Part One of Our Five Part Series - How to Quit Your Job & Become a Full-time Blogger Series - Part One: Start Your Blog Today
(there are a few affiliate links here, if you decide to click on them and make purchase, I may receive a small amount of compensation. thank you for supporting Everyday Made Fresh)
Hey Everyday Made Fresh readers! Today we are taking a step away from recipes to talk about something that a lot of people are interested in, quitting their job and becoming a blogger. I’m no expert by any means, but I have been around the blogging block, so to speak. Let’s get started and Let’s start your blog today!
Around the blogging block...my blogging experience.
I’ve actually been a blogger since 2007! However, Everyday Made Fresh wasn’t born until July of 2014. In 2007, my youngest daughter, Kelsie, was two years old, and mom blogs were booming. I started a blog called JoJo’s Place on Blogger.
I was one of those blogspot dot com blogs. I blogged there for a long time receiving free toys and toddler goodies as compensation, until I decided that being a mom blog wasn’t exactly what I wanted. I wanted to blog about life and everything in between; not just about the latest and greatest toy on the market.
In 2009 I left JoJo’s Place and started This Southern Girl’s Nest, a lifestyle blog. That blog is actually still live today, because I lost the login credentials and can’t delete it. Ha! I blogged there for years; 5 to be in fact. I stopped blogging in 2014 when I started working outside the home.
This Southern Girl’s Nest didn’t make me any money, because at the time I had no idea about advertising networks and blogging networks, other than BlogHer. I was nowhere near BlogHer material because I didn’t own my own domain. I was honestly terrified to buy a domain and leave Blogger because it was just so easy.
WordPress was scary to think about. However, This Southern Girl’s Nest did earn me a lot of cool products like my portable handheld Dyson, a Soda Stream machine, a trip to New York with Crayola, a trip to Minneapolis with General Mills, and an invitation to the first ever Social Media Moms Conference at Disney World.
I won’t give you the spill of how I started Everyday Made Fresh. You can read all about that in About Us.
Start Your Blog Today!
Choose a name - you can’t start a blog without a name. Think on this one. Brainstorm. Write down all of your ideas. Bounce them off your friends and family. Just make sure that you choose a name you LOVE.
Choose a name that reflects what your blog is about. And last but not least, Google the name you choose, because if it’s already taken, you can’t have it! Unless you buy it from someone, but I have no experience with that, so you’ll have to Google that one. And it may cost you a lot more than you are willing to pay. Oh, and it may be like copyrighted and what not. In this case, choose the second name you love!
While you are choosing your name, think about what kind of blog you want. Food blogging was an easy choice for me, and if you read About Us you’d know why. Maybe you have a reason like that too, and it has been your inspiration. Maybe you like knitting and you want to write a blog all about patterns and showcase your knitted hats, mittens, and other creations.
Perhaps you want a fashion blog. You love fashion, and in highschool you were voted most likely to walk the runway! Or maybe you want to write about everything; parenting, fashion, food, and life. In this case you’re a lifestyle blog. Whatever niche you choose, make sure that you’re name aligns with that. Or at least your tagline.
Taglines - What’s in a tagline anyways?
A tagline gives a tiny snippet of what your blog is about. Do you have to have a tagline? No. Not every blog does. I think it’s a preference. Here are a few blogs without taglines, but you can look at their name and/or logo, and know exactly what you’re going to get:
If you want a tagline make sure it aligns with the feel that you’re going for. Go check out some blogs right now, and make a mental note of their blog name, niche, and tagline. Here are a few to check out:
Together as Family - Tagline: recipes from my family’s kitchen to yours
The Deliberate Mom - Tagline: simple living intentional parenting
Prime Beauty - Tagline: Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle for the Over 40 Woman
Now you have your name and tagline, what’s next? Hosting.
There are many ways you can do this. I only have experience with two platforms; Blogger and WordPress. I advise going with WordPress, it’s what many bloggers use, because it’s easy to work with once you get started. If you’re not sure that you want to make this a full time gig one day, then start free.
Go with WordPress dot com. This means that you’re URL will be yourblogname dot wordpress dot com. If you choose this direction there are hundreds of tutorials available for you to convert to self-hosted, when you feel the time is right to make that move.
So let’s say for the sake of the title of our post, you are choosing self-hosted. You are going to look for a host. There are probably thousands to choose from, with every price range. I started out with Bluehost, and stayed with them up until a couple of months ago.
However, after having a fiasco with them, my site was down for nearly 24 hours. And I’m not going to bash them, because when I first started out with them, I crashed my site. I called them one night, and I spoke to a human, not a computer, and he had my site back up in an hour.
I was just at a point where they were no longer going to be of help to me, so I moved to WPOPT and they are hands down amazing! Charles moved my site, while it was completely down!! Many other hosts I contacted said they couldn’t do it, so I highly recommend them.
You found a host, now sign up, buy your domain, yep, you can purchase your domain through your host. Now you’re almost ready. If you have any questions, I am sure that any host you choose can help you make the process of starting as smooth as possible.
It’s not hard. I promise. With Bluehost you’ll have an easy option to install WordPress from one simple click. I’m not sure how it is with any other host, but WPOPT is actually made for WordPress, so I am sure they make it just as simple!
Head Over to Your New WordPress Site - Set it Up!
Now that you have a WordPress site, you need a theme. Themes are what makes your site your own. You can do so much with WordPress when it comes to customization. This is where you may want to hire someone, if you do not have any experience with a graphics design program, or you don’t want to take the time to learn.
I’ve used Photoshop for years, but there are a lot of other options out there, some that are free. If you choose to hire someone, I sadly don’t have anyone to personally recommend, but take a look oat your favorite blog, a quick scroll to the bottom may indicate who designed their site.
No luck there? A Google search of WordPress Designers will give you a thousand designers to choose from. Again, I’m sure that they have something for every price range. If you’re choosing to go it alone, and design yourself, let’s get started with your next steps.
You’ve got to choose a theme. My blog is built on the Genesis theme, with the Foodie Pro theme on top of it. I have no idea what all that really means, but I did all the work myself with the help of Minimalist Baker’s husband, John.
He pretty much explains everything in terms that a kindergartner would understand. Looking at other blogs, it seems that a lot of us food bloggers also have this same setup. John has video tutorials, with step by step instructions to make it your own! You can find the info for doing that all here.
You’ve now setup your WordPress blog and are ready to blog! Yay - you’ve taken the first step!
Part Two: Consistent Quality Content
**This post has been edited because I learned something new, thanks to the readers commenting! (in blogging you will be learning something new all the time) I had no idea that you could in fact make enough income as a Blogger blog to be full-time. I am going to guess that I haven't stumbled across any that I am aware of. You can in fact buy a domain and still use Blogger, there are redirects you must use. You can also use ad networks. (again, something that I learned) Just make sure that you research and read everything about whatever platform you choose to start your blog. There are pros and cons to every way. I am pro WordPress!
robin rue
People ask me about starting a blog every single day. I will just send them to read this the next time someone asks me.
Alli Smith
I started with Blue Host too and when I had a video go crazy viral on FB, my website crashed. I moved it during the crash and it was a nail-biter! Blue Host is great for small blogs or blogs just getting started.
Amber Myers
This is helpful info to keep in mind. I am a full time blogger and I'm working to learn as much as I can to be successful. I think it's important to learn something every day--things are always changing, after all.
Tomi c
I've been blogging for several years now and I keep saying I'm going to go to a self-hosted WordPress site but I have yet to make the jump. I make a pretty decent income blogging and I enjoy sharing my life on my blog and getting paid to do so. BlueHost may be the one for me.
Anita
Good advice and excellent tips. Thanks for sharing. This was very helpful.
Jeanette
This is definitely a wonderful way to start a new blog. I would love to work full-time just on my blog and this will definitely help me get there.
Doria
These are great tips! When I started my blogs 6 years ago it took a little bit for me to get into the groove of blogging and nobody was sharing how to get going, so this is super helpful for new bloggers.
Melissa Chapman
I never used WordPress when setting up my blog. I got a domain and pay monthly. It is like anyhing else you learn as you go and if it is your passion it will work
Jessica Joachim
This seems like a really great start to the series! I started blogging when I lost my job while pregnant, and have never had to go back to a "real job". It has been really nice
Candy
Nice to hear someone journey in blogging. Knowing it didn’t happen over night. Tons of people dream is to earn a good living from blogging
ashley
as a new blogger, these are all such great recommendations. I love bluehost and wouldn't use anyone else. I hope to quit my job one day and go full time!
Lisa
I've bookmarked this in my notes. It will be a valuable tool for anyone that I know who might want to start up a blog.
Pam
So many people ask me about starting out blogging. This is a great overview for beginners.
Cheryl
I'm working full time and blogging on the side. I would love to quit my job and blog full time, but I have a son moving to college soon and feel too old to start a new business 🙂
Liz Mays
This is such a good walkthrough of the basics! I definitely wish I started out with better hosting. It's awesome that you managed to take the leap and start blogging!
Terri Steffes
Some of the biggest blogs I know are Blogger blogs. I am not sure what you mean about people not working with non self hosted blogs? Could you explain that more? Thank you, I am going to share this with others who want to know more about blogging.
Joanna
I edited to add in my post what I meant by people not working with self hosted blogs....I'm more or less referring to ad networks and blogging networks that offer sponsored work, which is where most people start out when they are earning money through blogging. If you aren't self hosted you don't have the freedom to run certain ads on your blog, you're confined by their terms, whereas self hosted, you can post whatever ads you want. Yes, companies will totally work with bloggers that aren't self hosted, and some do. I was a blogspot dot com blog when I went with Crayola to NY, and Minnesota with General Mills. So it's totally possible, but limited. I hope that it explains a bit more by what I meant with that statement.
Becky Lawson
**Know this now: If you plan on making money from your blog, whether it be sponsored posts or advertising, I can’t think of one that will work with you, unless you’re self-hosted.**
FALSE. I know people making a completely liviable living on the Blogger platform... which is not 'self-hosted.' Many of them run ads right on their blogs, and quite a few of them do have sponsorships, in one form or another.
Let's get real here... companies really don't give two hoots what platform you use. They REALLY don't. No company out there is going, 'Oh, I love Jane's blog... it's so informative and easy to navigate. But, Ew. She uses Blogger. I'm not going to work with her then. She's not professional.'
Companies care about the CONTENT you have. If you have great content, you're going to get the sponsorships. If your content sucks, then you won't. It's that simple.
Joanna
Becky, you have a point, and upon reading another readers comment, I see that you can be a Blogger blog and make a livable income. I have since removed the statement and made an edition at the end of the post. I had no idea that you could be a dot com, and still be on the Blogger platform. It was worded wrongly on my part. It should have said being a dot com as opposed to blogspot dot com or wordpress dot com. Owning your own domain is what I should have said in that statement.
AnnMarie John
These are some great tips! I've been blogging since 2009 but it was all about my youngest child, Madison. This year, I decided to re-brand my blog and make it more about me and my life. It's really important that you work on that name/title and tagline!
Donah SJB
This was also some of the steps I've gone though when I started blogging. I agree to this. The very important step I guess is to start NOW. Now!! And do not procrastinate.
Marysa
These are great tips for starting a blog. It can be such a daunting task, and it is hard to figure out a lot of this stuff on your own. I remember the days of trying to figure out things like hosting and domains, it is tough!
reesa
I have been working hard to make my blog a full time gig! This is great advice!
Jen Temcio
I blog full time and it is fun. It is not for people who think it will be easy though, you have to work it and love it.
Rachel
Thanks for the tips. I am not in the blog world for a career but I do handle some media advertising at work so it is still relevant.
Brittany
You offer so many great tips! I actually still use blogger and I just have a custom domain redirect which works great for sponsored posts and affiliate networks, so there are some workarounds but they do take a lot of backend HTML work
Joanna
Thanks Brittany for that information. I wasn't aware that there was a workaround. ?
Kita Bryant
I know a few people who could use this bit of encouragement and tips. They aren't quite ready to take that last big step.
Chubskulit Rose
Being away from my family, I need an outlet to voice my feelings and blogging gave that to me, I love it!
Anosa
I agree with Rose, blogging was my outlet in sharing my stories and through it I became friends to many.
Lisa Steele
You brought up some great tips in this article, but I just need to correct one error. This sentence here "Know this now: If you plan on making money from your blog, whether it be sponsored posts or advertising, I can’t think of one that will work with you, unless you’re self-hosted. I’m referring to ad networks and most blogging networks that offer sponsored work."
I am on Blogger and can tell you firsthand that all the major ad networks will gladly work with a Blogger blogger - and we're not self-hosted. That means that we don't pay for our platform and in all the years I've been blogging, my site has never crashed. Ever. I've worked with the Blogger network and BlogHer/SheKnows and also been asked to join MediaVine and Adthrive. I also work directly with over 50 companies.
None has ever asked, nor care, what platform I'm on. I am in no way limited as to how I can make money on my blog. other than normal TOS which every blogger has to follow, ie no hate speech, pornography, etc. and disclosing sponsored posts and links.
That statement is very misleading and meant to scare those who read it to sign up for the hosting service you recommend (and are paid for as an affiliate I would assume).
Joanna
Hey Lisa, I have since removed that statement because, as you know as bloggers we learn something new everyday, and today I did. When doing research for this post, I couldn't find anything relating positively about a Blogger blog generating income, when compared to WordPress. I did see that you are a dot com, and not blogspot dot com, which is really what I meant by that whole statement. I completely worded my statement wrong. When I was a blogspot dot com blog I was told by a PR rep to one of the companies that I traveled with that I should look into buying my own domain to look more professional. I did not mean to scare anyone, and to be honest since I'm not with Bluehost any longer I'm not sure that my affiliation is active any longer. The current host that I'm with doesn't offer any compensation at all. I'm glad that Blogger is working out so well for you!
Blythe Alpern
I think the hardest part of blogging is just getting started. I like how you've broken the steps into the 3 most essential. Once you have your name, tag and hosting together you can just begin writing.
Cindy Ingalls
Blogging is such a great way to share your insight with the world. When I first got started it was a bit overwhelming but the more I worked at it the better I became.
Amanda
I have just started taking on more sponsored posts and have been enjoying the financial results. I look forward to the day when I have more time to devote to my blog so that I can be a full time blogger.
Dogvills
When I quit my corporate job to do full time blogging and/or creative writing, I never regretted it. It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. Now I am fulfilled because I am doing what I love!
Tiffany Haywood
Really great tips for anyone looking to get started. Starting a Blog doesn't need to be intimidating especially with tips and posts like this.
Jeanine
These are amazing tips and great advice for those wanting to start blogging. It can be challenging yet very rewarding if you keep up with it and work hard.
LaToyia Dennis
You have provided some great tips. It is not easy....I am a year in, but it is worth it.
Cherri Megasko
Great tips! Most of my friends think writing a blog is just a hobby - and it can be. But if you want to earn a decent income it is really hard work.
Heather
Excellent series! I'm pretty sure I've had 500 people tell me they want to know how to quit their job and blog "just like you." Now I'll just redirect them to your blog.
TColeman
These are definitely things I wish I knew before I started my blog. Although I do not just blog for a living, I sure wish that was the case.
Jeannette
I've recently started blogging and it is a learning experience. I just hope I get better at it.
Amber Nelson
Great advice! I wish I could stay at home full time, however I am not consistent enough and comfortable enough financially.