How to Start a Profitable Blog Course

DAY THREE

Welcome to Day 3! Today the fun continues.

Think of it this way: On Day 1, you got the keys to your new house on the internet. Yesterday and Today, we get to decorate. We're going to turn that empty space into a warm, welcoming home that feels completely and totally you.

This is the part where you start to see your vision come to life. Let's get in to it!

Quick Note: Haven't started your blog yet? No worries at all! So many people are right there with you. Your simple, 15-minute step-by-step guide is waiting for you right here. This fun decorating part will be ready for you as soon as you're done! If you feel like there is something you need to know or understand before you can start your blog, don’t hesitate to reach out to me using my contact page, or you can email me: hi@taylorstanford.com I promise I genuinely want to help.

Today we are going to talk about:

  1. What pages does your blog need, and what you should put on them.

  2. Choosing categories for your blog.

  3. How to create a new page on your website.

  4. How to create a navigation menu for your blog readers.

  5. Why you should be excited for tomorrow.

Part 1: Important Pages For Your Blog

  • About

  • Contact

  • Privacy Policy

Below, you can click on each of the page types, and it will reveal what I suggest putting on that page.

  • Your "About" page is the most important page on your entire blog. Why? Because people don't just connect with content; they connect with people. This is where you turn a first-time visitor into a loyal fan who trusts you.

    People don’t trust people they don’t know so they will be less likely to buy from your affiliate links, or continue to engage with your content if they don’t know you.

    Here is what you should include on your About page:

    • Your name: The most important piece of information to include on your about page is your name. This is the first thing that visitors will see, so make sure it's spelled correctly and easy to remember.

    • Your picture: A photo of yourself is a great way to put a face to your name and make yourself more relatable to your readers.

    • Your bio: Your bio should give a brief overview of your life and background. Talk about your interests, your passions, and what led you to start blogging.

    • Your why: Why do you blog? What do you hope to achieve with your blog? Your why is an important part of your about page because it helps readers understand your motivation and connect with you on a deeper level.

    • Your goals: What do you want to achieve with your blog? Do you want to share your knowledge, inspire others, or build a community? Your goals will help you stay focused on your blog and make sure you're on the right track.

    • Your contact information: Make it easy for readers to get in touch with you by including your email address and social media handles.

    In addition to the above information, you can also include other details that you think would be interesting to your readers, such as your hobbies, your favorite books, or your favorite travel destinations. The goal of your about page is to give readers a better understanding of who you are and what you're all about, so be sure to include anything that you think would help them connect with you on a personal level.

    Here are some additional tips for writing a great about page:

    • Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. Your readers will appreciate your authenticity.

    • Be honest. Don't be afraid to share your mistakes and your struggles. This will make you more relatable and trustworthy.

    • Be positive. Your about page should be an uplifting and inspiring read. Focus on the good things in your life and the things you're passionate about.

    • Be concise. People have short attention spans, so keep your about page to a few paragraphs.

    Your about page is an important part of your blog, so take the time to write it well. It's your chance to connect with your readers on a personal level and make a good first impression.

    But staring at a blank page is the worst. So, let's make it easy. Think of this as "About Page Mad Libs"—just fill in the blanks with what feels true to you.

    Your "Can't-Go-Wrong" About Page Template:

    • Hey, I'm ****!

    • You'll usually find me [doing a relatable activity, e.g., sipping iced coffee while my kids nap, trying to keep my houseplants alive, planning my next road trip].

    • I started this blog because [share your core motivation, e.g., I was tired of my 9-to-5 and wanted more time with my family / I wanted to share my passion for X and help others].

    • I believe that [share a core belief your audience shares, e.g., you don't have to be a tech expert to build a life you love / creating a beautiful home on a budget is possible].

    • My goal with this blog is to help you [the transformation you offer, e.g., start your own blog and find financial freedom / learn simple ways to make everyday life a little more joyful].

    Tip: Don't try to be perfect! My first About page was just a few sentences long. The most important thing is to be yourself. Your story is what makes you unique, and that's what people will connect with.

  • Your contact page allows companies, your readers, and potential collaborators to reach out to you.

    Typically on your contact page, you would have:

    • A short paragraph saying what you’re open to. Example: “Thanks for wanting to get in touch! I can’t wait to chat with you about your thoughts on my content, or collaboration opportunities”

    • A contact form or your email address.

    • Links to your social media accounts.

    and potentially an FAQ if you get a lot of the same questions.

  • Your privacy policy and cookie policy if you choose to have one are there to protect you legally. They tell your readers what you do with their information.

    The easiest way to generate a free privacy policy nowadays would be going to an AI language model (Chat GPT, Gemini, Claude, ect) and saying “Hey, my website is ____ I talk about ____ and live in _____. Ask me anything you would need to know so that you could draft me a privacy policy as if you were an expert lawyer.”

    You can also generate a free privacy policy from these sites:

    • https://www.privacypolicygenerator.info/

    • https://wordpress.org/plugins/uk-cookie-consent/

    • https://www.privacypolicies.com/blog/what-is-privacy-policy/

    Once you have created your privacy policy, you will need to add it to a page on your website. You can just create a new page using the instructions in the section “how to create a new page in WordPress” below this drop-down.

    It is important to note that a free privacy policy generator is not a substitute for legal advice. If you have any specific questions about your blog's privacy policy, you should consult with an attorney.

    Here are some additional tips for creating a privacy policy for your blog:

    • Make sure your privacy policy is clear and concise.

    • Use plain language that your readers can understand.

    • Be specific about what information you collect and how you use it.

    • Be transparent about your data-sharing practices.

    Update your privacy policy regularly to reflect changes to your blog's practices.

    By following these tips, you can create a privacy policy that protects your readers' privacy and helps you comply with applicable laws.

When you’re working on these pages I suggest writing them out as a document on your computer (either Google Doc or Microsoft WordDoc) or just working on them directly on your website. Just be sure to save them as you go.

Part 2: The "Rooms" of Your Blog (Categories & Menus)

Now that we have a welcome mat, let's create the rooms and hallways. Your categories and menu make your blog professional and easy for readers to explore. A confused reader will always click away, so let's make it simple for them to find exactly what they need.

Your Action Task: Brainstorm Your Categories

Grab a notebook and let's brainstorm 3-5 "rooms" for your blog.

  • What are the main topics you're excited to write about?

  • If your blog was a magazine, what would the main sections be called?

  • Example: If you're a food blogger, your categories might be "30-Minute Meals," "Desserts," and "Healthy Snacks."

Here are some tips on how to choose categories for your blog:

  1. Consider your blog's niche. What are you passionate about? What do you know a lot about? What are you interested in writing about? Once you know your blog's niche, you can start to brainstorm categories that fit within that niche.

  2. Think about your audience. Who are you writing for? What are their interests? What kind of information are they looking for? When you're choosing categories, keep your audience in mind.

  3. Make sure your categories are clear and concise. Your readers should be able to easily understand what each category is about. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience might not understand.

Once you know your 2-5 categories it’s time to add them to your blog.

The "How-To" Checklists (Making it Easy)

Okay, you've got your plan. Now let's get building! Here are the simple, click-by-click checklists to get everything set up in WordPress.

    • ☐ In your WordPress dashboard, click Pages > Add New.

    • ☐ Type your page title (e.g., "About Me").

    • ☐ Copy and paste the content you wrote using the template above.

    • ☐ Click the blue Publish button in the top right corner.

    • ☐ Repeat for a "Contact" page and a "Privacy Policy" page!

    • ☐ In your WordPress dashboard, click Posts > Categories.

    • ☐ On the left, type your first category name into the "Name" box.

    • ☐ Click the Add New Category button.

    • ☐ Repeat for all 3-5 of your categories! Easy peasy.

    • ☐ In your WordPress dashboard, click Appearance > Menus.

    • ☐ Give your menu a name (like "Main Menu") and click Create Menu.

    • ☐ On the left side, you'll see boxes for Pages and Categories. Click the little arrow to open them.

    • ☐ Check the boxes for the pages and categories you want to add to your menu.

    • ☐ Click the Add to Menu button.

    • ☐ You can now drag and drop the items on the right to arrange them in the order you want.

    • ☐ Under "Menu Settings" at the bottom, check the box for "Primary Menu" (or a similar term depending on your theme).

    • ☐ Click the blue Save Menu button.

You Did It! Your Blog is Now a Home!

Take a look at your site. It has structure. It has personality. It's officially a home for your ideas and your future business. I am so proud of you for taking these steps!

P.S. Get excited for tomorrow.

We’re going to talk about the #1 question everyone asks: "How do I actually make money with this thing?" I’ll be breaking down the simple ways your new blog will become a source of income. You won’t want to miss it