Getting Started with a Blog

By Michelle Marinos

When you think of bloggers what comes to mind?

Food lovers sharing some of their favorite recipes?

Mommy bloggers talking about how cute their kids are?

Your typical college student posting pictures from their most recent coffee shop visit (Yes, I have done this one myself, and I may or may not be sitting in a coffee shop while writing this blog)

… I am.

The truth is that people pretty much blog about anything and everything that interests them. The key is to find something that you are truly passionate about. While getting started with your blog can be intimidating at first, once you begin typing you’ll be amazed at how hard it is to stop.

I started blogging during my sophomore year of college. My CAP 105 (Technology in Advertising and Public Relations) professor required us to create a free WordPress blog to become familiar with the website and that style of writing. The first couple of blogs that I wrote were strictly focused on the AD and PR world. Creating this blog gave me a chance to talk about the industry that I hope to work in one day, and it strengthened my professional writing skills.

(My professional blog)

Some people create blogs that are strictly devoted to their professional careers, but if you’re like me, having one is just not gonna cut it.

(My personal blog)

I started another WordPress blog with my childhood best friend this past summer. Since she goes to Central and I’m at Grand Valley, we thought creating a blog would be a good way to keep in touch while we are apart. We decided to post about some of our favorite things in life, including: food, beauty, traveling, and of course, venting sessions. While it is still a work in progress, sharing this blog gives me a chance to not only get creative with one of my best friends, but also write about some of my personal passions in life.

A good place to begin your blogging adventure is on WordPress. I found that it is an easy website to navigate around, as well as having a variety of features. It also happens to be free! Who doesn’t love that? Aside from ranting about my obsessions, one of my favorite things about blogging is the ability to customize your own website. This allows you to show off your creative side and gives you a chance to brand yourself, which might make a good impression on future employers.

So whether it be for a class, on your own or with one of your friends, try dipping your feet into the blogging world! It might be challenging at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. Find something that you are passionate about, personally or professionally, and join all of the foodies, mommy bloggers and coffee shop lovers like myself in the exciting world of blogging!

Here are five tips that I found helpful when getting started with a blog!

1. Figure out what kind of content you want to write about
2. Get inspiration from current bloggers
3. Experiment with the website and different layouts before you begin
4. Get creative (you want to stand out from the rest)
5. Have someone proofread your work

I couldn’t end without a picture of me drinking coffee. It just didn’t feel right.