The job of a successful business is simple: it helps its customer solve a problem. Your customer has a need—their problem—and with your business, you’re offering them the solution. Sometimes the solution is a tool, a product they can buy; other times it’s a methodology you teach, a service you provide. Either way, your goal is clear: you need to help your customer solve their problem.
One of the easiest ways to get started solving problems is with a blog.
When I started my first blog, Green Exam Academy, back in 2008, I was helping my reader solve a problem: studying for the LEED exam was hard. My blog organized information and made it easier for my reader (the customer) to study.
Since then, I’ve gone on to create a variety of blogs, all aimed at solving a very clear problem:
Smart Passive Income: When starting an online business, it’s hard to know which strategies actually work.
Security Guard Training HQ: I want to become a security guard but I don’t know how.
FoodTruckr: Starting a food truck is complicated.
On this page, I’ll share resources to help you start and grow your blog. As you read, remember my #1 rule: a successful business solves a problem.
Want to See How it's Done?
It's not just about the text
We’ve got a ton of high-quality videos to show you exactly how to get things done on your blog.
Watch this video below about how to write the perfect blog post:
Confused about where to begin?
How to get your blog started
The key to a successful blog is great content. What is great content? Well-written, informative posts that help your reader solve an issue at the heart of their problem.
On your blog, you’ll use a mix of different types of posts, including case studies, how-tos, product reviews, philosophical looks at key issues. This is called your “Content Pyramid” and it helps keep your blog interesting for the reader.
But first, you need to set up your blog! If you’re brand-new to blogging, you’ll want to start with How to Start a Blog—The Ultimate Tutorial. I’m still putting the finishing touches on the this guide; it launches in Summer 2017. You can get notified the moment it launches.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know when setting up your blog, including how to configure your hosting and set up WordPress.
Grow your blog's reach
Learn how to write great ebooks
You have a blog—but now what? Ebooks the Smart Way teaches you how to write a killer ebook, from content planning and formatting to pricing the book and launching it out into the world.
The posts I share on this page will help you at various stages in your blogging journey. Once you have your blog up and running, the posts in the Tutorials for Creating Content section will teach you how to write well so that you’re helping your readers to solve problems.
In the Tutorials for Managing Your Editorial Calendar, I’ll teach you how to plan ahead, so that you never miss a publishing date. You’ll learn the strategies and tools I use with my team to publish the right mix of content, on time, every time.
Finally, the Tutorials for Using Blog Content to Drive Traffic introduces you to strategies for growing your audience through the thoughtful use of targeted content such as “upgraded content” and repurposed content. This is just scratching the surface—once you’ve mastered these concepts, use my site search to explore more topics on traffic growth.
CoSchedule is an indispensable tool for keeping my editorial calendar on track! It allows me to manage my team's tasks, WordPress posts, and social media scheduling from a single platform. [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.]
As you start and grow your blog, I know you’re going to have questions. This is where the AskPat Podcast can help you out. Listeners just like you ask questions, and I answer them.
Since I started the show, I have answered hundreds of questions about blogging, from getting started with keyword research, to learning how to write well, to growing your blog with guest posting strategies.
Here are just few of the questions (and my answers!) on blogging. If you don’t see your question here, visit the AskPat.com to search through the archive.
You can also ask a question of your own! Leave a voice mail for me with the Speakpipe widget and I just might answer it on the show!
You’re not only ready to start a blog, you’re ready to start serving your audience. I’m so thankful that you’ve allowed me to be a part of your journey toward serving others.
I can’t wait to see all that you’ll do! I’m here to answer your questions and help you as you grow your business. Good luck! You’ve got this!
