If you’ve made the decision to start a new blog, you’ve done all the research, and you’ve begun preparing your content, it’s also time to prepare for your blog launch. The launch is your first step in presenting your blog to the world, and also sets the tone for how you will manage and run your blog in the future. It’s important to take time to plan your launch properly so that you have the best chances at success. While there is no rule that says you can’t just get out there and start blogging as you feel like it, with no plan, there are facts and stats that prove that having a plan is always better. Even if you don’t plan to monetise your blog, going into it with a clear plan to reach your goals will help you stay on track.
To properly prepare for a blog launch, you need to create launch goals. Here are some goals to help you prepare for the bug day:
- Get your content ready – Before launching a new blog, it’s a good idea to have at least 10-15 posts written and scheduled. You also want to be sure you have a handful live already. You want to give your new readers something more than just one post to read when you begin promoting. So stock up on the great content before you do an official launch and start promoting.
- Have a great design – You also want your blog to look good and to be user-friendly on the eyes. People should be able to get a feel for your theme and topic at first glance. It should also have a clean font that is easy to read and they should be able to find things they want on the pages without too much difficulty. The easier you make it all, the better.
- Plan for promotion – You also want to plan for the actual launch day and promotion of your blog. How and where will you announce? Who will you invite to read your blog? What do you hope to achieve from your launch? Plan this all in advance and be ready to go on your big day.
- Establish credibility – You also want people to know why you are an authority on your blog topic. Why does your opinion matter? What makes you important? A bio/about page is a good place to include this but always remember to establish credibility.
- Engage with your readers – Once you launch, you need to be prepared for engaging with your readers. This is how you will keep your new readers coming back. Make sure you (or someone you assign) is ready to help with replies before you launch.
These are just a few steps to help you prepare your blog launch. These are general steps that any blog can follow but you may find that you have more specific goals that relate directly to your niche and your audience. You should build on and expand this list to allow for all of the fine details that will make you and your blog unique.
