5 (More) Tips For New Bloggers

​Maybe it's your New Year's resolution to do more writing, maybe you're looking for a new creative outlet, or maybe you want to do something new just for fun. Whatever your reason, I'm assuming that you're a new blogger looking for some ideas on how to get started. Here's what I've learned from blogging over the course of 249 - it's been quite an amazing experience so far. 

​1. Be bold.

I'm going to be completely honest with you, blogging can sometimes be scary. And if it's not, it should be. Because otherwise, it means you're not making any impact. Sometimes sharing your thoughts publicly can make you nervous about what other people are thinking. Trust me, I've been there, I am there, and I will be there for a while. However, being bold about sharing a piece of your mind with the world will bring you much confidence in return.

2. Keep it short.

There's an exercise we do during the writing module of Praxis  - "Cut it in Half". The idea is to write a blog post, then cut the word amount in half. (Pretty self-explanitory.) You'd be surprised how easy it can be to write too much or provide too much information. Keep it short - it also catches more attention from readers.

3. Keep it simple.

Not only would I recommend keeping the length of your posts short, but I would also suggest you have only one focus. You don't want your content to be overwhelming. Stick to one idea per post.

4. Be consistent.

It's cliche, but it's true. I write every day (which I would recommend) but no matter what, you must be consistent. Decide right off the bat what your writing schedule will be like. Will you write daily? Weekly? Twice a month? Whatever you choose, stick to it. It's hard at times but it pays off in the end.

5. Have a niche.

Last but not least. What's the theme of your blog? In my case, my theme is purely myself, what I'm learning and doing, and sharing the process of creating my personal brand. Essentially, it's a life blog. But most importantly, you want your blog to stand out and be unique. What can you do to set yourself apart?

Blogging every day has been such an amazing experience and has pushed me grow a lot. It's a lot more than just writing every day. It's an opportunity to share something with the world, but it's not just for them, it's for you too. In the end, it's your blog. You can do whatever you want with it, and that's why it's so special to me.