7 Must-Do Steps Before You Launch Your Blog

Want to launch your blog but don’t even know where to begin? I can relate! When I started Tabler Party Of Two almost three years ago, I was clueless. I had spent years in graphic design and copy writing, but the world of blogging, social media management, and online marketing were completely foreign to me.

I spent literally months figuring it all out. So you don’t have to! Here are seven steps — with actions to implement — you must follow before you hit PUBLISH and launch your blog to the world!

EXPERIMENT WITH YOUR BRAND NAME
What most authentically conveys what your brand is all about? Is www.YourName.com a natural solution? Can you think of a clever play on words? Or name strongly associated with a particular image? As you brainstorm, be sure to check the URL availability of your favorites. Try your best to get your blog name with .com rather than .net or .org. (Note: you will definitely want to self-host your site on WordPress.org rather than opt for the free version of hosting available on WordPress.com. You want to own your space, not lease it!)

Action: After you have narrowed down your list of possibilities, email a few friends who know you well and ask them to vote on their favorite. (Plus, ask them to tell you why!)

DETERMINE WHO IS YOUR “LIFER”
Your “lifer” is far different than just any reader in your audience. Your lifers are those who are just a step behind you when it comes to knowledge and interest about your subject matter. They GET you and what you are all about. In fact, think of it this way… your lifer IS YOU, just a few weeks, months or years ago! They ARE where you just WERE.

Action: Make a very specific list describing who is your lifer and what content would most appeal to him or her.

AMP UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
People who know you will be your most natural followers at the beginning. Make sure you are intentionally building relationships with your future audience on your personal social media channels. This can easily be done in just a few minutes a day!

Action: Spend purposeful time daily on relationship building on one or two social media channels.

FOLLOW A FEW COMPETITORS
Write down what makes you different. You may be similar, but what’s your special sauce? Study your competitors to see what they are doing exceptionally well and areas that could be improved. Pay attention to the subtle details that make them likeable and successful.

Action: Comment on their posts and start making relationships. You potentially have much to learn from them. Bloggers are some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet!

CREATE A FACEBOOK “LIKE”  PAGE 
Your blog does not need to be live for you to start your Facebook Like page (which is a business page). Right now is an excellent time for you to start sharing content — yours and others — so that your followers begin to value your content and see you as an authority on the subject of your blog.

Action: From your Like page, click “Invite Friends to Like This Page.” (This is easier from your iPhone than desktop.)

BEGIN TO GENERATE BLOG CONTENT IDEAS 
Consistency in blogging is a key ingredient to your success. Start planning your content now and decide how often you want to post. Ideally, you should post two to three times a week at a minimum in the beginning.

Action: Put your content ideas on a calendar and schedule out for a month.

PLAN A SOFT LAUNCH
Launch your blog secretly for a few weeks and invite 5-10 friends to follow you and provide feedback. You’ll receive valuable comments and a huge dose of encouragement as well. (Plus you’ll have freedom to make the inevitable mistakes!) Another benefit of a soft launch is to build your content before your public launch. Thay way, when a new reader stops by, there will be more than just one post for them to read as they decide if they want to be a regular follower.

Action: Email a few friends and start sharing content!

YOU ARE READY! Really, you are. But if you are still not feeling confident, let me know in the box below what is holding you back!