Blogging is many things to many people. Whether it’s a public diary or a celebrity site, it takes an investment of time and energy to make it successful. Here is a list of the most important things to do when starting a blog.

First 10 things to do when starting a blog

1. Sign up for a free blog service – A blog service like Google blogger is the program used to publish your blog online. You will use this program when picking a layout and posting your content. Getting to know this program is an important step in how efficient you will be when writing.

2. Pick a topic that means something to you or that you know a lot about. The technical side of blogging is going to be hard enough without having to learn a new subject.

3. Decide whether to use photos and other visual media – If you are handy with graphics or are an aspiring photographer then you need to decide if you are going to use that medium on your blog.

4. Register with Google- Google does not recognize your blog just because you put it online. You have to let them know that you exist and send them to the site. This is a simple process but it is good to start it early on because the longer your blog is on Google the more viewership you will get.

5. Use social media to get your blog read – Facebook and other social media is another way for people to view your blog. Tell your friends to read your blog so they will tell their friends and their friends and so on. Friend request people who you admire so they will read your blog, the possibilities are endless.

6. Form good habits by writing every day – when one begins to blog you never think you’ll run out of things to say. A month of daily blogging is 30 posts. Make sure you have a wealth of topics at your fingertips. Clip magazine articles, go online, do what you can to be inspired frequently.

7. Use YouTube as a teaching tool – YouTube can be an endless wealth of blogging lessons. Type in what you are trying to do and you will find videos of tutorials to help you.

8. Know your competition- Spend some time on blogs that you admire and like to read. What do they blog about? Why do you like them? What about the site makes you connect with the writing? Answer these questions for yourself and use them when creating your own site.

9. Think Ahead – What are you going to blog about tomorrow, next week, next month? A schedule will allow you blog more efficiently

10. Keep it Small – Blogging is a small medium with a personal voice. That is the appeal of many blogs. Do not try to compete with bigger sites that have much more content and viewership. Use the fact that you are small and intimate to your advantage until your blog gets bigger.

Topic suggestions to get you started:

There are so many types of blogs but most of the more popular will fall into these categories. Use them as a guide to decide on a topic.

Parenting – Mommy, Daddy, Family, Babies with Colic, Breastfeeding, Making baby food, Organic parenting, the topics here are endless.

Technical- Tech support on virtually any subject from Windows to Cameras

Social – Celebrity, Baby Celebrity, Cute Animals, Social Commentary

Gadget – Cameras, Cell Phones, What kinds are best, etc.

Political and News – Current Events, Activists, Interviews with political figures.

Home – Food, Decorating, DIY, Crafting, Home Improvement

Artistic- Photography, Color, Design, Furniture.

Blogs about Blogs – These are usually tech blogs on how to become a better blogger. Problogger.com is my personal favorite.

Health- Running, Yoga, Ballet, Weight Loss, Medical, Alternative Medicine.

Deals and Discounts – Blog about local and national coupon offers or sales.

Leni Calas is the Editor and Publisher of Queens Mamas, a blog dedicated to bringing exciting events and resources to the Queens NY parenting community. Visit her site at www.queensmamas.com