Day 2 - Start A Blogging Business
IMPORTANT:
Right now, we have a special deal and bonuses for our students only that are ready to start their blog. Get all the details here.
Welcome back for Day 2! This is going to be a fun one today.
First of all, did you go through the material on Day 1 of the course and do the assignments? If not, go back and do that now. It’s very important that these steps stay in order.
Also, join the Facebook group if you haven’t already. The Facebook group is very important for getting the most out of this course.
- Step 3: Pick a Domain Name
- Step 4: Start Your Website
- Step 5: Claim your WP Fast Launch Bonus (fill out form)
- Step 6: Post with #Celebrate in group
It’s time to choose your site name and domain name. A domain name is your address on the internet. Mine is itsalovelylife.com
It should be something you like and something that relates to your niche if possible…but it isn’t necessary. In fact, I love my domain name because it can be anything I want it to be, and it resonates with how I view the world.
If you are sure that you are going to write only about one subject, then by all means, pick a domain name that is very specific to your niche. So, if I was going to write only about medium haired black cats, mediumhairedblackcats.com would be completely acceptable.
But, if there is any chance you will add more topics, or you aren’t 100% sold on writing about those types of cats, it might be best to use a broader URL like Ilovealltypesofcats.com. A domain like this leaves it open for you to stretch your wings without having to start a whole new blog.
Your domain name can always be changed later if you need to. It just requires time, energy, and work to do it. I have had three different domains/blog names over the years, and I just have the old ones redirected to the newest blog so that my readers can still find me. If I had to start over again, I wish I had started with itsalovelylife.com from the start, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Keep In Mind:
Stay away from obscene or objectionable words and phrases with questionable meanings. The goal for this course is to set you up to earn money with your blog. If you have a site name that is even slightly objectionable, then you will be passed over by potential sponsors and potential readers.
I highly recommend that you choose a dot com (.com). These are still the standard. Resist the urge to register a domain like SandalsandSeabreezes.us if SandalsandSeabreezes.com is taken! Not only will you be confused with the .com SandalsandSeabreezes, but it will be a constant source of frustration when people go to the wrong site because they assumed you were a dot com.
If you want to be flexible and write about whatever you want on your site, just make sure the domain name isn’t too restrictive, or you could have issues down the road. Example: You love to make cookies and would like to write about that. You end up choosing the domain CookieBakingMama.com. Later you decide you would like to incorporate some lifestyle and travel writing on the site. You may have a hard time convincing a resort in the Bahamas that you are a travel blogger. In this case, a better domain name choice would be something more broad in scope that does not limit you. That could be something like lifeshappymoments.com.
If you are certain that you will be writing about one subject, try to include that in the URL for better search traffic.
This will probably be the easiest one to move forward with...especially if your name is not very common.
If your name is Mary Smith, chances are that someone else already owns that domain name.
You could always use your middle name (Rita in this example) and try variations such as:
- MaryRitaSmith.com
- MaryRSmith.com
- MSmith.com
- MRSmith.com
- MRitaSmith.com
Ready to get your domain name figured out?
Write out a list of domains you like and then it is time to search and see if they are available.
Use this site to check if a domain is actually available.
***Don't actually register your domain name at the site linked above. That will be in the next step.
If a domain name is already taken, it’s time to get a little creative (or pay someone a premium price for it). Look for synonyms of the word you were hoping to use. So, if your dream name “happysusie.com is taken, you can google “synonym for happy” to get some potential alternatives. Maybe cheerysusie.com is available instead!
Trust me, after you start using a domain name for a while, it will start to feel like it was the name you were always meant to have.
REMEMBER: don’t actually register your domain name at this point. You will be doing that in the next step and you will get that domain name for free by getting your hosting established through our source.
Keep a short list of domain names and toss around which one you like the best.
NOTE: Sometimes you will see a domain available for resale for a higher price. In this case, someone already owns the name and they are offering it for sale. Unless you have a big budget, it’s probably best to find an alternative domain name.
You may already own a domain name too! If this is the case, you can easily use that for your new blog.
Want some feedback or help in figuring out the right domain name for you? Just CLICK THIS LINK and start a new post in the Facebook group with #domainnamehelp and ask the group.
Try to include the following:
- What is your site going to be about?
- Potential domain names you are considering…make sure they are available!
If you don't have any ideas yet, list some words or phrases that you like. This will really help get the brainstorming process started.
Put some thought into this, but don’t let it stop you. Make a decision and move on to the next section.
Have your domain name figured out? Let’s move on and get your blog started!
If you are seeing this message now, we’ve got a special promotion that is still happening and we’d love for you to take advantage of it.
Click HERE to get all the details on what we’re doing to help you get started AND get a beautifully designed site included too!
The link above takes you to a special page that we have setup for a special students-only promotion. If the link is working now, we are still offering this deal. If the link does not work, please send an email to reese@itsalovelylife.com and we can point you in the right direction to get started.
We have some really great bonuses for you to get your site started, but please be aware that we can only provide you these bonuses if you establish your blog through our link. We offer these bonuses as our way of giving back and doing everything we can to make sure you get started on the right foot.
Click Here for Student-Only Special & Bonuses
After you have signed up for your new website, come back here and immediately take Action Step 5 and Action Step 6 below:
You’re not done yet for today!
Complete THIS FORM to claim your bonuses (instructions will be immediately emailed to you).
After you complete the form, we’ll verify your sign up through our link, and get you your Bonuses!
NOTE: If you filled out the linked form above and did not receive an email from us right away, first check your spam folder. If the email from us is not there, please email us at reese@itsalovelylife.com so we can get you your bonuses.
We’re big on celebrating around here!
We love celebrating our new bloggers and we’d love to hear about your new blog!
To complete this step, simply start a new post in the FACEBOOK group with #Celebrate and let us know that you got your blog started. Include your domain name of your new blog, and what your blog will be about!
Don’t worry...we know that your blog is not ready to go yet! You’ll be able to post again when you're ready to share your new blog with the community.
We love celebrating our new bloggers, so please make sure you complete this step!!
It’s really important to complete ALL THE ASSIGNMENTS and in the order presented in order to set things up correctly.
Day 2 Assignment Recap
Action Step 3: Pick Your Domain Name
Action Step 4: Start Your Website
Action Step 5: Claim Your Bonuses
Action Step 6: Start A New Post With #Celebrate
Ready to keep going?
© Copyright 2020 It’s a Lovely Life® – by Sale Pros Corp, Pete & Heather Delaney Reese.