17: 15 Questions to Ask Before You Start a Blog
📖 Do you have a blog or a big bank of social content? Discover how to turn it into a book in this free masterclass.
I love blogs! I love reading them and I love writing them. If you've been thinking about starting a blog, you'll love the 15 questions I ask you in here. They'll help you to get honest with yourself and help create a strong foundation for your best blogging.
You'll hear about my blogging journey, which began in 2012. My initial motivation to start writing came from a desire to share my experiences with going plant-based overnight. What started as sharing my personal journey evolved into a platform for sharing plant-based recipes and eventually shifted toward writing and copywriting.
✨ 5 Key Takeaways
Find Your Blogging "Why": Begin blogging because you genuinely want to share something meaningful and useful, not just because it's trendy or someone suggested it. Your personal experiences and excitement are your best content.
Know Your Reader: By clearly identifying who you're writing to and what their struggles and desires are, you’ll be able to choose relevant and impactful content.
Start Simple and Be Consistent: Begin with a manageable blogging frequency (e.g., monthly) and work your way up to weekly or multiple times a week. Focus on creating valuable content rather than getting caught up in perfection or SEO at the beginning.
Build an Email List with your Blog: This gives you direct access to your audience, independent of social media algorithms.
Your Experience is Enough: You know more than someone who is just starting out. Share your knowledge and journey, even if you don't consider yourself a 20-year "expert." Your unique perspective is valuable.
✅ Practices to try
Pen-and-Paper Brainstorming: Before diving into writing in your document, take time to write down your thoughts and ideas with pen and paper. This can help slow down your thinking, help you to be more honest with yourself, and uncover some surprises.
Identify Your Core Struggles/Experiences: Think about the challenges you've overcome and what people frequently ask you for advice on. These experiences and topics can form the foundation of your blog content.
Describe Your Ideal Reader: Before creating content, describe your ideal reader in detail. Consider their demographics, struggles, desires, and what keeps them up at night. This exercise will help you create content that resonates with them.
Start a Journaling Practice: If you don't already journal, begin writing one page a day or just five minutes of stream-of-consciousness thoughts. This practice can help you clear your mind, sharpen your writing skills, and give you ideas for your blog.
🔗 Resources Mentioned
Blog: Coming Home — Splitting From Substack & Writing in My Space
Blog: 15 Powerful Writing Prompts To Clear the Noise From Your Head
💬 I want to hear from you if you recently started a blog! Email me at hi@jacquelinefisch.com
🎧 Related Episodes
16: Write Your Way to a Book: Blogging Strategies for Aspiring Authors
07. How to Find Time to Write: Practical Tips & Mindset Shifts
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Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:17 Why Start a Blog?
01:32 My Blogging Journey
04:04 Transition to Plant-Based Diet & Blogging through Insights
07:53 From Blogging to Business
10:33 15 Essential Questions for Aspiring Bloggers
19:09 Conclusion and Masterclass Invitation
