A picture is worth a thousand words. But Debra Gudema knows that the pen can be pretty mighty too.In fact, the Boca Raton resident has turned it into a career. She’s held several titles over the years: doctoral candidate, classical music enthusiast, and even kindness advocate.
But her work as a nonprofit consultant and contributor has been most meaningful.
Debra Gudema has produced quality blog posts and photographs for multiple groups in this role. However, her responsibilities are much more extensive. She’s also advised and guided organizations through critical marketing and communication decisions. Her most recent endeavor is Well&Co. The wellness-oriented brand is devoted to helping participants explore their own passions through its hour-long, one-on-one “Soul Sessions.”
Debra Gudema has used her platform for positive change. Yet she isn’t alone. Anyone with a cause, mission or interest can start a blog. And, like at Well&Co., Debra Gudema is eager to push others to pursue their passions. But it isn’t as easy as sitting down at a keyboard and churning out content. You’ll have some key decisions to make before you even start typing.
With this in mind, the veteran consultant sketches seven steps for starting a blog.
Pick a name
You only get one chance at a first impression. Select a name that’s equally creative and descriptive. But the name should be simple to spell, pronounce, and concise. Consider keywords and branding too.
Find your niche
What makes you unique? While this sounds like an existential question, the answer will sharpen your focus. Take a moment to think about your blog’s theme and how you can best reach your audience.
Select a platform
Now, it’s time to get technical. It begins with choosing a blogging platform. There are several free options available, like Wix or WordPress. Start with these. You always have the option of upgrading later.
Find a host
Don’t overlook the hosting platform, either. This is where your website’s files will be stored. Good bandwidth, upload time, and customer support are at a premium. Value the safety of your files.
Design your blog
Any design choices should be a reflection of your theme. But these must also be user-friendly and functional. Consider the tone, mood, and personality you want to convey. Make a list of pages you want to include. Pre-built templates are a great place to start.
Brainstorm topic ideas
Officially, you’re up and running. But you can’t go live with empty pages. Drawing on your own expertise, insights, and feelings, consider potential posts. No idea is a bad idea at this point. Just keep the pitches flowing. You can edit this list later.
Create a calendar
Plan ahead. Not only does generating an editorial schedule hold you accountable, but it also ensures you are putting out posts consistently. Readers want new content and will get bored without it. At a minimum, you should target 2-3 articles each week. But some of these pieces can be curated from other sources. This is a great way to lighten your workload and build your brand. Just remember to give proper sourcing and credit.
