If you’re a gaming fan, one of the best ways to ensure that you stay current with the latest game releases and trends is to start your video game blog. Running your blog gives you total control over what you write about, whether it’s reviews of games that are out now or speculation about upcoming titles. If you can find an idea that people care about, then you’re halfway there already! When you have something to say, all you need to do is follow these eight simple steps to start your gaming-focused website up and running.
List Down Topics
It’s always good to have an idea of what you want to write about. Take some time and think about games that are interesting to you, perhaps those that haven’t been talked about enough or that simply aren’t getting much attention on social media. Make a list of topics you can write about on your new gaming website, and have fun with it!
Build Your Audience
Think of your initial goal as building an audience, and use that as your guiding principle. How many readers do you want? What kind of people do you want to reach? By considering these questions first, it’s easier to think about how you can best get yourself in front of those people—and be consistent about it. Once your audience is built, then you can worry about making money.
Write Informative, High-Quality Content
The point of starting a video game blog is to create something valuable for your audience. If you’re writing about video games, your content must be informative and engaging; if you write fluff pieces with little or no value, readers will quickly leave and find other blogs to read. A good way to keep your content engaging is by sharing memorable stories or experiences in addition to tips, facts, and news articles.
Share Engaging Content on Social Media
Want to reach more people? Talk about your favorite topics on social media. Your posts don’t have to be that long, but you must share interesting and relevant content. It is also a good idea to engage with others interested in video games by sharing their content and commenting on their posts. By doing so, you can build more relationships and grow your audience on social media.
Create an Engaging Homepage
Make sure that your readers can quickly tell what your site is about and why they should keep reading. As with any type of writing, try to use specific examples and avoid vague terminology. Avoid text-heavy pages with too much information crammed onto one page. There are affordable web design packagesthat include attractive graphics or photos. It’s best to have someone professionally design your website for you if you don’t have experience with HTML. The more professional it looks, such as adding banners or including an image on each page, helps increase traffic. These things make people want to stick around. After all, first impressions are important in business.
Use Images in Your Posts
Images can increase views and click-through rates. They help communicate your content and make it easier to digest at a glance. Plus, adding images to your posts is one of those things that many bloggers and writers think they should do, but very few take the time to do it right. Don’t be lazy—add some visuals to your posts! If you don’t have any in mind for whatever you’re writing about, try heading over to Flickr or Pixabay and searching for relevant images.
Write Guest Posts for Other Blogs
Guest blogging is an excellent way to promote your website, get exposure, and build your reputation as an expert in your field. Plus, it’s easy—you can guest post on someone else’s platform by simply pitching articles to their editors. It is especially true of video game blogs looking for regular contributors but don’t have enough content to publish every week. Reach out to these blogs and see if they’re interested in posting something from you regularly.
Learn About SEO Basics
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential because it allows you to get your content in front of an audience. The more people visit your site, the more Google and other search engines are likely to notice you. It means that people searching online for video game blogs will be more likely to stumble across yours—and readers are far more likely to keep coming back if they find what they’re looking for.
There are many reasons you might want to start a video game blog. It’s an exciting idea. You can connect with others who share your interests, and you can take pride in sharing your knowledge with others. You also might make some money doing it! And, if nothing else, writing about games is fun.
