If you're thinking about starting a blog, I encourage you to pray and ask God about your idea first. Proverbs chapter 3 tells us, that we should not lean on our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our path.

 

If the Lord is for your idea of starting a blog, then He will provide you with knowledge, understanding, and grace to accomplish this goal.

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Since starting my blog, I've been amazed to see how my drive for personal development and spiritual growth has resonated with so many women of faith. One of the things that I love most about sharing my faith through blog posts is the community that it creates. I've been able to connect with other Christian women from all over the world and it's been such a blessing to hear their stories and share in their journeys.

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Contact My Sun & Shade Ministries with questions or advice here.

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It can be intimidating to put yourself out there, "on the web," at first, but the rewards are truly worth it. Here are a few tips that I've learned along the way:

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• Start with prayer: Before you even begin to think about the technical aspects of starting a blog, take some time to pray and ask God if this is something that He's calling you to do. If it is, ask for His guidance and wisdom as you move forward. Creating a blog and maintaining a blog are two different things and take a good deal of time. Do you have time to devote to this? Will creating a blog take you away from other responsibilities?

• Choose a niche: There are countless blogs out there, so it's important to find a niche that sets you apart. Think about what you're passionate about and what unique perspective you can bring to the table. My interests are very diverse but I had no time narrowing down what my niche would be because the Lord gave me clear direction. Such as starting a page for "Prayers for Marriages." Like mentioned before, seek the Lord FIRST before launching off into the world of blog writing and He will direct your path - as promised in Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."

• Create a content plan: Once you've identified your niche, start brainstorming ideas for content. Make a list of topics that you're excited to write about and try to come up with a schedule for posting. I added this bit of advice because I thought it would be helpful to my readers, but, honestly I didn't do any brainstorming, I just started writing blog posts of topics the Lord put on my heart.

• Invest in quality web design: Your blog's design is often the first impression that readers will have of your site, so it's worth investing in a professional-looking design. If you don't have a background in graphics design, consider hiring a freelance designer to help. Fortunately, I have worked in graphics for years and absolutely love creating digital art. This has been a wonderful asset to creating a welcoming blog.

• Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to blogging. Set a schedule for posting and stick to it, even if it means sacrificing some free time. This is another one of those tips I added for my readers. Unfortunately, I am not consistent with my blog posts. My goal from the beginning was to post one blog post a month, and for the most part I have done so, but I haven't nailed down any specific day of the month I release the new blog post.

• Engage with your readers: Your readers are the lifeblood of your blog, so it's important to engage with them as much as possible. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and create opportunities for dialogue. This is something I would like to do more, but for some reason, my readers are afraid of leaving comments or aren't compelled to do so. There are only a few blog posts with comments. Those who have emailed me with prayer requests, I've answered, and those who have emailed me "thanks," or have given me a thumb's up, I have answered heartily. But, I have yet to see a growing community of regular readers who leave comments on a regular basis. If you are one of those readers --feel free to leave me a comment!! It is SO much fun to hear from you!

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I hope these tips are helpful as you embark on your blogging journey. Remember, if God is calling you to do something, He will equip you for the job!

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More Inspirational Reading:

Read the backstory of My Sun & Shade!!

Read about the Founder: find out her interests, and hobbies.

Read more about this ministry to women, children, marriages, and families!