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My blog has come a long way from the start. In the beginning, I just dove in headfirst, not really knowing a thing about blogging. I took my time learning all that I could and slowly building it up. I’ve gained a ton of knowledge throughout this journey and it has enabled my blog to grow bigger than I ever thought it could. For those looking to dive into the professional blogging world, I have a list of basic things that you might need to start a blog.
6 Things You Need to Start a Blog
1. A blog!
It’s no secret – you’ll need a website! The decision you need to make, if you haven’t already, is where you want to start your blog. Here are some platforms you can use to build your blog on:
- WordPress.com – free version of WordPress; hosting and technical things are taken care of for you, but you’ll have less control & customization of your site
- WordPress.org – requires you to pay for hosting and take care of maintenance yourself, but includes more customization and freedom to build your site how you want. Knowledge of coding helps.
- Blogger – free publishing platform that’s user-friendly; easy to customize and make tweaks with HTML.
- Squarespace – Offers price packages that includes hosting among other things; easy drag-and-drop website builder that doesn’t use coding; 24/7 support.
Blogger is where my blog started and lived for more than 3 years. I could easily tweak the design and it was easy to use, not to mention free! When I wanted to take my blog to a more professional level, I decided to switch to self-hosted WordPress. Best decision I ever made!
If you choose self-hosted WordPress, you’ll need a host. I use Bluehost and have been with them for a couple years. Bluehost is affordable (only $3.49/month!) and they’re extremely helpful. They specifically have WordPress support too.
2. Computer – Desktop vs. Laptop vs. Tablet
It’s important that whatever electronic you use for blogging is reliable. So what should you use for blogging?
- Desktop – Big screen and no worrying over battery issues, but has to stay in one place.
- Laptop – Portable and you can work anywhere, but the battery can run low quickly unless you have an outlet close by.
- Tablet – Great for social media, browsing for ideas, and brainstorming; not as good for putting blog posts together, working with blog design, or editing photos/videos.
It all comes down to preference and the capabilities of your devices. Personally, I prefer working on a laptop over a computer or tablet. It’s nice to be able to move around with my work (and I certainly do!). I use my iPad for for research, social media posts, and responding to emails.
3. Camera – Point-and-shoot, DSLR, or smartphone?
Chances are, you’ll be taking pictures for your blog. To start out, you can use something as simple as your phone! Don’t let your lack of good equipment stop you. Even now, I use my phone for in-store pictures or video clips. After awhile, when you know you want to stick with blogging and take it to a more professional level, you can invest in better cameras.
I use a Canon 70D, which is a DSLR, and I couldn’t imagine using anything else. The quality is unbeatable, plus I have an abundance of settings and lenses to play around with. DSLRs will give you the best quality but are quite an investment, so I would hold off on buying one until you’re serious about blogging. You might want to stick with a good point-and-shoot for awhile.
If you’re not going to take your own pictures….. There are plenty of sites where you can buy stock photos and even some free sources out there. However, it’s not okay to grab pictures from Google, Pinterest, or other blogs. Even if you give credit with a link, you can get yourself into trouble (and might pay $$$ for your mistake). If you want to use a picture you find, you’ll need permission from the owner of the photo before you use it. Read how this blogger had to pay a lot of money for using a picture she found on Google without permission.
Learn how to use images on your blog legally. This article answers any questions you might have.
4. Lightbox/Tabletop Studio
I you plan to do product photography, a lightbox can provide good lighting and a clean background. I use the MyStudio MS20 Tabletop Studio. Not everyone needs this obviously, but for product photography it’s unbeatable! With this setup, I get a nice white, seamless background. There are different sizes of this studio available too. If you’re looking to spend less, you can get a more simple lightbox or even make your own!
5. Photo Editing Software or Photo Editing Website
If you’re taking your own pictures you’ll need to edit your photos. It’s your decision whether you use a program (like Lightroom or Photoshop) or a free photo editing website (like Ribbet or PicMonkey). I use Adobe Photoshop CC for just $9.99/month (Lightroom is included with it too). I love all of the options I have with Photoshop. My photo editing and styling has improved majorly since using it. There’s a free program you can download that is similar to Photoshop, called Gimp. I’ve used it in the past, and it worked well too.
6. Notebooks/Planner
As a blogger, you should always set aside some time for brainstorming. Whether it’s making lists for future post ideas, taking notes as you research your subject, or writing rough drafts, it’s nice to have a notebook and pen ready to go. I have a zillion notebooks around my apartment filled with ideas. Also, a planner is essential for planning posts as well as keeping track of due dates (if you have any). I have one from Target, but you can also find fancier ones (the Erin Condren Life Planners are popular).
I hope you walk away from this post having learned a few things about what you need to start a blog and with a few good resources by your side! Bookmark any links you think you might need for later!! Just remember, you can’t know everything about blogging before you start. It takes time to learn about it, but for now, just go for it!
Find me
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Contact: ashley@peekandponder.com
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Thank you for all the information! I need help with lighting and this gives me some direction. So much to learn!!