It might be a relief to know that starting your own blog is likely a much more straightforward process than you imagined. And whether you’re looking to write one just for fun or are hoping to eventually turn a profit from it, the logistics remain largely the same. Read on for some basic steps to get your blogging career started.

Choose Your Topic
This first step is certainly the most daunting (and the most fun): What in the world are you going to write about? The good news is that you’re not limited in any way—if it exists, there is likely an audience for it.

The bad news that goes along with that, however, is that there is definitely some oversaturation in particular blog markets like parenting, lifestyle, and fitness. That doesn’t mean you have to give those subjects up completely if that’s where your heart lies. It just means that you’ll have to get a bit more creative with the angle from which you approach that subject.

If you’re completely unsure where to start when it comes to topics, take some time to really think: What excites you? What do you have experience in? What kind of inspiration or advice are you hoping to provide people? Just keep in mind that you’re going to spend a lot of time with this subject once you start writing your blog—so you better make sure you like it!

Choose a Platform
Now comes a more technical piece of the blogging puzzle: choosing the platform you want to use to set everything up. I cannot emphasize enough how many options you have, which may be a relief for some but overwhelming for others. It will likely take some serious research before you make a decision, but here are some of the most popular ones that people like to use, amateur and professional bloggers alike:

• WordPress: One of the most customizable platforms out there but requires a bit more technical know-how than some of the other options. 

• Substack: Very popular for interacting with audiences and for those looking to make money off their blogs via subscriptions but tends to focus more on very niche subjects.

• HubSpot: Great for beginners who know nothing about coding (they utilize a drag-and-drop website builder) but can definitely get a little pricy.

• Weebly: Fully hosted and owned by Square, which makes payment easier if you’re looking to monetize your blog, but its brand name will be all over your site.

• Wix: Very simple to set up and lots of options but makes you pay dearly for more cutting-edge features.

Choose a Name
When it comes to choosing a blog name, you’ll obviously want something catchy. But don’t plow right over clarity in the name of wit. First and foremost, you want your readers to know what kind of content they’ll be getting by following your blog. It also makes it more likely for your blog to come across in search results and make the rounds via word of mouth if the name itself is both relevant and easy to remember. And whichever platform you decide to go with, make sure that name doesn’t already exist and that you can purchase a domain name that matches—or very nearly matches—the name of your blog.

Seek Out Your Audience
Once you’ve gotten all that out of the way, you can begin spreading the word on the great wide world of the internet. While it may seem daunting if you’re not sure where to focus your attention, take a few moments to think about where the readers are—not just any readers, but your readers. Depending on the specifics of your blog and your intended audience, you could start checking out social media like Facebook or TikTok to tap into groups who would appreciate your blog.

Following other people’s blogs that cover the same or similar topics as your own can also get your foot in the door and a conversation started with those who share your interests. Once you begin consistently engaging people in an open and respectful way, traffic should start increasing to your own blog.

Consider If and How to Monetize It
After you’ve done all the hard work to get your blog up and running, and you’ve built a substantial writing portfolio (aka lots of blog posts), ask yourself whether attempting to make money off your blog is the path you want to go down.

If this is the case, consider what blog-relevant items and partnerships would make sense on your website. For example, if you’re writing a food blog, a company that sells kitchen utensils might be a good fit. Then it’s just a matter of reaching out to different companies to see if they would like to sponsor a post. And while it’s rare, if your blog becomes popular enough in its own right, you may not even have to reach out—the sponsors will just come to you!

Andrea Moran lives outside of Nashville with her husband and two kids. She’s a professional copywriter and editor who loves all things books. Find her on LinkedIn.