How to Start a Blog

Are you thinking of starting a blog to promote your business or profession, or do you just want to share your thoughts on a subject that you love? Blogging is either free or inexpensive, and you can get started in moments by creating a blog on a site like Blogger or WordPress. To develop your concept, launch your website and promote your writing, this article will show you what you need to get started.

Coming Up With a Blogging Concept

1. Ask yourself what you love, care about or wish to share with others. If you're going to write about something regularly and keep your blog fresh with new information, then you need to write about something that stokes your passion or that reflects your daily experience. Try some of these ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

o  Politics. Sure, everyone has an opinion about politics, but you may have a unique point of view that needs to be heard.

o  Food. Who doesn't love good food? Share your recipes, start writing reviews of the local cuisine scene or write about how the food that you ate in China was nothing like the food that Chinese restaurants serve in the U.S.

o  Movies. Reviews of movies, old and new, are always fun for movie buffs. And if you keep it fresh by adding clips and pull from sources that nobody else is using, you could have a hit blog on your hands.

o  Cars. Are you a car enthusiast? Post pictures of your favorite new models or reports from car shows.

o  Your business. Your blog doesn't have to be a hobby. A blog can be a fantastic tool for connecting with your customers and for providing them with helpful information.

 2. Think about how you want to help people. While you want to know your broad subject area, you need to focus your blog topics more narrowly, so that it has a clear purpose. Here are some ideas for ways that your blog can connect with your intended audience:

o Teach something. If you're passionate about a particular subject, and you have a lot of experience in that area, then you can offer your knowledge to both people who are new to the subject and others who are as experienced as you are.

o  Provide the latest news and trends. Write about the latest developments related to your topic. You want to be someone who's viewed as the ultimate insider so that you can continue to increase your blog's readership.

o  Make people laugh. Are you the funniest person you know? No matter what your subject area, you can present your experiences and thoughts in a humorous way that will really resonate with people.

o  Inspire others. Have you overcome an obstacle, such as a serious illness or a difficult life experience? Do you want to turn your challenges into something that will inspire others to overcome their problems? If that's the case, then make your blog inspirational.

o  Know what not to blog about too. Your workplace, your coworkers, your family members, etc. may take a dim view of anything on your blog if it blows open secrets, shares confidential information, makes fun of people you work or live with, or causes other people trouble. Know the limits––check with your workplace what is and is not permissible by way of personal blogging and ask your mates and family before including them in your posts.

3. Spy on your competition. Take a look at other blogs on your topic to see what other people are already doing. Ask yourself what you have to offer that is different from what other people are already doing. Identifying your niche will give your blog an angle that distinguishes it from your competitors.

4. Generate some names for your blog. Try brainstorming a list of names and writing them on a piece of paper, or talk to friends and family to get ideas. You can also tryfreewriting to see what comes out of your mind as you free associate about your topic.

5. Research keywords related to your subject to help people find your blog. Go to a site like the Google Adwords Keyword Tool.

o  Enter items that are relevant to your topic into the appropriate search field. You can search by word or phrase, by website or by subject.

o  The tool will generate words or phrases associated with your topic. Pick the words that have a high number of monthly searches but have low to medium levels of competition. Try to include them in your blog name.

o  Check these keywords from time to time when you're writing a blog post. If you fit the keywords into your posts in a natural way, then search engines may be more likely to pick up on your blog and show it to people who are conducting searches about your subject.

6. Decide where to create and host your blog. Blogger and WordPress are 2 of the most popular blog creation sites on the Web.

o  Blogger: Google owns Blogger and has set it up for ease of use. Your blog will be extremely easy to set up and maintain, and you'll have Google's traffic management tools at your disposal. You can purchase a custom domain name for US$10 per year or you can get a free BlogSpot domain name such as yourblog.blogspot.com. If you already own another domain name, you can use it for no cost.

o  WordPress: With WordPress, getting started will take more time. However, you'll find that WordPress has a wide variety of more sophisticated tools for enhancing and promoting your blog. You can purchase a custom domain name on WordPress for $18 per year or map an existing domain name to WordPress for $13 per year. If you want a free domain, you can use something like yourblog.wordpress.com.

Starting a Blog on Blogger.com

1. Navigate to Blogger. If you have a Google account, then log in. If you don't have a Google account, click on the red "Sign Up" button in the top right corner and register for a Google account.

2. Click the "New Blog" button.

3. Fill in your blog name and your desired blog address.

o  You can choose a template from the options on the screen, or you can choose a template later if you want to see more options.

o  Click the orange "Create Blog!" button.

4. Select the "Start blogging" link.

5. Enter your title and your text. When you're done, click "Publish."

Launching a Blog on WordPress

1. Point your browser to WordPress at http://wordpress.com/. Click on the "Get Started" link.

2. Fill out the online form. In the last field, type the proposed web address for your blog.

o  The host will do a quick lookup to see if the name appears on their system already. If your desired name is taken, WordPress will display a series of available alternatives. You can choose 1 of those options or try a different domain name until you find something that works.

o  Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Create Blog."

3. Wait for your confirmation email. When it arrives, click the link and then sign into WordPress with your username and password.

4. Choose a Theme for your blog. Your Theme determines the layout and appearance of your blog. You can either search for themes after clicking on the "Find a Theme" button or you can browse Themes based on criteria like what's trending or what's most popular.

5. Click on the Theme you want and fill in the fields on the General Settings screen. If you want to, you can upload a photo of yourself by clicking the "Choose File" button in the gray "Blog Picture/Icon" box.

6. Decide whether you want your blog to be private or public. Do you want any Internet visitor to be able to read your blog, or do you just want your friends and family to be able to read it? Pick the appropriate setting by clicking on the "Reading" link beneath the "Settings" tab.

7. Write your first post. Click the "New Post" tab and enter your title and the body of your blog. You can also add photos, videos or links by using the appropriate buttons. When you're done, click "Publish Post."

Promoting Your Blog

1. Use social media to connect people to your blog. You can promote your blog on your personal social media accounts or on your business accounts.

o  Most blog hosting sites will automatically publish a link to your newest blog post on Facebook or Twitter. Look for sharing settings or buttons when you publish your post. For instance, WordPress lets you control sharing by going to your Dashboard and clicking "Sharing" under the "Settings" tab. Blogger has social media buttons on the bottom of your post for sharing.

o  Add buttons to your posts. Your readers can click these ready-made buttons to share your blog on their Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or other accounts.

2. Write something about yourself. Add an "About Me" page on WordPress or click "Layout" and then "Edit" under "About Me" on Blogger. Promote your expertise related to your topic as well as including any personal information or background information that you want to share.

3. List your blog to draw traffic. You can add a Blogger site to Blogger's listings You can also list your blog with directories like Technorati or Blogdex.

4. Interact with other bloggers. If another blogger "Likes" your site, then go to his or her site and either "Like" a post or follow the blog. Also, comment regularly on other people's blogs. People will get to know you from your comments and will come to appreciate your expertise.

5. Add your blog address to your email signature. You can also add the address to your business cards.

6. Produce stellar content. If your blog is full of grammatical errors or looks unattractive, you aren't going to draw regular visitors. You also need to make sure that you publish regularly so that your content is up-to-date and fresh for your readers.

10 Ways To Find The Happy Place In Your Life

 Posted By Cupid Blogger 

A couple of years ago, I woke up one morning and had a great realization in my life. During the past few years, I had my ways putting my life in great danger – the danger of wasting my entire life. What made me say so? I just realized during that time that I wasn’t happy in life. My life was a complete mess with lots of uncertainties. “What do I really want from and for my life?” I again asked myself. The answer also came from me: “I want to be happy in life.” The truth is that I have so many reasons to be happy in life but why do certain things make me feel the opposite way? Even a minor setback can make me feel dejected and I easily lost my temper. The big question is: “Is this really the way a happy person should act?” Do you Think you are Really Happy in Life? Looking for Ways to Start Your Happiness Project? With few tips I’ve got from popular culture, scientific studies, and testing the wisdom of the ancient ages, I’ve come to the point of realization that these things fulfilled my dreams to be happy in life. If there’s a room for improvements, you can try any of these suggestions. 

1. Always Start from the Basics – instead of starting with lengthy meditations and profound self-identity questions, you should make it a point to start with the simple basics. Some good examples may include retiring to bed during the decent hours and not letting yourself get starved. Science has evidences regarding these things and they have great impacts on becoming happy in life. 

2. Keep Minor Anger on Your Own – Most of the time, I always find myself shouting and expressing my anger whenever. However, scientific studies show that this method won’t help. Fleeting annoyances and minor anger that are loudly expressed only amplifies your bad feelings while keeping them on your own will allow them to dissipate in time. 

3. Act the Opposite Way – this is a way of faking yourself on the things that you really feel. Say, when you feel lonely, you need to counter it by looking cheery and the result is I, myself feeling a lot much happier. When I’m angry at someone, I would give him or her something thoughtful and the result is me feeling softer to that person whom I’m angry at. This technique to be happy in life is very much effective, indeed. 

4. Learn to Enjoy Failure – many people would become very happy when they experience new things like going to new places, and buying new things for themselves. However, if you have no means to get these things, the best way to learn to be happy in life is to enjoy the fun of having failures. This will help you tackle and handle most of life’s daunting goals. 

5. Realize the Things that Mean “Treats” for You – things that don’t satisfy you quite well have effects that are short-lived. To get the best treats out of the things in this life, make sure you get what you and your feelings really want, thus making you feel much better along the way. 

6. Buy Yourself Some Happiness – we as persons have psychological needs. We like to love and be loved. Money is not an exemption and can instantly fill the emptiness we feel. By spending money the right way, you can make yourself happy and stay closer with family and friends. For an instance, when my brother got married, I bought a high-tech digital camera. It was very expensive but it made fell feel so happy and contented. 

7. Do not Insist Getting the Best Things at all Times – there are times that we cannot afford to always get the best. Learn to be contented. If you can’t get the best, you can at least choose the better one. 

8. Exercise Religiously – exercise is known to be one of the most effective mood-boosters. Spend at least ten to fifteen minutes of walk in the outdoors and you can be happy in life, you’ll see. 

9. Stop that Nagging – you can do this effectively by saying only one word or do wordless hints. Say, “coffee please” instead of adding more words with it. Or you can do the task yourself to minimize nagging. 

10. Reflect – a person’s level of happiness is forty percent within his control. Spend some time to reflect and make conscious steps to be happy in life.

You’re smart and creative, but for some reason you just never seem to get ahead in life. But whether or not you want to see it, there are very real things standing in your way from becoming successful.

In fact, business writer Jim Kukral came up with a whole list of reasons that most people aren’t as successful as they really should be. The 13 things holding you back from your true, successful potential are:

1. Laziness
2. Entitlement
3. Fear
4. Negativity
5. Thinking Too Much
6. Having No Goals
7. Blaming Other People
8. Excuses
9. Wasting Time
10. Social B.S.
11. Thinking Too Small
12. Not Wanting It Enough
13. Not Believing

While the infographic covers the basics of each of these things preventing your success, you can learn more about each factor at NFIB.

8 Steps To Becoming A Better Person

By Elizabeth Harrell

The mere fact you chose to read this article means you’re thinking you could be a better person. And who couldn’t? It’s not whether we need to be better, but whether we choose to be better. Becoming a better person means changing habits, taking some risks and thinking differently in the future. What an exciting challenge. Will other people notice? Sure they will! Will you like yourself more? You definitely will! So, what are you waiting for?

Step 1 – Consider Your Impact on Others
Everything you say and do has some effect, positive or negative, on the people around you. Even total strangers are impacted when you snap at a sales clerk or lay on the horn because the guy in front of you stopped at green light. Just as you affect them, they impact others, and the snowball grows. It’s a pretty powerful tool if used wisely, and just one step toward being a better person.  Imagine a bank teller speaking sharply to you, but your response is to smile and be friendly. It’s not what you want to do, most likely, but your response does not allow her attitude to negatively affect you. Not only that, your smile could change her attitude in return. It’s really not that difficult, but it takes one extra moment to respond, rather than react. Try it for one day, and you’ll find yourself a much happier person by nightfall.
Step 2 – Think Before You Speak
The fastest way to prevent hurting other people is to think of the ramifications of your words. More people are beaten down by words than fists. Do you really need to say something hurtful? How would you feel if it were said to you or about you?   Are you using honesty as an excuse to say something hurtful? When you’re hurt, does it really help you to lash out with your own hurtful expressions? Many of the wisest and most considerate people in the world are thought to be that way because they don’t impulsively speak. They allow themselves time to think first.
Step 3 – Be a Humanitarian
Serving other people immediately improves who you are – not only in their eyes – but yours as well. The emotions that accompany helping others will help you grow in ways you can’t even imagine. Teenagers who struggle with self-esteem issues and identity problems grow in confidence when put in a position to serve other people.  Often we are taught to have a false sense of self-esteem related to our appearance, our education or our income. Contributing your time, energy and money to others in need will strengthen your heart and build self-esteem faster than a trip to Macy’s or a pay raise.
Step 4 – Use Your Strengths
I have a friend who plays the piano like a concert pianist, but he never shares this gift with others. It disappoints me so much when I think of the joy he could discover if he gave lessons to underprivileged children or played for a local nursing home. He doesn’t recognize his skill as a gift because it’s his gift. Other people don’t use their gifts because someone once told them that they weren’t gifted.  Make a list of what you do well and figure out how to use it in creative ways. Don’t neglect your natural abilities or talents because they belong to you.
Step 5 – Recognize Your Weaknesses
Addressing your weaknesses is a huge step toward becoming a better person, but remember, the goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s the striving to improve that makes us better people.  Without being overly self-critical, make a list of your weaknesses. Note ways to strengthen those weaknesses when you have time. Focus on one at a time and create specific strategies for improvement. For example, if you tend to overwork, set aside time to relax and play. This will improve your attitude and your health.
If you have difficulty recognizing weaknesses, ask a close friend or loved one to gently break a few of them to you. Personally, I can be overcritical in my tone. I have asked my loved ones to let me know when I slip, but they are kind enough to do it in a loving way before I hurt someone. As they point it out, I am less inclined to do it. If necessary, ask a friend or family member to help you be accountable. Make sure you let them know that you don’t want a master list of everything you’ve ever done wrong. Change takes time and you should revel in small victories along the way. Always remember that you are a work in progress.
Step 6 – Take Better Care of Yourself
Women have a serious tendency to neglect themselves at times. Whether it is stress induced, relationship issues or poor self-esteem, we let ourselves go. It can even happen when we’re comfortable in a relationship.
When you take care of yourself, you demonstrate respect for yourself. Women who are concerned about their health and appearance on a regular basis tend to do a better job of interacting and serving other people. Your family, your spouse and your friends will all appreciate it.
Step 7 – Show Your Appreciation
It’s easy to take other people for granted. Your spouse always picks up the kids from school and spends Saturdays beautifying your yard. Your best friend never forgets your birthday and will babysit at the last minute. Your parents did the best they could and love you despite your weaknesses. Your employees work hard for you every single day. The mailman, the garbage man and your nail technician all hold you together on a daily basis. There are so many people who make our lives comfortable and complete, some of whom we rarely even see. How could you thank them? All it takes is a nice note, a hug, a plate of cookies or even a gift.
My father was a mailman, and I was always amazed at the people who thanked him during the holidays. That made a huge impression on me as a child, so I find ways to show my appreciation for those people in my life who work for me and are easy to miss.
Step 8 – Explore Your Spirituality
Faith allows me to get through some pretty challenging days. It also encourages me to improve myself and strive to make a positive impact on those around me. If you don’t have a spiritual life, consider exploring that option. Prayer, meditation, removing your thoughts from yourself and loving your fellow man can greatly improve who you are.  Following any or all of the eight steps can help you make major changes. Just remember to take on a little at a time, and do small things well before leaping into big changes. As you create positive habits in your life, you will become a better person. Soon you won’t even realize you’re doing it. The exciting part is that other people will definitely notice!
Are You Trustworthy?

It's hard to have a relationship without trust - at least, not a meaningful one. Keeping a secret, being a person of your word, following through on promises...all these character traits build trust. Can your friends and family depend on you? Take this trust quiz to find out.

TIPS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS

One way to achieve financial independence is to run your own business. But how  easy is it? Really how easy is it to get your own business started? No doubt you would have come across many "How to..." articles, including how to write  business plan, how to conduct business research or how to get more customers. But this is all sometimes easier said than done, right? Here are some tried and tested practical tips for succeeding in business.  

Research is all about knowing your market customers. How do you do this? Read  trade magazines and news papers, visit industry seminars and conferences, take a drive around the business area and see what similar services and products exist, sample some other services or products, ask suppliers about the market, and ask potential customers who currently patronize  All these will help you build a broad picture of the market before you enter it

How do you go about finding out if people will want your services and if they do, what exactly will want your services and if they do, what exactly they want? See all the people you come into contact with as potential clients and ask them questions. Develop a questionnaire, e-mail it to all your family, friends, colleagues and former colleagues and ask them to e-mail it to their network of people. Just the more complex your business is - the more structured your research should be.

What about raising finanace? The usual advice is to raise your capital from  personal savings, loans from family, friends or the bank, or by applying for finance as a small or medium-scale enterprise (SME). But if you don't have the savings, you can't get a loan, or you fall outside  the qualifying criteria for SME funding, the following tips might prove useful:

Trade by Barter:offer your services/skills in exchange for goods or services that will help your business. So, for example, if you are a marketing consultant, and you need to develop your website, why not offer some free consultancy to the web designer in exchange for your site development?

Cut down on your personal overheads: This may include downgrading your car, moving back in with your parents to save on the monthly rent, reducing your spending on social outings and  spending club memberships (unless they are required for effective business networking purposes)

Building slowly: as your business starts showing returns on your investments, you can consider expanding and implementing all  the fancy ideas you have.

Lowering start-up costs: You need to consider this if you are low on capital. Consider starting a business from home so  you don't require office space, for example.

Borrow Capital: With some services business, you can actually get upfront payments or deposits from clients, which you can then use to cover your initial costs. A successful example is that of a hosting package if they would pay a certain amount upfront to help fund the start-up of the business. By doing this, they were able to raise their start-up capital.

These tips are not all-encompassing- you still need to write  out a successful business plan. Your business plan is you blueprint for successful implementation of your business- it ensures that you have thought your idea through properly, and also acts as a point of reference in your long-term plan.