Last month I published a post titled “How To Start a Blog – Tips for a Beginner.” The titles are similar because I clearly lack creativity, but the focus of that earlier post was on getting set up: choosing a domain, hosting, and installing WordPress. This article picks up where that one left off and talks about what to do after your blog is created. What should beginner bloggers know next?
I’ve only been blogging for a short time—this August will mark two years. Whether that’s long or short in the blogging world, I’ve learned a lot and made plenty of mistakes. I’m far from an expert, but I’m sharing what worked and what annoyed me so other new bloggers can avoid some of the same pitfalls.
EDIT July, 2016: I now recommend my online course, Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. I teach the affiliate strategies that have helped me earn substantial income through blogging. If you want to monetize your blog, the course covers step-by-step tactics, but the guidance here remains useful for both hobby and professional bloggers.
I get many emails asking for blogging tips—probably because lots of people imagine blogging as an easy path to income. That’s not always the case, and success takes time and effort. I blog because I enjoy it, and I’m comfortable making mistakes along the way. Below are practical tips I’ve learned that help make a blog more readable, engaging, and easy for readers to follow.
This post is the start of a series. Today I cover basic practices and some common missteps. Part 2 will dive into choosing a blog direction, balancing content and monetization, and other lessons I’ve picked up over the past 18 months.
Be Yourself
The single best thing you can do when starting a blog is to be authentic. Readers respond to personality and genuine voice. Don’t try to mimic someone else—your unique perspective is what will attract an audience. Write like you talk, inject your sense of humor or opinion, and be honest about why you’re blogging. Authentic content is memorable, and it keeps readers coming back.
Have a Clear About Page
An About page is often one of the most visited sections of a blog. Use it to tell your story, show a clear photo, and explain what readers can expect from your content. A good About page helps visitors decide whether they want to follow you. Include links to popular posts or categories that best represent your blog—make it easy for newcomers to learn who you are and what you write about.
Reply to Comments
Engaging with readers builds loyalty. When someone takes time to comment, respond thoughtfully. Even short replies show you read and value their input. If a reader asks a question, answer it—this often turns one-time visitors into regulars. Interaction encourages discussion and signals that your blog is an active community rather than a one-way broadcast.
Avoid Annoying Captchas
Many readers abandon comments when confronted with difficult captchas. Simple anti-spam measures like question tests (“What is 1 + 1?”) are usually enough without creating friction. If your comment system makes it hard to participate, you’ll lose engagement. Use more user-friendly solutions or moderation tools that don’t frustrate real readers.
Make Subscribing Easy
Don’t hide or complicate subscription options. Prominent, working links for email signups and social profiles help visitors stay connected. If the subscribe buttons don’t work or are hard to find, readers who want to follow you will likely leave and forget to return. Offer clear, simple ways to subscribe by email and follow on social media.
Build Relationships with Other Bloggers
Blogging is social. Reach out to other bloggers by commenting on their posts, sharing their work when it’s relevant, and interacting on social platforms. Genuine connections lead to collaborations, guest posts, and shared audiences. Don’t force friendships—let them grow naturally by being supportive and authentic.
Link Your Twitter Handle to Shares
When readers share your posts on Twitter, make it easy for your handle to be included automatically. Many social share tools allow you to pre-fill a Twitter username so you get credit when someone tweets. This small setup step increases your visibility and rewards readers who promote your content.
Have Fun
Blogging should be enjoyable. The best blogs are written by people who love the process. If you’re having fun, it shows in your writing and keeps you motivated. Whether blogging is a hobby, a creative outlet, or a business, keep the joy alive so your content stays fresh and engaging.
What tips would you give beginner bloggers? What do you wish you knew when you started?
I’d love to hear your thoughts—share what helped you most or what lessons you learned the hard way.