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The reason I started blogging is because I have had a passion to write since I was in High School. I wrote all the time and kept a journal of my writing. As I grew older, my passion faded and I focused more on the issues I had to attend to in front of me. I got a job and I then I got married and had kids. My passion, writing, sat in a little box in the back of my brain. Then I read a blog post about blogging and my passion came bursting out of the box. Blogging became an infatuation. I thought about it all the time. Here is a quick description of what I learned my first 30 days of blogging.
Blogging Class
Also during my first 30 days, I started my course with Elite Blog Academy. This course is designed to help bloggers old and new learn how they can be better bloggers. The course is only open once a year for enrollment. Currently, the enrollment period is closed, but you can get on the waiting list by clicking here. I will let you know when enrollment opens! I made it through Unit 1 and am working on Unit 2. With Unit 1 came my rethinking of my domain name, which I told you at the beginning of this post. Unit 2, I’m learning about content and writing awesome blog posts. I’m learning, it’s a work in progress.
Domain Name
I decided I need to at least try to blog and see what would happen. My starting place was with my domain name. This is how I came up with my name and what I recommend you do too. I wrote down every word and thought about what drew me and motivated me. Then I started putting combinations together and that is when I came up with Fierce and Fearless Girl. I swear I didn’t sleep for 3 days while I was thinking about the new name of my site. As I grew closer to the new name. my excitement kept me awake.
Hosting
Next step is to set up blog hosting. I didn’t do a lot of research on blog hosting. I’ll be honest. I looked at GoDaddy and I looked at Bluehost. I went with Bluehost for $3.95 because the blog post that I had read about blogging had recommended Bluehost and I trusted her judgement. Bluehost has been so helpful to me! When I called and told them I changed my domain they reconfigured my account so that Fierce and Fearless Girl was primary. It was awesome. Especially, since I am not a technical person at all.
Speaking of technical side of blogging, I’m not going to lie, it’s really hard. During your first 30 days of blogging, it is so technical. You are setting up your domain, hosting, WordPress, looking at themes, trying to understand WordPress, figuring things out. And, it’s overwhelming! There were nights where my husband held me while I cried because I couldn’t get the picture the right size. Or the other time when I couldn’t get the bullet points to line up. Then when I got locked out of my WordPress site and had to call Bluehost they walked me through how to login. That poor customer service representative had to deal with my emotions. I hope they gave him a raise for being so patient with me!
Themes
After my hosting was all set up, I looked for themes I liked. This step probably took the longest. Shopping for a theme I really liked before I committed. I landed on the Darling Theme by Restored 316 you can click this link and take a quiz that will help you figure out which theme is good for you.. But I love the Darling Theme! The tutorial to set it up was easy to follow. I had my site up and running in a matter of hours, maybe 4 hours. I’m not going to lie, it did take some time. Mainly, because I am not technical and I had to keep switching between the video and my site as I followed along. BUT, I did it all on my own!
This is what I accomplished in 30 days of blogging. I’m considering April 1, 2017 as my new start date since I changed my domain name. It’s also the day my husband and I decided that we would give me a year to focus on my blog and see what happens. I’m excited to see my passion come to life and see what happens in a year. What about you? Are you ready for it to become a reality?
First 30 days of starting a blog. What I learned.
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Stephanie has been blogging at Sticky Note Mom for 4 years. Before starting her blog she worked in the finance industry working on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade to working for major financial institutions with personal financial planning and the mortgage industry. Now she shares all she has learned about frugal living to help others learn how to stop spending and start saving more.