After 10 years of content creation, I’ve learned that learning how to start writing a blog doesn’t have to be complicated.
In fact, overthinking is often what keeps most experts from sharing their valuable knowledge online.
You’re probably sitting there, wondering if your expertise is worth sharing.
Or maybe you’ve been putting it off because the technical stuff feels overwhelming.
I get it.
I remember when I first tried to figure out how to start to write a blog.
I had back pain (still do) that made sitting at my desk for more than 2 hours straight impossible. But I found ways to make it work because I knew my knowledge was valuable.
In this article, I’ll show you three proven ways to start a blog easy without getting stuck in perfectionism or drowning in technical details. No more excuses.
1. Start Where the Traffic Already Is
The biggest mistake I see smart people make is trying to build their own fancy website from scratch. They waste months on logos, themes, and domain names – then never actually write anything.
Forget that crap.
Start on platforms where people are already hanging out looking for content.
Medium and Substack have been my personal favorites. I’ve been writing on Medium since November 2022 and recently switched to Substack as my main platform.
Both are free, easy to use, and most importantly – they have built-in readers (something your blog doesn’t have from day 1.)
When you publish on these platforms, you don’t need to worry about driving traffic. They do some of that work for you. It’s like planting your flag where your audience already spends time.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Choose ONE platform (Medium or Substack – don’t try to be everywhere)
- Set up a basic profile (don’t overthink this)
- Start writing (this is the part that actually matters)
Actually, here’s a little hack: You can write on both Medium and Substack at the same time. Just write your article once and copy-paste it to both platforms. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, and it works great. You’re essentially doubling your potential audience with the same content.
When I first started, I felt overwhelmed by all the options. – – Should I build a WordPress site?
Learn SEO?
Run ads?
It was paralyzing.
Starting on established platforms removed all those barriers and let me focus purely on writing. No website maintenance, no complicated tech, just sharing my ideas.
The beauty of this approach is you can always build your own platform later. But first, you need content and an audience – and these platforms help you get both faster. This is honestly the easiest way to start a blog easy without the technical headaches.
2. Use the “Ideas First” System
I see writers go insane all the time. They sit down to write and have no clue what to talk about.
Coming up with ideas isn’t something that magically happens when you stare at a blank screen. That’s a recipe for writer’s block and frustration.
Here’s the system I’ve developed after 10+ years of content creation:
Dedicate 90 minutes one day per week just for brainstorming ideas. This isn’t writing time – it’s purely for generating topics. I can’t sit at my desk for more than 2 hours at a time because of my back pain, so I do most of my writing on a recliner.
But this dedicated brainstorming session saves me hours of staring at a blank page later.
Store these ideas systematically.
I use Obsidian, but you could use Notion, Google Docs, or even a paper notebook. The important thing is having a system.
Focus on the intersection of your passion and your audience’s problems. That sweet spot is where the magic happens. I found my niche helping content creators monetize their expertise because it combined my experience with a real need in the market.
When you do this right, you’ll never run out of things to write about. You’ll have a backlog of ideas waiting for you whenever you sit down to write.
Practical steps:
- List common problems your audience faces (what are they googling?)
- Match those problems with your expertise (what can you solve?)
- For each problem, brainstorm 3-5 potential article angles
- Keep this list handy whenever you sit down to write
Remember: when you sit down to write, you should already know your topic. Don’t waste time wondering what to write about.
3. Use These Proven Simple Templates
Some writers will hate me for this.
But creating blog content doesn’t require reinventing the wheel every time.
Templates are your friend. They’re the secret weapon that helped me publish consistently even when I didn’t feel like writing. They give you a structure to follow so you can focus on your ideas instead of wondering “what comes next?”
Here are three beginner-friendly templates that work every damn time:
The Listicle Template:
This is what I’m using right now. It’s simple:
- Introduction (problem + promise)
- 3-7 main points (one clear idea per section)
- Conclusion with next steps
Perfect for: “5 Ways to…” or “3 Keys to…” posts. Readers love these because they’re scannable and actionable.
The Tutorial Template:
- Introduction: What they’ll learn and why it matters
- Step-by-step instructions (in exact sequential order)
- Conclusion with what to do next
Perfect for: How-to guides and processes. This is how I created most of my early content teaching email marketing and course creation.
The Demonstration Format:
- Introduction: Your main argument or position
- Supporting points (one idea per section)
- Stories or examples that prove your point
- Conclusion reinforcing your position
Perfect for: Why posts and concept explanations when you’re trying to change someone’s mind.
The key principle with all these templates is what I call “monodivarity” – one clear idea per section. Don’t stuff multiple points into one paragraph. Simple ideas always win.
Templates are proven structures that allow you to wrap boring info into interesting content. They’re like the foundation of a house – invisible to the reader but crucial for making everything else work.
When I started monetizing my content, I realized that consistency matters more than creativity. These templates helped me stay consistent when inspiration was nowhere to be found.
Let’s Finish Here
I make 99% of my income from my email list and selling digital courses and coaching.
And half of my email list comes from long-form blog posts like this one. Learning how to start writing a blog was the first step that made all of this possible.
Writing becomes more than a hobby when you focus on solving real problems. That’s when people start to pay attention—and eventually pay you.
Here’s what you need to do right now:
- Choose your platform (Medium or Substack)
- Spend 90 minutes brainstorming ideas that solve specific problems
- Pick one template that fits your first topic
- Write your first post today (not tomorrow, not next week)
Even with chronic back pain that prevents me from sitting at a desk for more than 2 hours straight, having these systems helps me stay consistent with my content creation. I do most of my writing on a recliner because it takes pressure off my lumbar.
Most people overthink this stuff. They wait for the perfect moment, the perfect topic, or the perfect platform. But that perfect moment never comes.
The best content creators aren’t trying to be everywhere. They’re doing just enough, consistently. They’re not winning gold medals for perfection—they’re building solid foundations that pay off long-term.
Don’t be the person who’s still “researching” blogging a year from now. Be the person who has 50 articles published by then.
Now, go and damn do it.