So, it’s time, eh? Time to start a blog? Time to see what all the fuss is about? Awesome. Hopefully I can help. Below are two routes you can take, along with helpful links to aid you in your journey. Good luck, my friend!
Which path best fits your needs?
-OR-
Pick the one you like best and we’ll dive right in. Are you Self-Hosted WordPress, or are you Rainmaker?
Note: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through them I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Pretty sweet deal, right? Thank you for your support!
Start A Blog With WordPress
STEP 1: Pick a Web Host
I love Bluehost. Know who else loves Bluehost? WordPress. Their website has had Bluehost listed at the top of its recommended hosts page for as long as I can remember.
Plus, when you host with Bluehost you get a free domain name for one year. Tough to beat that.
STEP 2: Install WordPress
Installing WordPress on your self-hosted domain used to be a pain. Bluehost has made it easy. All it takes is one click!
Here is a quick guide showing you how to do it.
Prefer video? Here’s a YouTube clip that walks you through the entire process:
STEP 3: Pick Theme, Install Plugins
Now that you have WordPress set up, it’s time to fine-tune it. First, find a theme you like and install it. You’ll have hundreds of free themes to choose from in WordPress’s Themes Directory.
Want a professional-looking, premium theme? Check out StudioPress. Run by Brian Gardner and the good folks at Rainmaker Digital, their beautiful themes are tough to beat.
Next, you’ll want to make sure your new blog is secure. If it isn’t already, activate and install the Akismet plugin to help with spam. For security, BruteProtect and Wordfence are popular options.
STEP 4: Grow Your Email List
“I wish I started building my email list sooner” is the regret of many bloggers. Don’t be one of them!
Want to know what smart bloggers do? They get their sites ready to collect email subscribers before they’ve had their first visitor. That’s what Jon Morrow does. It’s what I do. It’s what you should do, too.
For email marketing, I recommend AWeber. It’s used by the likes of ProBlogger, Smart Passive Income, and yours truly. It rocks.
To grow your email list, there are lots of awesome tools available. I love and use LeadPages and OptinMonster.
BONUS STEP: Write Your First Blog Post
Congratulations! You’re ready to write your first blog post! Need a little help? Check out How to Write a Blog Post: The Definitive 10,273-Word Guide.
It will walk you through the entire “how to write a blog post” process. Everything from picking a headline to formatting is covered. I even go over all the “technical mumbo jumbo.”
Did you find this helpful? Share it with a friend!
Icons by Vecteezy / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Start A Blog With The Rainmaker Platform
STEP 1: Pick a Domain Name
Already own a domain? Great! You can skip this step.
If you don’t yet have a domain, you can get a great deal at Namecheap. As its name implies, Namecheap is the go-to registrar for low prices.
Just be sure to choose domain registration only. Namecheap can also host your domain, but you don’t need it. Rainmaker will handle that.
STEP 2: Join Rainmaker
With Rainmaker, your site is configured for you. There is nothing to install and no plugins to deal with. It’s like spending the night in a fancy hotel where everything is taken care for you.
I should know – I’ve been a happy Rainmaker customer for over a year now! I couldn’t recommend it more highly.
STEP 3: Pick a Theme
With Rainmaker, you have 31 (and counting) premium themes by StudioPress from which to choose. They’re included in your Rainmaker Platform. Pick the one you like best, and fine-tune it as you wish.
Through the preview site Rainmaker creates for you, you can get your design and layout just right. Once you’re ready, click a button and Rainmaker walks you through the process of converting your preview site into a live site with your custom domain name.
STEP 4: Grow Your Email List
“I wish I started building my email list sooner” is the regret of many bloggers. Don’t be one of them!
Want to know what smart bloggers do? They get their sites ready to collect email subscribers before they’ve had their first visitor. That’s what Jon Morrow does. It’s what I do. It’s what you should do, too.
For email marketing, I recommend AWeber. It’s used by the likes of ProBlogger, Smart Passive Income, and yours truly. It rocks. Plus, connecting your AWeber account to Rainmaker is a snap!
To grow your email list, there are lots of awesome tools available. I love and use LeadPages and OptinMonster.
BONUS STEP: Write Your First Blog Post
Congratulations! You’re ready to write your first blog post! Need a little help? Check out How to Write a Blog Post: The Definitive 10,273-Word Guide.
It will walk you through the entire “how to write a blog post” process. Everything from picking a headline to formatting is covered. I even go over all the “technical mumbo jumbo.”
The post was written specifically for WordPress, but most everything (as in 99%) in the post applies to Rainmaker, too!
Did you find this helpful? Share it with a friend!
Icons by Vecteezy / CC BY-SA 3.0