This guide is a simple, effective, and precise guide to getting up any type of blog, ideal for people who have trouble finding tips to getting started blogging.

It covers the steps from choosing a blog publishing system to writing a post and connecting with other bloggers.  I haven’t included many links, as the process is as stripped-down as possible.

If you would like to add any steps in-between the process I have included, feel free to do so in the comments.

Getting Started

1. Think about how much time you have on a daily basis - the time it requires to blog can be as little as ten minutes per week to as much as 10+ hours per day.  It is up to you how much time you put in.
2. Determine your goals in blogging.  From this, browse for a blog system that appeals to your particular needs.
3. Find something that interests you, such as a hobby or other activity.  Identify your audience.
4. Find a blog title that defines what your blog (and your personality) is about.
5. Create an account or install the blog files on your server.  Which option is best for you - self-hosted or developer-hosted?
6. Read tutorials or know-how on setting up your blog correctly and the first steps to creating a successful blog.
7. Finalize the installation process using the steps that you have read and customize the template, links, sidebar, and settings to your preferences.

After Installation and Setup - Writing a Post

1. Sticking with the main purpose of your blog, begin brainstorming some possible post topics.  Don’t revise this list, you may come back to them in the future.
2. Go into your blog editor and begin writing.
3. After you have finished the post, add relevant tags and categories to the post for organizational and navigational purposes.
4. You’ve finished writing your first post - now promote it!  If you have friends and family who may be interested in reading your blog, you can tell them first, otherwise, submit it to social media/bookmarking sites.

Continuing Your Blog

1. Just because you’ve written your first post, that doesn’t mean your blog is finished!  Write more posts, preferably on a daily basis to keep your blog growing strong.
2. Submit your site to as many high quality blog search engines and regular search engines as possible.
3. Sign up for social networking sites, add your link (read the terms/usage policy first!) to their service/your profile page, and connect with others.
4. While it isn’t necessary, add widgets to your sidebar to help attract people who may be interested in the same topic as you.
5. Track the direction that your blog is going with analytics software.  Recommended: Google Analytics for traffic and FeedBurner for feed subscriptions.
6. Begin practicing good optimization for search engines and internal linking, using the articles that you have read in the first steps.

Your Personal Preferences - Long-Term Effects

1. At this point, it is more your personal decisions as to the way you wish to run your blog.  Are you looking for profit or building a dedicated reader base and keeping it personal?
2. You may sign up for a combination of these advertising types to monetize your blog: contextual and text link advertising, affiliate programs, paid reviews, or banner ads.  
3. Finally, once you’ve mastered setting up your first blog and have made it profitable/successful, it is either time to start your next blog or continue developing the first blog, to make it GREAT!