Part One: Tips on Starting a Blog -- The Basics

I've been "blogging" since before it was called blogging. I've been on every free platform. I've owned domains for my personal blogs. I've had personal blogs, writing blogs, photo blogs, blogs documenting my entire high school experience.

Starting a fashion blog was a big leap. I've always wanted to do it, but I never thought I could. I didn't believe that I would live up to the others and honestly, I didn't know what I was doing.

I've learned so much in the past several months and I'm going to share what I've learned.

Today's edition is the basics! Got tips, share them in the comments, please.



Decide you want to start a blog
And then sit on it. I decided I wanted to actually start a blog two months before I started coming up with ideas. I thought about it almost daily. I built up anticipation and once I started planning, the creative process never stopped.

Start planning
Once Anna and I decided on the blog. We brainstormed for weeks. We changed our minds more and more each day, but once we decided on one thing another fell into place. And then another and another.

Pick a niche and research it, believe in it, and break all of its rules
For any type of blog there are simple guidelines. You can't necessarily have a fashion blog without fashion photos. Can't exactly be a baby blogger without a baby. You see? But figuring out what that entails is just as important as not trying to fit into a niche. Break the rules a little. Step outside of the box. In the same regard, don't try and fit into every category ever. Sensory overload is never a good thing.

Create a name
Creating a name is important. Anna and I are perfect examples of what happens when you settle on a name. The name of the blog becomes you. You become your blog. It's inevitable. Sure, you can change it, but I guarantee it's easier to stick with one name.

Pick a platform
Blogger, Wordpress, and Tumblr each have their own appeals. Research and decide which is right for your blog.

Design, design, design
I'm an avid believer in a well designed blog. I hate to say it, but if a blog isn't pretty, chances of me returning are rather slim -- no matter how high quality the content is. It doesn't have to be professional, elaborate, or beautiful. But it has to be appealing.

Part two coming soon! A whole post on design and resources for design.