What is your biggest need?
In my welcome letter to new subscribers I ask them to tell me their biggest need. I want to know what keeps you up at night. What goals you want to achieve. I want to hear about your outrageous dreams and help you achieve them!
In my welcome letter I wrote: My goal is to find out what you need help with right now and post resources through my blogs to help you achieve your goals. If you find yourself stuck in the area of goal setting, lacking vision, find your calendar taking over your life, or are in need of other leadership resources, don’t hesitate to email me (simply reply to this email). It is an honor and a pleasure to help you find the resources you need to live the life you have always dreamed of. Cliché I know. But if we are all honest, isn’t this what we really want – to live the dream? I guarantee you the questions you want to ask and the resources you need are ones others are needing too. By asking, you are helping others in our blog community.
I was THRILLED that one of our new community members, Tamera Boynton, took me up on my offer. Thank you Tamera for allowing me to share your need with our blog community. I know your question and the resources that will be provided will jump start many who have the same dream! Way to go!
Here is Tamera’s question:
Hi there. My name is Tamera Boynton. I would like help in creating a blog/website. I have been trying to get it created through WordPress but it is so intimidating. Who can help me achieve this? I have so much to write about and share. Every morning I share devotionals and I’ve had friends ask me if I’d take it to the next level. Can you direct me?
Hi Tamera,
I am so glad you wrote me. I am happy to help! I do not have all the answers about blogging but I will share what my five years of blogging has taught me – be resourceful. There is a lot of help for free on the internet. If you have a question, simple Google it (or for my Microsoft friends, BING it)!
I have a few suggestions to help you get started. There is always more. If you find none of these options work for you. Please email me and we will discuss others.
First, the non-technical considerations. The best blogs are the ones with a clear purpose. These blogs also give the reader an answer to a question they have or give them ideas for something they want to achieve.
Examples:
Michael Hyatt – Your Virtual Mentor
Chris Karr – Crazy Sexy Wellness Revolution
Jeremy Cowart – Photography
Jeff Goins – The art of writing
You have two options when creating a new blog: Do it Yourself or Pay It Done.
I will make you a complete list of my favorites for both options at the end of this blog post. My preferred Do it Yourself resource is from Michael Hyatt. Michael wrote a great blog on “How to launch a self-hosted WordPress blog in 20 minutes or less”. It will take LONGER but this is a great step-by-step resource for self-hosted blogs. Before you jump in, you need to know you have the option of a self-hosted or hosted blog and know the differences. Here is the basic information that will help you decide what is best for you.
WordPress.org is for people that want to self-host. WordPress.com is for people that want hassle free hosting. (There are other blogging platforms, but these are the most well-known.) To decide between self-hosted and hosted ask yourself some key questions:
- Do I want access to the names and emails of the people that subscribe to my blog? (Self-Host)
- Do I want to send anything besides blogs (special classes, products or resources) to my subscribers? (Self-Host)
- Do I desire a more professional email with my blog header and pictures to arrive in my subscriber’s mailbox? (Self-Host)
- Do I want to have the option to customize my site? (Self-Host)
In a first-rate blog on the benefits of both hosted and self-hosted sites, Patrick Rauland gives this sound advice:
Both Are Great
Both paths have their pros and cons. Here’s the TLDR:
If you think Facebook is complex use a hosted solution.
If you prefer ease of use over customization use a hosted solution.
If you prefer to own your code and pressing the update button yourself then use a self-hosted solution
One last piece of advice about Do It Yourself blogs – if you decided to work with wordpress.com, they will give you a free domain name. It would look something like www.pivotleader.wordpress.com Of course, you can pay for a domain name for either hosted or self-hosted sites if you don’t want to share your domain name with WordPress. Michael Hyatt notes GoDaddy.com as a place to purchase domain names. Personal, I have a moral opposition to their advertising campaigns so I do NOT recommend them. There are many other options you can choose from.
If the Do it Yourself idea seems overwhelming, there are some great Pay it Done options starting at $5! FIVERR.COM is a website I have used to create quick logos or get website help – prices actually start at $5! I have not personally had a blog site developed on FIVERR, but the service I have had has been exceptional, inexpensive and fast! (I paid $15 once for a logo, NO JOKE.) There are other web designers and branding specialist I know that you can pay anywhere from $100 – $10,000. It is up to you. I will list my favorite in different price categories below.
Ultimately, once you decide to create a blog, you will need to know how to post a blog and edit your WordPress pages. I have used both WordPress.org and WordPress.com and I have found the process to be pretty intuitive on both!
Please let me know what is helpful and what seems challenging in the comments below. I am looking forward to reading your blogs on your new site!
Angela’s Blog Building Resources:
Do it Yourself Options
Michael Hyatt’s “How to launch a self-hosted WordPress blog in 20 minutes or less”
Pay it Done Options (in order of price)
www.fiverr.com Prices begin at $5 (Fiverr motto: What do you need done? Find it on Fiverr!)
MP Designs Prices begin at $99 (Basic WordPress, headers and logo design for a reasonable price)
Deluxe Design Prices vary depending on web and brand design (Deluxe Design designed my current site)
Fingerprint Design Complete platform and brand development (Free 30 minute consultation)
Are you a visual learner?
Mark your calendar and join me for next month’s Leader’s Hangout!
Learn how to: Amplify: Expanding Your Influence Through Blogging
Guests: Kim Martinez – Bi-vocational Minister, Coach & Angela Howard – Minister, Author, Speaker.
Date: June 19th, 2015 at 10:00am PST
Watch LIVE or LATER at WWW.WMHANGOUT.COM
Patrick Rauland
May 15, 2015Thanks for linking to me. 🙂
I just want to add that you can always start on a hosted solution like WordPress.com and then if you want to customize your site more than they allow you can move over to a self hosted WordPress site. The migration is really easy so you kind of get the best of both worlds.
I hope that helps! 🙂
Angela L Craig
May 15, 2015Thank you for the hosting solutions Patrick! Your blogs really help break down the walls of intimidation for people. Bravo!