Introduction to blogging: Where to start?

In previous post we gave you the reasons why you should blog, now we are focusing on where to start with your blog.A wise dinosaur once told me that sharing is caring (photo credit).

The following key points are Keystone Click’s process to starting a successful blog. We’ll leave the finer details for a later post.
1. Reality check

You must first find out why you are blogging.This will play a huge role in how your blog will be designed.This will also cater to the content of your blog

2. Find out who your advocates are and how they are related to your target market

Your advocates will share your content.More than likely your advocates are also involved heavily with your target market.

3. Research what your target market cares about

Find out what these potential viewers are reading and sharing online.Create a chart and fill it with important key phrases and topics that have been proven to make an impact with your target market.You will increase your blog and website visibility by selecting the right keywords

4. Create a content calendar

We suggest a minimum of one blog post per month.In an ideal world, every hour fresh, high-quality content would be pumped out like a well-oiled news organization. That’s simply not reality for many businesses.Pick twelve key topics you want to blog about.Assign a month to each blog topic.

5. Word vomit

Just write.Spill all the information on a piece of paper or word document.Find out what point you want to get across and pick three to five supporting facts.Don’t worry about the title, images or linking to pages right now.

6. Take a nap

You earned it.Let the document rest for at least 24 hours.

7. Edit and refine

Revisit the post, make edits, and send it to someone else to read.Revise this once more.

8. Create a title

Think about what gets your point across in one line.Ask yourself this question: Why would someone care about this?Why would anyone read this?Make sure your title and content add value to the reader.

9. Images and links

Images will help your post become more than just text on a page. Images give life —eyes like candy too, you know!Find relevant links and make sure to place them in a fashion that makes the reader to feel like they need to click on the link or they are missing quality information.Did you click on the link up on number three?Let’s hope so.

10. Finalize

Put the finishing touches on the blog post.Edit, revise, refine.Once a post is live you can always go back and make revisions as well.

11. Promote

Share the post on social media sites.DO NOT AUTO PUBLISH! Twitter is not Facebook, Pinterest is not Twitter, Google Plus is not Stumbleupon —get the picture?Your target audience speaks differently on each site.Take the time to craft an original title that resonates with each social media platform and promote the article that way.Taking the extra time will pay off.

12. Most importantly, stick to it

Stick to your content calendar and create quality content that someone would like to share to their closest friend or a potential client they just met.Blogging is just one step of internet marketing, but for many companies it is the hub of a social media strategy.
Next step: Comment below — what do you think of this process? How is your process different? If you have any questions type them in the comments section, or drop us a line.