It’s only been eight days since I came up with the concept for this blog and I’ve already pumped out five posts. I have 14 more post ideas written out and ready to be drafted. That is absolutely crazy. Can you believe that less than a week ago, I was afraid to write my first post?? Look at me now; I can’t stop!
Before I started writing anything, I did what I always do when I’m about to start a project – glue my face to a computer and research everything I can about the topic. I’m compulsive when it comes to learning about topics of interest. Often it’s fleeting but it’s always beneficial, even if it does make me seem incredibly weird. The first thing I did, before I even created a site, was look to Pinterest. Blog, blogging, how to blog, blog tips. I rummaged through pages of pins under these searches until I found one that wasn’t trying to sell me a get-rich-quick scheme. That’s when I found The Nectar Collective. More specifically, I stumbled upon their tutorial for writing a killer about page. This became my starting point. I created a wordpress site, picked a theme, and got to work.
Customizing my site was the easy part. I even got my “About” section written and set up by following that simple tutorial. Breezy. No problems. I was so proud. I wanted to start promoting it every where… but then it hit me: I didn’t have any content yet. Why would anyone want to look at an empty site? Ugh. I had my focus but what was I supposed to write about?? I had no idea what to write for my first post. I was scared. Don’t laugh! It’s terrifying knowing that you’re about to put your own ideas out there, especially when you’re trying to represent a brand… even when it’s your own brand. I’d argue that it’s even more nerve-racking when it’s your own brand. This may very well determine what your networks (current and future) think of you. Let the crippling anxiety hit… now. Okay, maybe not crippling, I’m pretty good at ignoring anxiety, but what if I failed or embarrassed myself? I almost put it off but there was that compulsion again. I was so excited before, I couldn’t just not progress!
“Alright. I’m really doing this. What am I supposed to say? I have my focus and my about page. Do I just talk about the things I sell? Do I try to sell things to my readers? Do I just jump in? How does this work?!”
I decided to introduce myself and the blog to my future readers. Sure, I had just written an entire page doing the same thing but it was easy and approachable so I went for it. I suppose you could call it my welcome message. I took my “About” page and copy/pasted it to my first blog-post draft. From there, I added, removed, and altered bits and pieces. I added a stock photo, set it to publish the next morning, and *BAM* first post done. Well, that was easy. In my research, I read that you need at least five posts before you start marketing in order to seem credible. So what do I write now?
The next morning while I was in the shower, where I do all my best thinking, it came to me. I got my first real idea for a post. I started writing it later that day. As I was writing, I came up with an idea for another post. Then from that, another one! I hadn’t even finished drafting my second post and I had come up with two more ideas. This seems to be a consistency – every time I write a post, I come up with at least one idea for another post. Everything I do now, I see through blog eyes. Have you ever played a lot of Tetris? I did in high school. A lot. I had too many computer classes with my friends that were essentially unsupervised. We played for hours every day. When you closed your eyes, you could see the game. It was weird. Anyway, that’s what’s happening now. Everything I do, learn, experience… it’s like I’m thinking in blog form.
I’ve since found more resources, networks, and inspirations. I’m getting a lot of positive feedback and really loving this whole process. My advice for any other n00bs out there is to just dive in head first. Surround yourself with blogging for a few days. Do a lot of searching and reading. Learn what you can before starting so that you have a head start. Really commit to the blog and marketing and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And don’t forget to keep checking back!
Not sure where to start? Check out these killer blogging tools.
What was first-post experience like?
My name is Abigail and I own Amaureen Studios. 
AMAUREEN STUDIOS 