How to Start a Blog: Building Your Own Brand as an Artist and Creator

How to Start a Blog: Building Your Own Brand as an Artist and Creator

​A blog is not just a place to write. It is a living business card with your name on it, and it is the foundation of your brand where your thoughts, activities, and interests are accumulated. In this article, I will give a step-by-step guide to those who are just starting a blog, based on my own trial and error and practical tips.

1. Choose Your Domain Name

Before anything else, the most important step is deciding on your blog name. If you want to run a business or brand yourself as an artist, it’s best to use your own name as the domain.
Examples:

Once you've decided, register your domain through sites like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains. The cost is usually around $10–$20 per year.

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2. Pick a Blogging Platform

​Next, you’ll need to choose a platform to build your blog. Most offer free starter plans and charge only for your custom domain or premium features.
Popular platforms include:

• Weebly (my personal choice)
• WordPress
• Wix
• Blogger

I use Weebly because its palette-style drag-and-drop editor feels intuitive and artistic. As a visual creator, it’s been easier for me than WordPress, which felt a bit tedious with all the submenus and nested options. That said, Weebly has its limitations and frustrating quirks, and at times I’ve found it annoying. If you're curious, search “Weebly” on my website—I've shared many tips.

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2. Pick a Blogging Platform

​Next, you’ll need to choose a platform to build your blog. Most offer free starter plans and charge only for your custom domain or premium features.
Popular platforms include:

• Weebly (my personal choice)
• WordPress
• Wix
• Blogger

I use Weebly because its palette-style drag-and-drop editor feels intuitive and artistic. As a visual creator, it’s been easier for me than WordPress, which felt a bit tedious with all the submenus and nested options. That said, Weebly has its limitations and frustrating quirks, and at times I’ve found it annoying. If you're curious, search “Weebly” on my website—I've shared many tips.

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3. Define Your Blog’s Focus

​At first, you might not know exactly what your blog is about—and that’s okay. Just start writing like a journal. Over time, you’ll discover your interests and natural voice.
Don’t feel pressured to categorize everything from the beginning. I made that mistake and later regretted it because changing categories wasn’t easy. It’s better to write freely and let your themes emerge organically.

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4. Think of Your Blog as a Flow, Not a Folder

A blog isn’t something you archive—it’s something you keep flowing. The goal is not to store but to grow. Write regularly with the mindset that you’re evolving through the process.
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As your content grows, you'll notice patterns in traffic and engagement. This helps you learn what topics bring value to others.

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5. Connect Your Blog with Social Platforms

​Don’t blog in isolation. Share your work on Instagram, Pinterest, or other social channels. The more external traffic you draw in, the more visible your blog becomes.
Think of it this way: it’s easier to invite people into a city square than to shout from a distant mountaintop. Join communities and bring them to your blog.

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6. Consistency is Everything

​Try not to skip a single day in your first six months. Write even when you don’t feel like it. When blogging becomes a habit—like eating or sleeping—it becomes sustainable.
Today, tools like ChatGPT can provide facts in seconds. What readers truly seek now are stories, experiences, reflections, and personality—that’s what makes your blog stand out.

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7. Monetize Through AdSense

​Once your traffic grows, consider applying for Google AdSense to start earning from your blog.
How to Join AdSense:

1. Visit Google AdSense
2. Register your blog and verify ownership
3. Add a code snippet to your site
4. Wait for approval (a few days)
5. Ads will start displaying on your blog

From this point on, it helps to write more strategically—pay attention to keywords, meta descriptions, and SEO tactics.

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8. Blogging Sharpens Your Mind

​Through blogging, you'll naturally improve your:

• Writing skills
• Depth of thinking
• Self-expression
• Clarity of goals

You’ll gain confidence, track your growth, and clearly see where you've been, where you are, and where you're headed.

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9. Learn to Handle Online IssuesAs you grow, you may face issues like:

• Copyright violations
• Image theft
• Scam collaboration requests
• Spam messages

I’ve dealt with all of these. I’ve documented my experiences under the “Art Scam” section on my website—feel free to explore for tips.

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Final Thoughts

​Your blog is your living portfolio. Even if you start small and slow, consistency turns it into something powerful. Write. Keep writing. Keep flowing.
Eventually, your name and work will become a recognizable brand. That’s when the magic—and the income—happens.