Blogging is one of my recent hobbies that I have started to pursue.
The title of Simon Sinek’s book “Start with Why” is the perfect place to start.
Why do I choose to Blog?
- Become a better writer. Just like any else that we choose to do, we can get start to move the needle of progress forward only through intentional practice. The benefits of writing aren’t restricted to those individuals who are writers for a living. At the core of it all it is about enhancing communication.
- Live with more intention. Once you commit to writing about your journey, your passions, your dreams… Regardless of the topic you choose, you will find yourself reflecting on the person that you are becoming through the process of writing and expressing your truth.
- Inspire others. Reading motivational messages, books, quotes and thoughts when coupled with action and intention help to great courage. Through our own courage, we can inspire others to be a stronger version of themselves.
- Find confidence. One of the scariest part of expressing ourselves to others is that it opens us up to being hurt. It is through our vulnerability in those moments that we are stepping outside of our comfort zone. We start to flex the muscles of our confidence through the repetition of our vulnerability.
Benefits
- Potential Income
- An avenue for self expression
- Ability to connect to people from all walks of life
- Explore your creativity
- Give something back to your community
It is incredibly simple to start your own blog/website all you need is a hosting company, a domain name, and a WordPress template.
I personally recommend and use Bluehost for my web hosting needs knocking out three birds with one stone! You can literally have your website up and running in 15 minutes or less. Bluehost has excellent customer service, resources and tutorials found on their website and their YouTube page.
You can get started with Bluehost today and start sharing your “Why.”
Step 1: Select a Plan
If you’re just starting out, you can easily go with the basic plan and upgrade at a later date.
Step 2: Select a Domain Name
Selecting a domain name can be extremely fun! I already had a few names that I had been throwing around for some time before I officially created my blog. Once a desired domain name has been selected Bluehost will go through the workflow to register.
Step 3: Finish Registration
As you are finalizing your purchase, you will be presented with a number of options ranging from Site Backup, Google Apps for Work to Search Engine Jumpstart. I personally only have chosen to add domain privacy protection. You are legally required to keep a true name and physical address on file with ICANN. By choosing the domain privacy protection it helps to protect your name and address.
Step 4: Install WordPress
Once your registration is completed you can log into your Bluehost account and click “WordPress.” WordPress is a free, open-source blogging platform. It is the single largest blogging platform in the world and powers over 20% of published sites.
Step 5: Choose a WordPress Template
Once word press is installed, you can pick and choose from a plethora of colors, themes to design your site. Go forth and have fun!