A garden blog should seem like a simple production for someone who loves to design a garden, plant seeds, fertilize, water, weed, harvest, and repeat. Yet, even though you probably already talk so much about gardening to everyone who will listen, you may still be intimidated to put your ideas on a platform for others to learn from.
But, what do you call someone obsessed with gardening? Well, look in the mirror because it may be what your friends call you.
You are the one who your friends and family know has a wealth of knowledge that you should share.
Yet, although you have learned so much in your flower and vegetable garden like me when I started, maybe you aren’t so sure where to begin. Well, my gardening friend, I am going to give you the steps I took to get started as a garden blogger.
You are going to learn the best tips to initiate your garden blog. Then, you will be well on your way to becoming the blogger that people look to for answers to all of their gardening questions.
This post is all about the best steps you should take to start a garden blog.
7 Best Garden Blog Tips
1. Choose a niche
What exactly is a niche? The niche definition is so important because it is what topic or area of expertise you would like to dive into. It is what suits you. So, it would most likely be the part of gardening that you are familiar with and you believe you can become an expert in. So, is there any aspect of gardening that you excel in and you could help others with? Maybe you specialize in fruit trees or containers in small spaces or permaculture. Whatever your expertise, you want to choose that as your niche to narrow down what your garden blog will be all about. Go on Google Trends and do some research when choosing.
2. Pick a Domain Name
The domain name is what you would like your garden blog to be identified as on the internet. It’s fun to pick a name for this blog you are creating, but you want to be choose wisely.
You want a name that will stand the test of time. A name that should you decide to expand on your blog your name will not feel limiting. The domain name should be easy for your future viewers to remember and yet unique.
When you think of a name you can do your own search on Google to see if it appears anywhere online. Before a domain name is approved, it will be determined by a web host whether that name is available. If it is available, you should set up accounts in that name on every social media platform you can think of. Now, you may not foresee ever using some of those platforms, but if you do one day, you want your domain name available only for you.
3. Choose a Web Host
WordPress.org is the system software I recommend for creating blog post. It is free and easy to use especially for beginners since no coding experience is necessary. It is what you will use in order to create your blog content and self-pubish. Now, in order to ensure the success of your blog on your website you need a web hosting provider. I chose Bluehost because they offer so much in an affordable package and it is the one recommended in the Perfecting Blogging course that I took.
4. Take a Blogging Course
A blogging course can save you a lot of valuable time. Your garden blog does not have to be complicated to set-up. Taking a blogging course will empower you with confidence to proceed smoothly with expert advice. If you’re like me, I truly knew little about blogging. I had so many questions like how do I start a garden blog? Do gardening blogs make money? How do I write a garden blog? The Perfecting Blogging course gave me the basic tools and taught me how to use the recommended tools. I learned everything from choosing a website theme, what plug-ins to add on my web host, how to reach my audience, and so much more. I don’t want to tell it all, but just know that the course is one of the few things I would tell you to invest in.
5. Get Writing
I know you may be anxious to get started and after taking the course Perfecting Blogging you should be fully equipped like I was to start writing. I felt confident and jumped in, learning by repeating the recommended process with numerous blog post ideas. Get writing and make a schedule for maintaining a steady goal of writing at least 1-2 posts per week. You can do it!
6. Create a Schedule
Congratulations! By this point, you will be considered an official blogger. Now you can garden and write, right? Well, if you love gardening you are going to have to keep a schedule for both to remain consistent with your blog posting and keep with your garden routine. So, for this I suggest using Google Calendars. A successful blogger stays on top of posting to keep the interest of their audience. So, go ahead, commit to a schedule and put those post on a calendar.
7. Build an E-mail List
In order to build your business, which is essentially what your garden blog is, you need to build a valuable means of engaging with your audience. If someone takes the time to visit your blog, you want to be able to maintain contact with them beyond a one-time visit. Building an e-mail list of subscriibers allows you to foster a relationship with your audience beyond the website. An e-mail list is yours and no social media platform can take it away from you should they decide to shut down your account.
