Diving into the Blogging Pool

Guest Post

By Cheryl Bryan

Until April, my blogging experience had been limited to a Blogger site, an inspirational wordpress.com blog I still intend to develop, and a church blog/website I maintain. But I wanted to set up my own “commercial” blog.

The blogging pool already seemed full, though. Was there room for me, a 60-something-year-old Newbie? There was no better way to find out than to dive right in!

April 8 – Testing the Water. I have read Daily Blog Tips for months but am overwhelmed by the vocabulary. When I spot Seth’s guest post and follow his link to Blogging Agenda, I decide that though I’m a little late learning this skill, I can do it on my own, using Seth’s step-by-step guide.

May 14 – Getting My Feet Wet. After following Seth’s guidelines on choosing a topic, researching a niche, and brainstorming for article content, I’m ready. With the help of his links to the instructional videos at becomeablogger.com, I buy a domain name, choose a server host, download WordPress and FTP software, choose a theme and upload it to the server.

So far, the expense is minimal. Experienced bloggers have provided invaluable free tutoring.

May 19 – Wading into the Deep End. I have written an initial post, but I’m not ready to go public. To give my blog a unique look, I ask my tech-savvy son and graphic-designer son-in-law to help me with the header image. I write an “about” page. So far, the learning and writing process is fun and satisfying. I add pages, following the video instructions. Even though I don’t understand the difference between Widgets and Plug-ins, I add widgets, and the distinction becomes clearer.

May 27 – Dog Paddling. Ahead of my June 1 deadline, I publish a second post and publicize the blog on Facebook. I’m encouraged by instant responses from friends and family. I have installed Plug-ins suggested by Seth and by Gideon (Becomeablogger.com), but I’m still not sure what the All-in-One SEO plug-in will do for me nor how to use it.

June 13 – In the Swim of Things. I’m almost comfortable in the deep end. I’ve posted nine entries, downloaded a link-building tool to find sites similar to mine, set up Google AdSense and Twitter accounts and learned how to use the SEO plug-in.

June 30 – Staying Afloat. I’m still paddling around, building vocabulary and improving skills, trying not to be overwhelmed by the myriads of suggestions on building traffic and subsequent legitimacy.

I have doubts about my niche. Though I am passionate about my topic – maintaining a positive attitude and a sound mind and body while aging – the niche may be too broad. At the same time, I don’t want to appeal only to baby boomers. I’d like to promote understanding across the age spectrum.

I may never be an Olympic blogger, but I am enjoying the learning process and the motivation it gives me to write. My aim is to provide well-written, relevant material that is helpful to all those who strive to live – and age – in a constant pursuit of excellence. 

If you’re a reluctant blogger, I encourage you to jump right in. The water’s fine. Other bloggers will not only make room for you, they’ll support you in your efforts.

Beware, though. I’m learning that diving in is fairly simple. And, as it turns out, the blogging pool is actually a vast ocean; there’s plenty of room. But in order to stay afloat, you must keep swimming. 

 
Note : Seth invited me to write a guest post after I was brash enough to correct a misspelling in one of his blogs. If any blogger wants the same kind of proofing/editing service, I’ll be glad to swap for some free publicity. In the meantime, you can catch my unsolicited opinions and advice at www.aginginwonder.com.

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Tagged as: blogging, diving in, How to Start a Blog