How to set-up a blog: In 5 Easy Steps

When I first started this blog over a year ago, I absolutely knew nothing about blogs or blogging. I kept searching for information about the “how-to” guides on google, but they all required technical skills and I found them difficult to follow. But now I’ve learned a bit about blogging and I'd like to share it especially to all my friends who loves to travel and taking pictures in each places they've been to and hoping one day that I could convince them to document their daily activities via blogging. So shall we start?

5 EASY STEPS IN SETTING-UP A BLOG:

1. Find a killer and catchy Domain Name.

First things first, in order to start a blog you need to brainstorm a domain name that you are going to use on your blog. Unfortunately most one-word domains are taken at this point but there are still plenty of good domains out there. Finding a great domain name can take a while, but it’s worth it. I suggest pick something unique, short and easy to remember. I've actually tried a couple of times changing my domain name because I find it hard to think of a good domain that fits to what I am passionate about. So I've decided to use this domain: www.themidnightink - unique, concise, bit catchy and easy to remember. I've come to this domain because I usually work on my blog at night because that's when all the best thoughts aren't taken yet and I want this blog to take me somewhere or anywhere or so whatever my future holds in the world of blogging. 

2. Decide what you are going to blog about.

Pick a blog topic. Is there anything you enjoy or are really passionate about? If there is, then start to blog about it. It’s even better when you have been interested in a specific field. However, if you don’t have any idea which topic you want to write about, think about your hobbies or just start blogging about your daily activities, memorable moments or simply about everything. Like mine, I am starting to document some of my "first try" and new experiences in a new City. There's always a first for everything and those firsts I want to share with you.

3. Which blogging platform you are going to use?

There are two free blogging platforms available online:

Many popular blog users use WordPress because it sounds and looks professional especially if you are planning to start a business this is a good platform to start with. Since I am a newbie and still on my learning quest in the world of blogosphere - I opted Blogger.com and because I find it a lot easier to use. 

4. Money Blogging

You are not able to earn money via blogging but if you are going to use a self-hosted blog you can start to earn money from it but I'm still trying to figure out this one how it works. I think you can only earn money depends on how much traffic your ads will get each month. Overall, it’s a great choice for people, who want to blog long-term, share their knowledge, become a blogger and earn some money from it. Check Google AdSense for more information about how to start making money via blogging. 

5. Writing  - This is a tough one.  Think of something interesting to talk about. You definitely don’t want to bore your readers. Though I’ve only had 3 readers and 1 follower (1 in Philippines, 1 in UAE and 1 in USA) Nevertheless, I'm still motivated each day to write because this is my idea of having a blog to document my daily life events. Tell a good story. People love a good story. Stories have the ability to connect with people. If you tell a good story, you won’t have any trouble of being interesting. 

But make sure to be honest. Storytelling is great, but making up a work of fiction and pretending its fact is not only lame, but also stupid. You don’t want to build a reputation based on deceiving people. It’s also way easier to keep your stories straight. I have never written so much in my life but blogging certainly hones your writing skills no matter how you look at it. 

People won’t expect you to write like Shakespeare. Just write your heart-out, tell your story, be honest and you’re doing fine. 

Lastly, Make sure you’re on every social networking site. You should set up every single social media page available on the web. 

Better Advice: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest etc. Create content first (stuff worth sharing) then move on to worrying about promoting it later.

Do you find it a bit helpful?

Or you got an easier steps to set up a blog?

Please leave a comment and 
Share some tips to improve this blog.

Thank ya'll! 

xxx

FIRST POST: LIFE OF A CALL CENTER

I am a Marketing graduate, and yes I have worked in the call center - BPO industry. There is such a huge discrimination when one hears a person is working in a BPO - call center. Companies even have specific rules for application for loan, credit card, phone line and so many other things if you are working in a call center, and if you say call center, you can hear the "aah" of disappointment in their tones.

Sad thing is, do these people actually know how freaking hard it is to get in a call center from the initial interview up to training even on the production floor? Yes they do see the glamour of call center workers partying, Starbucks or going out having a good time, but they deserve it, because these people slave for 8-9 hours or more a day bearing insults from clients who are not even their own family, constant changes with stats that they have to meet up with and the worry that anytime one minor fault can lose them their job. Believe me this work is not just about sitting down and saying hi and hello and it’s all good.

Carrying of phone is strictly prohibited in the production and yet you will get some ignorant love ones requesting to break up or even blame you for not answering the phone during your work hours. Do they even know carrying a phone inside the production floor is a cause for termination? Yes believe it or not it is! In spite of being regularized these people still do not have stability of work, with the constant change of client requirements and statistics, quality control and metrics a call center agent can lose his job at any time! Being late can be cause for termination, even being absent if its 3 consecutive days is ground for termination. And regardless of the emergency it is a requirement for an agent to phone in 2-hour before his/her shift to inform that they can’t make it, otherwise it is marked as No call, no show which can also lead to grounds for termination, now consider this what if an emergency struck and you are unable to call? Yes they do get penalized regardless. They work graveyard shift and believe me working in the night is one of the most difficult thing to do only to go home and sleep the day off to wake up and prepare again to go to work. Holidays, even Christmas and New Year they are required to go to work, regardless of any holidays celebrated. It’s funny how the media always portray the glamour of working in a call center, but the true call center work takes a lot of hard work, sweat, blood and tears which the media have never gotten the chance to really show to the public.

In summary? This is not a simple job, otherwise they would not offer such a high pay, it takes a lot of sacrifice and yet it is classified by our system as a factory worker category, such a shame. No job deserves more respect than the hardworking call center agents who slave every night to support their family because our government could not offer a job that suits their profession.