says
Hey Sam.
This is an excellent point, which is why all of the 8Bit sites have a disclosure policy which states, “Every single blog post found on ChurchCrunch/Drop/Create/IT has financial impact.” That’s pretty explicit. In fact, the reality is that your arrival on the site today had a financial impact by legitimizing our traffic and page views (impressions) to our advertisers.
You seem to be suggesting that all sites with advertising, or affiliate links, are not trustworthy. I admire healthy skepticism, but I don’t agree with this premise (if that is even what you are asserting, I don’t mean to put words in your mouth). Advertising, and financial compensation, opens doors that would otherwise remain closed. We don’t apologize for that.
Regardless of where you land on this topic, one thing I hope we can both agree on is that having open conversation about these sorts of issues is necessary, beneficial, and should never be avoided.
I appreciate your direct honesty.
peace | dewde
John Saddington says
hey sam. thanks for your thoughts. i think chris captured my personal sentiment and our hope is that everything we “offer” here is valuable to the reader.
in fact, i hope the blog post was helpful to you! we didn’t actually charge you for it, did we?
😉
just kidding. thanks. we believe in disclosure and always can do better.
Sam says
Yeah I really like what you guys are doing. So it wasnt as much of a bash as a concern. I hadnt read the disclosure notice, mainly because you guys have so many comments its often hard to find the bottom of the page =) — thats a good thing.
Personally I think it might be better when you are suggesting one of your products to say something like “(by 8bit)” If folks read your site but dont notice the disclosure they might just think this network of sites exists to just sell their stuff. I know thats how TUAW handles stuff, as does WIRED.
Ted Carnahan says
On your WordPress / Dreamhost suggestion, I’d add that a perfectly serviceable account is available to churches for free from Dreamhost through their 501.c3 program, so if you’re looking to do a church blog (something I highly recommend), you’ll find that the combination of Google Apps (free edition), Dreamhost (free) + WordPress (free) is powerful enough to handle email, calendar, and communication for most congregations.
kylan says
I saw this DreamHost non-profic deal a while back and I’ve always wanted to check it out. Do you get access to a standard DreamHost account, or is it limited in any way? If you don’t see any problems with the program, I might encourage my church to sign up.
John Saddington says
i think so.
Sam says
Yeah that is a deadly combo. We use Google and WordPress but we are paying for bluehost. (Ive used them for several years now and they are really reliable) So its worth the 80 bucks a year. But I might try dreamhost out in the future.
brett barner says
Great tips. Wish I had read this when I first started. What are your thoughts as to having content before you start telling people, vs starting with just the obligatory first post?
John Saddington says
on the fence. it can work either way i suppose. a lot of ppl would recommend to have a lot ready… i’m not so sure about that.
sometimes you just need to start.
Brett Barner says
I hear ya.
Adam Lehman says
Great article. Count me in.
Rodlie Ortiz says
John, where was this post 1.5yrs ago before I started mine? ;(
It’s all good. I’m aiming to redo mine.
John Saddington says
whoops. my bad…….?
Kevin M. says
Great tips here John!
John Saddington says
thanks kevin!
Stephen Bateman says
Yea patience and rhythm kill me.
Rhythm mostly because how am I supposed to be in rhythm in a college environment? I guess people do it…
John Saddington says
isn’t there a course for that?
joanna says
On a slightly different topic, the google ads that display when i view your posts in google reader have been quite inappropriate. Might wanna look into that
John Saddington says
whoa. can you screenshot those? i try to filter out all the time.
joanna says
http://s224.photobucket.com/albums/dd202/joannah_1988/?action=view¤t=churchcrunchad.jpg
John Saddington says
thank you.
Calum Henderson says
Love the Content.
Content is the core of any blog, definitely focus on it, and store it up for a rainy day.
Nick Shoemaker says
A more honest and authentic statement has rarely been written. My Blog exists because John Saddington replied to a literal shot in the dark I sent one day, asking about self-hosting.
nick5hoe.com exists because John took the time to, quite literally, help.
My hope is to continue the kindness.
John Saddington says
thanks dude!
Nick Shoemaker says
word. press.
Josh Miles says
I could say the same thing about my site as well, Nick. Sent an email to John regarding the switch to a self-hosted site, thinking that he probably wouldn’t have time to respond….
I type corrected. 🙂
Scott Magdalein says
No mentions of Posterous anywhere? Not even in the comments!
Regarding content, I tend to gravitate toward blogs that *share* content more than create content. That’s one reason why I enjoy the 8BIT Network of blogs. Always sharing good stuff.
John Saddington says
we share. and we like red hoodies.