Everything leading up to this point in this guide has been about how fast and easy it is to set up a blog. The next steps are all about consistency, not speed. 

The SmallBusiness.com Guide to Starting a Blog is sponsored and provided by GoDaddy.

Introduction

1. Name your blog and register its domain name (web address).
2. Choose a blog platform.
3. Choose a web host.
4. Connect your domain name to your blog.
5. Design your blog.
6. Publish your first post.
7. Promote that post and publish your second post, etc.

Remember what we said in this guide’s introduction?

The people who operate successful small businesses don’t sit back and wait for customers to show up. Successful small business owners and managers spend part of every day reaching out to their current and potential customers.

Blogging isn’t a writing assignment. It’s reaching out to your customers and helping them achieve something they want or need to accomplish.

Don’t think of blogging in terms of writing

Think of it in terms of talking to your customers, employees, vendors or friends. Think of blogging as a means to have chats on any number of topics, such as:

• You have a new product.
• You have a new employee.
• You have a tip that will make them smarter.
• You can forward something that can help them understand the value of your service or product.
• You can share what your business has been up to.
• You can tell them what you are learning from conferences on relevant topics.
• You can keep them ahead of the curve.
• You can inspire them to achieve or try something new.
• You can brighten their day.

Just don’t get bogged down by thinking blogging is a writing assignment.

On GoDaddy.com, learn how to publish and edit a WordPress post

You’ve been revving up to blog since the day you started your business

• Every time you’ve had a conversation with a customer, you’ve been learning how to blog.
• Every time you’ve prepared a newsletter for clients, you’ve been learning how to blog.
• You know how to listen and respond with good advice, or you wouldn’t be running a business.

Take all that knowledge and share it in 300–400 words per post, and you’ll unleash the inner blogger hiding within you.

Share with an audience you already know

The people most likely to initially enjoy your blog (and share it with others) are those who already like you. You don’t need to become a “writer.” Just share a message with a group you already know: your customers. Some suggestions:

• Share information in a way that comes most naturally to you but is appropriate to your audience.
• Whenever appropriate, write in the first person to stress your relationship with the reader.
• In your first post, answer this question: Why does the world need another blog related to your topic?
• In the first few blog posts, give your customers a preview of what they can expect when they follow your blog.
• Share the human experiences that make your viewpoint valuable.
• Don’t worry too much about getting this first post perfect. It can take months to develop a comfortable approach and style.

Need more help?

GoDaddy, the sponsor and provider of this guide, always has friendly helpers standing by who can chat online or talk on the phone 24/7 at: (480) 505-8877.

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Step 7 | Promote your first post, and keep blogging

The contents of this guide were developed and sponsored by GoDaddy.
It may include opinions other than those of SmallBusiness.com.