Since you already love reading blogs, and hooray for that! What about YOU starting your own blog. If you love being in the kitchen, trying and sharing recipes and exploring the ever-curious world of food (or another blog topic!) lets chit chat..
"How Do I Start a Blog?" ..I am often asked this question. Well, this post is your starting point. Start a blog today with my 5-Step Quick Start Guide. Also read my Guide to Successful Blogging for bonus blogging tips for long-term success. (read on for both)
Start telling your story, documenting your adventures and sharing your own raved-about recipes. You never know what might bloom from your blogging journey. Let me show you how!..
After you finish this post, be sure to get allllll my blogging tips...
My 10-Step Guide to Making Your Blog a Success!
5-Step Blog QuickStart Guide!
Here are five steps so that you can easily start a blog...
1 --> Topic. Choose a Topic! What are you passionate and curious about?
2 --> Domain + Hosting. Select a hosting plan and free domain name via BlueHost. I like the $3.95/month plan. Check domain availability:
3 --> Blogging Platform + Tech Setup. Install WordPress via BlueHost. Setup theme. The coolest thing about using WordPress is that there are SO many plugins that make your blogging experience a breeze + help with SEO, recipes etc. Pro-Tip: Have a professional design a logo and/or header to brand your site. Or check out free services like Canva, and design your own.
4 --> Content. Create Content and Start Blogging! Challenge yourself to try new things, and have new experiences that can fuel your blogging stories, recipes, photos and more.
5 --> Social. Get Social by securing accounts on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Google+ - and start sharing your content and interacting with the blogging community. As your blog grows you can get social in person as well, at industry events and blogger meet-ups.
...That's it! See! Anyone can do it, Start a Blog in 5 Easy Steps. Good luck!!! And ps....
...don't forget to tell your story!..
Also check out...
*disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Harold Burton says
I truly love every single one of your posts. I have so many articles pinned on Pinterest, it’s not even funny. After talking with my husband today, we realized that we have too many dreams for him to be stuck in a full time boring job. After explaining your story, and skimming your site, he was 100% on board. My blog is only in its infancy, and I finally started taking it really seriously today. Thank you for your transparency and honesty. You’re an inspiration. We have big goals, and there’s hope that we can accomplish them while having time to be good parents to our son.
Vrishen Kumar says
Nice Article
Vrishen Kumar says
Nice Article
Hadia Zbib Khanafer says
Love the post, Kathy, very inspirational and glad to be part of the FV community and glad to have found your blog. Have a good day.
Kays Kim says
Hi Kathy, just came across your blog 🙂
Loved the post. This was really helpful for a new blogger like myself 😉 Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
So She Cooks says
Loved this post. So comprehensive. I just started blogging and I was so lost as where to start at first. I'm still finding my way through the blogging world so post like this really help.
Thank you!
Lisa Lotts says
Hi Kathy! This is a really cool post - wish I'd had it back when I'd started. I wanted to pick your brain on the "Get out there" theme (#7 on steps to blogging success). I post my blog 3x/week and update Facebook, twitter, pinterest and insta regularly. I submit to the food aggregators like FoodGawker, and I've been doing this for nearly a year and a half. My traffic grew slowly but steadily and it really shot up around the holidays - but now it's like I'm regressing -- traffic is slowing down and I'm starting to get discouraged. Any advice? - has Google changed their SEO algorithms? I'm banging my head here.
Kathy Patalsky says
Hi Lisa! Blogging is a roller coaster ride. You may have days weeks or entire years of "up" traffic and then "down" traffic. The most important thing is to keep putting out great content on a consistent basis and realize that while there are many SEO techniques that you can work on, there are even more factors that you truly have no control over. That is why successful blogging long term takes a seriously passionate commitment to your long term plight of whatever content you are putting out there. The bottom line that I have found is that great content always finds a way. I am CONSTANTLY trying to more effectively deliver the BEST content to my readers. Every post I learn something new and I have been at this for over 7 years! Keep moving forward, and realize that your next "up" day week or year may be just around the corner.
And if you suddenly realize you are not passionate anymore Bout your subject or just not able to post consistently, consider tweaking your subject matter or refocusing your format. Video, photo, writing,recipes etc. there are so many ways to communicate nowadays to your audience.
Hope that helps or gives you my POV! 🙂
Lisa Lotts says
Thank you Kathy! I know you're right and I keep plugging along. I've got some new things that I'm working on and would like to incorporate into my posts. I just have to "do it". Thanks for your input - I appreciate advice from a veteran.
RockMyVeganSocks says
Where was this 2.5 years ago???? Awesome post. It's still helpful even though I've been blogging for a couple of years. And I actually *just* went with BlueHost as I am completely revamping my blog and wanted my own host and domain. Great tips =)
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
I literally just switched to bluehost and wordpress like a day before you posted this! If only I had known it was coming I could've used this helpful video rather than struggling through myself, haha.
Kathy Patalsky says
Aw shoot! Haha well I am glad you found them though!!
Jennifer {Peppers and Peaches} says
I absolutely love that you published this post! You are actually my main inspiration for starting my blog back in August of 2014. I am very much a newbie and photography is certainly my weakness, but I LOVE blogging. Everyone who knows me laughs at how much I bring you up (hope that isn't too weird). I just think it is fantastic that you have a beautiful blog full of wonderful tried and true recipes! I hope to one day make this a career, but in the meantime, I'm just having fun! As always, thanks for sharing!
Kathy Patalsky says
That is so awesome and fabulous and heart-warming to hear! I am so glad you started your blog! The vanilla matcha latte you posted recently look super dreamy. And the vegan tzatziki, yum! xo
Jess Sans says
Hey Kathy, I really enjoy your blog and have been following for a long time. I've just begun blogging as a way to keep my skills in nutrition sharp and reinforce my knowledge before I get into the field as a dietitian. One of the difficulties I've found with starting out in any unknown territory is the feeling that as a beginner, no matter how good you feel about what you're producing, that it feels maybe a little sub-par/boring/mediocre, even with all of the work I put into it. I know what I'm writing is of quality and makes sense, but if you experienced this beginning stage of awkwardness, how did you come out of it? What skills did you build in order to be better, if any? Is it a matter of recruiting the people who have skills in photography or in blogging to help you make it more polished, more attractive to readers? How do you find your audience? Are these questions even relevant?
Kathy Patalsky says
I think you left the comment below too, yes? 🙂 Well these are all great questions! For photography, I really think for long term success, every food blogger needs to take their own photos. Lifestyle bloggers can get away with hiring someone for more stock-style images, as well as hiring someone to take photos for the so they have a collection to start out with. But when it comes to food, dive in a start teaching yourself. I am a 100% self-taught photographer. Again, hope this helps a bit!
Another thought: try not to focus on your audience. Just make sure your blog is something that you love to create and would love to read! Spending time on your website should be something you feel happy about.
And for getting "out there" use the power of social media. Hashtags, pinnable images, community websites and groups and more.
Jess Sans says
This is super amazingly helpful, Kathy. Thank you! I've been keeping my eye out on Craigslist for used Canons, fingers crossed!
Kathy Patalsky says
That is perfect! eBay has some deals too... Sometimes local camera stores have returns or floor models on sale too.
Guest says
Hey Kathy, I really enjoy your blog. I just started blogging to keep my skills sharp while looking for work, and one of the daunting things about blogging is in the beginning, unless you're a professional writer or photographer, everything I do feels a bit mediocre even though I'm trying very hard to find a good place with the blog. I have been giving it work and I know it's quality work, but I know that feeling good about it maybe takes time. Did you every experience the awkwardness of a beginner and how did you work your way to where you are now? Is it a matter of recruiting the help of people with that experience to help until you learn the basics, or do you pummel on until you find your own pace and 'product' (both senses of the word)?
Kathy Patalsky says
YES it was a slow start the first year, but once you have your first BIG post that goes "viral" (even on a mini scale) you will feel energized and re-inspired! It is hard being super passionate and committed even when you are just starting out and you feel like no one is listening. But that is the BEST time because you can experiment a little and figure out what blogging style you enjoy most -- FIND YOUR VOICE, so to speak.
If you look at just how my blog design has changed over the years, you can see I have come a long way! (I did a photo montage of my changing blog designs on my "gude to successful blogging" page -- so check that out!
I would say do not slow down. The key to acquiring blog readers is consistency and passion. People do not want to read a blog that might not be around in a few months! Let people know you are committed and excited about the journey ahead, even if you have no idea what might happen as you move forward!
Hope that helps a little!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I'm stoked to have joined the Finding Vegan community both on Facebook and the site itself- It really changed my view on food (coming from a huge carnivore!). Cheers Kathy!
Kathy Patalsky says
so happy to hear that! I am so glad you are loving the closed group community on facebook - it is so fun I agree! happy to have you! I love all the FindingVegan bloggers and all the amazing recipes and discussions that we all share 🙂
ps. details for everyone else reading this, on the closed facebook group: it is open to all food bloggers who are registered and submit blogposts to FindingVegan!