Since starting a blog in 2010, I have learned so much.
When I first began, I knew absolutely nothing about blogging except just enough to go to Blogger and begin writing.
I literally Googled, “how to start a blog”, picked the first entry THIS IS WHY SEO IS IMPORTANT and followed the directions.
That was it.
But my blog was basic.
I mean that in the best possible way.
A blog, by definition, is:
1- a personal website or web page on which an individual records opinions, links to other sites, etc. on a regular basis.
Personal.
Yes, blogs were meant to be a personal log, journal, entry.
Like an online diary.
So who cares what your blog looks like to others.
It most matters what it looks like to YOU.
If you love it, others will learn to love it as well.
A few years ago, I started a board on Pinterest dedicated to all things blogging.
I have said before that if my fellow bloggers went to this board and saw what exactly I was pinning, they would be shaking their heads.
There is a lot I still don’t know but that is honestly what I love most about blogging.
There is always something new to learn.
A new way to edit HTML, that is the language your blog’s alter ego speaks.
A new way to add a button to your blog, the pretty little blog jewelry on the side of the blog.
A new way to change up your header, that is the top part of the blog that has the name.
Here is my board if you want to head there now and learn something new.
Or learn something old.
It’s up to you.
Follow Kari @ A Grace Full Life’s board Everyday I’m Blogging on Pinterest.
I have found some really helpful tutorials for people like me.
People who in all honesty have no business running a public website yet here we are!
Tutorials that read at a second-grade level so as not to confuse us.
That is an insult to second graders everywhere because I am pretty sure they probably know more about adjusting the width on a blog than I do.
So I have gathered my most helpful blogging tips from amazing bloggers all over the web in one place.
Because I want to create a world where there are more bloggers than there are non-bloggers.
And these tutorials will help you create a supafly blog.
How to Get Started
Let me start by saying when I Googled “how to start a blog” four years ago, a lot fewer people were blogging back then.
Now when I Google it, a lot of HOW TO MAKE MONEY BLOGGING WHICH DOMAIN YOU NEED TO BUY blah blah blah comes up.
*side note- I am currently using the WordPress platform but that doesn’t change my opinion of Blogger. It’s a great platform to start blogging on.
Here is my personal opinion: I like Blogger.
I hear all the doomsday bloggers out there letting out a collective sigh.
Because on Blogger, I don’t “own” my content.
Blogger does.
Which is owned by Google.
Now, I don’t see Google going away any time soon and I have backed up my blog (tutorial will be included in this post) so I am not worried.
Wordpress is fine.
So is Tumblr.
But because I have written my blog with Blogger for the past four years, it is Blogger where my alliance lies.
Here is my five minute tutorial on starting a blog:
Google BLOGGER.
The first entry will be Google-Blogger.
Click on that.
If you already have a Google account, half the battle is mounted.
If not, you will need to create one.
Easy peasy.
The hardest part for me was coming up with a blog name.
In fact, before you even Google “how to create a blog”, figure out your blog name.
I originally wanted to call my blog Ducks in a Row.
But I Googled Ducks In A Row and found two blogs and four small businesses with that name.
That’s a heck of a lot of ducks.
So I gave it some thought and after a few days, I had this brainstorm.
A Grace Full Life.
My girls’ middle names are Grace.
Our life is very FULL.
Yes.
OMG YES.
I ran to the computer and Googled it.
Not a one.
I immediately named it and boom, my blog was live.
Now you will want to learn how to write a blog post, add pages (those tabs at the top up there that says things like About Me or Contact), go here to learn how to do all of those things and more.
So now you have a blog!
Congratulations!
All you need to do is add the words.
But if you are looking to make your blog a little prettier on the eyes, follow these amazing tutorials below.
How to Create a Cool About Me Page
It should reflect who you are so that businesses will know what you represent.
How to Create a Header on Pic Monkey
Another Amazing Header Tutorial
If it can help me, it can help anyone.
How to Make a Blogger Blog Look Supafly
How to Embed a Tweet in Your Blog Post
Because everyone was able to do it but no one was willing to share how.
How to Back Up Your Blogger Blog
But if it did?
Click above to get yours.
How to Install a Scroll to Top Button
Tips to Make Your Blog Look Better
PIN THIS NOW.
It is a way for your blog to show up first in the search engine, well, searches.
And that is good for page views.
Now, if you are wanting to create a personal or family blog, you can skip this.
Want to make money?
Read this.
Blogging Tips
Wait! I don't own my content? Do I know what that means? Am I qualified to have a blog? I must read this post in segments so my head doesn't blow up all at once (seriously though, that could be just my sinuses talking) So much good info…so embarassed that I am still rocking stock template stuff over 4 years in…..Flat Kari will help me, right?
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Yes. Yes she will. And YOU ARE AWESOME.
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Um, I think it's spelled M-O-D-G-E P-O-D-G-E.Actually, I need to figure out some things about my blog, and I am over the moon that you complied this pretty, pretty pile of tips and helps. Thank you for saving me! I feel like I trust your judgment, and this showed me that some things need to change on my blog.Like I need a better About Me section in my sidebar. And some pretty buttons instead of my mod podge of random "Find me here" ones. And Blogger rules. Just in case anyone's asking.
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Don't go changin'.To try and please me.It is TOTALLY MODGE PODGE.
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Dude, I was JUST thinking about this today – about doing a bunch of blogging posts and then a collective ALL ABOUT BLOGGING post. Because obvs I am a total blogging professional. We are of one mind.
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I love your Pinterest blogging board. Now if I could only start blogging again…
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Just the type of inspiration I need. Totally going to check this stuff out. Is there anything like an auto-blogging tool that will just write the posts for you? Could someone please create that? ugh
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Its like we are living PARALLEL LIVES.We should collaborate.I just used a big word.
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When are we starting our food eating blog?
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Ummm yeah.For a price, I will write your posts for you.OMG I KNOW WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP!!!!
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I wanna marry you and have your babies for writing this!! TREMENDOUSLY helpful!!! I can't wait to come back later and read it and put things into practice. I swear I thought I was the only person left using Blogger.
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It is this myth that EVERYBODY is on WordPress.I am glad this helped!!
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I love this so much! Thank you – I thought I was one of the only ones using Blogger. The tips are awesome, especially how to embed a tweet. You rock!
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Thanks for all the tips and information. I pinned this so I can refer back to it. There is so much to know about blogging and building a website and it all takes time and patience to learn.
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I had no idea how to do that until last week when I found it on Pinterest! You rock too!
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There IS so much to learn.But there are so many people who want to help. I hope these links help you and please come back and let me know if you have any questions!
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THANK YOU for sharing my post and saying such AWESOME things :). I am so glad my post helped – and your blog is GORGEOUS!
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I love Ginny!!And I feel like I should pay you for all of the tips.Or take you out for tacos.Yes! Let's do that!!Thank YOU!
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I could spend all day on Pic Monkey.Maybe I have.
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You needed to write this post 8 months ago! So glad I found it though (through Pinterest!), thank you for the tips! Do you have a post regarding adding rss subscription service to your blog?
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You are welcome!Here is a link to a tutorial: https://www.rssinclude.com/help_support/integrate_into_popular_services/how_to_add_an_rss_feed_on_blogger_blogspotThat is for a Blogger blog.I hope this helps.
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HELPFUL! I had no idea when I started. I just went to Blogger and started one. Then I went to WordPress out of curiosity and was lost so I gave up. But I did move there 3 months later (what, I was enthusiastic).
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Thanks, I will go take a look!
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If I had started at WordPress, I think I wouldn't have left.But I have so many posts to transfer over now. I like where I am at now though. 🙂
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