It is no secret, perhaps because of the usually 4 days a week that I have been blogging for almost 2 years, that I am a big fan of it.  While I do love to write, blogging that much isn’t easy at all- it is hard for me to come up with regularly useful content, and it is certainly a challenge to fit into my schedule. But I prioritize my blog big time in my business because it has made a HUGE impact on it!  There are so many things I love about blogging, all of which I am organizing into a talk that I am giving for the Central Illinois Professional Photographers Association in a few weeks, some of which you can read about here.  But for today- I want to focus on how to get started. Maybe someone has made a believer out of you and you want to give it a shot. Maybe you are desperate to try something to jumpstart your business from whatever place it is in right now. Maybe you are looking for a free and lasting way to market your business online.  If you fit any of those categories (or are just curious!), you are in the right place!
Before I continue, I have to take a moment to tell you that seeing the difference blogging can make in your business can take a lot of time and patience!  It isn’t a quick fix (I’m not sure there are any of those in business!), and blogging faithfully for 3 weeks isn’t going to fix your SEO, bring in your dream clients, or book your schedule.  But after 6 months of consistent and purposeful blogging, I truly believe that anyone would see growth in their business!! It takes time and effort- and it pays off!

The Creative’s First Steps to Blogging

1). Pick a platform! If you are in a creative business, you likely already have a website and it may include a blog. If you are just getting started, or want a blog for personal reasons, I think a free site like blogger is more than fine! But once you really get your business established, I think moving to a more customizable and professional option, like WordPress, is a great idea. My blog is currently powered by Showit, and I truly believe Showit is the best website platform out there for photographers. More on that another time! Pick a platform, choose or buy a template, and get started!

2). Decide what you want to blog! While as a creative business owner, you could choose to blog just business related things (like your sessions, if you are a photographer), I truly recommend you dig deeper and use your blog to find your ideal clients, your tribe. You have a voice and a specific story to tell about your life with your blog- and THAT is what makes your blog powerful! Even if at first it is just your mama and your bff reading it! But I think it is good to decide in very big overall terms what you will share. If you are going to write personal posts, think of some good themes that you can share about.  Do you like to cook? That might be a great option- everyone loves food! Will you share about your family?  What is the purpose of your blog- entertainment, information, encouragement?  It is helpful to have an overall idea of what types of things you will share about. Then…

3). Keep a list!  Blog topics come to me at all different times- sometimes from conversations with people about my business or life, sometimes from #reallife mom or marriage moments that I know others could benefit from sharing about. I have a little notebook in my purse (because admittedly I still really like paper notes and calendars in addition to my digital ones!) and jot notes down all the time about this!

4). Schedule it out. I think just deciding that you are going to blog sometimes moving forward and throwing caution to the wind more likely than not will end up in not blogging very often- and therefore not being consistent, and not creating something that others will likely follow. I think it is totally fine to start small- even just one day a week. But I would make it a consistent day each week- and I would make sure you are telling your readers when that will be so they know to come back!  “See you next Monday when I am going to share about ____” is a good way to keep in your reader’s mind!  Then slowly you can increase to 2 or 3 or even 5 days. I don’t think you have to blog every day, and blog readership is a LOT lower on weekends- so I recommend sticking with week days!

5). Plan it out. Isn’t this the same as #4?! No!! Once you decide to blog more regularly (2+ times a week), I think having a blog calendar is super important! It could be very informal (I do mine on google calendar), but planning ahead of time what your topics will be is SO helpful- especially in the slower season when you don’t have as many sessions to post (if you are a photographer). I have found in the last 2 weeks since I finished posting all of my sessions, I have struggled with topics because I didn’t start my calendar for 2017 yet- so then what happens?? I decide not to blog, and my readers start to lose faith that there will be new content for them! Good news readers- I have my calendar planned now, and I’m back on! 😉 There are definitely times for little breaks, and the holiday season into the new year was one for me.  But in general, you want to stay as consistent as possible!

Speaking of consistency- I am planning an Ask Anything post (any questions about photography, cameras, or small business ownership) at least one day a week throughout the slow season. I have a lot of topics pre-planned from many photographers that  have emailed questions to me- but would love to put more on my list! Email me at jill@jillgum.com with questions, and if you want to check out past free educational content for business owners, click here!

Visit the JGP blog here!

Hey friends, are you INTERESTED in blogging but don’t have any idea where to start?! I have created a FREE e-book just for you with 3 pages of content ideas for your blog, and more details on how to get started! Sign up below and it will be on it’s way to you!