Started Blogging Now What? Pre-Blogging Tips

I think this is an article that's long overdue! I have to say, blogging has NOT been easy! There I said it! Back then when I saw people blogging away they always made it look sooo easy! However, I've learnt, it is anything but that. It's a mini-job in itself, especially if you want to get it right. If you're doing it for the fun of it, then lucky you! But let's be realistic, who won't like to see comments on your post, like a facebook comment? A friend of mine summed it up quite nicely here...

No one wants to be a lonely blogger, or have a lonely comment on facebook (at least I know I don't!) so it's always a good idea to know what you're getting into when you do decide to start a blog. So here are a few pre-blogging tips which I think would be quite handy for anyone who's thinking about blogging or just started blogging altogether...

1. It's always a good idea to know why your blogging. You knowing why you're blogging would determine how seriously you take it. I started blogging when I joined the SEO industry, (like my about Tola page would tell you) to help me learn more about the industry, the job itself and increase my career prospects (and boy did it work!). It'll also push you to hang around for days, then months then years...
2. Another important thing to ask is  who are you blogging for, your target 'niche'. If you know your target niche it shows in your writing tone and how descriptive you are. It's always a good idea to find the balance because every now and then you will come across people who know nothing about your industry but want to know more. If you've been quite descriptive, people like this will stay and engage you. My target market was/is people interested in Search Optimisation and Blogging generally. Over the months I've be able to drag family and friends into the business, after all, that's what they're for!
3. Another inital question to ask is what are you blogging for? This ties in with the 'Why'. What are you hoping to achieve by blogging? Do you just love writing and need an outlet? Are you looking to make money online, or you just want to get your name or 'brand' on the Internet (I love how I google Tola Famakinwa and my website comes first)? It started out as an experiment for me but it has turned into an addictive one. I would hate to let my blog die with all my efforts, even though I have achieved some of my initial goals.
4. Try to have a defined blogging subject. When I started learning with blogging experts, they said you should have the sixty-ish seconds elevator pitch for your blog. In other words, you should be able to describe your blog - actually sell it - in 60 seconds or less. Having an outline of what you would be blogging about with the room for expansion helps a lot, especially to stay on track on rocky days.
5. Lastly, Be Prepared. People say the first few months of blogging is pretty boring, but I didn't belive it until I experienced it myself! It can take just one person or website to turn your blog into a comment field but sometimes finding that one person/website... So with blogging be prepared to wait, literally. It's also a good idea to have a number of articles ready for publishing the day you create your blog, that way you don't become a one hit wonder to your possible 'fans'. You don't have to publish them all at the same time but that way there are articles on standby.

I could go on with tips and ideas for blogging but I'll leave it at that for now, that way there's room for more tips and ideas... I'll love to hear your experience on blogging and what you think about it generally. I've heard it been described as fun, as engaging and many others. I agree blogging is an outlet of sort, but it's also a lot more. I'll encourage anyone to start a blog in a second, you don't have to get it right the first time but you'll learn from it and get it right the next time. After all, isn't that what life is all about?