Blog it Big!

Blog it Big!

 

A blog is designed to build relationships with people through your authenticity, value centered content, and service; the very same elements that create a dynamic direct sales business.  Your blog will be the foundation for shaping your personal brand, communicating your message, and developing your content marketing platform.   Your blog will be the hub of your stunning online presence.

Wordpress is one of the most professional and popular blogging platforms available to begin building your personal and social meida artistry. 

Here are 5 simple steps to ‘blog it big” and set up a self hosted WordPress blog. 

1.  Decide on a domain name for your blog.  I encourage you to grab your personal name as your domain such as debrawarren.com.  This begins your personal branding journey and creates consistent visibility of your name.  I use godaddy.com for registering my domain names.

2.  After you have selected and registered your domain name, set up your hosting for a Wordpress blog.    I recommend and use Hostgator to host my WordPress blog.  They make it easy to install your blog, and they have excellent customer care!  They are also very inexpensive at less than $10/month for unlimited domains, websites and/or blogs on that one account. 

3.   Update your Nameservers. Huh?  This will tell your domain registrar where your new domain will be hosted.   Simply check your inbox for an email from HostGator with the account details for your new hosting account.   Inside this email you’ll find 2 nameservers.   Keep the email open and go back to GoDaddy.com.   Log in to your account, find your new domain name, and edit the nameservers to the two shown in your HostGator email.   It can take up to 72 hours for your domain name to point to your new hosting account, so you want to do these steps right away.

4. Install your WordPress blog.  It’s easier than you think!  Trust me!  When using Hostgator, you don’t have to download anything or  manually install it yourself .   Instead, go back to your HostGator welcome email and find the link to your “Control Panel”.   Log in to your control panel with the username and password in that same email.

Once you are logged in, scroll down and look for the “Fantastico” button.  It’s towards the bottom, under Software/Services.  Under the navigation menu on the left of screen, choose “WordPress” and follow the simple instructions to install your WordPress blog.  It’s really just a click of your mouse!

5.  Choose a blog theme to expresses your personality and brand.  You can search for “free themes” right within your WordPress Dashboard.  I recommend getting an upgraded, paid theme.   These are easier to use, typically come with effective support, and offer high end style.   An excellent resource for stylish, professional, and customizable Wordpress themes is StudioPress.  The theme I’m currently using is “Lifestyle”.