Want to Start a Blog in 2023? The Step-by-Step Guide for ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS!

If you've ever said to yourself "I'd like to start a blog because I enjoy writing but have NO IDEA where to start!" Then this video is for you.
Starting a blog can be overwhelming, so this is a how to start a blog step-by-step guide to show you everything you need to know. I've been blogging for years now, so I've made sure to include some full-time bloggers' tips and advice that I've learned over the years!
It's easy when you are first starting out to make some common blogging mistakes and a lot of other confusion, so this video will hopefully help you avoid some of that!
// LINKS
○ Blog Hosting (Siteground): www.siteground...
○ Creative Market (Website themes): creativemarket...
○ Wordpress beginner help playlist: • WordPress Beginner Blo...
○ Wordpress.com vs wordpress.org- What’s the difference?: • Wordpress.com vs wordp...
○ EASY WordPress Admin Dashboard Tutorial 2022: • EASY WordPress Admin D...
○ The ONLY WordPress Plugins you’ll Ever Need: • The ONLY WordPress Plu...
○ What’s the BEST WAY to Structure a Blog Post?: • What’s the BEST WAY to...
💻 READ MORE ON THE BLOG: www.sarahmarie...
➡️ SHOP MY PRODUCTS: www.etsy.com/s...
// EQUIPMENT I USE
📸 Camera: amzn.to/3nxCAV7
📸 Tripod: amzn.to/3l3gntr
📸 SD Card: amzn.to/3joDZs4
📸 SD Card Adaptor: amzn.to/30rrkgN
💡 Lights: amzn.to/36oUIb2
💡 Ring light w/ stand: amzn.to/3jkIvaN
// TOOLS I USE
○ Where I find my music (Epidemic): share.epidemic...
○ Canva Pro: partner.canva....
○ Email provider (Convertkit): convertkit.com...
○ Affiliate company (Share-A-Sale): shareasale.com...
Hey! I'm Sarah Marie. I teach blogging and social media tips to creators who want to take back the life they love and build an online business with blogging. Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe for more content every week!
🔴 Subscribe for more tips just like this! ➡️ www.youtube.co...
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue creating free content each week!
// SOCIALS
✨ Blog: www.sarahmarie...
✨ Pinterest: / sarahmarieblog
✨ Twitter: / sarahmarieblog

[@chidinmaumendubisi4027]

Everybody on KZbin talking about how to make money with blogging, without even saying how to start, the software to use or even the domain or hosting...thank you for this video

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it was helpful! I try to make my videos different from everybody. They all say the same things, so people need to hear something different!

[@musicandpoetry_8]

This! I really appreciate this girl telling exactly what to do from the way beginning instead of click bait non sense, thank you Sara marie!

[@NoMoreNoobie]

Hi Sarah Marie, thanks for a great video. Quick question.... i am about to start a website or blog but not sure which would be best. I do 'How to edit on Ps5' videos on youtube so looking to grow a business with this but dont know if a blog or website would be best for growing and adding affiliate links, digital downloads, courses etc. Could you let me know what you would suggest please. Would really appreciate it...

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I'm not sure what the difference between a website and a blog would be? If you start a website, what else would be on it other than a blog? A blog is where you'd actually be writing posts to get people to buy things, which sounds like what you're looking to do. Idk how else you'd get people to buy things otherwise.

[@NoMoreNoobie]

@@SarahMarieBlog ok thank you. Makes sense...I was noticing videos on how to start a blog and how to start a website so presumed there was a significant difference so dolidnt want to start one when uphold have started the other....thanks for getting back to me....👍🏼

[@SarahMarieBlog]

@@NoMoreNoobie it's pretty much the same thing! My website is where I run my blog. I have other pages on there, but it's mostly for my blog!

[@NoMoreNoobie]

@@SarahMarieBlog Ah ok. Right so I will build a website and have a blog on it. I have been watching your videos and it's really helpful to learn from you so thank you...👍🏼

[@SarahMarieBlog]

@NoMoreNoobie yes exactly! Glad I could help :)

[@jesicabrazil4813]

Hey, I like your personality. You're not too fast or robotic. Not too slow and boring. You're just right. Your voice is great. You seem secure and confident. But most of all: you really seem to sincerely want to pass on your knowledge. You're not doing it just for clicks. Thank you. Jésica

[@bhagyalakshmieb2957]

I always wanted to try blogging as a hobby since I love writing. I neither have intention of making money nor spending it, just want to do it for fun. Even though I want to start doing it it's still a little bit overwhelming and eventually lose the confidence to start.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

If you don't care about making money and want to do it as a hobby, try WordPress.com. it's a free option, easy to set up and you never have to spend a dime if you don't want to. Not even on the blog themes. They have paid upgrades, but they aren't worth it in my opinion. Especially if you have no intention of making money with it. But, if you did for some reason change your mind in the future, WordPress.com transfers sites over to WordPress.org (the self hosted version) really easily! So the future move would be easy, if you ever wanted to. But you wouldn't have to. If you're looking for an even easier option to start writing, try Medium.com. You won't own the site, but it's free and you can get started with an account right away! Hope that helps with the overwhelm at least!

[@noeliaurquizo4620]

Same I just want a space to express myself

[@SunblaKhan-lk6ol]

As a blogger, I found myself struggling with managing a blog, doing SEO part and all. There are quite many tools that I have tried, and I liked a few of them, such as Ahref, Moz for SEO analysis, and BlogHandy for maintaining my blog and optimizing it properly. These tools have been a savior for bloggers

[@Lukasz.Kaa09]

Hey, thanks for the vid. Planning to start blogging about space, stars, AI etc so Im watching hundred of vids weekly to get as much info as I need to get me started. Bless ✌️

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for watching! But make sure while you're watching videos, you're also doing! Watching a bunch of videos is great but if you never actually start, you're not doing much with what you learned! I learned that the hard way 😊

[@juans4570]

This is the best explanation, I have seen so far. Thank you

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thank you!! Glad it was helpful 😁

[@IOSARBX]

Sarah Marie Blog, Amazing!

[@michaelamccrackin]

Thank you so much for the video. It was so detailed I enjoyed it and now I know there is a lot more to blogging than I thought.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

There defiantly is a lot to it!!

[@DiabeticGameGuy]

Not really at my PC today, but I played it in the background and added a like to help the algorithm. I'll watch your vid next week.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks!

[@mazdaohio]

This video was superb! I appreciated the tactical advice and tips. This will definitely be a reference video in the future. Liked and subscribed.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for watching!!

[@TortoiseCashFlow]

I see you changed your hair, looks good! Great video as well, I'll smash the like button for the KZbin algorithm.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I did! Thank you. Appreciate the support as well ☺️

[@sofifiuh]

Hi! I have a quick question. I just want to create a blog with topics I’m very passionate about and might have revenue along the way. I wanted something a bit simple for me as a beginner do you think Blogger is okay compared to Wordpress? Thank you for your work!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I think Blogger is simple! I've never used it, but from what I've heard it seems like it might be.

[@stefanibarrett5982]

I feel like this video has great info but it’s a lot. Slightly overwhelming and you talk fast! Lol

[@SarahMarieBlog]

It can be overwhelming! My advice is to start with one thing at a time. And also to watch more recent videos where I have slowed down on talking (I hope) 😂

[@iamstacyswift]

Love this thank very easy example

[@Maduabuchiconfidencef-xl7mr]

Hi, good afternoon Marie Pls i want to start blogging because my income isn't enough, but i don't have a laptop and I don't know how to do it and earn money from it

[@SarahMarieBlog]

It's going to be a bit difficult to blog without a laptop so I would start there. But blogging isn't something you can start for free and make money with super quickly so if you're in a super tight spot with money, blogging isn't going to be your solution. You need money to invest in tools with, and time and patience to make it work. Which you may not have if you're struggling financially

[@georgemoore4504]

You are very good but you are far to fast ,,, you should take it slowly for old timers like me. Chers

[@SarahMarieBlog]

You can slow down the playback of the video if you wanted to!

[@maramalamir2166]

hey what do you think about hostinger plan ? it has wordpress installed in it with the hosting do you think this is a good idea?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I've never personally used Hostinger but I've heard good things about it!

[@georgemoore4504]

Do you really think I can remember all this

[@alejandrocisneros6014]

I’m taking notes as I’m watching this… maybe try that?

[@Gabrielleyvonne_]

I am in a program to become a marriage and family therapist. I want to make content that heals families specifically. But I also really enjoy beauty and self care. Would you think it’s a good idea for a therapy blog to also be a beauty blog?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Honestly? No I don't think that's a good idea. Those are going to be two very different audiences with vastly different interests and the way you'd write blog posts will be different too. Would there likely be some crossover when it comes to both those interests? For sure! But it's not likely it will be for the majority of the audience I would pick whichever one you love the most, can write topics in the easiest and which one had the quickest earning potential (if you care about the money that is)

[@marjannebie]

Dear Sarah Marah, thanks so much for this post. It was so inspiring, so helpful, so encouraging for new starting bloggers. I love how you are down to earth, not slamming your page with "make 100K per year", like many others do, and what feels so fake. Thank you for being authentically involved helping others. I might be interested in your coaching to start a blog and will check out your services. Thanks!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thank you! I'm nowhere near making a ton of money blogging, but I still love to teach what I know! I'm here for the little guys who are just starting out :)

[@JohnnyHarrison-c6r]

This was so good. Simple and very informative. Thank u!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thank you for watching!!

[@vivabb214]

Thanks so much Sarah Marie this video was super helpful!!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@i.amlai_]

Hi! I wanted to ask a quick question. I want to start blogging as a complete hobby. I want to write but I don't have time and space for it so the blog will be completely for me and my writing but I don't know how it will look or if a blog can be like that. So I wanted to have your opinion abut that.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Blogs used to be able to be just about random things and life updates or whatever people wanted to write. You can absolutely blog as a hobby, but I can't guarantee you'll see much traffic just writing about you/for you! There also can be a lot of setup involved in blogging, so if you'd like to try it out, maybe try posting on a site called Medium! I used to write there myself. It may be a good fit for you.

[@i.amlai_]

@SarahMarieBlog I really enjoy setting up sites so it won't be any problem and I won't expect any traffic at all so I guess it will be fine. Thanks for the video and answer ! ☺️

[@miss.spotlessmind]

Hey! I was wondering on Wordpress, or any other blogging website, is there a way that people can ask me for advice etc and then I answer them back?? as helping people out is what I mainly want my blog to be focused on, or is that completely different from a blog? :)

[@SarahMarieBlog]

If you'd want to do something like that, you're looking for a forum site! Try Reddit. That would be what you're looking for. People have a lot of questions on there!

[@miss.spotlessmind]

@@SarahMarieBlog since I want it to be anonymous, would doing it on Reddit be around the same thing as people asking me for advice, and then I post my response to their questions on my profile/ site? I was looking at word press for me to have a plug in on my website so people can ask me questions, but it costs money since you can only do it on a business plan, and I only want to start blogging as a hobby…

[@SarahMarieBlog]

@mimiislyfe I'm not 100% sure how Reddit works because I don't use it, but you could start by looking up questions in a topic you're interested in and answering questions that are already being asked. I think you can have a profile and followers, so once you build that up, you may be able to have people ask you questions from there. What you're looking to do really isn't a "blog." A blog is writing posts, not a Q and A

[@IndigoPlans]

Excellent content, thanks Sarah Marie! 🌼🌸🌺

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for watching!

[@gloriabright7544]

THANK YOU!!!!!❤

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Hope it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@caleapoetului]

Maria, you nice. you dont force me to buy shit. And you speak true informations. Thanks for this video!

[@ekeminiasaka822]

Can you be my Coach Sarah Marie....I really wanna learn blogging

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I will be opening up coaching services again soon!

[@yeohooooonyoon]

what do you think about wordpress vs squarespace?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I personally think WordPress is the best option out there, but I've never used Squarespace so I don't know!

[@jawilliamsg]

Thank you Sarah!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for watching!

[@MayoBelandria]

Thank you so much for all the information super precise and compact, every second is valuable

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thank you! So glad it was helpful ❤️

[@moxiejae321]

Thank you! 😊

[@mfigueroa2079]

This was so good. Simple and very informative. Thank u!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ugwugrace5710]

I love this, really want to learn more about blogging

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Hopefully you'll learn some things from my channel!

[@mindfuleats4517]

Decided to try blogging. This made y brain explode. So much to learn

[@SarahMarieBlog]

There is a lot to learn! It's really best to start out simple so you don't get overwhelmed. Pick a niche, and pick a name. Buy a site domain and hosting (I recommend siteground) and either use a free theme or find one on Etsy/creative market. Then, start writing! Pick one platform to promote on (Pinteresr is best imo) and learn more as you go. But simple is best!

[@AskLisa1841]

Good morning I bought into a three-year subscription with blue host. The plan was to build my real estate website and a blog neither happened. I am almost to my expiration date which is in August of this year I would like to set up a blog. I have all my information and I also purchased a theme template really didn’t know what I was doing, somebody please help me

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I honestly haven't hear much good about Bluehost, so step one in my opinion would be to change hosts. I personally like Siteground (Link in my description) But if you would like some blog coaching and help from me, I am offering Zoom calls! You can always email me for details :) [e-mail]

[@huizylove]

I do not enjoy blogging, but starting a project could help me improve in communication skills

[@SarahMarieBlog]

if you don't enjoy blogging, I wouldn't start one. There are probably better, easier (and cheaper) ways to get better at communicating!

[@drjonesey5]

The whole "passion" thing is a half truth. It follows the human behavior idea where the belief is "if you don't like it you'll quit" due to lack of motivation which is not entirely wrong. However, how many people stay at jobs they hate for 1-2 decades? Millions. Zero passion, yet they do it. The thing that really makes people quit is weak self governance and discpline. Same reason people fail to eat healthy and get overweight and fail to lose weight. They are passionate to do it, YET cannot because nobody is looking over their shoulder saying "Do it" like a supervisor would. YOU are your own boss, so if your will power and maturity is lacking in this area, you will fail at any task that requires YOU to hold YOU responsible. Passion or no passion. Hence why most bloggers, KZbinrs, Online opportunity folks etc, fail despite 9 out 10 money methods work. And they claim it's all a scam when they fail because they can't fathom the issue is them.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I think people stay at jobs for years that they hate because it pays the bills, gives them insurance and they don't see another way out. Plus, it doesn't matter if you're passionate about your desk job. If you aren't the boss no amount of hard work or passion is going to raise your paycheck- so it doesn't matter. A business that you own is much different. what's the point of starting a business you hate? I'd rather find a job that pays consistently over starting a business I'm not passionate about and won't pay my bills for who knows how long- if ever. However, I do agree many businesses fail because of a lack of discipline. I think it's both-and not either-or

[@macopa12]

Hi, a new follower here - I find that you are easier to follow with your guides - thank you.

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Happy to hear they are easy to follow!!

[@bybisht]

@@@@hello

[@Lauram618]

Thanks. Very helpful. I want to earn income. I have too because im very much homebound and i need to reach out to the world. And im driven by my v topic so its very important and ive been told a few times i should do this when my stuff is read. I just need help get it goring as far as building. So i appreciate this video. I will say tge site cant be overwhelming for me. It has yo be kind to my eyes when learning and visually it just can't be complicated. Im dyslexic and add so it hss to be easy on my eye's fir my mind

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad to help! If you do need more help setting up a site, choosing a niche or any other start a blog help, I have coaching services for that! The page is currently being updated so it's not on my site but I can get you the details over email if it sounds helpful for you! 😄

[@HammysWorld91]

Love this video. Easy to understand for a beginner for me

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad I could help!

[@InspireSpeak-mg6yf]

i have sub ur channel bcoz ur fast in transfer the data , love it the way you teach . ur awesome and inspiring . Thanks for ur sharing knowledge

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for the sub!

[@juliafulton728]

Do you have an affiliate link for siteground? I’d love to go through your link so you can get it! I’ve found this to be the most helpful video!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I do! It's right here: siteground.com/index.htm?afcode=0f6d03b0227135f281be7069dec88f0b Thanks so much, stuff like that really helps out! Glad you found the video helpful!

[@musicandpoetry_8]

This was very straightforward thank you!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulobacudo9011]

Hi i been followed your videos. you have free scholarship?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

A free scholarship..? No?

[@joshs7082]

1,000th like haha, also how hard is it to move from the free to paid Wordpress?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

It was so easy! You can either download a plugin to do it or just have them do it! Siteground just launched their black Friday sale so now is the PERFECT TIME to move over from free to paid!! 85% off right now! www.sarahmarie.blog/siteground

[@GonzaloCeja-u5w]

thank you

[@NIO623]

What are plugin?? Please explain. I hear it all the time but not sure what it is exactly. Thanks

[@SarahMarieBlog]

A plugin is something you install on your blog to make changes to it, customize it or add a bunch of other things to it

[@susieg9072]

Thanks for the great info. Just used your link for hosting!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thank you! Now is a great time to buy with all the deals going on!!

[@reflectocean2401]

Thanks for the replies much appreciated ,it was helpful

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it helped!

[@rosemaryessang7407]

Your hair is so beautiful

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thank you!

[@danjumaanthony3469]

Thank you for this But complete it by showing some short videos on how to get started as a firts starter 😊

[@SarahMarieBlog]

If there's anything else you'd like to see specifically, let me know!

[@Eurospeedautomotiveofficial]

I love your hair babe! Looks rich in color. Beautiful

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks!

[@berniev.9389]

I would like to do it for my gardening

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Try it!!

[@cornishfudge39]

Wow this was helpful

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it helped!

[@PaulineMurray-tx3vi]

thank you so much!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for watching!!

[@mindfuleats4517]

What about ionas?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

What are ionas?

[@violet7172]

thank you so much!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Hope it was helpful!

[@ariela_]

I have elementor, do you think it breaks seo? Because whenever I have green light in my yoast it goes away once I edit my post in seo

[@SarahMarieBlog]

It shouldn't break anything as far as I know, but I no longer use Yoast SEO anymore, I've moved on to Rank Math and don't have any problems

[@ariela_]

@@SarahMarieBlog ok, also I noticed you have elementor Gutenberg and genesis I thought they were all the same thing? What’s the difference between them

[@SarahMarieBlog]

@ariela_ Genisis is related to my blog theme, Gutenberg is how I write blog posts instead of the classic WordPress editor and Elementor is a page builder

[@spencegoddard8456]

Great video, thanks ❤

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Thanks for watching!

[@anoushkaspeville9980]

can you make a video on Jetpack

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I dont use jetpack because it's terrible for site speed!

[@frozengun6934]

Thank you sm for great info ❤ Ok I'm a hardcore noob😂. Now is jetpack a host?

[@SarahMarieBlog]

@frozengun6934 it's a security tool, I think it also tracks stats and things like that But there are better more lightweight plugins out there! (Meaning they don't make your site slow) :)

[@jjkscupcake9849]

Finally a video that really help people to start blogging! Thank you so much Sarah !!

[@SarahMarieBlog]

You're so welcome! Super glad it was helpful!!

[@ukdebdigitalworld]

Hello Sarah, Can you Speech slowly, because we are not English Speaking Country.

[@Soleckerundschnell]

Hi... Always click on settings icon on the right corner of the video then click on play back speed.... That way you can slow or speed up the video, I hope this helps 🥰❤️

[@twintopper8659]

TALKS WAY TOO FAST, TALK ABOUT CONFUSING.........

[@SarahMarieBlog]

I do talk very fast! It's a habit. You do however have the ability to slow down the video with the play back speed, or find another creator who doesn't speak so fast. There's a ton of them!

[@adventures_against_depression]

Thank you Sarah for your very helpful video, it was easy to follow and understand

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mom-and-son]

1) ❤❤❤❤ THANK YOU! For validating that I can write about all 3 passions I want to blog about! You’re the first person I’ve heard say it also making you the ONLY person to every answer my question of where, what, how do I include the other topics (b/c I was determined to have them haha). I just didn’t know whether I was supposed to hide the posts from the others so audiences don’t see them or if I was supposed to do a different theme, pg, or whatever with the others so they don’t cross. But you answered the question; just create different categories. So I don’t have to hide them. They are but they’re not at the same time of being relative to each other but they do all go with my name so it fits 🥰🫶🏾

[@SarahMarieBlog]

Yes I love this!! ❤️❤️❤️ You can definitely talk about more than one topic on your blog!! It's better if the audiences/intent of the viewer is the same but categories is a great way to keep things separate. What are the topics you want to do?